Faculty
The faculty at Glendale University College of Law represents a cross-section of accomplished legal practitioners including judges, corporate attorneys, Assistant United States Attorneys, city and district attorneys, and solo practitioners. Their law school alma maters’ are equally varied and noteworthy.
Other faculty members are “adjunct” or part-time law professors. Adjunct professors are accomplished legal professionals with a passion for teaching. A benefit students derive from studying with adjuncts is the opportunity to learn how the legal theory discussed in class is applied in current practice.
The faculty at Glendale University College of Law is accessible both during and outside of class. Senior faculty members maintain offices on campus and give generously of their time to students. Adjunct faculty members can be reached by phone or e-mail and will set appointments with students as requested.
Faculty Listing
The Honorable Phillip J. Argento, Ret.
B.A., Pomona College, 1967
M.A., Journalism, University California Los Angeles, 1968
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1975
Appointed to the bench in 1982 by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Judge Argento’s twenty years of service have earned him accolades for his judicial demeanor, fairness and compassion. He was in private practice as a civil litigator from 1975 to 1982. Since 1984 he has taught at law schools, community colleges and in judicial studies programs. Judge Argento joined the faculty in 2002. (Criminal Law, Torts)
M. Michael Babikian
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.A., University California, Irvine, 1993
J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1997
LL.M., University of San Diego, 1999
Professor Babikian is Second Vice President of Transamerica Insurance and Investment Group.
Previously, he served as General Council to Infinite Source Technologies and was a tax attorney for the law firm of Baker, Olsen, LeCroy and Danielian. His experience also includes work as a tax specialist for the Personal Financial Planning Department of KPMG and in the legal department of the California Franchise Tax Board. He serves as a board member to Glendale University College of Law and the Glendale and Armenian Bar Associations. Professor Babikian joined the faculty in 2000. (Taxation)
The Honorable Michael D. Carter
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.A., Morehouse College, 1986
J.D., Tulane Law School, 1990
Judge Carter began his legal career in the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office. During his 13 year tenure there, he tried some 68 felony jury trials. In 1991 he and two other Deputy District Attorneys prosecuted four LAPD officers for their conduct during the beating of Rodney King. Later, he was assigned to Central Trials, Juvenile, Special Prosecution and the prestigious Hardcore Gang Divisions. He spent six years in the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Division, bringing dozens of rapists and child molesters to justice. Outside of the courtroom, Judge Carter is on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. He also participated in the Legal Enrichment and Development program, serving as a crime-prevention instructor to fifth graders for seven years. In November 2003, former Governor Gray Davis appointed Judge Carter to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. He presides over a variety of motions, hearings and jury trials in the criminal division for the Southeast District. Judge Carter joined the faculty in 2006. (Trial Advocacy)
Laurie C. Collins
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 1980
J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1985
Since 1994 Professor Collins has been Staff Counsel for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and is responsible for the negotiation and documentation of parkland acquisitions. She also advises the Board as to all legal matters and supervises litigation. Prior to joining the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Professor Collins was Associate Counsel at First American Title Company of Los Angeles and Assistant Counsel at Chicago Title Insurance and Safeco Title Insurance Companies. Professor Collins joined the faculty in 1996.
