University of California, Irvine School of Law

06/02/2026

Congratulations to Tina Schindler, Associate Director of Academic Skills at UC Irvine Law, on receiving the 2026 Guiding Light Award from the Association of Academic Support Educators (AASE).

The award recognizes a member of the AASE community who consistently serves as a source of guidance, wisdom, and support for students, colleagues, and the broader profession. It honors individuals whose mentorship, leadership, and commitment to helping others succeed make the academic support community stronger and more connected, regardless of career stage.

“This well-deserved award reflects both Tina’s individual excellence and her generosity in sharing her expertise across the legal education community,” said Mary Basick, Assistant Dean for Academic Skills.

Read more: https://news.law.uci.edu/2026/06/01/tina-schindler-guiding-light-award-association-of-academic-support-educators/

Image Description: Tina Schindler holding her Guiding Light Award.

05/28/2026

“Why did you choose UC Irvine Law?” 💬

Hear from students Héctor Guevara ’27, Megan Griffin ’26, Brittney James ’27, and Hazel Nikoo ’27 as they reflect on the experiences, opportunities, and community that shaped their decision to attend UC Irvine Law.

Their stories reflect what sets UC Irvine Law apart: real-world training, an innovative curriculum, extraordinary faculty, strong career support, and a welcoming, supportive community in the heart of Southern California — preparing students to become practice-ready lawyers and future leaders.

*This video was filmed in March 2026.

Video description: UC Irvine Law students discuss why they chose UC Irvine Law in on-camera interviews filmed throughout the UC Irvine Law campus.

05/27/2026

UC Irvine School of Law has appointed Maryam Meechka Zomorodian (’20) as Executive Director of Global Programs, leading the Law School’s global Master of Laws (LL.M.) Degree Program. Zomorodian succeeds Khary Hornsby, who headed the program for nine years and who currently serves as a Fulbright Scholar at NOVA University in Lisbon, Portugal.

A UC Irvine Law alumna, Zomorodian has worked with Global Programs since 2021 and brings a strong background in legal education, student advising, and cross-cultural advocacy to the role.

“I am grateful to Khary Hornsby for all of his hard work in founding our Global LL.M. program and know that we are in good hands with Maryam, who is dedicated to delivering a world-class experience for foreign-trained lawyers,” said Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law Austen Parrish.

Learn more: https://news.law.uci.edu/2026/05/26/uc-irvine-law-appoints-maryam-meechka-zomorodian-executive-director-global-programs/

Image Description: Headshot of Maryam Meechka Zomorodian (’20) over a background image of the UC Irvine School of Law building. Text reads: “UC Irvine School of Law Appoints Maryam Meechka Zomorodian (’20) Executive Director of Global Programs.”

05/26/2026

Dean Austen Parrish commented in a Daily Journal article discussing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to revive a lawsuit involving cruise lines’ use of confiscated Cuban port property under the Helms-Burton Act. Parrish noted that the law is unusually broad in transnational litigation and highlighted the interpretive challenges of applying a decades-old statute to modern enforcement conditions, particularly given shifting executive branch policies over whether private claims under Title III should proceed.

The Daily Journal has more journalists covering the California legal profession than any other publication. Comprehensive coverage of litigation, arbitration, and mediation results from California state and federal trial courts for attorneys and legal professionals.

05/22/2026

Professor Ari Waldman was quoted in a Los Angeles Times article about a lawsuit alleging Disneyland failed to properly disclose its use of facial-recognition technology and biometric data collection.

He noted growing public frustration with the rapid expansion of AI, tracking technologies, and digital surveillance tools.

Disney faces $5 million lawsuit over use of facial recognition technology

05/22/2026

Professor Ji Seon Song, Assistant Professor of Law, was chosen by the Class of 2026 to deliver this year’s faculty commencement address. In a speech centered on questions of purpose, change, and the stories we tell with our lives, she encouraged graduates to reflect on what they will carry forward from law school and what mark they hope to leave on the world. Acknowledging both the uncertainty and possibility of this moment, she reminded the graduating class: “You are hope.”

