With a goal of transforming her personal traumas into her law firm’s mission, Shanna Hesketh (Law '17) founded Trauma Law California, a personal injury and criminal defense law firm that provides single point of contact, education and support throughout the legal process to its clients. Her journey, marked by the emotional murder trial of her brother and a series of life-altering accidents, not only shaped her legal career but her perspective on the very essence of justice. Learn more about Shanna, including the impact personal experiences have in shaping your career, the importance of empathy in the courtroom, and the undeniable strength that can be forged in the face of adversity.
SJCL’s Professor Miiko Anderson has been awarded the Suzanne McDaniel Memorial Award for Public Awareness, by Congressman Jim Costa. The award honors individuals who have used their voice to support and bring change at the national level, for crime victims. Professor Anderson was recognized at the annual Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus awards ceremony in Washington D.C. during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 23-29, 2023).
Professor Peter Wasemiller (Law ’82) has referred or recommended several students to law school. Among them: Raquel Chavez (3L), Maranee Forsyth (2L), Darren Stemwedel (Law ’12), Kelly Campbell (4L), and Samuel Kyllo (Law ’97).
Peter Wasemiller (Law ’82) has for 40 years fulfilled a lifelong desire to work in higher education. He has served as both an administrator and college professor throughout his career. His decision to enroll in law school was based on the hunch that a robust academic background (right up there with medical school) could help him to realize that goal.
Not only were the soon-to-be-admitted attorneys unwilling to forfeit a month of the raise they expected as they moved up from clerking positions, but many of their employers wanted the attorneys on the job and in court ASAP.
Raul Magana (Law ’21) also took the attorney’s oath recently, with a special officiant in fellow Military Veteran, SJCL Grad, and Superior Court Judge Brian Alvarez (Law ’95). But Raul’s pathway to the bar is anything but typical. A Veteran of the U.S. Marines, Raul returned from his tour of duty (which included a combat deployment to Iraq) and attended both Fresno City College and the Police Academy, and worked as a police officer while earning a Criminology degree at Fresno State.
- In Gratitude as the New Year Begins
- How An Alumni's Legal Education Paved the Way to Founding a Medical Software Company
- From Nurse to Litigator: How One Lawyer is Changing the Healthcare Industry for the Better
- Immigration and Law School: How One Law Student Overcame Hardships to Follow Her Dream and Help Others