(Real Estate Acquisitions and Finance; Environmental Law; Real Property)
Susan J. DeWitt
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.S., University of California, Los Angeles, 1983
B.S., University of California, Los Angeles, 1984
J.D., Georgetown Law Center, 1987
Professor DeWitt litigated complex business and financial cases in banking and securities fraud in Los Angeles with Milbank, Tweed, Hadley and McCoy from 1988 to 1991 and with White and Case from 1992 to 1997. Her expertise focused on entertainment and international law, real estate transactions and commercial disputes. In 1997 Professor DeWitt joined the United States Attorney’s Office. As an Assistant United States Attorney she has been a federal criminal prosecutor in the Terrorism and Organized Crime Section in Los Angeles. Professor DeWitt joined the faculty in 2002. (Criminal Law; Legal Writing and Research I)
Rowena Javier Dizon
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.A., University of the Philippines, 1988
J.D., Southwestern University School of Law, 1993
Professor Dizon is an accomplished civil litigator representing plaintiffs in the litigation and trial of multi-million dollar injury claims arising from police abuse, elder abuse, negligence, premise liability, product liability and insurance bad faith. She has volunteered with the Los Angeles Superior Court Domestic Violence Project, the Downtown Women’s Center, and was recipient of the John J. Schumacher Minority Leadership Scholarship. Professor Dizon joined the faculty in 2006. (Legal Writing and Research III)
David P. Fisk
Professor of Law
B.A., Occidental College, 1970
J.D., Glendale University College of Law, 1984
In fall 2005, upon his retirement from a 25 year career as in-house counsel for the
Automobile Club of Southern California, Professor Fisk, an alumnus of Glendale and an
adjunct faculty member since 1984, joined the faculty as a full-time Professor of Law. A
former research chemist, Professor Fisk has written and published extensively in the fields of chemical education, medicine, nuclear waste treatment, law and creative writing. Professor Fisk is also a recognized landscape photographer with extensive photographic coverage of New Zealand. (Agency and Partnership, Advanced Studies Program, Aspects of Litigation, Corporations, Legal Writing & Research II, Remedies; Saturday Seminars, Torts)
Christopher R. Garcia
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.A. University of California, Berkeley, 1979
J.D. Harvard University, 1982
Professor Garcia is an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles. From 1986 to 1991 Professor Garcia practiced law with the firms of Rucker & Clarkson, and Cox, Castle & Nicholson. In private practice from 1991 to 1999 Professor Garcia focused on real estate law and construction litigation. He joined the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office in 1999.
(Legal Writing & Research II, Trial Advocacy, Cyber Crime)
Carl Greifzu
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
A.B. University of Maryland, 1965
J.D. Georgetown University Law Center, 1972
LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center, 1976
In addition to maintaining a successful civil litigation practice, Professor Greifzu serves as a judge pro tempore for the Los Angeles and Pasadena Municipal Courts and has arbitrated several hundred cases for the Los Angeles, Pasadena and Alhambra Municipal Courts. Before entering general practice, Professor Greifzu served in Washington D.C. as an economist and survey statistician for the Department of Labor and as Attorney Advisor to the Office of the General Counsel for the Price Commission and Cost of Living Council. Professor Greifzu has an extensive background in economics and accounting and holds a Master of Laws degree in Taxation. (Trusts)
Herman B. Lancaster
Professor of Law
B.A., Chicago State University, 1965
M.A., Rosary College, 1968
J.D., De Paul University, 1972
Professor Lancaster has taught at the law school since 1973. In addition, he is Director of the Legal Institute Law Consultancy and is a consultant to a variety of groups, including law firms, legal educators, legal writers and bibliographers. Professor Lancaster also acts as consultant in bankruptcy and probate cases. He participated in the White House program for Drug Abuse Prevention and the Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention. Professor Lancaster is an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and a mediator for the United States Central District Bankruptcy Court.
