Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Thomas Jefferson School of Law is proud to participate in Justice 250, a landmark community event commemorating the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation and celebrating the enduring principles of the rule of law, our judicial system, and American democracy. The public event will take place on Wednesday, July 2, 2026, aboard the iconic USS Midway Museum in downtown San Diego.

Representatives from TJSL's Legal Clinics, including Professor Stephanie Germani, Esq., as well as Reza Garajedaghi, Admissions Outreach & Recruitment Manager, will be in attendance.

More information can be found here: https://www.tjsl.edu/news-and-events/tjsl-celebrates-justice-250-aboard-the-uss-midway/

The TJSL Nice, France Study Abroad Program was a tremendous success this summer! 🇫🇷☀️

In partnership with La Faculté de Droit de l'Université de Nice, students spent three unforgettable weeks on the French Riviera while earning up to four academic credits. Through internationally focused coursework, participants explored and compared American and European legal systems, gaining valuable global perspectives on the law.

From the classroom to the Mediterranean coast, the program offered a unique opportunity to combine academic growth with cultural immersion. Activities included a visit to the courthouse in Nice, a vespa tour to Monte Carlo, and a trip to the Massena Museum. We look forward to returning next summer!

🎉 Congratulations to our T-Shirt Design Contest Winner — Jenimaree Hernandez! 🎉

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Jenimaree's design has been selected as the winner! Her creativity and talent truly stood out, and we are so excited to see her design come to life.

You can now purchase the winning t-shirt here:

👉 https://thomas-jefferson-school-of-law-shop.fourthwall.com/products/tjsl-design-contest-winner-tee-shirt

Thank you to everyone who participated — the talent and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. Show your support by grabbing your t-shirt today!

Thomas Jefferson School of Law is proud to celebrate the graduation of our December 2025 and Spring 2026 classes. 🎓

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, we had the privilege of honoring all graduates at the historic Balboa Theater in downtown San Diego.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our speakers Michelle Gastil (2009) and Ashley Salas (2015), for delivering truly inspiring and thought provoking address, and to our Graduate Speaker, William David Denny, whose heartfelt remarks were a beautiful reflection of the strength and character of this graduating class.

Our exceptional graduates have demonstrated remarkable commitment and perseverance throughout their legal education, and we have no doubt they will go on to make a profound impact in the legal profession and in their communities.

Congratulations to all of our graduates — your journey is just beginning. ⚖️

Congratulations to Gwenyth Crow and Rita Sanchez-Garcia, recipients of the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association's 2026 Bar Stipend Award!

Congratulations to all students honored today at our Celebration of Student Academic Excellence! Students honored today were 2025 recipients of Distinguished Honor Roll, Honor Roll, High Grade, and Honors Awards. Additionally, at the event, Amari Rose Hood was awarded the 2026 Kossack Social Justice Award and Patricia Dauphin was awarded the inaugural Dawn Dekle Memorial Scholarship.

The Kossack Award honors Samuel Kossack, 2015 TJSL alum. This award is given to a deserving student who exemplifies the values Sam held most dearly: compassion, leading by example, and making changes one step at a time.

The Dawn Dekle Memorial Scholarship was funded by former President and Dean Dawn Dekle's friends and family to recognize and support nontraditional student paths in legal education.

What an incredible evening at the TJSL Barrister's Ball! 🎉

A huge thank you to the Student Bar Association and all attendees for making this such a memorable night. We were so fortunate to have Judge Bell join us — his words of encouragement were truly inspiring.

Congratulations to all of this year's outstanding awardees:

🏆 Professors of the Year – Steve Semeraro, Elizabeth Reilly, and Taylor Ruth Israel
🏆 Adjunct Professor of the Year – Ashley Salas
🏆 Administrator of the Year – Aparajita Bandyopadhyay
🏆 Student Organization President of the Year – Sheila Clerina (TJSL Student Bar Association) and Razelene Nicole Llorando (APALSA Thomas Jefferson School of Law)
🏆 Student Organization of the Year – TJSL SBA (Sheila Clerina, Amari Rose, Tania Zamora, Boramee Seng, Lisa Bramwell, Paul A.E. Abegya, Danny Paz, Patricia Dauphin, Kassidy Clark)

Thank you to every student, alumni, faculty, and staff member — in-person and online — who contributed to such a wonderful evening and to the TJSL community. You make it all worth it!

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the appointment of John William Bernitz (2004) as the Eleventh Judicial District Attorney, Division II, serving McKinley County.

Bernitz currently serves as Chief Deputy District Attorney in the Office of the District Attorney, Eleventh Judicial District, a position he has held since October 2025. He previously operated the Law Office of John Bernitz in Gallup from 2021 to 2023, handling criminal and family law matters.

Bernitz has served in multiple roles within the Eleventh Judicial District Attorney’s Office since 2007, including as senior trial attorney, deputy district attorney, and chief deputy district attorney. He also served as an assistant district attorney in the Sixth Judicial District in Hidalgo County and the Twelfth Judicial District in Otero County, and as an assistant public defender with the Law Office of the Public Defender in Gallup from 2012 to 2019.

Ismael Rodriguez (2004), of Tulare County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Kings County Superior Court. Rodriguez has been the owner of the Law Office of Ismael Rodriguez since 2013. He served as a Small Claims Advisor at the Tulare Small Claims Advisor from 2016 to 2018. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office from 2005 to 2013.