Summer 2003
Hanson Bridgett's Summer Class of 2003 pose for the camera during the firm's annual visit to Ravenswood Winery. They are (left to right) Mohammad Walizadeh, Rovianne Leigh, Shai Zemach, Anne Hydorn, Eli Makus, Monic Behnken & Hank Edson. Click on a name to find out why she or he selected Hanson Bridgett as the place to spend their summer in San Francisco. Or just scroll down to see the entire class.
Mohammad Walizadeh
Boalt Hall School of Law, University of
California, Berkeley Juris Doctor Candidate, May 2004
As I went through the On Campus Interview Program, I looked for a firm that would provide opportunity and guidance. I wanted an opportunity to test my legal education and develop my skills. An opportunity to experience a law firm at work and to embark on my legal career. At the same time, I was concerned about the stress and demands in the legal profession. I wanted a firm that would give me guidance and support. An environment that would help me grow as an attorney and as an individual.
I felt that Hanson Bridgett provided me with this opportunity and guidance. From the first interview to my current work, the attorneys and staff show a sincerity in knowing who I am and my goals for the future. I was excited to join the summer program because I felt the firm worked hard and together, striving to create a positive environment.
Currently, I am working on assignments from various practice groups. I have work that covers my interest areas, IP and litigation, as well as ample opportunity to discover new areas.
Outside the legal walls, I love to play and watch basketball, I run a small apparel company and enjoy watching movies.
Rovianne Leigh
University of California at Berkeley, Boalt
Hall School of Law, J.D. Candidate 2005; University of California
at Los Angeles, B.A., cum laude, English Literature and American
Indian Studies, 1999
After graduating from U.C.L.A., I spent two years serving as the Director of Retention of American Indians Now (RAIN), a student-initiated and student-funded retention project. Working with the Student Retention Center, Student Outreach Center, and Community Programs Office at U.C.L.A. gave me an amazing opportunity to work with people from a variety of different life experiences. I came away from my time at RAIN with a solid sense of the direction I wanted to move forward in, as well as the confidence I needed to pursue a law degree.
I then had the opportunity to serve as a Research Assistant at the U.C.L.A. School of Law, and a Contract Specialist for the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. Returning to California for law school at Boalt Hall was a blessing, as is my opportunity to work at a diverse firm that covers an interesting spectrum of legal practice areas. Only three weeks into the summer, I have already had the chance to work with attorneys in the Insurance, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Litigation, and Public Agency Sections. I am thankful for the many Hanson Bridgett folks who are actively ensuring that I have the tools and support to succeed and am looking forward to a challenging and rewarding summer.
I am originally from Southern California and Hawaii, and I graduated from high school at Seabury Hall on Maui. I enjoy the outdoors, surfing, capoiera, music, and travelling.
Shai Zemach
University of San Francisco School of Law,
Juris Doctor Candidate May 2004
Hanson Bridgett, like several other Bay Area law firms, offers a broad range of legal fields covering the gamut of transactional and litigation practice areas. What makes Hanson Bridgett different from all the other firms is the way this firm cares and invests in its summer associates and its younger associates, allowing them to develop their areas of interest. Also, it is not uncommon for attorneys to practice in several different practice areas.
This encouragement to investigate and practice in multiple fields is only a small example of Hanson Bridgett's overall culture that values and cultivates a high morale among all its employees. Attorneys here are very satisfied and enthusiastic about the work they do and the people they work with. In a day where you hear about attorneys moving between law firms on a yearly basis, it is truly a pleasure to work in a firm that prides itself on its track record of not laying off attorneys (even during the dot com burst). Hanson Bridgett is also a place where many of the partners began as summer associates and they are proud that to have practiced their entire career at this law firm.
Since I have a wife and two young boys, during the interview process I wanted to find a law firm that I would want to work for my entire career. Having heard from several sources about Hanson Bridgett's excellent professional reputation and its great work environment, I thought this could be the place. So far, my experiences over this summer have definitely met and even surpassed my high expectations.
Anne Hydorn
University of California, Hastings College
of the Law, J.D. Candidate 2003; University of California at Davis,
B.A., International Relations, 1991
I was instantly drawn to Hanson Bridgett the first time I read about the firm. I was just beginning the On Campus Interviewing process in the fall of my second year of law school when I found a Hanson Bridgett brochure in my mailbox at school. Not only did Hanson Bridgett offer the practice areas I was interested in, but the culture of the firm sounded especially friendly and supportive. I immediately begin asking other students what they knew of Hanson Bridgett and quickly learned about its well-respected reputation. Normally people don't think of the job interview process as fun, but I actually had great time and spent a lot of time laughing and getting to know people during my interviews with Hanson Bridgett. Of course, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to come here.
