Law Faculty

J.D. University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

Ms. Abdallah, graduated from Dominican University of San Rafael, B.A., cum laude, and McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, J.D.; Member, Moot Court Honors Board. She was assistant Comment Editor, Pacific Law Journal, 1987-1988. Her areas of practice included Business and Real Estate Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Business Law; Banking Law; Creditors Rights; Health Care Law; Appellate Law; Mediation; Arbitration.

Mr. Brennan is a graduate of Humphreys University Drivon School of Law. Brennan was a football player in high school, and a veteran—he was military police for six years—Brennan’s work on gangs in Stanislaus County has attracted the eyes of the federal government, which swore him in as a special assistant US Attorney in 2008, a position that allows him to take on gang leadership thanks to extra resources. His aspirations are to educate others and train county prosecutors on how to best defeat gangs in court.

Mr. Eley has experience with Real Estate Law; Property Disputes and Defects; Boundary Line Encroachments; Purchase and Sale Agreements; Landlord/Tenant Issues including Leases and Commercial Evictions; Zoning; Eminent Domain; Quiet Title Actions; Easements, Right of Way; ADA. He attended the University of California at Santa Barbara and Golden Gate University.

Professor Meath’s areas of practice include Agricultural Law, Alcoholic Beverages, Business Law, Contracts, Copyright Infringement, Family Business Successions, Intellectual Property, International Intellectual Property, International Law, International Trade, Internet Law, Small Business Law, Trademark Infringement, Trademarks, Unfair Competition, and Winery Law. He received is JD and LLM from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

J.D. Humphreys University Drivon School of Law

Professor Merrill specializes in bankruptcy, family law, and domestic mediation. Merrill has since owned her own practice and has represented public agencies as an associate with the former law firm of Suntag & Feuerstein. She is now a Deputy County Counsel for San Joaquin County, representing the County’s Planning/Development Services Division, Environmental Health Department, and Emergency Medical Services Agency.

J.D. Humphreys University Drivon School of Law

Professor Ramirez is currently a judge on the Superior Court of San Joaquin County. He was previously an Associate Attorney at Hakeem, Ellis & Marengo. His areas of practice include Corporate Law, Contract Matters, Counsel for Employers, High Value Disputes, Land Use, Family Law, Divorce, Visitation, Joint Custody Agreements, Child Support/Alimony, Estate Planning, Probate, Business & Civil Litigation, Real Estate, Personal Injury, Auto & Motorcycle Accidents, Wrongful Death, Conservatorships, Guardianships, and Mediation. Ramirez obtained his JD from the Humphreys University Drivon School of Law.

Honorable John Soldati is a judge of the Superior Court of San Joaquin County in California. Soldati obtained a B.A. from Saint Mary’s College of California and a J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Honorable Richard Vlavianos is a judge for the San Joaquin Superior Court in California. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Pete Wilson in 1999. He received his BA from UC Davis and JD from McGeorge School of Law. He began his legal career with the San Joaquin Country District Attorney’s Office, where he serves as a deputy district attorney for thirteen years. During his tenure, Vlavianos supervised the D.A.’s Narcotics Unit. Vlavianos has been a proponent of the collaborative courts as well as rehabilitative programs. He established a DUI prevention program called Choices and Consequences, that uses prisoners and collaborative court attendees to help educate students on the dangers of alcohol and drug use. He also established a Truancy Court and helped to revamp the Proposition 36 system for the Superior Court.