Betty Trier Berry 1915

Southwestern Law School's first graduate, Betty Trier Berry, was a trailblazer in the legal profession.

Ms. Berry was raised in New York. She received her A.B. degree from Barnard College and a Masters in Pure Science (Mathematics) from Columbia University. She would later go on to complete a Ph.D. in Education at the University of Southern California and to serve as president of two girl's preparatory high schools.

She actually began her studies at Southwestern after having completed one year at USC Law School—and also after having passed the California Bar exam! Ms. Berry went on to become the first woman to serve in a public defender's office when she joined the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, which was the first office of its kind in the country, and she is featured in several halls of fame as a result.