PCU Faculty

Basil G. Dezes

Dean and Professor of Law

Basil G. Dezes

After graduating cum laude from Pepperdine University School of Law, Dean Dezes practiced law in Los Angeles, primarily as a business litigator, before entering the field of legal education on a full-time basis in 2000. Before coming to PCU, he served as the dean of the University of West Los Angeles School of Law, as interim dean at the San Diego campus of San Francisco Law School, as a full-time professor of law for both of the California State Bar-accredited institutions, and as chair of the California State Bar’s Rules Advisory Committee. Dean Dezes currently teaches Contracts and Evidence at PCU.

Gemma George

Past Professor

Gemma George

Adjunct Professor, Gemma George, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the State University of New York. George has her Master of Arts in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from California State University Dominguez Hills and her Doctorate in Philosophy, Organization, and Management from Capella University. Professor George has an extensive background in teaching and mediation, serving as the State Bar of California ADR Committee Chair for 2012-2013. She currently teaches Alternate Dispute Resolution.

Katie Olszewski

Adjunct Professor

Katie Olszewski

Adjunct Professor Katie Olszewski earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Florida. Professor Olszewski earned her Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School Law after attending their 2-year SCALE program. Currently, she is a LA County Deputy Public Defender. Professor Olszewski has taught Criminal Law, Evidence, and Trial Techniques at PCU.

Steve Carlson

Past Professor

Steve Carlson

Adjunct Professor, Steve Carlson, earned his B.A. Degree from California State University, Long Beach. His Juris Doctor Degree is from Western State University College of Law. Professor Carlson is a partner with the Law Offices of Carlson and Johnson. Professor Carlson taught Professional Writing at PCU.

Debbie Page

Past Professor

Debbie Page

Adjunct Professor Debbie Page earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Southern California and her Juris Doctor Degree from Whittier Law School. She has worked as a Deputy Public Defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office. Currently, she is the Senior Trial Counsel at The State Bar of California. of Law. Professor Page previously taught Professional Responsibility at PCU.

Richard Rosas

Adjunct Professor

Richard Rosas

Adjunct Professor, Richard Rosas, earned his B. A. Degree from the University of California, Irvine and his Juris Doctor Degree from Western State University College of Law. Professor Rosas was a Specialist with the State Compensation Insurance Fund for 14 years before entering private practice. He continued to practice in the area of Workers Compensation Law before retiring. Professor Rosas has taught Contracts, Constitutional Law, and Remedies at PCU.

Peter Lee

Retired Professor

Peter Lee

Adjunct Professor, Peter Lee, earned his B.S. Degree from California State University, Long Beach and his Juris Doctor degree from Pacific Coast University, School of Law, where he was Valedictorian of his class. He has been an attorney for over 15 years. Professor Lee served as the Academic Advisor and Faculty Liaison with the SBA. Professor Lee retired from PCU in 2024 after teaching for more than 20 years.

Barbara McDaniel

Retired Professor

Barbara McDaniel

Adjunct Professor, the Honorable Barbara McDaniel, earned her B.S. Degree in Political Science from the City University of New York. Her Juris Doctor Degree is from Western State-College of Law. Interim Dean McDaniel was a deputy in the law offices of the Alternate Public Defenders Office from 1994 to 2015. In 2015 she was elected to the position of Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner. Professor McDaniel retired from the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2019. She taught Evidence at PCU from 2007 until 2020 and served as Interim Dean at PCU in 2020.

Harriet Hawkins

Past Professor

Harriet Hawkins

Adjunct Professor, Harriet Hawkins, earned her B.A. degree from Stanford. Her Juris Doctor Degree is from the University of California, Hastings. Hawkins has over 25 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney. She is currently with the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender’s Office and taught Criminal Law at PCU.

Dr. Robert Kasamatsu

Adjunct Professor

Dr. Robert Kasamatsu

Dr. Kasamatsu earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of California at Los Angeles and graduated with distinction from Pacific Coast University, School of Law. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Education and a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from Kent State University. He currently practices podiatry and tort law, specializing in Serious Injuries and Medical Malpractice. Dr. Kasamatsu currently teaches Torts at PCU.

