Alumni

Kristy Young Coleman ’08 is Lead Counsel at Airbnb. Previously, she was Counsel at Goodwin Procter’s San Francisco office, specializing in real estate with a focus on hospitality assets. She began her legal career at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, where she focused on commercial finance and bankruptcy. Kristy has an extensive background in politics, beginning before law school and continuing today. She currently serves on the UC Davis School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors.

What drew you to real estate and hospitality law?

Dina Randazzo ’08 is Of Counsel at EPGR Lawyers in Orange County, California, where she specializes in complex business disputes. Previously, she practiced at Latham & Watkins, LLP and Schilling Law Group, PC. At King Hall, Dina graduated first in her class and was admitted to the Order of the Coif. She is the President of the Public Law Center Board of Directors and serves on the UC Davis School of Law Alumni Board where she co-chairs the Student Alumni Outreach Committee and runs the mentorship program.

What drew you to business litigation?

Professor Christopher Elmendorf appeared on KQED’s Forum radio program on Feb. 15 to discuss San Jose’s efforts to move from car-heavy sprawl to denser, more walkable neighborhoods.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Saul Garcia ’94 and Richard Miadich ’02 as Superior Court judges. Garcia and Miadich will serve in Stanislaus and Sacramento counties, respectively.

Garcia is a veteran deputy public defender for San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties and former directing attorney at California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.

Miadich has served as chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission since 2019.

Eric Toscano ’09 is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Tenant Law Group, a statewide firm with offices in San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles. Since 2016, Eric has grown the firm from a de facto solo practice originally named Toscano Law Group to the largest law firm in California (and possibly the nation) exclusively dedicated to protecting tenants’ rights. The firm is not only one of the 100 fastest growing law firms in the United States but also one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the nation.

Professor Elizabeth Joh spoke to Politico on Jan. 19 after a group of Democratic senators demanded the Justice Department examine police use of facial recognition tools and potential violations of civil rights laws.

UC Immigrant Legal Services Center attorneys Christopher Relos ’11 and Rachel Ray ’11 wrote a Nov. 23 op-ed for the Sacramento Bee urging the Biden administration to adjudicate humanitarian parole applications quickly for tens of thousands of Afghans endangered by the Taliban takeover.

“For Afghan citizens, humanitarian parole can save lives,” Relos and Ray wrote before relaying the personal account of an Afghan woman the center assisted.

The Asian/Pacific Bar Association of Sacramento honored California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District Justice Shama Hakim Mesiwala ’98 with its ABAS President’s Award at its annual gala in November.

Judge Kara Ueda ’00 introduced Mesiwala. The ABAS recognized Ueda and fellow Sacramento Superior Court Judge Stephen Lau ’02 for their judicial appointment in 2020 and 2022, respectively.

Deputy Attorney General Emmanuel Salazar ’05 serves as ABAS secretary.

Professor Lisa R. Pruitt and Lake County family law facilitator Kaly Rule ‘17 spoke to Law360 for a Dec. 1 story headlined “A Mountain to Climb: The Inaccessibility of Rural Courts.”

The story addressed challenges faced by rural residents in traveling to courthouses, and further barriers facing residents with mobility issues once they arrive.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Miguel Valdovinos ’96 as a Madera County Superior Court judge.

Valdovinos is a veteran deputy district attorney who worked most recently in  Fresno County. He worked for the Madera County District Attorney’s office from 2020-2023 and from 2011-2015.

Read the governor's full press release.