Sophia Hamilton (JD '11) Named Director of Externships and Pro Bono Programs

August 2, 2017 -- We are pleased to announce that Sophia Hamilton joined the Pepperdine Law faculty on August 1 as Director of Externships and Pro Bono Programs and Adjunct Professor for Academic Success and Bar Preparation. As the Director of Externship and Pro Bono Programs she will direct the externship program, advise and counsel students, work directly with field placement supervisors, and create pro bono placements and opportunities for students. In her role as Adjunct Professor for Academic Success Department and Bar Preparation, Professor Hamilton will have teaching responsibilities and student office hours in the law school's academic success and bar preparation courses.  She will work to implement a program that supports the law school's commitment to academic success in law school and success on the bar exam.

Professor Hamilton earned her B.A. in Mass Communications from Walla Walla University and her JD from Pepperdine Law. As an associate at Clayson, Mann, Yaeger & Hansen, she assisted large business clients with employment matters, including compliance with state and federal employment laws and investigation and defense of lawsuits. She also assisted business and nonprofit entities with formations, dissolution and asset acquisitions. As a solo practitioner, Hamilton has represented small and mid-sized employers in labor, employment and business matters and conducted pre-litigation workplace investigations. Most recently, Hamilton was a Legal Associate for Pepperdine University Center for Estate and Gift Planning where she supervised department law clerks and developed strong, philanthropic relationships with Pepperdine donors.  

After graduating, Hamilton volunteered with the Preceptor program, mentoring students through the first year of law school.  She also worked with the Nootbaar Institute as a volunteer attorney in a Global Justice Program project in Uganda, which introduced plea bargaining to Uganda's adult justice System.  

Welcome, Professor Hamilton!