Pepperdine Caruso Law Congratulates Jonathan Maseng
Pepperdine Caruso Law is pleased to congratulate its newest member of post-graduate employment success, Jonathan Maseng! Joining Jonathan in the happy festivities were Dean Paul Caron, Professor Stephanie Williams, Professor Ahmed Taha, Professor Mark Kubisch, members and directors of the Career Development, Deans' Suite, and Administrative Offices, and Jonathan's parents and law school classmates. Prior to ringing the bell, Jonathan thanked all of his classmates, particularly from Section B, who helped him along the way; his moot court teammates and partners; Professors Williams, Taha, and Kubisch for their moot court and legal writing and research expertise; Professor Colleen Graffy for writing recommendation letters and helping him secure a criminal law job; Dean Caron for being a great law school dean; and his family, particularly his mom, dad, and brother for their love and support.
Following graduation, Jonathan will be serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County, in New York City, under District Attorney Melinda Katz. He found out about the position by spotting it on Symplicity. Jonathan grew up in New York City and was intrigued by the position. He visited the Queens District Attorney website and was impressed by the direction the office was heading and the new programs that Katz had implemented since taking office in 2020, and decided to apply for the job.
Jonathan completed his undergraduate studies at Bennington College and the City College of the City University of New York. He graduated magna cum laude from City College with a bachelors degree in English. He then spent ten years working as a writer, journalist, and non-profit executive in Los Angeles prior to attending law school.
At Caruso Law, Jonathan served as a student ambassador and student mentor. His favorite activity was serving as a member and later the selection chair of the Pepperdine Interschool Moot Court team. He was a finalist at both the Armand Arabian and Vincent S. Dalsimer Moot Court Competitions, and won several best oralist honors and best brief awards during his time with the team. Jonathan was lucky enough to have excellent moot court partners in Elissa Crowder, Uni Kim, Gabriella Castro, and especially Lindsey Kirchoff. He was also extremely privileged to serve as a judicial extern to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rwanda through the Sudreau Global Justice Institute.
Jonathan would like to thank Professor Mark Kubisch, Professor Barry McDonald, Professor Steve Schultz, Professor Ahmed Taha and Professor Stephanie Williams for their mentorship, encouragement and teaching. He wants to especially thank Professor Colleen Graffy and Professor Alexander Robbins for serving as references for him. He also wishes to thank Dean Paul Caron for his humor, his mentorship, and his kindness, as well as Dean Shannon Phillips and the admissions staff for the great gift they gave him by allowing him to attend Caruso Law.
Jonathan extends special thanks to Judge Sheri Bluebond, Judge Terry Hatter and their clerks for allowing him to extern in their chambers. Thank you to Judge Geraldine Mund and Judge Kathy Thompson for encouraging him to attend law school and for their great generosity. A huge thank you to Ken Reichman who spent countless hours helping Jonathan learn the ins and outs of federal practice, for which he will be eternally grateful. Thank you to Matthew Barragan, David Harris, and all the folks at the Civil Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. And thank you to Kelly Quinn, Caleb Mason, and the staff at Werksman, Jackson and Quinn.
Lastly, Jonathan sends a huge thank you to his parents, brothers, family and friends who have encouraged him, celebrated with him, studied with him, and helped him get through law school.
Congratulations to Jonathan!
