Alumni (Overview)

Mission Statement
The Thomas Jefferson School of Law Alumni Association seeks to promote and foster a mutually beneficial relationship between Thomas Jefferson School of Law and all its alumni. The Association is dedicated to serving its alumni by providing social, educational, and professional opportunities. Lastly, the Association is dedicated to supporting the law school's educational mission.

No Dues: All Thomas Jefferson School of Law graduates, including Western State University College of Law--San Diego graduates, are members of the Alumni Association.

2022-2023 Board of Directors (Board Meeting Schedule--Meetings Open to all Alumni)

Check the Alumni Calendar of Events

View: Bylaws of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Term of Office: Directors serve two-year terms.

Board Meeting Dates: 

Board Meeting Dates: Alumni Association Board meetings take place on the fourth Tuesday of every month (third Tuesday for the months of November and May; no meetings June, July, or December) at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, 701 B St. Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92101.  Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m.   

If you would like to attend monthly board meetings or receive emails directly from the Board of Directors regarding upcoming events, please send an email to tjslaabod@gmail.com. 

Committees (Each Committee has specific Projects):

• Admissions Committee
• Alumni and Community Engagement
• Bylaws and Election Committee
• Career Planning Committee
• Communications Committee
• Development Committee

Volunteer: If you would like to volunteer for a committee or alumni event please email tjslaabod@gmail.com.

ALUMNI AWARDS

"Judicial Service Award," Presented by the Alumni Association of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, recipients include:  

2022 - Hon. Browder Willis, '83

2019 - Hon. Joel R. Wohlfeil, '80

2018 - Hon. John A. Houson

2017 - Hon. Mitchell Dembin

2016 - Hon. Larry Burns

2014 - Hon. David Gill

2013 - Hon. Roger Benitez, '78

"Outstanding Service to Community Award" Presented by the Alumni Association of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, recipients include:

Ray Warner, '99

2022

Danna Cottman, '96

2019, ARC IP Law, PC

Srinivas Hanumadass, '03

2018, Casey Gerry , LLP

Anna M. Romanskaya ‘07

2017, Partner, Stark & D’Ambrosio, LLP

Gary S. Bloch '81

2016, Commissioner (Ret.), Superior Court of California, County of San Diego

Terri P. Peters '87

2015, Deputy Public Defender, San Diego County (co-recipient)

William J. Edwards '91

2015, Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles County (co-recipient)

Craig A. Sherman '93

2014, Inaugural Year, Craig A. Sherman, PLC

WALL OF FAME - ALUMNI OF THE YEAR AWARD
2nd Floor of the Law School

• Congressman Duncan Hunter, 1987
• Hon. (Ret.) Lillian Lim, 1987
• Hon. Lisa Schall, 1987
• Michael W. Brennan, 1988
• Helen Rowe, 1988
• Martin A. Kruming, 1989
• Thomas S. Topuzes, 1989
• Marc Abdelnour, 1990
• Mary C. Avery, 1991
• Peter Quon, 1995
• Leslie Lee Alexander, 2013
• Gary Bloch, 2013
• Bonnie Dumanis, 2013
• Hon. Roger T. Benitez, 2014
• Henry C. Coker, 2015
• Randy Mize, 2018

"A. Thomas Golden Alumnus/a of the Year Award" Presented by the Student Bar Association at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, recipients include:

• Brian K. Findley '07

           2018, Mulligan, Banham & Findley

• Sabrina Green '02
  2017, Stratton & Green, APC
• Ben Aguilar '11
  2016, Law Offices of Ben Aguilar
• Eric Ganci '08
  2015, Ganci, Esq., APC
• Jeremy M. Evans '11
  2014, California Sports Lawyer
• Renee Galente ’08
  2013, Galente Law, APC
• Commissioner (Ret.) Gary Bloch '81
  2012, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
• Jon H. Epsten '82
  2011, Epsten Grinnell & Howell, APC
• Lori Westin '04
  2010, Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati
• Frank Mead '00
  2009, Lorona & Mead, PLC
• Hon. Browder Willis '83
  2008, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
• Philip A. Shapiro '85
  2007, Law Offices of Philip A. Shapiro
• Hon. (Ret.) Lillian Lim '77
  2006, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
• Randy M. Grossman '94
  2005, Law Offices of Randy M. Grossman, APC
• Denise Asher '02
  2004 Inaugural Year, Asher Mediation

Thomas Jefferson School of Law is committed to helping our alumni succeed by strengthening relationships between our alumni, the Law School and our community. All graduates of Thomas Jefferson School of Law are members of the Alumni Association. If you cannot find what you need among the listed services, please contact alumni@tjsl.edu. Stay connected: like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

CALIFORNIA BAR EXAM PREP: Need to pass the California Bar? Thomas Jefferson School of Law offers for free the Continuing Bar Candidate Program. The Law School is committed to its graduates and their dreams of becoming licensed attorneys. The program is geared towards students who were unsuccessful in the first attempt at the California Bar Exam.

CAREER SERVICES OFFICE: Whether looking for your first law job or a mid-career change, the Career Services Office is a one-stop shop. Please contact careerservices@tjsl.edu for assistance or to make an appointment.

DIPLOMAS AND TRANSCRIPTS: All Western State University College of Law graduates may receive one complimentary diploma by contacting alumni@tjsl.edu. Provide your name, graduation year and mailing address. If you graduated after 1995 please contact the Registrar with your diploma request and mail at $25.00 check for the diploma replacement fee. Make check payable to Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Memo: Diploma replacement fee and mail to Registrar’s Office, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, 701 B St. Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92101.  Transcripts are provided free of charge by visiting the Registrar and filling out the Transcript Request Form or contacting registrar@tjsl.edu or (619) 297-9700.

LIBRARY ACCESS: Alumni are welcome on campus to use the Library and materials and resources available. Alumni may also seek assitance of the Library Staff if they need help with locating a resource or with research tasks.  Alumni must check-in with Security desk on the first floor before heading to the Library.

STUDENT EXTERNS: Does your firm or organization need a law intern? Alumni can request a student extern at no cost. Visit Externships & Pro Bono Programs.

Alumni Phone: (619) 297-9700 E-mail: alumni@tjsl.edu

With thousands of alumni, Thomas Jefferson School of Law has distinguished graduates with careers in business, government, non-profit and legal communities around the world.

To name just a few, retired Superior Court Judge Lillian Lim, who was the first Filipina judge in the United States, is an alumna.

Former San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and current San Diego County Public Defender Randy Mize are both graduates of our law school.

Sports agent and criminal defense attorney Randy Grossman, who calls nearby Petco Park his second home, graduated in 1994.

Our alumni are grateful for the education they received at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and take the time to serve as mentors to enrolled students and recent graduates as a way of giving back to their law school community. They also participate in the alumni events and serve as guest speakers in the multiple programs offered at Thomas Jefferson.

Alumni Phone: (619) 297-9700 E-mail: alumni@tjsl.edu