Crystal Ciaramitaro

State Income Tax Clinic

Crystal Ciaramitaro, State Income Tax Clinic

Crystal Ciaramitaro is the State Income Tax Clinic’s choice for Outstanding Graduating Clinical Student because of her great client service and tremendous work ethic in tackling complex case work while managing other competing responsibilities as a working evening student. Her representation of a client at an oral hearing on a complex legal case before a three-judge panel of the California Office of Tax Appeals exemplifies both. Crystal went well above and beyond required credit hours to thoroughly prepare the case and the client for the hearing, and, despite having no prior formal client advocacy experience, delivered a well-received compelling oral argument against an FTB Level IV tax expert.  She earned high praise from her client as well, who wrote her, “It was a pleasure and an honor to meet you. … I appreciate your extreme effort and research into this matter. You were like a surgeon, very impressive. I know you will be a great lawyer. I can't thank you enough!” Meanwhile Crystal continued to work diligently for her other clients and contributed to the clinic’s collaborative learning environment by supporting her peers with constructive feedback on their cases.