Alumni Leadership

The Alumni Association is an active group with a hard-working board, several committees, and many access points for alumni to get involved with Southwestern.

Alumni Association Board of Directors

2022-2023

Alicia Matricardi '06, President
Attorney at Law
Matricardi Law 

Robert Glassman '09, Past President
Attorney at Law
Panish Shea & Boyle

Daniel K. Kramer '08, President-Elect
Attorney at Law 
Kramer Trial Lawyers 

Lynda Sheridan '94, Vice President
Attorney at Law 
Law Offices of Lynda Sheridan

Emeriti Board

The Southwestern Alumni Association established the Nickel Club in 2008 to meet the specific needs of Southwestern alumni who have graduated within the past five years. For the 2020-21 academic year, that includes class years 2016-2020. 

Recently graduated alumni have different needs than attorneys who have been in practice for more than five years. As a result, the Nickel Club was created to help improve and ease the transition into the legal profession by providing support and resources to recent alumni. The group also fosters relationships between recent graduates and current students. There's no application process - alumni are automatically members, and no dues are required. And all are welcome and encouraged to join and participate in any Nickel Club events.

Applications for the Nickel Club Board of Directors and Committees go live every spring. The Board and Committee members plan events that focus on networking (both among Nickels and with older alumni), career development (CLE programming), and engagement with students. 

To learn more about joining the Nickel Club or about upcoming events and activities, please email alumni@swlaw.edu. 

Governing Board of Directors
2021-2022

Robert Ford '17, President
A3 Artists Agency

Yarden Fedida '17, Past President
Fedida Law Firm

Matthew French '19, Co-Vice President
Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman

Caitlyn Dillon '18, Co-Vice President
Lewitt Hackman

Julio Soto-Kim '19, Secretary
Plante Lebovic LLP

Blake Burtchaell '17
Burtchaell Law

Joya De Foor '18

Andrew Grassel '17
Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson

Daniel Reutskiy '18
Law Office of Daniel Reutskiy

Erica Zohar '17, Past President 
Levin Law Corp.

Sub-Committees

Nickel Focused Sub-Committee

This committee helps foster social interaction and professional development between its members. The committee will create opportunities for Nickel members to meet and network with one another, with the expectation to reconnect with former classmates and develop professional contacts with other recent Southwestern alumni. The Nickel Focused Committee will also work collaboratively with the other committees for the purpose of organizing and maintaining a Nickel Club contact network accessible to all members.

Student Focused Sub-Committee

This committee concentrates on the interaction between recent graduates and current students by developing programs, events, and activities to promote networking between these two groups. The committee works closely with current representatives of the various student body organizations. The committee's goals are to mentor and prepare students for their first few years in the legal profession and to encourage them to remain active in Southwestern as alumni. Fostering these types of relationships with current students will create pride in their alma mater to build a stronger alumni base for the future.

Career Related Sub-Committee

This committee is focused on career development and related activities aimed at improving the alumni community's legal practice. Events presented will include MCLE events and informational seminars, focused both generally and in specific practice areas, and will also include networking components for panelists and attendees. Future events include a judicial panel addressing common ethical pitfalls for young attorneys and the ABCs of court appearances. Seminars regarding attorney interactions, including how to develop a productive mentor/mentee relationship with the partners and senior associates in your firm, how to interact with co-counsel, and how to deal with difficult opposing counsel. Along with many great events to follow! Get MCLE credit and develop those important relationships with the Southwestern and Los Angeles legal communities.

Public Affairs Sub-Committee

This committee has two focuses. First, it will increase awareness among Nickel alumni about the law school's existing civic-minded efforts, including the Southwestern Children's Rights Clinic, Immigration Law Clinic, and Street Law Clinic. Second, the committee will identify for Southwestern students and alumni pro bono and other civic-minded activities with varying commitment levels. These activities will include participation in programs like Habitat for Humanity, tutoring for youth in need, and exciting fundraising events.

Southwestern recognizes outstanding alumni and friends in the following categories:

Outstanding Alumni of the Year 

Presented to a Southwestern alumnus or alumna who represents the best ideals of Southwestern through their professional accomplishments and demonstrated service to the community, law school, and legal profession.

Outstanding Judicial Officer

Presented to a Southwestern alumnus or alumna in recognition of their distinguished career as a member of the judiciary, service to the community, and commitment to the mission of the law school.

Outstanding Friend Award

Presented to a non-alumni friend of Southwestern who, through their commitment and/or volunteer effort, has strongly supported the ideals and mission of the law school.

Outstanding Law Firm

A law firm of any size that has demonstrated an enduring commitment to hiring, mentoring, and advancing Southwestern graduates.

Oustanding Litigator

Nominate for Alumni Awards 2024