UPDATE: Edgar Lopez was announced as next year’s SBA President, winning the only contested position. All other candidates won their respective positions. Students interested in filling the vacancies in the positions of Treasurer, Administrator, Ombudsman, Federal Bar Association Representative, Intramural Athletics Director, Activities Director, or Alumni Representative can apply to be appointed to these positions for 2018-2019. More details to come.

Vote for next year’s Student Bar Association (SBA) members on Friday, March 23 via an email sent out by SBA! Voting is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please note that The Commentary,  a program of SBA, does not endorse any particular candidates. All candidates were given an equal opportunity to submit materials to The Commentary.

President Candidates

Mark Simpliciano

As your President, I am committed to improving the overall student experience here at California Western. As a leader of SBA, I hope to cooperate with student representatives in hopes of creating a stronger presence within the San Diego community; improving the relationships with student organizations; increasing bonds between students by hosting more SBA-sponsored events and networking opportunities; providing more avenues to enhance students’ mental and physical health; and truly listening to students’ concerns and working with school administrators in providing solutions.

 

Edgar Lopez

My name is Edgar Lopez, and I am happy to announce my candidacy to be your next SBA President. While at Cal Western, I have enjoyed my experience and have seen a lot of great  improvements at our school, such as introduction of school apparel, renovations to the fourth floor, and food trucks. However, there is still much more work to be done.

As SBA President, I want to continue the efforts of past student leaders while providing a future vision to improve our law school experience. Most if not all eat, sleep, and study law 24/7, so why not make this experience worthwhile. Some of the major projects I want to work on is parking, food and the creation of a president’s counsel.

Regarding parking, I want to do two things. First, I will work with the city on various projects to extend the parking meters from 2 to 3 hours. Second, I will work with the local parking companies to provide discounted group parking to CWSL students. Regarding food, I will work with local businesses to provide discounted food options to students and work toward the possibility of more vending machines. Regarding the president’s counsel, I want to create a counsel where organization leaders and the SBA President meet to discuss campus issues and events.

So why am I the most qualified for this position, you ask? Well I have been involved in various capacities at CWSL since that terrifying first year. Currently at CWSL I serve as: chair of the Student Conference Fund Committee,  a 2L Representative, Vice-President of La Raza, Student Ambassador, and a mentor for the A.I.M Program. I served in student government in my undergrad and even served as my high school president. In conclusion, I have the vision and desire to serve as your future SBA President! Vote Edgar! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me

Vice President Candidates

Sahar Hassanzada

My name is Sahar Hassanzada, and I am running for Cal Western SBA Vice President for 2018-19. The Vice President not only assists the President in any SBA matters but also plans, organizes, and executes the annual Barrister’s Ball event.

I began at CWSL last fall as a 2L transfer student from Whittier Law School and was amazed by the welcoming attitude, the positive spirit and the immediate feeling of acceptance from both the students and faculty I received.

Since then, I have become a member of SBA, been appointed to the Space Committee, and recently been elected as Social Chair of the Middle Eastern Law Association. Additionally, I was recruited to serve on the Barrister’s Ball committee by our current Vice President Valerie Gurrola because of the passion I have for planning events. I served on the committee for the entire academic year and have the most experience out of any of the candidates running for Vice President to take on the responsibility and plan our Barrister’s Ball next year.

Through my involvement in SBA I noticed some students’ needs, such as the demand for business cards, and began this project immediately. As you may have noticed, many students placed their orders with SBA last week, and it turned into a very successful project!

Working with the Space Committee, I realized that most students do not have the ability to watch Tutoring DVD’s on their laptop. Consequently, I suggested a DVD check-out system at the library, and this project quickly came to fruition last month. Once again, I was hoping to assist with finding a way to contribute and address the needs and convenience of our students.

I care very deeply about Cal Western and the students, even though I have been part of the student body for only 8 months. It would be a great honor to represent the students and serve as the SBA Vice President to continue my mission in assisting with student concerns and plan another great Barrister’s Ball!

Other Positions

Madeline Baker – 2L Rep

When I began school at CWSL as a 1L, I was elected Section 3 1L Rep and became involved in SBA. Through SBA, I made friends and stepped out of my comfort zone to ensure my fellow incoming 1Ls had a voice. Through my involvement with SBA as a 1L Rep, I served as a middle-man between my classmates and the school. I enjoyed participating in the budget process and serving on the Barristers’ Ball Committee. It was rewarding to me to be active as part of the student body voice and form new connections with students both inside and outside of my section.

I would like to continue participating in SBA and helping CWSL thrive as a school. I believe that with an organized student body on such a small campus, SBA has the power to connect students and make a difference in both the school community and San Diego. I have seen so much done through just the student voices in the one year I have been at CWSL: including bringing food trucks for lunch, renovating whole floors to increase student use, and putting together a whole Barristers’ Ball, that I am so inspired to continue growing and developing SBA throughout my time at CWSL

As 2L Rep I would continue growing SBA and providing a voice for my classmates. It would be my pleasure to assist with the budget process to ensure each student org is allocated funds for the trimesters. I look forward to ensuring 1Ls are welcomed, as well as meeting new people and making new connections with everyone on campus.

Joshua Raines – 3L Rep

My fellow 2L students, it was my honor serving the Spring 2019 graduating class as your 1L Rep. on the Board of Representatives. While on the Board in 2017, I helped approve the implementation of increased food trucks on campus, the addition of after-hours coffee for late-night students, and coordination of club events in conjunction with the Student Bar Association (SBA). It will be my pleasure to serve you again as your 3L Representative.

My goals as your next Representative is to hear from you! I want to be a voice for your ideas on how to improve the school for us and for future students! However, here are some things I would like to see put into place in the near future: increase student parking options, provide more food options for students, and create a fitness zone for students!

Serving on the SBA Board of Reps. and also as Vice-Chair of the Board was an incredible experience. I look forward to the opportunity and the challenge of serving as your Representative again for the 2018-2019 school year. I look forward to working with all of you both in law school and in practice as future attorneys!