San Joaquin College of Law

09/19/2026

And the bravest 👟

Because there’s people who grow up knowing lawyers.

Maybe they know someone they can call about the LSAT.
Someone who can explain the steps in the application process.
Or just someone who can tell you what law school is really like.

And then there’s the lawyers who figured it out as they went. ⚖️

Maybe nobody in your family has gone to law school before.

Maybe you didn’t grow up in a neighborhood where being a lawyer was an obvious career path.

Maybe you don’t even personally known a lawyer.

Or maybe law school sounded like it was meant for people with different connections, resources, or a completely different story than yours.

And yet... you keep thinking about it. 👟

That’s the part we hope you don’t ignore.

Some of the biggest goals begin with surprisingly small first steps:

Like just showing up. Asking the question. Or walking into the room.

And if law school is the room you’ve been thinking about, we’re inviting you into ours. 💙

Join us on ✨Wednesday, September 23 at 6pm for Law School 101✨ online or in person.

You’ll get your questions answered, meet people who’ve walked the path your on, and see what makes the SJCL experience different. 🔗

09/17/2026

From serving one Central Valley community to another, Ryan Dupras (JD ’24) is building a career rooted in public service. ⚖️

Last month, Ryan officially took the oath as one of the newest Fresno County Deputy District Attorneys, joining the Misdemeanor Unit and beginning an exciting new chapter in his legal career.

And what made the moment even more special?

Ryan was sworn in by fellow SJCL alumna and Fresno County Assistant District Attorney, Traci Fritzler (JD ’97). 💙

Nearly three decades separate their SJCL graduating classes, but moments like this remind us how far the relationships in law school can reach.

One generation of SJCL attorneys welcoming the next into the profession.
One alum helping mark the beginning of another alum’s next chapter.
And both serving the Central Valley through their careers in law.

And Ryan is already bringing valuable prosecutorial experience with him, too. 💼

Before joining the Fresno County District Attorney's Office, Ryan served with the Madera County District Attorney's Office where he gained firsthand experience advocating for his community and putting his legal education into practice.

Now, he's bringing that experience to Fresno County as he continues developing as a prosecutor and serving the Central Valley in a new capacity.

We love seeing full-circle moments like these—and generations of SJCL graduates continuing to cross paths, support one another, and serve the communities that helped shape them. ✨

Ryan, we're incredibly proud to see where your SJCL law degree has already taken you and excited to watch the impact you continue to make in our communities. 👏

09/15/2026

The people who work beside you every day know your impact better than almost anyone. ⚖️

That’s what makes this recognition for SJCL alumnus and Chief Deputy District Attorney, Kendall Reynolds (JD ’12), so meaningful.

Congratulations to Kendall on receiving the California District Attorney Investigators’ Association’s Prosecutor of the Year Award! 👏

Presented at the joint CDAA and CDAIA Conference, the award recognizes Kendall’s partnership with DA investigators, commitment to public safety, and dedication to prosecuting some of the most complex and dangerous cases in our community.

Throughout his career, Kendall hasn’t just stepped in when a case reaches the courtroom. He’s worked alongside investigators from the earliest stages—providing legal guidance, responding to crime scenes, and helping turn extensive investigations into cases that can be effectively prosecuted.

His experience on both sides of that partnership—as a prosecutor and as a former DEA Special Agent—has given him a unique understanding of what it takes to investigate and prosecute complex narcotics cases.

That perspective has been important in his work to confront the devastating impact of fentanyl in our community, including prosecuting Fresno County’s first successful fentanyl murder conviction.

But perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of this honor is who nominated him.

Several of Kendall’s own Fresno County District Attorney's Office Investigator colleagues put his name forward for the award—a reflection of the trust, respect, and partnership he has built with the people working next to him every day.

That’s leadership that goes beyond a title. ✨

It’s earning the confidence of your colleagues, bringing your experience to the table, and staying committed to the people and community your work ultimately serves. 💙

Kendall, we’re incredibly proud of the career you’ve built so far, the leadership you continue to demonstrate, and the impact your work continues to make in Fresno County.

Congratulations on this well-deserved statewide recognition! 🎉

09/14/2026

And it’s a big deal ⤵️

Add this to your list of questions to ask before choosing a law school:

How are students graded?📝

It might not be the first thing you think about when comparing law schools—but the answer can shape a lot more than your GPA.

It can shape your entire law school experience.

At many law schools, students are graded on a curve. That means your grade depends on how you perform compared with the other students in your class.

Just think about what that can mean when you’re all trying to survive the same difficult semester. 😮‍💨

The person you’re asking to compare notes with?
You’re also competing with them.

The classmate who could share an outline with you?
Their grade is being measured against yours.

That study group that could help everyone understand a difficult concept?
Now there’s another a reason not to.

