A Note from the Dean
The past month at Lincoln has been one of those rare moments where you can feel something shifting.
At our April 30 Open House, alumni returned to the building. Students brought friends and family. Members of the legal and civic community came through the doors, some for the first time, others for the first time in many years. Conversations filled the classrooms, spilled into the hallways, and continued into the garden.
There was a sense, throughout the evening, that something important was happening. Not because of any one speaker or program, but because people showed up, stayed, and connected.
It is a reminder that Lincoln has always been more than a place to take classes. It is a community built by people who believe that opportunity should be accessible and that investing in one another changes lives.
With gratitude,
Mary Fuller
President and Dean
A Community Reconnects at Lincoln
The Open House brought together alumni, students, faculty, and the broader legal community for an evening of reconnection and reflection.
One of the most meaningful spaces that evening was the garden. Many alumni shared that they did not even realize Lincoln had an outdoor space like this. In recent months, we have revitalized the garden, and it was truly delightful to be able to use it in this way.
With the reception set in the garden, the space became a natural gathering place where conversations unfolded and relationships were renewed.
Open House moments reflecting connection, community, and renewed energy.
Dedication of the Cortese Conference Room
One of the most meaningful moments of Lincoln Law School’s recent Open House was the dedication of the newly named Cortese Conference Room in honor of Dave Cortese and his father, former Santa Clara County Supervisor Dominic Cortese.
Senator Cortese, a Lincoln alumnus, spoke passionately about the importance of accessible legal education and Lincoln’s longstanding role in creating opportunity for working adults and nontraditional students throughout the Bay Area.
The dedication recognizes generations of public service, civic leadership, and community impact connected to the Cortese family and reflects Lincoln’s deep ties to San Jose and the broader region.
A Community That Invests in Opportunity
The Open House was made possible through the generosity of members of the Lincoln community who contributed their time, resources, and expertise.
Rossi Domingue and Ropers Majeski underwrote the cost of the event. Gina Steele of Steele Leadership generously provided the evening’s MCLE program pro bono. Peter Nissen donated his time and talent to create the documentary that captured the Lincoln experience.
We are also grateful to Judge Dora Padilla, who thoughtfully prepared the charcuterie boards that welcomed guests and helped create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Each of these contributions reflects a simple idea. When people invest in Lincoln, they expand opportunity for others. There are many ways to be part of that work, and we invite you to join us.
Telling the Lincoln Story
The evening also included the premiere of A Day in the Life of a Lincoln Law Student, created by Emmy Award-winning videographer Peter Nissen. View the video below – we think it will make you smile!
Celebrating the Class of 2026
On May 9th, Lincoln Law School of San Jose will celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2026.
For our students, this milestone represents years of persistence, discipline, and belief in what is possible. Many have balanced full-time work, family responsibilities, and the demands of legal study to reach this moment. Their achievement reflects not only academic success, but the grit and determination that define the Lincoln experience.
We are honored that San Jose Chief of Police Chief Paul Joseph will serve as our commencement speaker and Assemblymember Ash Kalra will attend as a distinguished guest.
This year, we are proud to recognize Judge Erik Johnson as Professor of the Year and Hatixhe Berani Grbeshi as Alumna of the Year.
We will also celebrate Class Valedictorian Peter Wilson, and Amanda Bach-Schabert, who was voted ‘Most Outstanding Graduate’ by her classmates.
We look forward to welcoming this class as the next generation of Lincoln alumni.
While we celebrate our graduates, classrooms across Lincoln remain full of students continuing the work.
First-year students preparing for finals with Professor Dianne Quindiagan (third from left)
First-year students preparing for finals with Professors Don Kilmer (on screen) and Academic Dean Carlos Singh (far right)
First-year students preparing for finals
Images top to bottom: First-year students preparing for finals with Professor Dianne Quindiagan (third from left); First-year students preparing for finals with Professors Don Kilmer (on screen) and Academic Dean Carlos Singh (far right); First-year students preparing for finals.
Preparing Students for the Future of Legal Practice
Lincoln Law School and Legion AI are collaborating to expand student and faculty access to emerging legal technology tools that are reshaping the practice of law. AI-assisted platforms can help attorneys draft documents, organize information, and complete time-intensive tasks more efficiently, freeing lawyers to spend more time on strategy, client counseling, and advocacy. By introducing students to these tools now, Lincoln is helping ensure graduates are prepared for the realities of modern legal practice and positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing profession.
You can learn more about Legion AI here.
Continuing the Conversation: Thriving in the Law Summit
Lincoln Law School is proud to partner with Steele Leadership on the upcoming Thriving in Law Summit, taking place May 28–31, 2026. The summit focuses on attorney wellness, leadership, civility, resilience, and sustainable success in the legal profession.
As part of the summit programming, Lincoln will host a free live MCLE event on May 26 offering California Elimination of Bias credit. The session, Implicit Bias in the Legal Profession: Recognizing Conduct, Improving Culture, and Expanding Opportunity, will explore how implicit bias can appear in legal practice, how it impacts attorneys and clients, and how greater awareness and representation can help foster stronger, more inclusive professional environments.
The May 26 program will be recorded and later released as part of the summit programming during May 28–31. Attorneys who attend the live May 26 event at Lincoln Law School will be eligible to receive MCLE credit. The recorded summit version will be available for informational and educational purposes.
Proceeds from the summit will support a meaningful improvement for Lincoln Law School students. If the summit raises $10,000, the funds will be used to install secure card reader access throughout the school, allowing students greater flexibility to enter and study during hours that best fit their work and family schedules, rather than only when staff are present. We are deeply grateful to Gina Steele and the Steele Leadership team for their support of Lincoln and our students.
Preparing Lincoln Alumni for the July 2027 Bar Exam
Alumni may enroll in a year-long bar preparation course beginning Fall 2026 at a substantially reduced alumni tuition rate of 50% off the standard credit-hour tuition. The course carries 3 credits in the Fall and 3 credits in the Spring and is designed to prepare graduates for the July 2027 California Bar Examination.
The program will emphasize organization, consistent practice, and mastery of practical exam skills. Participants will complete regular timed essays and multiple-choice assignments, receive structured feedback, and engage in targeted exercises focused on issue spotting, rule application, writing strategy, and time management under realistic exam conditions.
The course is open to both first-time and repeat test takers and recognizes the challenge of balancing bar preparation with work, family, and other responsibilities. The goal is to provide a focused and supportive environment that promotes accountability, steady progress, and meaningful engagement with the material over time.
Graduates considering when to sit for the bar exam should also be aware that the California Bar Examination is currently expected to undergo significant changes beginning in July 2028. The revised exam is expected to test at least three additional subject areas, and the final format has not yet been fully defined. Preparing for the July 2027 administration may offer graduates the opportunity to sit for the exam before those changes take effect.
To register or request additional information, contact: registrar@lincolnlawschool.edu
Supporting Lincoln’s Next Chapter
We invite you to support Lincoln’s mission and help expand opportunity for future students.
Please click here or use the form below to make a donation.
Did you know there are many ways to support Lincoln, including through donor-advised funds or estate bequests?
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