Video description: Professor Ji Seon Song’s faculty commencement address to the UC Irvine Law Class of 2026 at the UC Irvine Bren Events Center on May 8, 2026.

05/21/2026

UC Irvine Law Professor Jane Stoever testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement on May 14 at a hearing titled “Fairfax County, Virginia: The Dangerous Consequences of Sanctuary Policies.”

In her testimony, Prof. Stoever underscored that immigrant domestic violence survivors must be able to safely access legal protection, police response, and community resources without fear of deportation.

“Contrary to the premise of this hearing, sanctuary policies aren’t obstacles to public safety. They are essential to it,” Prof. Stoever told the subcommittee.
Prof. Stoever directs the UCI Initiative to End Family Violence and the UC Irvine Law Domestic Violence Clinic.

Read Prof. Stoever’s written testimony:https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/stoever-testimony.pdf
Watch a recording of the hearing (her oral remarks begin at 1:03:12: https://www.youtube.com/live/wPR6b3QfN50?si=yRzKJZSxeUbDyRTj&t=3792
Read the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary Democrats press release: https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/republicans-effort-to-coerce-states-into-enforcing-reckless-immigration-agenda-undermines-local-police-makes-communities-less-safe

Learn more: https://news.law.uci.edu/2026/05/19/uc-irvine-law-professor-jane-stoever-testified-before-congress-on-protecting-immigrant-domestic-violence-survivors/

Image description: Professor Jane Stoever speaks before Congress during the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing.

05/20/2026

“Ascent,” a new play co-produced by UC Irvine Law Prof. Carrie Menkel-Meadow and Dr. Robert G. Meadow, premiered at the Skylight Theatre in Los Angeles on May 9 and runs through June 14. Based on the true story of a Chinese aerospace engineer who helped co-found JPL, the play explores how Cold War paranoia and accusations of communism derailed one man’s life — and shaped history. "Ascent" is the final work of the late, influential Los Angeles playwright Henry Ong and is co-produced by his sister, Stella Ong (center).

Learn more: https://www.skylighttheatre.org/ascent

05/19/2026

UC Irvine Law’s Community and Economic Development Clinic recently helped THRIVE Santa Ana secure its first property acquisition: La Colmena, an urban farm and community space in Santa Ana. 🌱

The yearslong effort involved clinical faculty Carrie Hempel, Adam Cowing, and Ana Marie del Rio, along with rising 3Ls Tyler Lowell, Daisy Rodriguez, and Ray Zeng, who supported THRIVE through financing, transaction review, and closing logistics to help advance the organization’s long-term community development goals.

“This project was especially meaningful because it helped THRIVE secure ownership of a property central to its work in Santa Ana,” said rising 3L Tyler Lowell. “By helping THRIVE complete the acquisition of La Colmena, the CED Clinic supported a project that gives THRIVE a permanent foundation for continuing its community development work and investing in the local community.”

https://news.law.uci.edu/2026/05/14/uc-irvine-law-clinic-supports-santa-ana-community-land-trust-property-acquisition/

Images description: Scenes from La Colmena in Santa Ana, including community members gathering outdoors, garden and urban farm spaces, cultural programming and performances, small-business activity, and shared community spaces. Pictured, left to right: rising 3Ls Ray Zeng and Daisy Rodriguez, Ana Charco of THRIVE, rising 3L Tyler Lowell, and Ricardo Muniz of THRIVE.

05/19/2026

Read the latest UC Irvine Law Faculty Roundup, featuring new scholarship from Profs. Cindy Thomas Archer, Rachel Croskery-Roberts, David Kaye, Shauhin Talesh, Beatrice Tice, and more. Plus, recent speaking engagements from Profs. Robert Chang, Veena Dubal, Annie Lai, Ann Southworth, and more.

https://news.law.uci.edu/2026/05/13/faculty-roundup-may-2026/

Image Description: Graphic with the text “UC Irvine Law Faculty Roundup” in white lettering on a blue background.