(Agency & Partnership; Bankruptcy; Community Property; Law Review; Legal Research & Writing I; Products Liability; Professional Responsibility; Torts, Advanced Studies Program, Aspects of Litigation)
The Honorable Stephen Larson
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.S. Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service, 1986
J.D., University of Southern California, 1989
After completing law school in 1989 Judge Larson became a litigation associate with O’Melveny and Myers for three years. From 1991 to 2000 he served as an Assistant United States Attorney, Central District, Los Angeles, becoming chief of the Organized Crime Task Force. He earned numerous commendations including the United States Department of Justice “Director’s Award for Superior Service” from Attorney General Janet Reno. Judge Larson was appointed to the federal bench as a United States Judge Magistrate in 2000 following an accomplished career as an educator, trial attorney, and highly regarded expert on Russian organized crime. In March 2006, the United States Senate confirmed President Bush’s nomination of Judge Larson as a district judge for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. (Constitutional Law I, II, III; New Developments in Constitutional Law)
Albert H. MacKenzie
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.A., California State University, Long Beach, 1966
J.D., Glendale University College of Law, 1970
Throughout his 30-year career as a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, Professor MacKenzie has prosecuted more than 100 felony jury trials and hundreds of trials in state and federal courts. His assignments with the D.A. have included the Major Fraud Division, the Central Trial Division, and the Organized Crime Division. He has received numerous honors including the distinguished Prosecutor of the Year Award in 1995 presented by the Los Angeles County Association of Deputy District Attorneys. Professor MacKenzie is one of the authors of The Crime Victims Justice Reform Act which became law in 1990. He joined the faculty at Glendale University College of Law in 2004. (Criminal Procedure, Evidence)
Steven Marcus
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 1998
J.D., Glendale University College of Law, 2004
Professor Marcus graduated from Glendale University College of Law with Honors. He served as Editor of the Glendale Law Review and is a member of the Editorial Board. Upon his admission to the bar in 2005, and after 12 years experience as a law clerk/senior paralegal, he was promoted to Senior Associate Attorney at Ivener & Fullmer LLP, a nationally recognized immigration law firm. In November 2006, Professor Marcus accepted the position of Assistant Chief Counsel with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Advanced Studies Program, Legal Writing & Research I).
Robert L. Miller
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.A., Occidental College, 1964
LL.B., Loyola University, 1966
LL.M., New York University, 1967
Diploma in Law, National Autonomous University of Mexico, 1968
Professor Miller is a former research fellow for the Pan American Union, Organization of American States. He is Past-Chairperson of the Immigration section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a regular contributor to the Immigration Law column for the Los Angeles Daily Journal and the San Francisco Banner. He is also a frequent lecturer on immigration law for numerous organizations. Professor Miller has taught at the law school since 1976. (Immigration Law; Alternative Dispute Resolution)
Craig Missakian
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
A.B., University of Southern California, 1983
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1986
Professor Missakian was admitted to the California Bar in 1986 and gained 10 years of
experience as a litigation attorney before joining the LA County District Attorney’s Office as a Criminal Prosecutor. In 2001, he joined the United States Attorney’s Office as an Assistant United States Attorney and among his duties as a federal prosecutor was
appointed to investigate the 2001 terrorist attack in Bali. Professor Missakian graduated
from USC with Phi Beta Kappa, Dean’s List and Cum Laude honors, and became a
contributing author and Editor of the law review at Georgetown Law Center. Professor
Missakian joined the faculty in 2003. (Criminal Law, Legislation)
The Honorable Charlaine F. Olmedo
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.S., University of California, Los Angeles 1986
J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, 1989
Judge Olmedo served as Deputy District Attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office from 1989 to 1993 as a member of the Hard Core Gang Unit. From 1994 to 2002 Judge Olmedo served as an Assistant United States Attorney, Central District, Los Angeles, assigned to the Organized Crime Unit. Her many achievements are reflected in awards for International Prosecutor of the Year (1997), Prosecutor of the Year (1998) and the Special Achievement of the Year from Attorney General Janet Reno in 1997. In October 2002, her accomplishments and commitment to civil service led to her appointment by Governor Gray Davis to the Superior Court in the county of Los Angeles. Judge Olmedo joined the faculty in 2000. (Evidence; Criminal Law; Aspects of Criminal Litigation)
D. Jay Ritt
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1985
J.D., Boalt Hall School of Law, 1988
Since graduating from law school in 1988, Professor Ritt has continuously practiced business and white collar criminal litigation. From 1988 to 1995, he was a litigation associate at Quinn, Kully and Morrow. In 1995, he and two colleagues formed the law firm of Besinger, Ritt & Tai. The focus of his most recent representation involves issues ranging from breach of contract and employment matters to fraud, ERISA, and intellectual property disputes. He has also been active in the representation of inmates on death row, pursuing habeus corpus relief in the Federal Courts. Professor Ritt joined the faculty in 2006. (Constitutional Law)
Daniel Saunders
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
A.B., Princeton University, 1983
J.D., Boalt Hall School of Law, 1992
Professor Saunders has been an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division, Central District, Los Angeles, since 1997. He served in the appellate section of the United States Attorney’s Office where he briefed and argued significant appeals before the United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit. In 1999 he joined the Organized Crime Strike Force section and is currently the coordinator of the EurAsian Organized Crime Program. Prior to joining the United States Attorney’s Office, Professor Saunders practiced law at Irell and Manella in Los Angeles where he specialized in intellectual property litigation. In 2002 he received the United States Department of Justice “Director’s Award for Superior Service” from Attorney General John Ashcroft. He has been a member of the faculty since 2000.
