Downey Brand Welcomes 2024 Summer Associates
May 21, 2024
Downey Brand is delighted to officially welcome our 2024 Summer Associates to the firm. This year’s dream team of nine law students come from six different law schools and will be based in both our Sacramento and Stockton offices. During the ten-week program, the Summer Associates will work on a variety of challenging and interesting projects for firm clients, all while getting to know our amazing staff and attorneys both inside and outside of the firm. Here’s to a successful summer ahead!
The 2024 Summer Associate Lineup
Elyse Carpenter – Elyse attends the University of California, San Francisco School of Law and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Loyola University, Los Angeles. Her prior work experience includes a position as a Research Assistant for Professor Dorit Rubinstein Reiss at U.C. Law S.F. She’s also worked as a Staff Services Analyst for the California Department of Justice, as a grade school substitute teacher, and as a tutor for special needs students. Elyse will be based in our Sacramento office.
Marino Dominguez – Marino just finished his second year at Pacific McGeorge School of Law and was a participant in the Sacramento County Bar Association’s Diversity Fellowship Program last year. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of the Pacific in Stockton. Marino completed a judicial externship with California Superior Court Judge Barbara A. Kronlund this spring semester, and participated in Moot Court as a research assistant this past year. In 2022, Marino was an Intern at the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office and he has prior customer service experience in a golf/country club setting. His personal interests include sports – specifically, football, basketball, and golf – and outdoor recreation, including fishing, hunting, and hiking. He was based in Downey Brand’s Sacramento office last summer and this year returns to participate in our program in our Stockton office.
Joseph Gregory – Joe attends the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. Joe received a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Life Pacific University (f.k.a. Life Pacific College), and later earned a Master of Divinity from Azusa Pacific University. Joe spent his 1L summer working remotely as a Law Clerk for the Utah Attorney General’s Office in the Highways & Public Utilities Division. Prior to law school, he worked as an Emergency Management Specialist for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and, before that, held positions as a tutor and a substitute teacher. Joe is an avid hiker. Joe will be based in our Sacramento office.
Katrin McDonell – Katrin recently completed her 2L year at the University of California, Davis School of Law. She also attended U.C. Davis for undergrad and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Linguistics. She was a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Steven M. Gevercer at the Sacramento Superior Court during her 2L summer. Prior work experience includes positions as a Law Clerk in a law firm and as a Research Intern for the National Lawyers Guild in Sacramento. Katrin is also an avid hiker and additionally enjoys reading historical fiction, cycling, watching Formula 1 racing, and playing chess. Katrin will be based in our Sacramento office.
Dustin Messner – Dustin attends the University of Oregon School of Law. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics from U.C. Davis. Dustin spent his 1L summer as a Law Clerk for the Civil Litigation Section of the Oregon Department of Justice. During his 2L year, he externed for a private law firm and the in-house department of an international berry propagation company. Before law school, Dustin was a Statistician for the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. He enjoys hiking, playing beach volleyball, skiing, and walking his German Shepherd, Apollo. Dustin will be based in our Sacramento office.
Cassidy Riedel – Cassidy just finished her 1L year at the University of California, Davis School of Law. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a concentration in American Politics, from the University of California, Los Angeles. Cassidy is participating in Downey Brand’s summer program as a fellow through the Sacramento County Bar Association’s Diversity Fellowship Program. Prior work experience includes a position as a Legal Secretary for a law firm, and as a Fellowship Director for the Community Service Commission in Los Angeles. Cassidy enjoys hiking, baking, and spending time with her dog. Cassidy will be based in our Sacramento office.
Ryan Rodriguez – Ryan attends Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Davis and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Ryan spent his 1L summer working as a Law Clerk for a Sacramento law firm and previously worked for a year as a Baseball Head Coach for Sacramento Sports Center Baseball. He additionally served as a Relief Pitcher for the U.C. Davis Varsity Baseball Team throughout his time as an undergraduate student. Ryan will be based in our Sacramento office.
Zachary Schiffer – Zack recently completed his 2L year at Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Zack spent his 2L summer working as a Law Clerk for the Environment and Natural Resources Sections of the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General. Prior work includes a position as a Research Assistant for Professor Dan Croxall at McGeorge School of Law, and a Research and Publications Intern at the Environmental Law Institute. Personal interests include surfing, playing piano, and insects. Zack will be based in our Sacramento office.
Ulises Solis – Uli attends Santa Clara University School of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University, Northridge, and his Master of Education in Student Affairs from the University of California, Los Angeles. Uli has worked as a Judicial Extern for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, and as a Judicial Extern for the Office of Administrative Law Judges in the Department of Labor. He has also been involved in the Workers’ Rights Clinic and the Northern California Innocence Project Clinic at his law school. Prior to law school, Uli held roles as a Resident Director and Assistant Resident Director for various universities. His personal interests include NFL football, NBA basketball, snowboarding, and Mexican food. Uli will be based in our Sacramento office.