Southwestern Law School

A nine-months-pregnant mother who fled cartel violence in Mexico now has to pay to keep her family's asylum claim alive — while the same rules forbid her from working to pay for it.

Southwestern Law School professor Tess Feldman, who teaches in our Asylum Law Clinic, lays out what the new federal asylum rule means for families seeking asylum. Read her essay in the LA Times: https://lat.ms/4xnmwXp

The country’s leading military-justice watchdog just named our own Rachel VanLandingham the nation’s foremost advocate for reforming military justice.

The National Institute of Military Justice has named her the Ansell-Crowder Chair in Military Justice Reform, recognizing a career spent holding the military to the rule of law. Her work helped pass one of the most sweeping reforms of the system in 70 years and made her the expert the country turns to, from PBS NewsHour to The New York Times, communicating vital military justice issues to the public.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4xikw2N

Proof that it takes a village. ❤️

Our annual Graduation Luncheon was a special afternoon celebrating the SCALE Class of 2026 and recognizing the hard work, perseverance, and achievements of our graduates.

From day one to graduation day, these graduates had an incredible support system by their side. We were grateful to celebrate this milestone with the families, friends, and loved ones who helped make it possible.

We are so proud of all you've accomplished. Cheers to the SCALE Class of 2026! ✨⚖️

Four Southwestern Law School alumni have been recognized in The Hollywood Reporter’s 2026 Legal Elite issue—the industry's definitive ranking of entertainment law's top counsel.

Their work spans film, prestige television, streaming, and stage—from franchise renegotiations mid‑run to a one‑woman London production with 23 roles negotiated for a single actor, and a career of more than five decades representing some of Hollywood’s most enduring talent.

☑️ Jeff Hynick ’06, Jackoway Austen, was recognized for his work in talent representation, including deals for Nicole Kidman (Practical Magic 2, Discretion, Scarpetta) and Jenna Ortega (The Gallerist, The Great Beyond, Klara and the Sun).

☑️ Ryan LeVine ’04, Jackoway Austen, was noted for work across film, television, and theater, including roles for Isa Briones (The Pitt) and Whitney Peak (The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping), along with deals for One Piece and The Greatest Showman.

☑️ Michael Mahan ’07, Peikoff Mahan, represents clients including Cynthia Erivo, Sadie Sink, Nick Frost, and Ben Whishaw, including negotiating 23 roles for Erivo in a one‑woman London production of Dracula.

☑️ Tom Hoberman ’75, Hansen Jacobson, was named a 2026 Legal Legend, recognizing a more than 50‑year career representing clients such as Elizabeth Taylor, Janet Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Jason Bateman.

Southwestern has been a THR-ranked top entertainment law program for over a decade. Our alumni keep proving why.

Power Players: Four Southwestern Alumni Named to The Hollywood Reporter’s 2026 Legal Elite Four Southwestern Law School alumni are featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s April 9, 2026, entertainment-law special issue.

As ABOTA’s first, founding, and largest chapter, the Los Angeles Chapter has helped shape the history of civil trial practice in Los Angeles through generations of distinguished leaders, including many Southwestern graduates.

At the 2026 Alumni Awards Gala, Southwestern will honor the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates as Outstanding Friend, recognizing its leadership within the profession, strong ties to Southwestern, and ongoing investment in future trial lawyers through initiatives such as the Hon. Victor E. Chavez ABOTA Fellowship.

We invite you to join us on May 28 as we recognize ABOTA‑LA’s contributions and Southwestern alumni across the legal profession. RSVP: https://na2.hubs.ly/H05Ht_l0

Micheal Rubio guides Angelenos out of addiction and homelessness. He raises a family. He's also thriving as a 1L in Southwestern's Online J.D. Program.

A recent National Jurist feature profiles Rubio’s path through Southwestern’s Online J.D. Program and shows how students with demanding work, family, and service commitments can succeed in a rigorous legal education built for their lives.

Read Micheal's story:

National Jurist Spotlights Micheal Rubio and Southwestern’s Online J.D. Program By the time Micheal Rubio opens his laptop and begins his Southwestern Law coursework each evening, he’s already spent the day leading be

In one of the most competitive legal markets in the country, Southwestern alumni are not just represented on the 2026 Super Lawyers lists; they dominate at the highest levels. This year’s honorees include the No. 1 attorney in Southern California while Southwestern leads all law schools with the most Top 10 honorees and as the only school with multiple graduates recognized in the newly established Top 5 Personal Injury Plaintiff category.

Meet the Southwestern lawyers that topped the list:
🏆 Brian J. Panish ’84 — ranked #1 attorney on the Top 10 list
🏆 J. Bernard Alexander III ’96 — Top 10 honoree; Top 5 Personal Injury Plaintiff
🏆 Arash Homampour ’92 — Top 10 honoree; Top 5 Personal Injury Plaintiff

Read the full list of Southwestern Super Lawyers here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H05D4NH0