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Class of 1993

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Ian J. Yankwitt, JD `93, of White Plains, NY, died on November 5, 2020, at the age of 52. Ian is remembered for his... Read Full Note

Ian J. Yankwitt, JD `93, of White Plains, NY, died on November 5, 2020, at the age of 52. Ian is remembered for his larger-than-life persona. His intellect, kindness, generosity, principles, moral leadership, devotion to social justice, friendship, gift for conversation, advice, storytelling, card-playing, and powerfully resonant voice are among the many qualities that made Ian uniquely memorable to those fortunate enough to have known him. He practiced law for ten years, first at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, where he was known for his pro bono work, and where he met his wife of 23 years, Rochelle. Ian left the private sector to join the Federal Defenders of New York, where he worked for the remainder of his legal career. The drive for social justice expressed as a public defender remained a passion throughout his life, and he served on the Advisory Board of Gideon's Promise, a nonprofit public defender organization. At age 35, Ian founded Tortoise Investment Management, LLC, starting in the family basement and building the business to over $1 billion in assets under management. As much as the success of the firm, Ian valued the relationships he shared with clients and colleagues at Tortoise. Ian actively promoted camaraderie at Tortoise, working to shape the careers of his employees as a mentor and friend, while serving the best interests of clients. Ian is survived by his wife, Rochelle, for whom he was best friend and life partner, offering love and loyalty unknown by most, their two children, Ruthie and Casey, his father George and wife Mary Chang, brother Russell and wife Debbie, as well as their children, Aden and Shayna, and nephew Jude Yankwitt. Ian was predeceased by his mother, Adrienne, and brother Craig.

Added 11/17/2020

Arlene S. Hong, JD '93 joined Bed Bath & Beyond as Chief Legal Officer. Hong is a former lawyer for Amazon.com, Inc. and J. Crew... Read Full Note

Arlene S. Hong, JD '93 joined Bed Bath & Beyond as Chief Legal Officer. Hong is a former lawyer for Amazon.com, Inc. and J. Crew Group, Inc. and most recently served as chief legal officer and corporate secretary for Fullbeauty Brands. Her new boss, Bed Bath & Beyond president and CEO Mark Tritton described her as a "world-class legal expert with deep experience in e-commerce who brings a wealth of experience from some of the leading retailers in the world."

Added 08/25/2020

Michael A. Barnhill, JD ’93, was named acting revenue commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue by Governor Michael J.... Read Full Note

Michael A. Barnhill, JD ’93, was named acting revenue commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue by Governor Michael J. Dunleavy. Barnhill, who previously served as a deputy commissioner in the Departments of Revenue and Administration and as an assistant attorney general in the Department of Law, assumed his new post on December 3rd, 2019.

Added 04/13/2020

Christopher A. Garcia, JD ’93, takes on stalking or domestic violence cases every year on a pro bono basis. The U.S. 7th Circuit... Read Full Note

Christopher A. Garcia, JD ’93, takes on stalking or domestic violence cases every year on a pro bono basis. The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has just granted his client complete costs and attorneys fees, pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, in his most recent case involving cyber-stalking and assault. Mr. Garcia also teaches Employment Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent Law School in Chicago.

Added 12/15/2019

Edward D. Totino, JD '93, joined Baker McKenzie as a partner in the firm's North America securities litigation group. Based in Los... Read Full Note

Edward D. Totino, JD '93, joined Baker McKenzie as a partner in the firm's North America securities litigation group. Based in Los Angeles, Totino focuses on class actions, complex commercial litigation, and securities litigation, representing a broad spectrum of clients, including financial institutions, outsourcing companies, retailers, and hotels. In recent years, Totino has defended numerous class actions brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the California Invasion of Privacy Act.

Added 11/08/2019

Christopher A. Garcia, JD '93, a partner at the Garcia Law Group in Wheaton, Illinois, won a verdict for the defense on all counts... Read Full Note

Christopher A. Garcia, JD '93, a partner at the Garcia Law Group in Wheaton, Illinois, won a verdict for the defense on all counts in Cintia Max v. Renacer Latino, Inc., on December 13th. A trial lawyer specializing in employment litigation, Garcia focuses his practice on defending corporations and their executives in employment discrimination lawsuits, including multi-plaintiff and class actions brought in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He writes extensively on employment discrimination and labor law, including the recent "Pink Floyd and Westlaw: Welcome to the Machine," published in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin on February 20, 2019. Illinois Institute of Technology Kent Law School in Chicago has also recently offered Mr. Garcia an appointment as Adjunct Professor of Law.

Added 05/01/2019

Veena Lothe, JD '93, whose private practice focuses on estate planning, announced her candidacy for Virginia's 12th Senate District,... Read Full Note

Veena Lothe, JD '93, whose private practice focuses on estate planning, announced her candidacy for Virginia's 12th Senate District, facing Debra Rodman in the Democratic primary on June 11. According to her campaign website, "Veena is a progressive democrat running in Virginia's 12th Senate District. As an experienced civil rights and immigration attorney, a parent of two teens in public school, a first generation Indian-American, and as a dedicated grassroots community member, she brings a unique and powerful voice to Virginia politics. Veena is part of a new blue wave that brought in a generation of leaders who are not old school politicos but are community members with a passion for lifting and empowering others." The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican incumbent Siobhan Dunnavant in the November general election.

Added 05/01/2019

Tejshree ("Tej") Thapa, JD '93, died on March 26th in New York City at the age of 52. A human rights lawyer whose work spanned... Read Full Note

Tejshree ("Tej") Thapa, JD '93, died on March 26th in New York City at the age of 52. A human rights lawyer whose work spanned crises in the Balkans, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Thapa worked at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the United Nations, and Human Rights Watch, where she was a senior South Asia researcher. She documented sexual violence and torture in Sri Lanka and Nepal; war crimes in Bangladesh; and ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. "For Tej, human rights work was always personal," according to a statement from Human Rights Watch. "She cared about the people she met and wanted to end their suffering. Tej worked tirelessly to protect human rights defenders and gain space for civil society groups to work freely and without fear. She spent countless hours helping activists, journalists, and their family members escape from threats of violence or arrest. She was always available to people in danger or need, no matter the time of day or time zone she was in. What mattered most to Tej in her human rights work was helping people live in safety and dignity." She is survived by her daughter, Maya; parents Bhekh and Rita; and sister Manjushree.

Added 05/01/2019

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