35th Annual Alumni Awards Gala

Outstanding Alumnus of the Year — Brian J. Panish '84

Brian J. Panish '84 is a Los Angeles trial attorney and national leader in plaintiff-side litigation. He has secured record-setting verdicts and settlements in personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, and mass tort cases, and has served in leadership roles in major wildfire, aviation, and disaster-related litigation. Mr. Panish received his law degree in 1984, with honors, from Southwestern Law School and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Southwestern in 2011. Mr. Panish has been recognized by numerous publications and organizations as among the top trial lawyers in the country. In 2026, Mr. Panish received the Lee B. Wenzel Civility Award from The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates

Outstanding Judicial Officer — Honorable Timothy M. Weiner '00 

Timothy M. Weiner '00 is a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, currently assigned to the Family Law Division. Additionally, Judge Weiner serves as the Supervising Judge of the court’s Southwest Judicial District. Prior to his appointment as a judge in 2018, Judge Weiner served as a Court Commissioner (2016–2018) in the Criminal Law Division. He also sits on the court’s mentorship, community outreach, and security committees, and is a director emeritus of the Southwestern Law School Alumni Association.

Outstanding Law Firm — Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein, LLP

Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein, LLP is a Los Angeles family law firm founded in 1990. With 23 attorneys, including 12 Certified Family Law Specialists, the firm focuses on complex family law matters and estate planning, combining deep expertise, strategic advocacy, and client service. Partner Robert C. Brandt graduated from Southwestern Law School in 1976, and the firm has employed many Southwestern alumni.

Outstanding Friend — The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates

Founded in Los Angeles in 1958, the American Board of Trial Advocates is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to preserving the right to a civil jury trial guaranteed by the Seventh Amendment. ABOTA now includes more than 7,300 members across 96 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with membership balanced between plaintiff and defense lawyers.

As ABOTA’s first, founding, and largest chapter, the Los Angeles Chapter has helped shape the history of civil trial practice in Los Angeles through generations of distinguished members, presidents, and leaders, including many Southwestern graduates. Southwestern recognizes the chapter for its leadership, alumni ties, and investment in new trial lawyers through the Hon. Victor E. Chavez ABOTA Fellowship, in which Southwestern graduates have been frequent participants.

Nareg Babaians ’27 
Full-time Day Program

Nareg Babaians serves as a Staff Editor of the Southwestern Law Review, a Dean’s Fellow in Academic Success and Bar Preparation, and a teaching assistant. He has also completed a legal externship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and remains active in student organizations and community work with the ARPA Foundation for Film, Music & Arts.

Wessal Fabela ’26 
SCALE Accelerated Two-Year Program

Wessal Fabela serves as a Law Review staff editor, Moot Court competitor, Dean’s Fellow, teaching assistant, SCALE Ambassador, peer mentor, and Certified Law Clerk. Her Southwestern involvement reflects a strong record of academic achievement, advocacy training, and student support.

Inioluwa Gbenjo ’26 
Full-time Day Program

Inioluwa Gbenjo serves as Supervising Student Editor of the Journal of International Media & Entertainment Law and Vice President of the Intellectual Property Law Society. She has also worked as a research assistant and has been active in mentorship, entertainment law, intellectual property, and community service.

Albert Hovhannisyan ’26 
SCALE Accelerated Two-Year Program

Albert Hovhannisyan serves as a Staff Editor of the Southwestern Law Review, Dean’s Fellow, teaching assistant, and SCALE Ambassador. He has completed a federal judicial externship and supports students through mentoring, academic guidance, and externship preparation.

Isabel Kasch ’26 
Full-time Day Program

Isabel Kasch serves as Lead Articles Editor of the Southwestern Law Review, Co-President of the Women’s Law Association, Dean’s Fellow, teaching assistant, and Moot Court competitor. She is also active in student mentorship and community service through legal and affinity bar organizations.

Taylor Richardson ’27 
Full-time Day Program

Taylor Richardson serves as President of the Black Law Students Association, a student editor of the Journal of International Media & Entertainment Law, a teaching assistant, and a research assistant. She is also pursuing experience in entertainment and sports law while remaining active in mentorship and community service.