Former US Solicitors General Elizabeth B. Prelogar and Noel Francisco Model Civil Discourse at Annual Pepperdine Caruso School of Law Dinner
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, the Pepperdine University Rick J. Caruso School of Law hosted its annual Caruso School of Law Dinner—one of the law school’s most significant and prestigious events of the year. Bringing together esteemed faculty, alumni, students, and special guests, this year’s event welcomed former United States Solicitors General Elizabeth B. Prelogar and Noel Francisco to discuss the great importance of civil discourse and respectful debate across ideological divides. Additionally, the evening celebrated Caruso Law’s values, progress, and impact, featuring moving testimonials from Pepperdine community members and reflections from Duane and Kelly Roberts dean Paul Caron.
The evening included remarks from Pepperdine University president Jim Gash (JD ’93), who shared his deep admiration for the law school, shaped by both his experience as a student and faculty member. He emphasized that what makes Pepperdine truly distinctive is not only what it does but why and how it does it. He likened the calling of a lawyer to that of a minister—serving the broken and the vulnerable—and described Caruso law students as leaders who view justice as a sacred pursuit.
President Jim Gash
“In a profession so marred by cynicism and selfish striving, we have a culture of students and faculty pursuing careers in the law for reasons far deeper than dollar signs or prestige,” shared Gash. “They teach, study, practice, lead, and serve for a greater purpose. You can feel this deep sense of purpose coursing through the halls of Caruso Law. You can see it animating our graduates as they go out into the world, serving and leading across every area of the legal field.”
Following the conclusion of Gash’s remarks, third year law student Megan Hoefs was acknowledged in a video presentation declaring her the winner of the Final Round of the 2025 Armand Arabian Advocacy Competition by Justice Elena Kagan of the Supreme Court of the United States, who served as the presiding justice of the Final Round, alongside the Honorable Consuelo M. Callahan, circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and distinguished appellate attorney Kannon Shanmugam, partner and chair of the Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation Practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
Caron then opened his remarks with a tribute in memoriam of Thomas Bost, former chair of the University’s Board of Regents and professor at Caruso Law. Caron remarked that like Ron Phillips, the founding dean of the Caruso Law, Bost shaped the law school’s identity and rich legacy. He likened their work to that of master composers, writing the notes of Caruso Law’s “great unfinished symphony,” inspired by its unique fusion of academic excellence and strong Christian faith.
Duane and Kelly Roberts Dean Paul Caron
“[Our great unfinished symphony’s] melody of faith, hope, and love not only transforms the world around us, but transforms each of us in the process,” Caron said. “Tonight, I want to reflect on the power behind our great unfinished symphony—love forged by fire for a greater purpose.”
Caron reflected on Caruso Law’s transformation since stepping into his role as dean.
“When I became dean, only 65 percent of our graduates passed the California Bar exam on the first try, and only 65 percent of our graduates were working in legal jobs 10 months after graduation,” shared caron. “We had to do better. Love for our students demanded we do better.”
Caron recounted several key initiatives that prioritized students with the support of the university and was made possible by a $50 million naming gift from Rick (JD '83) and Tina Caruso.
“We set out to create bar passage and jobs programs to equip our graduates and launch them into impactful legal careers by passing the bar exam on their first try, and securing their first legal job,” explained Caron.
Caruso Law created an Academic Mastery program, which begins working with first year law students during Launch Week and continues throughout their three years, including a rigorous bar exam workshop in their first year. Additionally, the law school reorganized its Career Development Office, brought in new leadership, hired additional counselors, established an Employment Task Force to connect graduates with opportunities across the legal industry, and founded its trademarked Lawyer Residency Program® in 2022—a first of its kind program that enables graduates awaiting their Bar results to begin their careers as “lawyers-in-residence” at law firms, corporations, government agencies, and non-profits.