The attribute of this firm that has impressed me the most is its truly genuine people. I also respect the firm's commitment to diversity and quality of both work and life. After being here for just three weeks, I have already learned that Hanson Bridgett lives up to its name!
I grew up in Southern California, moved north to go to college,
and I've stayed in the Bay Area ever since. Prior to going to law
school, I worked for nine years in Human Resources so the law is
my second career. I am most interested in Estate Planning or Employee
Benefits, but feel fortunate that I will have the opportunity to
work with a variety of practice areas and attorneys this summer.
I have been married for almost twelve years and have a one year-old
son. When I'm not working or studying, I spend a lot of time outdoors
with my family, playing with my dog Brandy, and working in my garden.
Eli Makus
University of California at Davis, King
Hall School of Law, J.D. Candidate 2004; California State University
at Hayward, B.A., English Literature, 1999
When I started on campus interviewing, I had a pretty narrow idea of what type of firm I was prepared to work for. I did not want to work in a large firm because I wanted the comradery and sense of personal investment smaller organizations foster. At the same time, I was leery of working for a small firm with limited resources and no clear summer associate structure. Finally, I hoped to stay in Davis rather than assume another residence for the summer. I could not have found a better fit than Hanson Bridgett.
I am especially fortunate to be the first summer associate based in the Sacramento office. Thus, I literally work in a small office with the resources and summer experience of a large firm. And, I still live in Davis. The summer program successfully spans the distance between the offices, ensuring that all summer associates have a comparable experience.
On top of the unique opportunity to work in the Sacramento office, I was attracted by the firm's diversity of practice areas, both in Sacramento and San Francisco. The summer program is geared to expose associates to as many of these practice areas as they desire. I was also attracted by the culture exhibited through the firm's literature and by the on-campus interviewer. I have been impressed and surprised by how friendly the people are and how committed the firm is to maintaining its unique and positive culture. One of the common bragging points is the firm's retention of its staff and attorneys. It's clear after only a few weeks why people stay.
Monic Behnken
Golden Gate University, School of Law, J.D.
Candidate, 2004; Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Clinical
Psychology, Ph. D. Candidate, 2006; University of Houston, B.A.,
cum laude, Psychology, 2000
I chose to apply to Hanson Bridgett because of its wide range of practice areas. I was also encouraged to apply by many friends and faculty who told me about this firm's great reputation in the community and the wonderful opportunities and experiences of other summer associates. During the interview process, everyone I met confirmed what I had heard about the nice people and relaxed atmosphere at Hanson Bridgett. I was also pleased to discover the unadvertised treasure of the candy bowl in Sheryl Geraldi's office!
So far I have been impressed with the extraordinary effort people have made to be friendly and to get to know me. The Summer Associate Committee has been flexible in assigning projects that suit my interests as well as making sure that I am exposed to many of the firm's other practice areas. I like working here because everyone works hard, but also makes time to have a healthy life outside of the firm. Hanson Bridgett's focus on family and living a balanced life is a welcomed change from what I expected firm life to be like.
In my spare time I try to take care of all the errands that I postponed during law school. I also try to play as much tennis with my husband, Brian, as possible.
Hank Edson
University of California, Hastings College
of the Law, J.D. Candidate 2004; Dominican University, California
Teaching Credential, 1996; Stanford University, B.A., English Literature,
1989
Born and raised in the Bay Area, I have enjoyed over the years so many terrific opportunities that come with living here. Before embarking on a career in law, I taught 4th, 7th, and 8th grade in Marin County where I grew up. Having loved my years at a teacher, I was ready for a new adventure when I started as a student at Hasting College of the Law two years ago. Now I find myself working at Hanson Bridgett and am very excited by all that I am learning.
I think the most basic description of the firm is that it offers world-class service, but strongly identifies with the local bay area community. This is also a perfect description of my own ambitions. After a couple weeks in the office, I am delighted to find a professional culture centered around community effort, support, and strength. The breadth of the legal practice here is also particularly exciting to me as a student who has yet to focus on a specialty and who wants to explore as many areas of the law as possible. Having worked with children for several years, I questioned whether I would fit into the corporate world. I am very pleased to feel well at home at Hanson Bridgett.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Hanson, Bridgett, Marcus, Vlahos & Rudy, LLP seeks to ensure a positive and diverse work culture where each person may work and develop professionally to the best of his or her ability free of unlawful discrimination or prejudice. To this end, the firm is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits unlawful discrimination or prejudice of any kind based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability, or pregnancy.
