Pepperdine Law's Career Development Office Grows and Continues to Advance Student and Graduate Employment Prospects
September 4, 2018 | The Career Development Office (CDO) at Pepperdine Law provides students and graduates with information regarding the legal market, resources for identifying prospective employers, and assistance in marketing themselves to the legal and business communities. In addition to critical job-searching services, the CDO creates networking opportunities for both students and graduates.
With the addition of two new members to the team, CDO will continue to grow its relationships with employers in order to connect students to an expansive network of legal professionals. Director of Career Development Michelle Feinstein said, "The Career Development Office is thrilled to introduce our newest members and provide you with background on our whole team. We have assembled a staff of dedicated professionals who will partner with students and alumni on an individualized basis at all stages of their job search. Our counselors have experience ranging from law firms of all sizes to in-house, government, public interest, and judicial clerkships. We look forward to working with you."
Michelle Feinstein - Director of Career Development
After four and a half years of dedicated service as Associate Director in the CDO, Michelle Feinstein assumed the role of Director of Career Development earlier this year. She leads the CDO's internal management and continues to oversee the wide range of programs and services that the CDO offers. Before joining the CDO, Michelle was General Counsel and Vice President of Business Affairs for Grill Concepts, Inc., a national restaurant chain owner and operator, and was an Associate at Pircher, Nichols & Meeks. She also spent nearly three years working for the Department of Justice in Washington DC in the Outstanding Scholars Program as a Paralegal Specialist. Michelle is admitted to the State Bar of California. Michelle's primary focus is transactional law and in-house careers.
Alexis Joyce - Associate Director of Career Development
In her position as Associate Director, Alexis counsels students on potential career paths, reviews application documents, and advises on interviewing and networking strategies. She primarily focuses on careers in government and public interest. Alexis has experience from the Ventura County Public Defender's Office and a mid-sized insurance defense firm. Prior to joining the CDO, Alexis worked in the Career Services Office at Southwestern Law School. Alexis received her JD from Pepperdine Law and her BA from St. John's University.
Chalak Richards - Associate Director of Career Development
Chalak earned her JD from Pepperdine Law in 2012 and returned to us this fall in her new role as Associate Director. In her legal practice, Chalak focused on immigration law as a Senior Associate at the Law Office of Sylvia Esparza in Las Vegas and as an Associate at Benson Lee and Associates, specializing in removal defense and affirmative petitions before the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. She appeared regularly before the Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Andrea Yang - Associate Director of Career Development
As Associate Director, Andrea advises students and alumni on career planning, job search strategies, resume preparation, interviewing, and networking. Her counseling areas of expertise include large firm employment and judicial clerkships. Before joining the CDO, Andrea worked as a commercial litigator at two large firms. She also served as a federal judicial clerk and Special Assistant United States Attorney. Andrea holds a JD from Georgetown and BA from Harvard.
Recruiting and Employer Outreach Manager - Jessica Guetzoian
Jessica serves as the Recruiting and Employer Outreach Manager in the CDO. Before working in the Career Development Office here at Pepperdine School of Law, Jessica worked in student recruitment for the Graziadio Business School at Pepperdine. She is currently earning her Master's Degree in Dispute Resolution at the Straus Institute.
Administrator and Event Coordinator - Cathleen Horton
In her role at the CDO, Cathleen helps students in making appointments with the counselors, requests reciprocity from other schools on a student's behalf, and assists to coordinate all CDO sponsored events. Before joining the team at Pepperdine, Cathleen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Baylor University. She and her husband, Zack, moved to California in order for Zack to further his education at Pepperdine Law.
