ClassNotes

Frankie Wong M.S. ’85 joined Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione in Chicago as a patent agent with particular focus on patent prosecution in wireless and network communications and the computer arts. Before joining Brinks, Wong prosecuted more than 230 patent applications in the areas of 3G and 4G wired and wireless communication systems. He began his career as a design engineer, working for CTT Inc., Microsource Inc./Gigatronics and Nexyn Corp., in the Silicon Valley. He also worked as a patent engineer for Patent Planet, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. and as a patent agent at McAndrews, Held & Malloy.
 

Tom Squeri '82, J.D. '85, longtime vice president and general counsel of Granite Rock Co., was named as the company's president and CEO. Squeri worked for two private law firms in the San Franciso Bay Area that specialized in construction litigation prior to joining Graniterock: San Francisco's Pettit and Martin, where he became a partner in 1993, and the San Jose office of Coudert Brothers.

Royce Roberts J.D. ’85 explores the public's misconception of public defenders, as well as the importance of our public defense system, in his new book Public Pretender. A public defender for more than 20 years, his book began as a way of understanding what he was experiencing at juvenile court with his clients and the child-welfare system. He works as a public defender in Washington state for the King County–funded nonprofit agency, the Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons (SCRAP).

Susan Mauriello J.D. ’85 of Aptos, has been appointed to the California Board of State and Community Corrections by Gov. Jerry Brown ’59. Mauriello has been the county administrative officer for Santa Cruz County since 1989.

Omar Habbas J.D. ’85, the managing partner at Habbas & Associates law firm in San Jose, has been nominated for the 2012 San Jose Best of Business Award. Mr. Habbas earned this nomination through the outstanding legal prowess he demonstrated while representing clients in personal injury cases. 

Heidi Gansert ’85 has joined the University of Nevada, Reno as special assistant to the president for external affairs. Said university president Marc Johnson, "Heidi will serve as a catalyst for opportunities and partnerships that will result in productive outcomes for Nevada. She will help connect the expertise of our faculty and resources of the University to result in solutions. The University's connection to economic development will be a priority, and Heidi has worked closely with economic development agencies throughout the state."

Barbara Esquivel '85 has returned to Northern California and is living in Roseville having accepted the Assistant Vice President of Workers' Compensation Claims with York Risk Services Group. Barbara was most recently Claims Manager at Keenan & Associates in Torrance, Calif. Her daughter Courtney now lives in San Diego and works for Gallagher Bassett, and her son Nathan lives in Lakewood and works for New York & Co.

David Drummond ’85, Google’s chief legal officer, will speak at the SCU law school commencement on May 25. 

Gordon Brion ’85 writes: “I always think of the great experience I had at SCU. It gave me the option in life to pursue a near life-long dream. Specifically, a path to becoming a physician. I never take that for granted. It is a remarkable honor that people trust me with their actual lives at times. Also, my patients have helped me over the years, and that was an unforeseen and unexpected benefit. I am grateful to have been in such an inspirational environment and met such great friends along the way. It made me think big.”