June 8, 2021

2020 Graduates Earn Prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates Fellowship

Once again, The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) has selected a group of distinguished Bison for its prestigious three-month Fellowship program. 2020 graduates Evan Barr, Adam Feldman, Andrew Figueras, Matthew Goldberg, Jonathan Jung, Neekta Izadian and Virginia Wong have participated in a three-month intensive program working for a defense firm, a plaintiff's firm, and a Superior Court Judge. Throughout the program, the fellows immersed themselves in depositions, mediations, court appearances, and trials. 

The graduates chosen for this competitive fellowship were selected based on their outstanding resumes, passionate statements of interest, and deep commitment to civil jury trial practice. ABOTA Chairman, Steve Glickman, applauded the students, describing them as "both bright and dedicated...I remain impressed by the great group of Southwestern graduates in the ABOTA Fellowship program this year." 

"I want to give a heartfelt "thank you" to my mentors from Southwestern who encouraged me to apply for this prestigious opportunity and offered me unconditional support." - Virginia Wong '20

 

Participating students took the bar exam in July 2020, and the fellowship commenced in September 2020. Fellows then spend the first month supporting a civil defense firm, the second in a civil plaintiff's firm, and the final month shadowing a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge in the courtroom and in chambers. According to Shar Poormosleh, Dean of Career Services, fellows often receive job offers from host firm placements. 

Virginia Wong '20 spoke about her experience with reverence and offered gratitude to Chairman Glickman for his leadership and care amid a year of COVID-stricken uncertainty. "I am deeply grateful that Steve Glickman and the ABOTA Executive Committee decided to continue the fellowship program despite the pandemic-induced limitations. Their perseverance is a testament to their commitment to mentoring a new class of trial attorneys."

She expressed particular appreciation for the support she received from Southwestern. "I want to give a heartfelt 'thank you' to my mentors from Southwestern who encouraged me to apply for this prestigious opportunity and offered me unconditional support."

 

"I am forever grateful to Southwestern and its staff for putting me in the unique position to be selected for the 2020 ABOTA Fellowship." - Andrew Figueras' 20

 

Andrew Figueras' 20 echoed Wong's gratitude for the program and his mentors at Southwestern. "I am forever grateful to Southwestern and its staff for putting me in the unique position to be selected for the 2020 ABOTA Fellowship."

He credited his success in the program to the support he received from the Career Services Office - specifically Christine Tarr, Senior Assistant Director for Career Services, and advisor Elizabeth Bernstein, Associate Director for Career Services. Looking back on his experience, Figueras feels well-positioned to realize his lifelong goal - "to become a great trial lawyer."

 Christine Tarr, Senior Assistant Director for Career Services, shepherded the students through the process of applying for the fellowship and commended the students for their diligent work. "I thoroughly enjoyed working with the impressive Southwestern candidates for this highly coveted and competitive fellowship; the seven 2020 Southwestern graduates selected are receiving the training that will position them to continue to make the school proud as civil trial attorneys long after this fellowship ends."

Congratulations to our 2020 ABOTA Fellows!