November 15, 2019

Six Southwestern Alumni Selected for ABOTA Fellowships

The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) has selected six members of Southwestern's 2019 Class for its prestigious three-month Fellowship program. Graduates Madelynn Hefner, John Horstmann, Samuel Martinez, Joseph Mendoza, Jasmine Mines, and Chi Tran have spent the last three months working for a defense firm, a plaintiff's firm, and a Superior Court Judge. Throughout the three-month program, fellows immerse themselves in depositions, mediations, court appearances, and trials. 

The fellows chosen for this competitive program were selected based on their outstanding resumes, passionate statements of interest, and deep commitment to civil jury trial practice. ABOTA Chairman, Steve Glickman, was effusive in his praise for this year's fellows. "The ABOTA Fellowship Program is an incredible opportunity for recent Southwestern graduates who aspire to a career in civil trial work. The Fellowship Program is very competitive – in 2019, only 25% of applicants were selected to fill the 20 ABOTA Fellowship positions. Those accepted are both bright and dedicated, and I remain impressed by the great group of Southwestern graduates in the ABOTA Fellowship program this year. The connections within the ABOTA network extend far beyond the completion of the program, and we look forward to the amazing Southwestern students who will apply to the Fellowship program in 2020."
 

Participating students took the bar exam in July 2019, and the fellowship commenced in September 2019, after which each fellow spends 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 both in the courtroom and in chambers. Fellows often receive job offers from one of the host firm placements, according to Dean of Career Services, Shar Poormosleh. 
 
Jasmine Mines '19 says her time in the fellowship program was transformative and lauded Chairman Glickman for his generous tutelage. "To adequately put my experience as an ABOTA fellow into words is a near-impossible feat. For my plaintiff month, I was blessed to be hosted by Steve Glickman. Among many memorable experiences, I was invited to attend the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles Board of Governors meeting where the Trial Lawyer of the Year was selected and was inspired by the work of the nominating lawyers. I also attended the Champions of Justice Awards dinner, where, again, I found myself in the company of extremely successful attorneys like what I aspire to have in my future."

"Steve Glickman is a phenomenal mentor, and I am grateful for the experience and exposure I received as an ABOTA fellow. It was a truly priceless experience."

- Jasmine Mines '19, ABOTA Fellow
 

 

Joey Mendoza' 19 echoed Mines' sentiments about the program. "The ABOTA Fellowship Program is a fantastic and unique opportunity for anyone interested in pursuing a career in civil litigation and trial work. The program has afforded me the chance to directly interact with and learn from respectable attorneys with a wealth of knowledge and experience." 

"I am extremely grateful for the deep insight and varying perspectives gained through the fellowship. I owe my selection to the wonderful staff and faculty at Southwestern—such as Christine Tarr in the Career Services Office, who tremendously facilitated my application process."

- Joseph Mendoza '19, ABOTA Fellow

 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 six 2019 Southwestern graduates selected are receiving the training that undoubtedly will allow them to continue to make the school proud as civil trial attorneys long after this fellowship ends."

Congratulations to our 2019 ABOTA Fellows!