But not every law school grades this way. 🔑

That’s why at San Joaquin College of Law, we grade to a standard—not a curve. ⚖️

Your performance is measured against an established academic standard that doesn’t require your classmates to perform worse so that you to perform better.

And that big difference matters to us. 🫶

We want our students forming study groups. Sharing notes when someone misses class. Talking through concepts they don’t understand. And helping each other prepare for finals.

Law school will be tough enough. We don’t think your classmates should be another obstacle. ✨

So when you’re researching where to go to law school, look beyond just the tuition, class schedules, and programs.

Ask about grading.
Ask about the classroom culture.
Ask whether collaboration is actually encouraged.

Because you’re choosing more than a law school.

You’re choosing the environment you’ll learn to become a lawyer in.

And if you’re looking for a law school that does things a little different...

Come to our ✨Law School 101✨on Wednesday, September 23 at 6pm where you’ll get a real look at law school, meet students like you, and get your questions answered. 🔗

09/09/2026

The Bar Exam may be behind him, but Jagr Alindajao’s (JD ’26) legal career is already moving forward. ⚖️

We’re excited to congratulate Jagr on joining the Kern County District Attorney's Office as one of its newest Post-Bar Law Clerks! 👏

After graduating from SJCL and taking the California Bar Exam, Jagr is now putting those years of studying, briefing cases, and building legal skills to work while he awaits his Bar results. 💙

As a Post-Bar Law Clerk, he’ll gain valuable hands-on experience assisting the Misdemeanor and Preliminary Hearing Units—learning what the work looks like both inside the courtroom and behind the scenes while helping serve the Kern County community.

Jagr’s next chapter is a great reminder that the transition from law school to legal practice doesn’t begin the day your Bar results come in.

It begins with opportunities like these. ✨

The first real case you help work on.
The first time your legal research helps move something forward.
The first courtroom experiences that turn concepts you studied in school into work that affects real people.

Those experiences add up—and little by little, the law student you spent years becoming starts to step into the attorney you worked so hard to be.

Congratulations, Jagr! We’re proud to watch you take this next step and can’t wait to see where your legal career takes you next. 🎉

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer is proud to welcome the newest group of Post-Bar Law Clerks to the team! ⚖️💼🌟

These talented individuals recently graduated from law school, took the rigorous California Bar Exam, and are now eagerly awaiting their results as they take the next step toward becoming licensed attorneys.

📸 From left to right:
• Stefanos Koutsos, Loyola Law School
• Blye Escalante, California Western School of Law
• Jenna Samuelian, Southwestern Law School
• District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer
• Alexandra Bennett, Chapman University Law School
• Noah Massaro, Baylor Law School
• Jagr Alindajao, San Joaquin College of Law

Our Post-Bar Law Clerks are currently assisting the Misdemeanor and Preliminary Hearing Units, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the courtroom and behind the scenes.

Welcome to the team! 👏

09/07/2026

This is your reminder to put the casebook down today. 💙

It's Labor Day—and while we know there's probably a reading assignment somewhere quietly calling your name, we're hoping our students find a little room today for some rest.

Not productive rest.
Not "I'll relax while reviewing my outline" rest.
Not "I'll take a break after I finish 47 more pages" rest.

Actual rest. 🫶

Because when you're in law school, it can start to feel like every free hour should be used to get ahead.

There's always another case to brief.
Another outline you could work on.
Another concept you could review.
Another thing on tomorrow's to-do list.

But you still need slow mornings. Time with people you love. Walks with your dog. A favorite TV show. Dinner without your laptop open. Eight hours of sleep. An afternoon where nobody asks you what the holding was. 😂

So in honor of Labor Day, here's a little reset menu for whenever you need to order something other than more work. ⚖️

Maybe today calls for a Quick Bite.

Maybe you're ordering the Main Course and Dessert.

And maybe today's special is simply closing the books and enjoying your day off.

Whatever you choose, we hope this is a reminder throughout the semester that taking care of the person earning the JD matters and the books will still be there when you come back. 📚

📌 SAVE this menu for finals season, midterms, or any random Tuesday when your brain officially has 37 tabs open.

09/05/2026

Helping someone find their voice can change far more than the outcome of a case. ⚖️

For SJCL alumnus Emilio Avellaneda Jr. (JD ’19), that’s an important part of the work he does every day.

As an associate attorney at JML Law in Woodland Hills, Emilio represents employees facing some of the most difficult moments of their careers—including workplace discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour disputes.

And what he finds most meaningful about that work says a lot about the kind of attorney he’s become:

“The best part of my job is helping people find their voice and fight for fairness when they have been treated unjustly.”

Because when someone believes they’ve been discriminated against, retaliated against for speaking up, or wrongfully terminated, it can leave them feeling like they have very little power in what happens next.

