Meet the 2025–2026 leaders of the Armed Forces and Veterans Law Society (AFVLS), a dedicated student organization at Western State. AFVLS supports military-affiliated students, veterans, and those interested in military and veterans’ legal issues. Through networking events, educational panels, and community outreach, AFVLS fosters camaraderie and provides resources for those navigating both law school and military service. All Western State students are welcome to join, connect, and help advocate for the needs and interests of veterans and service members within the legal community.
Meet the Executive Board
Erik Christoffersen, 2L
President
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Trust and Estates Law.
Role Models:
My role model is a current mentor of mine who has been practicing Estate Planning for more than two decades. She is also a parent and senior counsel at a law firm in Irvine. Her specialized knowledge as well as being a parent throughout her legal career is someone I aspire to be.
Future Goals:
I aspire to specialize in Trust Administration, Asset Protection and Business Succession and to help provide pro-bono services to veterans in need through various local clinics.
Hobbies:
I enjoy CrossFit, Skiing, Hiking and Cycling.
Fun Fact:
I volunteer with Veterans Legal Institute every month where I directly help veterans with estate planning. When I get a break from school or helping out in clinics I enjoy Crossfit and hiking. Some of my favorite hikes include Yosemite, Zion and Hanakapi’ai Falls. I plan to do some hiking during our break in Tahoe!
Advice for new students:
New students should utilize all the campus resources as much as they can. I would reach out to academic success and ask what type of supplemental materials are offered to help support your learning process throughout your first year. Also, attending office hours with your professor is very important to understand what they require of you. Lastly, always put your mental and physical health first!
Joshua Suh, 2L
Vice President
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Governmental/Municipality Law.
Role Models:
My voice professor, Professor Kleinecke instilled in me this idea of drawing out beauty and brilliance in anything and everything you do. Doesn’t matter how dull or drab, a true artist can coax meaning and joy out of monotony.
Future Goals:
Working in the government in a civil capacity, so working for various federal/state agencies or working for County Counsel.
Hobbies:
I’m a musician! I play jazz piano and studied Classical Voice for four years in college, currently I’m learning how to play guitar. I’m a huge jazz history buff and can rattle names of albums/recordings/musicians like the back of my hand.
Fun Fact:
Growing up, I always wanted to be a lawyer and entered into college as a PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) major. However, after taking an honors Calculus II math course at Pomona College I fell in love with the subject matter. There was something about working on mathematical proofs really appealed to me, just appreciating the incredible artistry it takes to construct a beautifully tightly-knit argument. In addition, I figured the logical reasoning would help me in law school. As such, I switched to a pure mathematics major with a minor in music. I have a dog, his name is Junior and he’s a Maltese.
Advice for new students:
Hang in there! Classes are rough and honestly there will be times when you feel like giving up or quitting, but persevering through that and keeping good mental is honestly half the battle. Also indulge in hobbies, don’t just do law because you’ll end up getting sick of it without taking breaks.
Mirella Farias, 3L
Secretary
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Civil law.
Role Models:
Stella Pogosyan and my family.
Future Goals:
Although I do not have one hundred percent certainty what I want to do with my legal career, I aspire to do pro bono work whenever possible because I want to be able to help underrepresented individuals who need that extra support.
Hobbies:
I enjoy hiking.
Fun Fact:
I want to visit all national parks in the U.S.!
Advice for new students:
It is important to find a balance between school and doing something you enjoy. This can produce to a higher quality of work as well as enjoyment of law school.