Pepperdine Law Review Sorenson Spotlight Series: Analisa Swan
The Pepperdine Law Review is proud to present its April Sorenson Spotlight. The Sorenson Spotlight is a series showcasing past Sorenson Writing Award recipients. The Ronald M. Sorenson Memorial Writing Award is presented each year to the member of the law review who submits the most well-written, thoroughly researched, and intellectually engaging comment or note. The Sorenson Spotlight Series features our many outstanding award recipients and highlights what they are doing now.
For the second installment of the series, Pepperdine Law Review is thrilled to spotlight Analisa Swan. Swan received the Sorenson Award for her article, "Apprendi v. New Jersey, The Scaling Back of the Sentencing Factor Revolution and the Resurrection of Criminal Defendant Rights, How Far is Too Far?" which was published in Volume 29, Issue 4 of the Pepperdine Law Review. After graduating from Pepperdine Caruso Law, she served as a law clerk and research attorney in a year-long honors program for two judges at the Stanley Mosk, Los Angeles Civil Superior Courthouse.
Swan currently lives in Burbank, California, and is an associate attorney with Ford & Wallach, representing injured workers for California workers’ compensation. She has over a decade of experience as a passionate and committed advocate, having worked for Ford & Wallach since March 2004. She is an active member of the preeminent advocacy organization for injured workers, the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (“CAAA”), and regional chapter, the Southern California Applicants’ Attorney’s Association (“SCAAA”).
Swan is also active in the labor movement, advocating for workers’ rights. Her advocacy includes teaching about workers’ compensation benefits at Los Angeles Trade Technical College through the Labor Studies Program along with Ford & Wallach’s partners, Scott Ford and Cheryl Wallach. In addition, Swan is the elected secretary to the Los Angeles Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (“CLUW”).
Additionally, Swan is politically active as an outstanding grassroots activist and serves as an elected delegate and executive board member to the California Democratic Party. In 2021, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party (“LACDP”) honored Swan at the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Awards as Democrat of the Year for Assembly District 43. In 2022, she was awarded by the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley at the Truman Awards as Volunteer of the Year for the Glendale Democratic Club. In 2023, Swan was honored as the Member of the Year for the Los Angeles Stonewall Democratic Club.
The Pepperdine Law Review thanks Analisa Swan for her impressive commitment to community involvement and volunteer service, which is inspiring and sets a true example of leadership, activism, and generosity.