Historic Appointment: Justice Halim Dhanidina Named Dean of Western State College of Law

TUSTIN, CA – May 27, 2026 – Western State College of Law at Westcliff University today announced a landmark decision in its leadership, appointing retired California Appellate Justice Halim Dhanidina as its new Dean and Professor of Law. The move marks a pivotal moment for Orange County's oldest law school, bringing a figure of national historic significance to its helm.

Justice Dhanidina, whose career is a series of groundbreaking firsts, brings a rare and comprehensive perspective to legal academia. His appointment is seen not only as a leadership change but as a statement on the future of legal education—one that emphasizes diversity, practical skill, and deep community engagement. He steps in to lead the 60-year-old institution following the tenure of Dean Marisa Cianciarulo.

"Justice Dhanidina's command of the legal system, as practitioner, jurist, mediator and educator, is seldomly found in a single career, let alone a single leader," said Dr. Anthony Lee, president and CEO of Westcliff University. "He has stood at the intersection of practice, the bench and the academy, and understands from every angle what it takes to prepare the next generation of outstanding legal professionals... Western State’s students, faculty and alumni gain an extraordinary leader in Justice Dhanidina, and we are honored to welcome him to the Westcliff family."

A Career of Firsts and a Commitment to Access

Justice Dhanidina's career is a testament to breaking barriers. In 2012, Governor Jerry Brown appointed him to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, making him the first Muslim judge in California's history. His ascent continued in 2018 when Governor Brown elevated him to the California Court of Appeal, Second District, a move that made him the first South Asian American appellate justice in state history and the first Muslim appellate-level judge in the United States.

These historic milestones are central to the significance of his new role. For an institution like Western State, which has a long-established mission of broadening access to the legal profession, Dhanidina's appointment is a powerful affirmation of that legacy. He says this shared mission is precisely what drew him to the deanship.

"Western State has been an integral part of the Orange County legal community for decades, opening doors for aspiring attorneys from a wide range of backgrounds and preparing graduates who go on to shape the bench and bar," Dean Dhanidina stated. His leadership is expected to inspire a new generation of lawyers from diverse backgrounds, reflecting a legal community that is increasingly, and necessarily, more inclusive.

Forging Practice-Ready Attorneys

Beyond his historic identity, Dean Dhanidina brings a uniquely holistic view of the legal profession, forged over nearly three decades in nearly every conceivable role. His journey began as a prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office from 1998 to 2012, where he handled complex felony cases in the elite Hardcore Gang and Major Crimes divisions, conducting 68 jury trials.

Following his distinguished service on the Superior Court and Court of Appeal, from which he retired in 2021, he entered private practice. He served as a litigation partner at both Umberg Zipser LLP and the prominent criminal defense firm Werksman Jackson and Quinn LLP before becoming a sought-after mediator and arbitrator at Signature Resolution. This full-circle experience—from prosecution to defense, from trial judge to appellate justice, and from litigator to neutral—provides him with an unparalleled understanding of what the legal market demands.

This insight fuels his primary educational objective: ensuring graduates are ready to practice law from their first day on the job. "In my career as a prosecutor, litigator, mediator, professor and judge, I have seen that success in the law increasingly depends on being practice-ready from day one," Dhanidina added. "Western State’s focus on practical skills and innovation positions its students to meet that need, and I am honored to help lead the college into its next chapter."

This philosophy aligns with a broader movement in legal education toward experiential learning, including clinics, externships, and simulation courses, all of which are designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and the practical realities of being a lawyer.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Dean Dhanidina takes leadership of an institution with deep roots and a robust track record. Founded in 1966, Western State is an ABA-approved law school with a network of over 12,000 alumni. This network includes more than 150 graduates who have become judges and judicial officers, and its alumni comprise an estimated 15 percent of the deputy public defenders and district attorneys in Orange County.

The college's 2019 acquisition by Westcliff University has further bolstered its ability to innovate and respond to market needs. As dean, Dhanidina will be tasked with building on this momentum, strengthening academic programs, and enhancing the school's reputation for producing skilled, ethical, and community-minded lawyers.

His commitment to service is not confined to his professional roles. A graduate of Pomona College and UCLA School of Law, he has an extensive record of civic leadership. He was recently named to the Board of Trustees at his alma mater, Pomona College, and serves on boards for the Public Law Center, Western Justice Center, and the Orange County School of the Arts, among others. This deep community involvement mirrors Western State's own commitment to its local region, promising a synergistic relationship that will benefit both the school and the broader Orange County legal community.