Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s Fall Commencement will be held on Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m., at Copley Symphony Hall in downtown San Diego. Approximately 85 graduating students will receive juris doctor degrees.
TJSL is proud to announce that the commencement speaker will be Board of Trustees Member San Diego Superior Court Judge Browder Willis, who is a 1983 graduate of the law school.
Judge Willis has been a San Diego Superior Court Judge for the last 12 years, since working in the District Attorney's Office. Before law school, Judge Willis served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, was Vice President of the Deputy District Attorneys Association, and has served on the Public Lawyers Committee of the San Diego County Bar, the Inns of Court and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Judge Willis’ recognitions include the 2008 Judicial Officer of the Year awarded by Chief Probation Officers of California, the 2008 Thomas Jefferson School of Law Alumnus of the Year, the 2010 STAR Award and the San Diego County Juvenile Justice Commission Outstanding Jurist Award in 2011.
The class Valedictorian is Tristin Sullivan-Leppa, Summa Cum Laude. “Law school has been a dream of mine since I was a young teen and I am so excited to finally be graduating,” said Sullivan-Leppa. “I am so grateful for the wonderful experiences I have had here at TJSL and for all the amazing friends I have made along the way. It is an amazing feeling to know that all of my hard work has paid off and I am honored to be named the valedictorian of this graduating class,” said Sullivan-Leppa. “It took a lot of hard work, dedication, and support from my wonderful family. I was also extremely lucky to have had some awesome Professors who were always willing to provide guidance and encouragement. A special thanks to Professor Sandra Rierson for all of her help with my law review note.”
Sullivan-Leppa was also named to the 2014 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and is involved with the TJSL Law Review. “I was honored when Danielle Gilbert appointed me to Technical Editor on our Law Review's Editorial Board. As Technical Editor I have helped spearhead a new online journal for Law Review.”
Upon graduation, Sullivan-Leppa will be moving back home to Washington State where she will begin studying for the WA bar exam. “My husband and I are eager to begin the next phase of our life!”
The doors open at 9 a.m. at Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B Street, San Diego.
