Mentor Lunch Shows Off Trojan Network

First-year law students network with alums in a range of fields

-By Gilien Silsby

It’s been almost 30 years since Steve Mindel ’85 earned his law degree at USC, yet the managing partner of one of the largest family law firms in Los Angeles continues to marvel at the strength of the Trojan Network.

Karen Grant-Selma '94 (center)

And that’s one of the reasons Mindel is committed to giving back by attending USC Gould’s Mentor Lunch, a unique networking opportunity that matches first-year law students with working professionals.“Today between 15 and 20 percent of my clients come from the Trojan Family,” says Mindel, a managing partner at Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein. “It is very powerful and real.”

The annual luncheon, held at Town and Gown, is designed to introduce first-year students to alumni working in fields that match the students' interests, and often fosters lasting relationships.

Mindel was one of 240 Gould alumni who attended the lunch – the highest attendance in its history. Working in fields such as corporate, entertainment, public interest, family and international business law, alums shared their experience and advice with the first-year USC Gould students.

Steve Mindel '85 (center)

“Every year we have more and more alums who come back to campus for this special event,” Rasmussen said. “It really speaks to who we are. As students, you are truly lucky to have this time with senior, accomplished attorneys.”To the continued amazement of Dean Robert K. Rasmussen, who welcomed attendees, alums outnumbered students by more than 100. He thanked the alumni for generously giving their time to the benefit of the next generation of USC Gould graduates.

At the lunch, Jonathan Levinson ’16 sat next to Karen Grant-Selma ’94, vice president of business affairs at AMC Networks. “This is super valuable,” said Levinson, who wants to work in entertainment law. “It’s a great opportunity for me to interact with leading entertainment attorneys and learn from their experiences.”

Peter Rosen ’78 (center)

Grant-Selma said she remembers the value of attending the lunch as a law student. “It was a great opportunity to hear from seasoned professionals,” she said. “They told me what I needed to develop to make it in entertainment law. They gave me a lot and now I want to give back.”

Likewise, Peter Rosen ’78 rarely misses the lunch because he wants to help fledging lawyers become successful. “I remember attending as a law student – at that time, free lunch was a rare occasion,” said Rosen, a partner at Latham & Watkins and a member of the Litigation Department and the Insurance Coverage Litigation Practice. “Back then, I remember how valuable it was meeting practicing lawyers. I have been back almost every year. It’s something I truly enjoy.”