Arizona Law and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy have released the Summer 2025 issue of The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process (Volume 25, Issue 2). The issue addresses change. 

The issue starts with a tribute to the late Justice Souter by two of his colleagues on the First Circuit—Chief Judge David J. Barron and Senior Circuit Judge Jeffrey R. Howard. The tribute reflects on Justice Souter’s service on the First Circuit after he retired from the United States Supreme Court. The final piece is an essay by Lisa Sarnoff Gochman on her experience viewing Justice John Paul Stevens’ public papers after his passing. 

“The final piece has an interesting backstory,” writes Journal Editor-in-Chief Tessa L. Dysart, assistant vice provost of Native American Initiatives at the University of Arizona and assistant director of legal writing at Arizona Law. “Several years ago, I published a book review of Lisa Sarnoff Gochman’s book, ‘At the Altar of the Appellate Gods.’ Ms. Gochman’s book recounts her experience arguing the Apprendi case before the U.S. Supreme Court. When Justice John Paul Stevens, the author of the Apprendi opinion passed away and his papers became public, I asked Ms. Gochman if she was going to view the papers on Apprendi and if she would be willing to write an essay on the experience. The answer was yes on both accounts, and this final essay shares her experience.”

Other topics in the summer issue include the Supreme Court’s changing Second Amendment jurisprudence, how AI will impact the work of judging, writing advice, how courts should structure opinions when a majority of the court cannot agree on how to decide a case, and an essay on the change in citation format. 

Until September 7, new Arizona Law apparel is available for pre-order to benefit the Student Bar Association. These items will be available for direct shipping for orders placed this week only.

All designs are exclusive to SBA and a portion of each purchase goes towards funding events such as Barrister’s Ball.

Gear up for Homecoming and other upcoming events and support students at the same time!

Arizona Law Ambassadors are often the first to welcome prospective students to our community. This select group of student leaders supports admissions and alumni events, answers questions from admitted students and their families about life at Arizona Law, and helps new students feel at home during orientation. Ambassadors also play a key role in building connections between current students and our alumni community.

Once again this week, we are introducing the Arizona Law Ambassadors for the new academic year. If you see them at an upcoming event, like Homecoming, be sure to say hello and thank them for all they do! This is the final installment of “meet the Ambassadors.” To learn about the entire class of 2025–26 Ambassadors, see the Arizona Law Ambassadors page.

Jennifer Shim ’26

Hometown: New York, NY

Legal area of interest: There’s been a lot of back and forth. I came in wanting to become a JAG (military lawyer), but I have grown fond of transactional work.

What clubs or organizations are you involved in outside of class? I am president of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA) and JAG Vanguard Society. I am a member of the Law Women’s Association (LWA), Arizona Asian American Bar Association (AAABA) and the First Circuit Program.

What is one of your favorite experiences while at Arizona Law? I love the times I get to hang out with my peers in between classes. There’s no stronger bond in law school than those in the trenches with you and can be genuinely sympathetic/understanding of the amount of stress you go through; but at the same time, we all love it! It’s true that you make lasting friendships with those you meet in law school.

Kara Stephan ’27

Hometown: Barrie, Canada

Legal area of interest: Intellectual property, technology law

What is one of your favorite experiences while at Arizona Law? At the end of Legal Research, Analysis and Communications (LRAC) in first semester, the writing fellows put on an escape room for the first years to test out their knowledge in a fun environment and compete against other teams!

What is one thing every student should experience at Arizona Law? Trivia Night. It is a fun night where students from each year get together to enjoy some trivia and compete against each other! It’s a great way to get to know students from other years and take some time away from studying!

Justin Terrill ’27

Hometown: Oxnard, CA

Legal area of interest: Since beginning law school I found myself being more drawn to advocacy and trial litigation. Though litigation is broad, I find myself more specifically interested in civil and business litigation with an emphasis in international law.

What has been one of your most memorable classes at Arizona Law? International Business Transactions with Gantz & Dubovec was a real eye-opener. I came into law school with an interest in international trade law and everything in that class really opened my eyes to how broad and vast the topic actually is. Similarly, having a class that is focused on real-world application and client representation really helped me picture my career post-school.

Why did you choose Arizona Law? I chose Arizona law because of the tight-knit community it promised. Unlike other law schools that I toured, UofA was the best balance between good size and great resources. Moreover, everyone at Arizona Law actually looks like they want to be there. There is such a lively, upbeat atmosphere for a law school at the UofA that no other school I saw could compete with.

Diana Vega German ’26

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Legal area of interest: I am interested in many legal areas. However, the legal areas that most interest me include immigration, family and juvenile, criminal, and public interest law. What I enjoy most is helping others, and the goal is to work in an area that will allow me to do so.

What advice do you have for incoming 1Ls? A great piece of advice I can give incoming 1Ls is to relax and enjoy the new experience. Seize any and every opportunity law school has to offer that interests you. You may enjoy a topic you had never heard of or meet legal community members who open you up to new knowledge and opportunities. There is more to do than simply trying to get a good grade in class. Sometimes, all the other opportunities will teach you the most about who you are as a student, person and legal advocate.

What is one of your favorite experiences while at Arizona Law? Networking opportunities. Fantastic opportunities throughout the year allowed us to meet judges and attorneys and spend more time one-on-one with our professors, allowing us to learn more about the legal profession and ourselves. Some highlights were listening to live oral arguments and participating in LRAC throughout my 1L year. There is no better feeling than overcoming my nerves about being in the LRAC program and surprising myself with writing skills I did not know I had. Our writing professors are excellent and bring out the best in each and every one of their students.

Trey Wagnon ’27

Hometown: Fort Collins, CO

Legal area of interest: While my areas of interest seem to change with every class I take, I currently want to pursue criminal or family law.

What advice do you have for incoming 1Ls? My advice is twofold. First, focus on relationships with your fellow students. This is a unique and challenging adventure that most have never experienced, so lean on those who have. Second, go to office hours.

Why did you choose Arizona Law? It opens the most doors for my future career. The environment is wonderful, and because of the small class sizes, you get to know professors and students more deeply.

Tyler Wilhelm ’26

Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ

Legal area of interest: I’m still open to several areas of the law, but I’m most interested in business litigation and international law.

What advice do you have for incoming 1Ls? Get to know everyone in your small section! And, if your small section tends to be paired up with another small section, get to know them as well! I’m so grateful for my combined small section—they’re some of my best friends and being alongside them day in and day out made navigating 1L so much better!

What is one of your favorite experiences while at Arizona Law? I had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with our university’s Athletic Director, Desireé Reed-Francois. She was visiting the law school, and the CDO offered to set up a one-on-one meeting with her while she’d be in town. I said yes, and a week later I’m sitting in LRAC, only to see the news break that she was being hired as our school’s next AD! The meeting was incredible and she even invited me to her introductory press conference at the stadium the following morning! I sat alongside Dean Miller, Dean Kreag and Dean JC—definitely an experience I’ll never forget!