UC Law San Francisco Launches Sacramento Alumni Chapter

A group photo of Sacramento-based alumni and staff members from the UC Law SF Office of Advancement.

UC Law SF alumni celebrate the launch of the new Sacramento chapter, strengthening a community with deep roots in the region. Graduates there reflect the breadth of the College’s impact — serving as judges, lawmakers, attorneys, government officials, and leaders across nearly every sector shaping California’s future.

  • UC Law SF graduates launched a new alumni network chapter in Sacramento, the heart of California’s legal and political life.
  • The chapter strengthens bonds among graduates, offering opportunities for mentorship, networking, and personal and professional growth.
  • UC Law SF alumni contribute significantly to the region, serving as lawmakers, judges, government officials, state attorneys, law firm partners, and more.

 

UC Law San Francisco graduates recently celebrated the launch of the College’s newest alumni chapter in Sacramento — strengthening bonds in a region central to the laws, policies, and court rulings that shape the world’s fourth-largest economy.

Thirty alumni gathered at the Alaro Craft Brewery in Midtown Sacramento on Sept. 18, just blocks away from the California State Capitol.

Chancellor & Dean David Faigman spoke to the group, providing updates on the College and emphasizing the quality and relevance of the curriculum and research centers.

A photo of David Faigman speaking at an event.

Chancellor & Dean David Faigman addresses Sacramento alumni, highlighting UC Law SF’s continued commitment to innovation in legal education and the College’s expanding impact across California.

Chapter Co-Chair Niki Roman ’09 welcomed the alumni to the new chapter, noting the breadth of legal areas represented among the alumni in attendance.

UC Law SF’s roots in Sacramento run deep. Alumni have long played prominent roles in the region—as lawmakers, gubernatorial appointees, judges, U.S. attorneys, law firm partners, real estate investors, and more. Among them are Kamala Harris ’89, who was elected as California attorney general and U.S. senator before becoming vice president of the United States; Chief U.S. District Judge of the Central District of California Troy L. Nunley ’90; Willie Brown ’58, who served as speaker of the California State Assembly from 1980 to 1995; and the late Robert Matsui ’66, a 25-year member of the U.S. House of Representatives whose legacy is honored with the Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse in downtown Sacramento.

“Our Sacramento alumni represent a huge swath of the legal community—law firms big and small, nonprofits, academia, the bench, local government, and nearly every state agency one could think of,” said Chapter Co-Chair Niki Roman ’09, supervising deputy county counsel for Sacramento County. “They are at all levels of these organizations and act as community leaders.”

Roman said the new chapter will serve as a key connection point for UC Law SF alumni, students, and community members in one of California’s most influential regions.

The Sacramento group represents the UC Law SF Alumni Association’s 26th chapter or affinity group and the ninth regional chapter in California. The College has more licensed attorneys practicing in the state than any other law school.

A photo of UC Law SF alums Erica Connolly, Steven Ward, and Niki Roman.

Chapter Co-Chairs Erica Connolly ’12, Steven Ward ’22, and Niki Roman ’09 lead the Sacramento Alumni Chapter and aim to strengthen a vibrant network that supports alumni at every stage of their careers.

“UC Law SF’s global alumni network of more than 23,000 graduates is one of the most powerful in the legal profession,” said Chief Advancement Officer Julia Jordan. “With Sacramento at the center of California’s legal and political life, this new chapter provides an important anchor for our community — helping alumni thrive while advancing the College’s mission in one of the most influential regions of the state.”

Chapter Co-Chair Erica Connolly ’12 said she looks forward to building community among graduates through fun and educational events.

“This chapter is a great opportunity for alums to network with each other and explore the different career paths that folks have taken,” she said.

Chapter Co-Chair Steven Ward ’22 said he wants the new chapter to serve as a reliable network for alumni offering mentorship for students and new attorneys, career connections for mid-level professionals, and a community of peers for those in leadership roles.

“Sacramento alumni might be some of the best around, having been shaped by their long-suffering yet fiercely loyal basketball Kings fandom,” Ward said. “I look forward to seeing friendships, professional growth, and opportunities emerge from this chapter.”