Staff and Faculty - Pacific Coast University

Meet Our Professors

Basil G. Dezes

Dean and Professor of Law

Basil G. Dezes

After graduating cum laude from Pepperdine University School of Law, Dean Dezes practiced law in Los Angeles, primarily as a business litigator, before entering the field of legal education on a full-time basis in 2000. Before coming to PCU, he served as the dean of the University of West Los Angeles School of Law, as interim dean and San Diego campus dean of San Francisco Law School, as a full-time professor of law for both of those California State Bar-accredited institutions, and as chair of the California State Bar’s Rules Advisory Committee. Dean Dezes will also be teaching at PCU.

Gemma George

Adjunct
Professor

Gemma George

Adjunct Professor, Gemma George, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the State University of New York. George has her Master of Arts in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from California State University Dominguez Hills and her Doctorate in Philosophy, Organization, and Management from Capella University.

Professor George has an extensive background in teaching and mediation, serving as the State Bar of California ADR Committee Chair for 2012-2013. She currently teaches Alternate Dispute Resolution.

Katie Olszewski

Adjunct
Professor

Katie Olszewski

Adjunct Professor Katie Olszewski earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Florida. Professor Olszewski earned her Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School Law after attending their 2-year SCALE program. Currently, she is a Deputy Public Defender with the Los Angeles County. She has taught trial techniques and is currently teaching Evidence at PCU.

Steve Carlson

Adjunct
Professor

Steve Carlson

Adjunct Professor, Steve Carlson, earned his B.A. Degree from California State University, Long Beach. His Juris Doctor Degree is from Western State University College of Law.

Professor Carlson is a partner with the Law Offices of Carlson and Johnson. Carlson currently teaches Professional Writing.

Debbie Page

Adjunct
Professor

Devika Patel

Adjunct Professor Debbie Page earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Southern California. Her Juris Doctor Degree from Whittier Law School. She has worked as a Deputy Public Defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office. Currently, she is the Senior Trial Counsel at The State Bar of California. of Law. Professor Page is currently teaching Professional Responsibility at PCU.

Richard Rosas

Adjunct
Professor

Richard Rosas

Adjunct Professor, Richard Rosas, earned his B. A. Degree from the University of California, Irvine. His Juris Doctor Degree is from Western State University College of Law. Rosas was a Specialist with the State Compensation Insurance Fund for 14 years before entering private practice.

He continues to practice in the area of Workers Compensation Law, now working for The Hartford. He teaches Contracts and Constitutional Law.

Peter Lee

Academic Advisor / Adjunct Professo

Peter Lee

Adjunct Professor, Peter Lee, earned his B.S. Degree from California State University, Long Beach. His Juris Doctor degree is from Pacific Coast University, School of Law, where he was Valedictorian of his class. He has been an attorney for over 15 years.

Professor Lee serves as the Academic Advisor and Faculty Liaison with the SBA. He teaches Contracts, Remedies, and the IRAC Workshop to l L students.

Barbara McDaniel

Adjunct
Professor

Barbara McDaniel

Adjunct Professor, the Honorable Barbara McDaniel, earned her B.S. Degree in Political Science from the City University of New York. Her Juris Doctor Degree is from Western State-College of Law. Dean McDaniel was a deputy in the law offices of the Alternate Public Defenders Office from 1994 to 2015. In 2015 she was elected to the position of Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner. Professor McDaniel retired from the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2019. She has taught Evidence at PCU since 2007 and served as Interim Dean at PCU in 2020.

Harriet Hawkins

Adjunct
Professor

Harriet Hawkins

Adjunct Professor, Harriet Hawkins, earned her B.A. degree from Stanford. Her Juris Doctor Degree is from the University of California, Hastings.

Hawkins has over 25 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney. She is currently with the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender’s Office. She teaches Criminal Law.

Dr. Robert Kasamatsu

Adjunct
Professor

Dr. Robert Kasamatsu

Earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. He graduated with distinction from Pacific Coast University, School of Law. He earned a Master’s Degree in Education and a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from Kent State University. He currently practices podiatry and law, specializing in Serious Injuries and Medical Malpractice. He teaches Torts.

Ann Lakhman

Adjunct
Professor

Ann Lakhman

Adjunct Professor Ann Lakham earned her ABA-approved Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a legal assistant certificate at Westminster College. After working in the legal field for years, Lakhman entered Pacific Coast University, School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor with Distinction. She currently practices Personal Injury, Employment, and Medical Malpractice at Lakhman and Kasamatsu, LLP. Lakhman teaches Pleading and Practice.

Jordan Eisen

Adjunct
Professor

Jordan Eisen

Adjunct Professor Jordan Eisen graduated High Honors with a Bachelor of History at UC Merced. Receiving his Juris Doctor from Chapman Law School in 2017, Professor Eisen began practicing criminal defense and traffic ticket defense. Currently, Jordan Eisen operates his own law firm practicing criminal defense. Professor Eisen has delivered guest lectures at universities, served on bar prep programs, and taught various legal courses. Outside of his legal practice, Professor Eisen is a writer of fiction.

Currently, Professor Eisen is a professor of Civil Procedure at Pacific Coast University, School of Law.

Mark Padilla

Adjunct
Professor

Mark Padilla

Adjunct Professor Mark Padilla earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from California State University, Long Beach. Following several years in financial planning, Professor Padilla opted to earn his Juris Doctorate from PCU, School of Law, to realize his goal of practicing law in Estate Planning. He has remained active in PCU education continuously, first as a student, then as an Associate Student Fellow, now as an Adjunct Professor teaching Business Associations.

Mark Velez

Adjunct
Professor

Mark Velez

Adjunct Professor, Mark Velez, earned his B. A Degree from Redlands University, a Master’s Degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills, a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, and his Juris Doctor Degree from Southwestern Law School.

Mark worked in law enforcement for over thirty years until retiring as Chief of Police. Mark has taught extensively at different Universities in Southern California since 2002. Currently, Mark is a Criminal Defense attorney. He teaches Criminal Procedure.

Jennell Mimms

Adjunct
Professor

Jennell Mimms

Adjunct Professor Jennell Mimms earned her Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College. Professor Mimms then earned her Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. She currently is a Deputy Public Defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. Professor Mimms currently teaches Intensive Writing and Trial Techniques at PCU.