Alumni Profile

Michael J. Holmes ’98 is the Office Operating Partner for Allen Matkins’ San Diego office, where he focuses on commercial real estate transactions. Previously, he litigated commercial real estate disputes. Mike frequently authors articles and lectures on commercial leasing, accessibility laws and regulations, construction law, and commercial center management. He also volunteers for science olympiad and mock trial programs at local schools.

When did you become interested in real estate law and why do you enjoy it?

Laura Urias ’06 has her own immigration practice in East Los Angeles. Previously, she was a Staff Attorney at the United Farm Workers Foundation, where she helped immigrants petition for visas and access public benefits. She then became a Staff Attorney at the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice, where she primarily practiced family law, representing low-income survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She has been certified as a Domestic Violence Advocate by the State of California.

Rodrigo Guevara ’09 will receive the 2020 King Hall Rising Star Alumnus Award at the Celebrating King Hall event on March 12. In 2015, Rodrigo founded Abogato, an organization that educated clients about their employment rights. He quickly realized that what his clients really needed were lawyers. A year later, Abogato became Abogato LLP, a law firm that specializes in representing low-wage workers in underserved communities.

Margaret Z. Johns ’76 will receive the 2020 King Hall Distinguished Alumna Award at the Celebrating King Hall event on March 12. Margaret taught at King Hall from 1980 to 2018, directing the Legal Writing program from 1984 to 2001. While at King Hall, she co-authored four books and published several law review articles. In 1993, Margaret founded the King Hall Civil Rights Clinic.

UC Davis Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer Christine Lovely ’96 oversees the central HR teams on both the Davis and Health campuses. Previously, she was University Counsel and Vice President for Human Resources at California State University, Sacramento. She has also served as Associate General Counsel for the Sacramento County Office of Education and as a legal advisor to the California Public Employment Relations Board.