These strategic initiatives produced extraordinary results—by 2024, the school’s first-time bar pass rate had risen from 65 percent to 88.5 percent, ranking fifth in California– just behind UC Berkeley. The school’s full-credit legal employment rate also soared to 99.5 percent, placing Caruso Law fourth in the nation.
According to Caron, the law school’s remarkable successes explains its “unprecedented rise in national reputation and rankings—which helps our students compete for, and secure, highly competitive jobs, at the pinnacle of the legal profession.” He added, “This is what happens when we put God first, by loving our students—the harvest is more abundant than we ever could have imagined.”
Caron then focused his remarks on Pepperdine’s distinct, faith-driven approach. He underscored the value of unity in a deeply divided world, and urged the institution to remain uncompromising in its faith and mission to serve others.
“Pepperdine Caruso Law School stands out as a beacon of light in an increasingly dark world,” explained Caron. “Our Christian faith calls us to pursue truth without fear, to elevate its cause with respect, and to love each other radically, even in times of deep disagreement.”
Caron’s presentation continued with video testimonials from a former student and a faculty member of different faiths, which highlighted the law school’s commitment to welcome and celebrate students and faculty of all faiths, all backgrounds, and all viewpoints.
“I can think of no better way, to enrich our great, unfinished, Pepperdine Caruso Law symphony, than to add the lyrics: The place where you are most loved, regardless of your faith, is at a Christian law school, where faith deeply matters” said Caron.
Caron ended his remarks by remembering how the law school community was greatly tested, but also greatly strengthened, by the Franklin and Palisades wildfires.
“Through every fiery trial, the Lord forges within us a love refined, for His greater purpose. That love is the foundation of our faith in Christ. And that love is the transformative power behind our ever more beautiful Pepperdine Caruso Law symphony.”
The Ken Starr Institute for Faith, Law, and Public Service was also highlighted for its important work both through the Quattrone Wrongful Convictions Appellate Clinic and the Hugh & Hazel Darling Foundation Religious Liberty Clinic, where students gain hands-on legal training.
Elizabeth B. Prelogar and Noel Francisco with Naomi Goodno and Michael Helfand
The event concluded with an inspiring conversation between former US Solicitors General Francisco and Prelogar, who have served on opposite sides of landmark Supreme Court cases but modeled civil dialogue across political divides. Moderated by professors Naomi Goodno and Michael Helfand, the discussion explored their personal experiences in government and highlighted how those shaped their approaches to the law. Both emphasized the importance of respectful engagement and intellectual debate, urging students to seek out opposing viewpoints and avoid the dangers of echo chambers in law schools and society at large.
“Sometimes it pushes you outside your comfort zone…to engage in good faith dialogue [and] to really try to hear the other side,” said Prelogar. “But that's part of the role of lawyers. There are always multiple sides in a case. And [especially] for law students, there's a ton of value in really seeking out that dialog, and being open to it.”Francisco added, “I start every case by assuming my opposing counsel believes in their case as much as I do… it allows you to have a much more civil discussion with them.”
When asked for their advice on how to foster professional dialog as well as respect for one another when representing such varied interests, both explained the value of not “othering” your opposing side. Instead, they encourage seeing them as your friend and recognizing that differing beliefs can coexist with shared respect and purpose.
Prelogar noted her admiration for Francisco, explaining she served under Francisco when he was Solicitor General during the Trump administration and how he looked out for her during her career.
“We don't see eye to eye on everything, but I have so much respect for Noel,” said Prelogar. “Being able to bridge those differences of opinion and really acknowledge the underlying, human side of friendship, I think, is such a critical path forward in navigating [those challenges].”
Francisco agreed, stating that type of thinking will make you a “more effective advocate.” He added, “It's something that transcends just the law, but if you assume that people are acting in good faith then it allows you to have a civil discussion with them. It also allows you to have a much deeper understanding of what their position is and enables you to recognize that there are many people who love this country and want the best for it. They just happen to disagree about what the best path to get there is.”
Visit the Caruso School of Law website to learn more about the annual Caruso School of Law Dinner.