The LMU Loyola Law School Alumni Association Board of Governors serves as an advisory board supporting the work and activities of LMU Loyola Law School.
The Board of Governors builds and maintains lifelong relationships that add value to alumni, students, and LMU Loyola Law School.
2025–26 LMU Loyola Law School Alumni Association
Board of Governors
Executive Committee
Shant Karnikian J.D. ’12, President
Patricia Torres J.D. ’90, Immediate Past President
Casper Yen J.D. ’16, Vice President
Gary Austin ’94, J.D. ’98, Secretary
Laura Vega J.D. ’04, Treasurer
Sarah Toperzer, Associate Director, Alumni Engagement LMU Loyola Law School, ex officio
Tatevik Asilbekyan L.L.M. ’24
Shegarian & Associates, Inc.
Gary Austin ’94, J.D. ’98
Law Offices of Gary S. Austin
Charlyn Bender J.D. ’03
Office of District Attorney
Andrew Beshai J.D. ’15
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Lillian Chu J.D. ’11
Zweiback Fiset & Zalduendo, LLP
Joshua Cohen Slatkin J.D. ’12
JCS Law Firm
Dean Conklin ’14
Children's Law Center of Los Angeles
Kaytee Costa J.D. ’13
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Damian Elahi J.D. ’02
Lionsgate
Brandy L. Estelle J.D. ’01
Estelle & Kennedy
Elizabeth (Betsy) S. Farhat J.D. ’96
BFA Industries
Daniel Forouzan J.D. ’11
Forouzan Law
Israel Garcia ’96, J.D. ’01
Garcia Marsalli, LLP
John Horn J.D. ’96*
Bighorn Financial, Inc.
Shant Karnikian J.D. ’12
Kabateck LLP
Joan B. Kessler J.D. ’86
JAMS
Hon. Sandra Klein J.D. ’92
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
*Emeritus Member
Blythe Golay Kochsiek J.D. ’12
SHEIN
Agnes Ordubegian Martin J.D. ’01
Martin Law Group, APC
Garrett M. Mott J.D. ’12
Garcia Marsalli, LLP
Anthony Napolitano ’97, J.D. ’03
Buchalter
Paola Neri-Michel J.D. ’12
Neri Law Offices, Inc.
Holly M. Parker J.D. ’98
HMP Law
Craig Pedersen J.D. ’94
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Karen Rinehart J.D. ’96
Retired
Greg Rose J.D. ’95
Rose Scroggins Entertainment Law
Barbara Ullmen Schwerin J.D. ’97
Retired
Ami Silverman J.D. ’87
Retired
Hon. Carmen Snuggs-Spraggins J.D. ’02
Orange County Superior Court
Patricia Torres J.D. ’90
Terumo Neuro
Laura Vega J.D. ’04
Terumo Neuro
Christine Von Helmolt J.D. ’92
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
Casper Yen J.D. ’16
The Lew Firm, APC
Alumni Association Board of Governors Past Presidents
Thank you to the many alumni who have volunteered their time to serve as president of the Board of Governors.
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- 1998: Judith Roberts J.D. ’83
- 1999: Craig deRecat J.D. ’82
- 2000: Geoffrey Taylor J.D. ’82
- 2001: Karen Rinehart J.D. ’96
- 2002: John Meigs J.D. ’78
- 2003: Jeleen Guttenberg J.D. ’96
- 2004: Michael Conway J.D. ’95
- 2005: Michael Conway J.D. ’95
- 2006: Greg Rose J.D. ’95
- 2007: Ami Silverman J.D. ’87
- 2008: Nerice Zavala J.D. ’99
- 2009: Barbara Schwerin J.D. ’87
- 2010: John Horn J.D. ’96
- 2011: Anthony Napolitano ’97, J.D. ’03
- 2012: Craig Pedersen J.D. ’94
- 2013: Danielle Criona ’91, J.D. ’99
- 2014: John Tishbi J.D. ’03
- 2015: Grace Parrish J.D. ’06
- 2016: Todd Sigler J.D. ’96
- 2017: Agnes Martin J.D. ’01
- 2018: Alan Tippie J.D. ’79
- 2019: Blythe Kochsiek J.D. ’12
- 2020: Philip Nulud J.D. ’06
- 2021: Dean Conklin J.D. ’14
- 2022: Hon. Carmen Snuggs-Spraggins J.D. ’02
- 2023: Brandy Estelle J.D. ’01
- 2024: Patricia Torres J.D. ’90
Events & Programs
The Board is responsible for coordinating the LMU Loyola Law School Grand Reunion and the First-Year Student & Alumni Mentor Program. The Board also coordinates volunteer activities in local communities, organizes Connecting Point events for recent alumni, and assists the Alumni Office in actively promoting and attending alumni events or programs throughout the year.
For more information on the Board of Governors, please contact Sarah Toperzer, associate director for Alumni Engagement, at sarah.toperzer@lmu.edu or 310.338.3067.