In the past couple of weeks, students elected new class officers to represent them within the Student Bar Association, the student governing body for the College of Law. There were runoff elections for the 3L secretary/treasurer, 1L president and second vice president of SBA, but by Sept. 26, the votes were finalized.
The third-year class elected Felipe Rendón as president. One of the biggest responsibilities for the 3L president is planning the class graduation celebration, and Rendón said he will work to promote class camaraderie and organize events to honor his classmates’ achievements.
“I ran for class president because of my close ties to my class and my desire to work with the College of Law as a whole to promote a more diverse and equitable environment for all,” Rendón said. “I am thrilled to be working with what might be the most diverse set of 1L, 2L and 3L class officers the college has seen, and I am excited for the work we will get done.”
Rendón attended New York University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Thomas Ybarra, reelected as president for the second-year class, said he is excited to represent his class again and echoed Rendón’s thoughts on the diversity of the elected candidates.
“It should be a good year for our class,” Ybarra said. “I’m happy to see other students of color on the SBA executive board. I really think this will bring a great and impactful representation and ideas to our board.”
Ybarra is originally from Boulder City, Nevada, and holds an undergraduate degree in political science from Southern Utah University.
The first-year class voted Kelsey Dodds in as class president after the runoff election. She and the other class presidents agreed they want to make sure their classmates’ voices are heard within SBA.
“Since August 1, I observed how quickly the 1L class came together to support one another,” Dodds said. “This feeling of support made me want to make sure that not even one person felt as though they were not a part of this unbelievable group of future lawyers.”
Dodds said she wants to be someone her classmates can depend on and will use the position to give back to them. She earned her undergraduate degree in criminal justice, with a minor in political science, from Washington State University.
Law students also elected other class officers, including: Chris Muro as third-year vice president, Corrine Allain as third-year secretary/treasurer, Leigh Stainken as second-year vice president, Scott Halliday as second-year secretary/treasurer, Megan Irinaga as first-year vice president, Bridget Lawson as first-year secretary/treasurer, and Alex Dooley as SBA second vice president.
About Willamette University College of Law
Opened in 1883, Willamette University College of Law is the first law school in the Pacific Northwest. The college has a long tradition at the forefront of legal education and is committed to the advancement of knowledge through excellent teaching, scholarship and mentorship. Leading faculty, thriving externship and clinical law programs, ample practical skills courses and a proactive career placement office prepare Willamette law students for today's legal job market. According to statistics compiled by the American Bar Association, Willamette ranks first in the Pacific Northwest for job placement for full-time, long-term, JD-preferred/JD-required jobs for the class of 2014 and first in Oregon for the classes of 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Located across the street from the state capitol complex and the Oregon Supreme Court, the college specializes in law and government, law and business, and dispute resolution.