Sarah Schimmel
Associate Professor of Law for Academic Success and Bar Preparation | Co-Director, Negotiation Honors Program | Associate Director of Bison Bar Pass Program
B.A., magna cum laude, Global Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2015
J.D., Pepperdine University School of Law, 2019
Member, California State Bar
Professor Schimmel is a new member of Southwestern’s faculty in the role of Associate Professor of Law for Academic Success and Bar Preparation.
While studying for the bar, Professor Schimmel discovered a passion for helping other students conquer the exam. She has since dedicated years to creating bar exam resources and curricula, organizing workshops and presentations, and mentoring law graduates preparing for the bar exam. Professor Schimmel believes the path to bar success can begin as early as before 1L, and she is committed to supporting her students to excel academically and achieve both personal and professional fulfillment.
"Law students are inherent overachievers, yet the journey of becoming an attorney presents new challenges to one’s sense of self and even one’s concept of achievement.
I find great reward in equipping my students with the skills they need to define and obtain their own success. I enjoy witnessing each student’s unique evolution, growth of self-confidence, and attainment of competence and satisfaction as a legal professional."
Before pursuing her legal education, Professor Schimmel worked for a prominent political lobbying organization. As a law student, she served as a volunteer mediator and clerked for the Major Crimes Division of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, assigned to the high-profile Robert Durst murder trial. Prior to her academic career, Professor Schimmel practiced law as a civil litigator with a focus in corporate law, personal injury, premises liability, and landlord-tenant disputes.