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Highlighting 100 McGeorge alumni for school’s 100-year anniversary: Posts 41-50
Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law is celebrating members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. These posts are part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.
As we continue publishing stories, we invite you to follow along and explore the stories of exceptional McGeorge alumni. This article spotlights ten McGeorge alumni who have emerged as formidable forces in their respective industries, making significant impacts on their communities and even extending their influence to the government level. McGeorge alumni pave the way for the next generation of law professionals, with their stellar career histories, continued dedication for justice, and status as leading experts in their fields.
Mark Amodei, ‘83
Mark Amodei, ‘83, has been the U.S. Representative for Nevada's Second Congressional District since 2011 and serves as Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee in the House Appropriations Committee. He has a background in law, serving with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps and in the Nevada Assembly and State Senate before his time in Congress. Amodei is involved in various caucuses in Congress.
John Doolittle, ‘78
John Doolittle, ‘78, served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2009. He retired from Congress and became a registered federal lobbyist in 2010. In this role as a lobbyist, he specializes in representation before Congress and agencies of the federal government.
Noël Ferris, ‘79
Noël Ferris, ‘79, was the first lawyer in Sacramento to be inducted into the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers, subsequently serving as its president. She championed young women lawyers and advocated for their advancement on a consistent basis. The on-campus courtroom was named as the Noël M. Ferris Courthouse in 2017 and is utilized daily by McGeorge students.
Ann Morgan, ‘79
Ann Morgan, ‘79, has decades of service on various bar associations, including serving as president of the State Bar of Nevada. Morgan is recognized as one of the pioneering women attorneys in Nevada and specializes in employment and labor law, aviation law, and general business law matters. She is the director at Fennemore, an Am Law 200 business law firm.
Carrie Nocella, '02
Carrie Nocella, '02, has demonstrated remarkable leadership as Director of External Affairs at Disneyland Resort, orchestrating the successful reopening of the park after a 412-day closure amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaborating closely with government officials and industry partners, Nocella ensured the safe return of the beloved theme park.
Emmanuel “Mickey” Ortega, LLM ‘20
Emmanuel “Mickey” Ortega, LLM ’20, is a passionate advocate for global citizenship who has made a significant impact in the Philippines and beyond. Ortega serves as the president of the University of Saint Anthony in Iriga City, Philippines.
Sue Ann Van Dermyden, '93
Sue Ann Van Dermyden, '93, is a founding partner of Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation and has been an employment attorney since 1993. She specializes in workplace and Title IX investigations. Van Dermyden serves as an adjunct professor at McGeorge School of Law, sits on the McGeorge Alumni Association Board of Directors, and has been an active member of the Anthony M. Kennedy Inn of Court's Executive Committee since 2022.
Parker White, ‘80
Parker White, ‘80, is a personal injury attorney at the Sacramento-based firm of Brelsford Androvich & White. White remains dedicated to his alma mater, McGeorge School of Law, through his philanthropic endeavors. He established a trial skills professorship and scholarship, ensuring future generations of McGeorge students have the resources and support to excel in trial advocacy.
Dan Wilcoxen, ‘72
Dan Wilcoxen, ‘72, has represented injured plaintiffs since opening his own practice in 1979, after working at Rust & Armenis defense firm for seven years. He has obtained over 90 multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements throughout his career. Wilcoxen is highly respected in the legal community. He has served on various boards and received many awards for his contributions to the field of law.
Alumni in Academia
Many McGeorge School of Law alumni passionately contribute to legal education through teaching, scholarship, and mentorship, extending their influence to law schools in 8 states. 12 alumni serve as full-time faculty members, showcasing McGeorge's enduring commitment to excellence in legal education.
McGeorge alumni that serve as full-time faculty at law schools across the country include: Ed Telfeyan, ’75; Sharon K. Sandeen, ’85; Dr. Clay Calvert, ‘91; Kim Peterson, ’91; Tim Harris, ’96; Mike Mireles, ’98; Dr. Carlo Pedrioli, ’02; Lindsay Harrington, ’03; Shakira Pleasant, ‘04; Colleen Truden, LLM ’04; Antonia Miceli, ’06; and Dan Croxall, ’08.
Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary in 2024. Check out earlier posts from the series:
For more information about McGeorge School of Law, visit our website.
Media Contacts:
- Ashley Golledge, Assistant Dean of Marketing and Communications, agolledge@pacific.edu, 916.325.4687
- Victoria Ambriz, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, vambriz@pacific.edu, 916.325.4631
- Alex Banks, Communications Coordinator, abanks@pacific.edu, 916.520.7479
- Judy Nguyen, Special Projects Coordinator, jnguyen7@pacific.edu, 916.739.7008
