Two California Western Students Awarded Antonyan Miranda Scholarship

SAN DIEGO - April 16, 2018 - PRLog -- California Western School of Law (CWSL) third-year students Samantha Edwards and Lia Siganporia received the 2018 Antonyan Miranda Scholarship at the school's annual Student Recognition Reception on March 22, 2018.

Edwards and Siganporia each received a $2,500 scholarship to help cover the cost of tuition and other education expenses. The San Diego law firm of Antonyan Miranda LLP provided funding for the scholarships that were created to serve as encouragement and inspiration to California Western students striving to become family law professionals.

"Antonyan Miranda is honored to recognize students who are passionate about family law and intend to pursue it after graduation," says Ilona Antonyan '04, founding partner at Antonyan Miranda and adjunct professor of family law at CWSL. "Many of our attorneys are proud graduates of California Western, and are committed to excellence in family law and to encouraging others to make a difference." Edwards and Siganporia are former students of Antonyan's at CWSL, and according to her, both demonstrated great interest in the field and were well prepared for her family law class.

"I am passionate about family law and have made affirmative steps to ensure that I have the necessary education and experience to pursue a career in in this field," Edwards says. "This scholarship means a great deal as it is an acknowledgment of my previous work and an encouragement for my future."

Edwards came to California Western after completing her bachelor's degree in criminal justice at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2015. She is a member of the Dean's Honor List and the Pro Bono Honors Society and received the California Western STEPPS Academic Excellence Award in 2017.

Edwards clerked at the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Domestic Violence Prevention Project, where she assisted with domestic violence restraining orders, elder abuse restraining orders, divorce and paternity matters, child custody and visitation, and child support. She also completed a summer externship at the Eighth Judicial District Court, Family Courts and Services Center in Las Vegas.

This spring, Edwards is clerking at Seltzer Caplan McMahon and Vitek in San Diego, where she researches substantive and procedural issues regarding international marriage laws, divorce, child abuse, child custody, property rights, and jurisdictional issues.

"I have worked hard throughout law school and in my various family law internships in order to receive this scholarship," Siganporia says. "I am committed to becoming a family law attorney and cannot wait for the future that lies ahead."

Siganporia came to California Western after completing her bachelor's degree in political science at San Diego State University in 2015. She is a member of the Dean's Honor List, Pro Bono Honors Society, and Public Service Honors Society.

Siganporia clerked for the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, the North County Superior Court in San Diego, and the YWCA of San Diego County, where she made court appearances in domestic violence restraining order hearings, prepared motions, conducted legal research, memoranda of points and authorities, and prepared findings and orders after hearings.

This spring, Siganporia is clerking at Wilkinson & Finkbeiner in San Diego, where she conducts legal research, prepares memoranda of points and authorities, assists with discovery, prepares stipulations, and prepares marital settlement agreements as well as family law forms and declarations.

About Antonyan Miranda
Antonyan Miranda LLP is one of the largest family law-only firms in California, specializing in litigation, appeals, contempt, high-net-worth estates, and all other family law matters. Antonyan Miranda has several Certified Family Law Specialists on staff and represents some of the largest and most complex family law cases in the County.

About California Western
Established in 1924 and San Diego's oldest law school, California Western School of Law is an independent, ABA/AALS-accredited law school that prepares graduates for the practice of law through a carefully sequenced program of study, combining traditional legal theory with hands-on learning in real and simulated client environments.

For five years in a row, California Western was named to President Obama's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll and Honor Roll with Distinction in recognition of the school's numerous community-focused projects including the California Innocence Project, Community Law Project, and the Mediation Clinic. Students, faculty, and staff donate more than 20,000 pro bono and service hours each year to nonprofits, clinical programs, and law offices.