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Pepperdine Caruso Law Congratulates Katrina Cymerman

Pepperdine Caruso Law is pleased to congratulate its latest bell-ringer in honor of post-graduate employment success, Katrina Cymerman! Katrina was joined in the happy celebration by Dean Paul Caron, Professor Stephanie Williams, and directors and members of the Career Development Office, Administrative Offices, and Deans' Suite. Prior to ringing the bell, Katrina thanked her many law school friends and her mother, who were also in attendance.

After graduation, Katrina will be participating in a post-bar clerkship with the Orange County Public Defenders’ Office in either the felonies division or the writs and appeals division. During her time at Caruso Law, Katrina worked for the Los Angeles Alternate Public Defenders as both an extern and a lead law clerk. She came to law school with the hope of one day being a public defender.  With the help of her female mentors and by searching California county websites, she found and earned her post-graduate position. Katrina's duties with the Orange County Public Defenders' Office will vary based on her placement, but she will likely be in court doing solo preliminary hearings, drafting memos and motions, and interviewing clients. 

Katrina grew up in Los Angeles and went to high school at The Buckley School. Her family is heavily involved in the entertainment industry—her mother is a casting director, her father is a cinematographer, and her sister is a director—and she enjoyed participating in the performing arts in high school. Katrina attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, where she majored in psychology with a focus on forensic psychology. During her time at Rhodes, Katrina and her mentor, Dr. Matthew Weeks, performed experiments focusing on subjects' implicit biases towards race, social class, and gender. This research, along with her study abroad experience in Sweden, spurred Katrina's interest in the legal profession, specifically, public defense.  

At Caruso Law,  Katrina participated in the trial team, and currently serves as the communications chair for the Trial Advocacy Board, as well as an associate editor for the Pepperdine Law Review. 

Katrina rings the bell and dean Caron claps

Katrina would like to thank her family, friends, and girlfriend for their unwavering love, support, and encouragement. She would also like to thank her professors for believing in her! Specifically, she would like to thank Professor Taha, Professor James, Professor Wendel, and Professor Stephanie Williams for their kindness, support, and patience. Finally, she would like to thank her mentors at the APD: Kelly Buck, Robyn Chew, and Felicia Grant.

Congratulations to Katrina!

Katrina stands in front of the bell surrounded by nine friends