(Constitutional Law I, II, III, Criminal Procedure)
James W. Spertus
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 1988
J.D., University of Southern California, 1991
While attending USC, Professor Spertus was Managing Editor of the USC Law Review and was tapped by Phi Kappa Phi and Order of the Coif. Admitted to the California Bar in 1991, he began his career as a Judicial Law Clerk and Litigation Attorney. In 1997, he
became an Assistant United States Attorney and has prosecuted cases for the Office of the United States Attorney in Computer Crimes, Major Crimes, Major Fraud, Narcotics and Money Laundering. He has specialized training in computer forensics, network intrusion techniques, intellectual property crimes, and taught a course in Advanced Intellectual Property at the FBI Academy in Quantico and at the National Advocacy Center. From 1995 -2000, he served on the Executive Committee and Pro Bono Opportunities Subcommittee for Orange County Legal Aid. In 2006, he opened the Law Offices of James Spertus and is now in private practice. Professor Spertus joined the faculty in 2003. (Evidence, Aspects of Litigation)
Terry L. White
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.S., San Jose State University, 1979
J.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1983
Since 1984, Professor White has served as a Deputy District Attorney with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. His distinguished career as a prosecutor has included assignment to the Special Investigation Division where he served as lead prosecutor in the People v. Powell (the Rodney King case). Professor Whites’ other assignments have included T.R.A.P. (major auto theft taskforce), Major Narcotics and Forfeiture Division, Organized Crime and Anti-Terrorist Division., and Advisor to the Los Angeles County Grand Jury. He was Deputy in Charge of the El Monte and Newhall Area Offices, supervising all criminal filings and prosecutions in El Monte, South El Monte, Temple City and the Santa Clarita Valley. He has lectured extensively about prosecution and has been appointed to various committees by the State Bar of California. Professor White joined the faculty in 2005. (Evidence, Criminal Law)
Delores Yarnall
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law
B.S.L., Glendale University College of Law, 1991
J.D., Glendale University College of Law 1992
Following seven years of studying and performing theater world-wide and eleven years in the real estate industry, Professor Yarnall made a third career change by studying law. Shortly after graduation from law school, she interned with the City Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, defending the City of Los Angeles in the Police Litigation Unit. From 1993-1997, she was a Research Attorney for The Honorable Joseph Kalin (Ret.) of the Los Angeles Superior Court. In 1997, Professor Yarnall began her career as Associate Counsel with Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack, and moved up to the position of Trial Counsel with Binder & Associates in 1999. In 2004, she became Of Counsel at the law firm of Mardirossian & Associates serving as a senior trial lawyer specializing in catastrophic injury and wrongful death civil litigation. In 2006 she opened the Law Offices of Delores Yarnall and is now in private practice. Professor Yarnall joined the faculty in 1992. (Criminal Law; First Amendment Rights; Legal Writing & Research III; Saturday Seminars).
The most senior members of the faculty (left to right), Harvey Katzman, Hassel “Bud” Hill and Herman Lancaster, 29, 32 and 35 years of service, respectively, were awarded honorary JD’s by Glendale University College of Law to acknowledge their remarkable commitment to legal education and the students at Glendale.
- Want to go to law school? Call now
818.247.0770 
Use our call back form