The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law Board of Trustees Elects New Members

Judge Von Deroian, Dr. Julius Sokenu, and Attorney Lori Trofemuk Join Governing Board of Region’s Leading Law School Focused on Access, Opportunity, and Affordability

SANTA BARBARA & VENTURA – Judge Von Deroian, Dr. Julius Sokenu, and Attorney Lori Trofemuk, and are the newest members of The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law (COL) Board of Trustees. All three were elected unanimously this fall to serve as fiduciaries for the region’s oldest and largest independent law school.

Judge Von Deroian (JD ’06) joins a distinguished pedigree of officers of the court elected to the Board, including Judges Colleen Toy White (JD ’77), Michele Castillo, Manuel Covarrubias, Frank Ochoa, Rebecca Riley (JD ’84), and David Long (JD ’83). She is currently the criminal supervising judge and Executive Committee member with the Santa Barbara Superior Court. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Deroian spent 11 years as a deputy district attorney with the Santa Barbara Co. District Attorney’s Office.

Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College, brings to the COL Board 27 years of extensive and progressive leadership experience in community college education and 14 years of managerial oversight of instruction, student services, career technical education, noncredit programs, and community relations.

Lori Trofemuk, JD,brings her expertise as a San Diego attorney specializing in employment law, with extensive experience in arbitration and hearing management, policy development, stakeholder relations, regulatory compliance, contract negotiations, and labor relations. Her professional journey included 12 years of service as a labor relations advocate at UC San Diego.

“What was already a strong board just got stronger thanks to the reputation and experience of these outstanding new fiduciaries and servants of our mission,” said COL Board Chair Jana Johnston (JD ’03). “We look forward to benefitting from their wisdom and community connections.”

COL President Matthew Nehmer agreed, adding, “Judge Deroian, Dr. Sokenu, and Ms. Trofemuk bring a distinct diversity of background, experience, and expertise to our governance work. Their election fills out of Board of 15 individuals, including numerous luminaires in higher education and the legal field, both locally and beyond. Speaking on behalf of all of us at COL, we welcome them to our academic community.”

About The Colleges of Law:

Established in 1969, The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law (COL) was founded to expand opportunities and broaden access to legal education. COL is dedicated to a student-centered approach that affords students of diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue careers in law or legal-related fields. The Colleges’ faculty advances a real-world perspective and practicality on the application of law and includes practicing attorneys, judges, public servants, and leaders in business and non-profit organizations. An accredited nonprofit institution, COL offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a Master of Arts in Law (M.A. in Law) program. Starting in Fall 2018, COL launched a pioneering hybrid J.D. degree, the first of its kind in California. COL is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the Juris Doctor program is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) of the State Bar of California. For more information, visit www.collegesoflaw.edu.

The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law is an affiliate of TCS Education System, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact.

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