Hometown: Palos Verdes, CA
Undergrad: UC Irvine, B.A., Sociology ’08
Career interest: entertainment law, corporate law

For Southern California native Pajmon Zarrineghbal , one east coast winter was enough.

“I had always wanted to go to the east coast, so I went there to attend law school.  But toward the end of my first year, I wanted to come back to California.  Blizzards aren’t for me.”

Zarrineghbal, a UC Irvine graduate who majored in sociology and minored in pre-med, developed his interest in law after talking to family friends who are attorneys.  He had been planning to go to medical school after graduation but switched gears after doing volunteer work at a few boutique law firms.  He finished his first year of law school in New Jersey before transferring to UC Davis School of Law.

“If I was going to transfer, I wanted to go somewhere where I wouldn’t have to deal with a cutthroat law school environment.  King Hall lived up to its reputation as a nice and inviting place.  From day one, I felt welcome.”

At King Hall, Zarrineghbal has been active in a number of student groups and activities.  He is an officer in the Middle Eastern South Asian Law Students Association (MESALSA) and an editor for the Business Law Journal.  He is involved in moot court and negotiations competitions and has played in the Law School’s annual Dr. Ives basketball tournament. 

He praises King Hall’s close-knit community, which allowed him to develop good relationships with his professors.  “The faculty is amazing,” he says.  “I love the faculty here.  I feel like I was able to connect with any and every faculty member that I wanted to.  Their doors were always open.”

He enjoys venturing outside of King Hall to spend time on the UC Davis campus.  “I always encourage people to visit the campus.  I love our beautiful campus.  There’s no other law school environment that’s as tranquil or inviting as Davis.”

After graduation, Zarrineghbal plans to return to Southern California to pursue a career in corporate law or entertainment law.  He is confident that the personal and academic growth he achieved at King Hall will serve him well in his legal career.

“During my time at King Hall, I feel like I’ve connected with so many people.  Being able to interact with so many people on campus really allowed me to grow.  Whether you come to King Hall as a first-year, a visiting student, or a transfer – like me – you’re welcomed with open arms.”