Honors Programs | Southwestern Law School Southwestern Law School Los Angeles Body Southwestern's eclectic and comprehensive pool of honors programs keeps campus buzzing and connected to the community. Scholarly publications and interscholastic competitions enable students to enhance their legal skills and knowledge. Through these programs, Southwestern students address contemporary issues, serve the needs of others, and prepare for their future roles as lawyers and leaders. Advocacy Honors Programs Moot Court Honors Program Negotiation Honors Program Trial Advocacy Honors Program (TAHP) Law Review and Journals Southwestern Law Review Southwestern Journal of International Law Journal of International Media and Entertainment Law Back to Curriculum Overview U.S. Court of Appeals For The Ninth Circuit Southwestern Law School Julian Dixon Courtroom Los Angeles, California February 27, 2019 Hon. Michael Daly Hawkins Age 74 Born in Winslow, Arizona Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; Nominated by William J. Clinton on July 13, 1994, to a seat vacated by Thomas Tang. Confirmed by the Senate on September 14, 1994, and received commission on September 15, 1994. Assumed senior status on February 12, 2010. Other Federal Judicial Service: Special Courts Martial Military Judge, U.S. Marine Corps, 1970-1973. Education: Arizona State University, B.A., 1967; Arizona State University College of Law, J.D., 1970; University of Virginia School of Law, LL.M., 1998. Professional Career: Private practice, Phoenix, Arizona, 1973-1976, 1980-1994; U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona, 1977-1980; Special prosecutor, The Navajo Nation, 1985-1989. Hon. Sidney R. Thomas Age 65 Born in Bozeman, Montana Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; Nominated by William J. Clinton on July 19, 1995, to a seat vacated by Dorothy Wright Nelson. Confirmed by the Senate on January 2, 1996, and received commission on January 4, 1996. Served as chief judge, 2014-present. Education: Montana State University, B.A., 1975; University of Montana School of Law, J.D., 1978. Professional Career Private practice, Billings, Montana, 1978-1995; Adjunct instructor of law, Rocky Mountain College, Billings, Montana, 1982-1995; Member, Judicial Conference of the United States, 2014-present. Hon. Dean D. Pregerson Age 68 Born in Los Angeles, California Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; Nominated by William J. Clinton on January 26, 1996, to a seat vacated by A. Wallace Tashima. Confirmed by the Senate on July 24, 1996, and received commission on August 1, 1996. Assumed senior status on January 28, 2016. Education: University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., 1972; University of California, Davis, School of Law, J.D., 1976. Professional Career: Parole hearing officer, California Department of Corrections, 1977; Private practice, Ventura, California, 1978; Assistant public defender, Agana, Guam, 1978-1981; Private practice, Agana, Guam, 1982; Private practice, Napa, California, 1982; Private practice, Los Angeles, California, 1983-1985, 1986-1996; Vice president and general counsel, The Torrance Company, California, 1985. Briefs and synopsis for the February 27, 2019 Southwestern Law School Appellate Court Live Session 17-56709 Timothy Strem v. County of San Diego The district court granted summary judgment for defendant Sheriff's deputies in a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging excessive force when the officers pulled plaintiff, who is disabled, to the ground to handcuff him during a response to a 911 call that alleged plaintiff was suicidal. Opening Answering Reply 18-55149 Pamela Kuhlken v. County of San Diego The district court granted summary judgment in favor of defendant in an action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging plaintiff was unlawfully arrested and subjected to excessive force in a takedown after a San Diego County Sheriff's deputy responded to a parking lot dispute and plaintiff allegedly failed to produce her driver's license. Opening Answering 18-55035 S.R. Nehad v. Neal Browder The district court granted summary judgment for defendants in an action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and state law alleging that police officers used excessive deadly force when they shot and killed Fridoon Nehad. Police responded to a dispatch call that a person had been threatened with a knife. Upon arriving at the scene, officers encountered Fridoon and alleged that they shot him after he ignored their instructions to stop advancing towards them with what officers believed was a knife. It turned out that Fridoon was holding a ballpoint pen. Opening Amicus Answering Amicus Reply Apply Now Donate