Law Student Diaries

Lidice Dawson, 1L
Lidice is originally from California but boasts of having lived abroad most of her life. Her past accomplishments include working as a legal assistant and teaching ESL to local immigrant refugees. She and her husband have just purchased a new home and she is very excited about settling down in the Seattle area.

Darcel Desjardins, 2L
Darcel is a full time law student in the day program, is originally from Seattle, and intends to practice in Seattle. She graduated from Seattle University in June of 2006, with a major in History and minors in Political Science and Women’s Studies. Darcel is the new president of the Black Law Student Association, and is excited for what the year is to bring. Darcel spent her 1L summer as a law clerk for The Law Offices of Karen Nakagawa, where she was exposed to Family Law and Immigration Law. She thinks that she is most likely to pursue a career in criminal law, probably as a prosecutor, but is still open to other options. Her hobbies include river rafting, motorcycling, and really enjoys residential architecture and interior design (although she admits that by no means is she an expert in any of those activities!).

James Dold, 1L
James Lee Dold is a first-year student in the day program. He is passionate about public service and community involvement. After graduating with dual baccalaureates in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2006, James decided to attend law school. Completing an internship with the Nevada Attorney General’s Office and working on a couple of political campaigns fortified my desire to pursue a career as a prosecutor through which he can better serve society. He has political aspirations that he hopes one day will materialize into holding public office. James is new to Seattle but in his spare time he serves as a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters and as an educational outreach volunteer with the Lifelong Aids Alliance. James is very excited about beginning my law school studies, and can’t wait to meet all of the wonderful people that Sullivan Hall has opened its doors to.

Carlos Garcia, 3L
Carlos is a native Tejano. He took a six year break before heading to law school. Carlos worked as a television reporter and as a media director for an internet startup. At SU, Carlos is actively involved with the Latino Law Student Association (LLSA). Last year, Carlos served as the SBA's Diversity Representative as well as Vice-President for LLSA. He spent his summer working as a Rule 9 intern at the King County Prosecutor's Office conducting trials and arguing motions in court. The previous summer Carlos worked as a summer associate at Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell. Carlos also enjoys competing in SU's Mock Trial competitions. Finally, Carlos' law school softball team plans to make a comeback again this year.

Adam Jussel, 3L
Adam is originally from the booming metropolis of Twin Falls, Idaho. He received his Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Information Sciences from California Lutheran University. He is associate editor of the law review a member of the Redhawk athletic advisory committee, and a SU Law admissions ambassador. Adam spent his first summer studying in Dublin, Ireland and Prague, Czech Republic. This summer he completed an internship with Miller Nash in Seattle. He is currently an extern with Judge Thomas Zilly in the Federal District Court. In his spare moments, you’ll find Adam in the gym, playing flag football, or jamming with his band in some Seattle coffee shop.

Jonathan Lee, 2L
Jonathan is a full time student in the day program. He graduated from the University of Washington in 2006 with a degree in Law, Societies and Justice and a degree in Political Science. Jonathan is hoping to pursue a career in litigation. At school, he is active in the SBA and Moot Court. Jonathan is currently volunteering at the Housing Justice Project and is looking forward to being able to snowboard again this winter.

Hannalore Merritt, 2L
Hannalore is a full time student in the day program. She grew up in Rochester, NY and completed her undergraduate degree at the Pennsylvania State University. After leaving Penn State, Hannalore spent a year in Munich, Germany on a Fulbright Fellowship working with a solo practitioner and a district court judge. Hannalore was married in August, 2006 and she and her husband currently reside in Poulsbo, WA. Hannalore is currently the Elections Director of the Student Bar Association as well as co-chair for Public Interest Law Foundation’s annual auction.

Amy Ridgeway, 3L
Amy is a part-time law student in the evening program. She is scheduled to graduate in December 2007 and plans to take the Washington State Bar Exam in February 2008. She lives in Lacey, is a married mother of two boys (ages 9 and 13), and works full-time as the director of information technology for a Washington state agency. Prior to beginning her state service, she spent over 21 years on active duty in the Army where she served in the Military Police as well as learned to jump from airplanes. She is a member of the Women’s Law Caucus and the Saint Thomas More Catholic Legal Society.

Steven Spitze, 3L
Steven served as an officer in the United States Army prior to law school, and retired as a Colonel (06). As an Army Officer, Steven completed Airborne and Ranger Schools, flew three different models of helicopters, commanded an Armored Cavalry Squadron, and served as the Chief of Staff for an organization with more than 2,000 soldiers. Steven also completed two Masters Degrees and is a graduate of the US Army War College. After his first year of law school, Steven worked as a judicial intern for the Honorable Richard F. McDermott, King County Superior Court. Most recently, Steven worked as a Summer Associate at Inslee, Best, Doezie and Ryder. Steven’s wife, Rebecca Rivenbark, is a 1998 graduate of SU Law.