Having an attorney in their corner can help change that.

Because it means having someone who understands the law, listens to what happened, and can help them advocate for themselves when they might not know where to begin.

From his roots at Fresno Pacific University to our classrooms at SJCL and now employment law practice, Emilio has turned his education into a career centered around advocating for people when they need someone willing to stand beside them and fight for fairness.

His work is another reminder of just how many ways you can make an impact with a law degree.

You might advocate in a courtroom.
Challenge an unfair workplace practice.
Help someone understand their rights.
Or give someone the confidence to use their voice when they feel like no one is listening.

And sometimes making an impact starts with helping one person realize their voice matters. 💙

We’re proud of you, Emilio, and the meaningful work you continue to do for the people you represent!

09/01/2026

Great lawyers know how to stand on their own. 💪

Exceptional lawyers know how to work as a team. ⚖️

That spirit was on full display when Sergio Lopez (JD '26), Bradley Rutledge (JD '26), and 3L Benjamin Arcure represented SJCL at the 57th Annual Roger J. Traynor California Appellate Moot Court Competition last semester.

Moot Court isn't just about making persuasive arguments.

It's about countless hours of legal research, anticipating tough questions from the bench, and learning to think on your feet—all while trusting your teammates to do the very same.

And that's exactly what this team did. ✨

Throughout the competition, they challenged each other, encouraged one another, and worked side by side to prepare for one of California's premier appellate advocacy competitions.

Their dedication didn't go unnoticed. 🏆

The judges praised the team's performance, noting their command of the facts and the law, their thoughtful responses to hard questions, and the quality of their preparation. One judge even compared them to "seasoned appellate attorneys," while another described the team as "extremely impressed" with their preparation. 💬

Their hard work also earned individual recognition for Benjamin Arcure and Bradley Rutledge, who received Individual Merit Awards for their oral advocacy.

But the greatest accomplishment wasn't an award.

It was the reminder that some of the strongest lawyers aren't built alone. They're built through collaboration, constructive feedback, late-night practice rounds, and teammates who challenge each other to become better advocates every single day. 👏

Congratulations to Sergio, Bradley, and Benjamin on representing SJCL with professionalism, integrity, and excellence. We're incredibly proud of all you accomplished and can't wait to see where your advocacy takes you next. 💙

09/01/2026

Some of the most powerful advocates are the ones who know exactly what it feels like to need one. ✨

For SJCL alumna Laura Higareda-Chapa (JD '22), advocating for students isn't just a career.

It's personal.

Growing up, Laura watched her brother get caught in a cycle that too many young people experience. As a child, he struggled in school and looking back, she believes undiagnosed learning disabilities may have played a role. But instead of receiving the support he needed, he got caught up in the juvenile justice system—a cycle that continued into adulthood.

That experience shaped the lawyer Laura would become. ⚖️

Today, as the first Education Attorney in the Juvenile Unit of the Fresno County Public Defender's Office, she's ensuring that students who face some of the same challenges have someone fighting for the educational support they're entitled to before they're pushed out of classrooms and deeper into the justice system.

Because changing a child's future begins long before they should ever have to step foot in a courtroom.

Laura's commitment to advocating for vulnerable students recently earned her the Central Valley Hero Award for Education from the American Red Cross—an honor that recognizes the life-changing impact she's making throughout our community. 🤍

Her journey is a powerful reminder that the experiences that once broke your heart can become the very reason you help change someone else's future.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition Laura. We're so proud of the compassion, determination, and advocacy you bring to our community every day. Your work is changing lives in ways that will be felt for generations to come. 💙

Read Laura's full story in the latest issue of Inter Alia to learn how her personal experiences inspired her legal career, why educational advocacy matters, and how she's helping rewrite the futures of students who simply need someone in their corner.

📖: https://bit.ly/InterAliaSummer26

08/29/2026

One of the best parts of law school happens outside the classroom. 🎉

Next week, our Student Bar Association is kicking off the semester with our annual Back to School Night Cookout and we can't wait to see our SJCL community together again. 🤗

It's a chance to step away from the books for a night and reconnect with the people who make the law school journey so memorable.

Whether you're:

✨ Catching up with classmates after the first few weeks of school...
✨ A new 1L getting to know more of your classmates outside the classroom...
✨ An alum stopping by to reconnect...
✨ Or a family member who's been supporting a law student every step of the way...

There's a place (and a plate) waiting for you! 🍽

So bring your family, reconnect with classmates, meet our incoming students, and enjoy an evening of great food, games, music, and more.

Because while law school is built on casebooks and classrooms...

It's the people you share the journey with who often make it unforgettable. 💙

We can't wait to welcome everyone back and kick off another incredible year at SJCL. See you next week! 👋