McGeorge School of Law’s Class of 2013 is honoring the life of their classmate Alexandra Fischl, ‘13, by funding and creating the Alexandra Fischl Social and Criminal Justice Memorial Scholarship. In July 2022, Fischl lost her battle with cancer and passed away at the age of 33. 

With fundraising efforts spearheaded by Gerry Latasa, ‘13; Jacqueline Roberts, ‘13; and Fischl’s mother Debbie Fischl, they reached the goal of $50,000 to establish the endowment and qualify for the Powell Match in less than two months. Latasa and Roberts shared their memories of Fischl's passions and what drove them to start this scholarship.  

“Alex was always thinking of others' needs before herself and had a fierce passion for social and criminal justice. This scholarship, funded largely by the Class of 2013, continues that passion by helping students wanting to pursue similar work,” Latasa said. 

Roberts said, “Alex was a beautiful soul that always thought of others and sought to make this world a better place through her passion for social and criminal justice. This scholarship honors her legacy by assisting students that share her ideals. Thank you to all who helped this scholarship become a reality.”  

The fund will be matched by the Powell Fund to create an endowment of $100,000. The scholarship will support McGeorge School of Law students with an interest in social or criminal justice work. The scholarship aims to financially support law students with the same passions as Fischl.  

While a student at McGeorge, Fischl participated in the Parole Advocacy Program where she represented parolees in parole revocation hearings. She also worked as a legal intern at the Department of Fair Employment and Housing investigating employment discrimination claims.  

She also worked as a mediator at the McGeorge School of Law’s Housing Mediation Clinic. She continued working at the Clinic after graduating and mentored clinic students all while managing her own cases. 

Beginning in 2015, Fischl became a union representative at Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000 where she was later promoted to Senior Union Representative.  Before her passing, the union planned to promote here again — to a Manager of the Oakland Regional Office of the union. 

The McGeorge School of Law community mourns the passing of Fischl and is honored to uphold her legacy through the Alexandra Fischl Social and Criminal Justice Memorial Scholarship. 

For more information about McGeorge School of Law, visit our website. 

Media Contacts: 

• Ashley Golledge, Director of Marketing and Communications, agolledge@pacific.edu, 916.325.4687 
• Victoria Ambriz, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, vambriz@pacific.edu, 916.325.4631
• Alex Banks, Communications Coordinator, abanks@pacific.edu, 916.520.7479 
• Judy Nguyen, Special Projects Coordinator, jnguyen7@pacific.edu, 916.739.7008