Ann Lakhman

Adjunct Professor

Ann Lakhman

Adjunct Professor Ann Lakham earned her ABA-approved Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a legal assistant certificate at Westminster College. After working in the legal field for several years, Lakhman entered Pacific Coast University, School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor with Distinction. She currently practices Personal Injury, Employment, and Medical Malpractice at Lakhman and Kasamatsu, LLP. Lakhman taught Pleading and Practice at PCU.

Jordan Eisen

Adjunct Professor

Jordan Eisen

Professor Eisen operates his own law firm practicing Family Law (Divorce, Custody, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Child Support) and Criminal Law (DUI, Misdemeanors, Felonies). Professor Eisen graduated High Honors with a Bachelor of History at UC Merced and received his Juris Doctor from Chapman Law School in 2017. Additionally, Professor Eisen obtained part of his legal education at Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv, Israel. Professor Eisen has delivered guest lectures at universities, served on bar prep programs, and taught various legal courses including Professional Responsibility, Civil Procedure, and Legal Writing.

Mark Padilla

Adjunct Professor

Mark Padilla

Adjunct Professor Mark Padilla earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from California State University, Long Beach. Following several years in financial planning, Professor Padilla opted to earn his Juris Doctor degree from PCU School of Law, to realize his goal of practicing law in Estate Planning. He has remained an active part PCU, first as a student, then as an Associate Student Fellow, and subsequently as an Adjunct Professor teaching Business Associations and a member of the board of trustees.

Mark Velez

Adjunct Professor

Mark Velez

Adjunct Professor, Mark Velez, earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Redlands University, a Master’s Degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills, a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, and aJuris Doctor Degree from Southwestern Law School. Professor Velez worked in law enforcement for over thirty years until retiring as Chief of Police. Professor Velez has taught extensively at different Universities in Southern California since 2002. Currently, Professor is a Criminal Defense attorney and teaches Criminal Procedure.

Jennell Mimms

Adjunct Professor

Jennell Mimms

Adjunct Professor Jennell Mimms earned her Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College. Professor Mimms then earned her Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. She currently is a Deputy Public Defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. Professor Mimms currently teaches Intensive Writing and Trial Techniques at PCU.

Melissa Petrofsky

Adjunct Professor

Melissa Petrofsky

Melissa Petrofsky is an accomplished attorney currently serving as an associate at The Law Offices of Sauda Johnson, PC, where she practices special education law. With a robust background in academia as the former Academic Dean and Professor of Law at Irvine College of Law, Melissa has taught courses in Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, and more. She holds a J.D. from Whittier Law School and is pursuing a Doctorate in Education at the University of Southern California. Her extensive experience includes litigating employment discrimination cases and advising small businesses on labor and employment matters.

Bill Sluss

Adjunct Professor

Bill Sluss

Professor Bill Sluss received his B.S. degree from the University of Virginia's College at Wise and his Juris Doctor Degree from Irvine University College of Law. He is a member of the California Bar and a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Before earning his Juris Doctor Degree, Professor Sluss served as Chief Financial Officer for both public and private corporations. After law school, he joined a prominent Beverly Hills law firm specializing in corporate and tort litigation. Currently, Professor Sluss is corporate counsel for a publicly traded company in Irvine. Professor Sluss has taught Business Associations, Wills & Trusts, Elder Law, and the Baby Bar Boot Camp.

Louis Greenwald

Adjunct Professor

Louis Greenwald

Adjunct Professor Louis Greenwald earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in Spanish Literature from UCLA. Professor Greenwald earned his Juris Doctor from UC Davis School of Law. He practiced Employment Law, Commercial-Contract Law, and Art Law for 24 years before retiring from the practice of law. Before teaching at PCU, Professor Greenwald taught Advanced Legal Writing, Evidence, and Employment Law, among other subjects, for 10 years at Irvine College of Law. Professor Greenwald currently teaches Pleading and Practice and Legal Research and Writing at PCU.