Alma Piñan

Evening JD Student Explores Law as Judicial Extern & Juvenile Advocate

Alma Piñan
Alma Piñan ’17

Alma Piñan ’17 was drawn to her “dream school” and Loyola’s JD Evening Program because it offered her the flexibility she needed to continue working full-time as a manager and tax associate at H&R Block while taking advantage of a variety of on-campus clubs, networking opportunities and activities. 

Ranked as the No. 1 part-time law program in the West by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola’s Evening Program provides students access to Loyola’s full-time faculty and attracts highly respected members of the federal and state judiciaries, as well as nationally recognized experts in specialized areas of the law. Evening students, like day students, have the opportunity to participate in Loyola’s myriad extracurricular activities and student organizations, including writing for one of the prestigious law reviews.

Piñan took full advantage of Loyola’s extracurricular offerings. As a certified law student for the Juvenile Justice Clinic, she represented juveniles in delinquency court. Additionally, she was a judicial extern for the Hon. Sandra R. Klein '92, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. At the same time, she was a research assistant for Professor Rebecca Delfino and twice served as a representative to the Evening Student Bar Association.

“It took a lot of time management skills and discipline to fit it all into my schedule, but when there’s a will, there’s a way,” says Piñan, who spent her summer as an associate at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP.

Piñan is inspired by the Evening Program’s mix of students, many of whom work full-time, part-time or balance a rigorous academic schedule while parenting. “Being surrounded with driven people who have so much on their plate really motivates me, as well,” she says.

After graduation, Piñan hopes to specialize in litigation at a large firm. She believes the practical training she receives in class and her professors’ willingness to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom has prepared her for success in whatever field she chooses.