Pi Beta Phi - University of Southern California

Attention: This newsletter is intended for alumnae and parents. If your daughter is still attending the University of Southern California, she will receive a copy. If she has graduated, please send her permanent address to update our records. California Gamma Chapter of Pi Beta Phi P.O. Box 12465 Newport Beach, CA 92658 Address Service Requested Pi Beta Phi EntrE nous making a difference F or attorney Heather Baker '01, taking on major corporations and representing victims with catastrophic injuries is all in a day's work. "I mostly work on consumer class actions, which I enjoy because I feel that our cases help to keep dangerous products off the market and keep big corporations honest—or at least try to," Heather says. "Though I don't work on many catastrophic injury cases, I find that those cases leave the biggest impression on me. It's a personal experience working on a case that will affect a permanently injured person for the rest of their lives. "I like that I'm constantly challenged; every day and every case is different. I enjoy dealing with our clients and occasionally going to trial. The wide variety of cases also keeps things interesting." Heather, an attorney with Kirtland & Packard in Southern California's South Bay, attended Pepperdine Law School after graduating from USC with a double major in political science and psychology and a minor in business. She lived in the Chapter House for three years while at USC and was on the executive board as social chairman. Heather says her closest friends today are her Cal Gamma pledge sisters. "We all get together for USC football games, birthdays, weddings, baby showers, bachelorette parties, brunches, dinners at el Cholo, and silly stuff like watching shows together. I couldn't imagine better girlfriends," Heather says. "I had no idea what to expect going in; no one in my family had ever gone to college, let alone joined a sorority. The sweet friends I made and still have through being a Pi Phi are by far the best thing I could have ever asked for." "It was such a blast; from getting ready all together before invites and exchanges to Friday morning brunches; always funny stories and a lot of laughs. I am still best friends with the girls I lived with." Heather advises collegians contemplating a legal career to "be sure it's something you want to go into. It takes a lot of hard work and time and long hours, and high graduate tuition costs. It can be a career that's great, but only if you love it. I worked at a law firm in my summers of high school and college through a family friend, which helped me to know what to expect. Another option is to sit in on a day of law school; many schools allow prospective students to do this and it can give you a very accurate impression of what to expect." "Pepperdine was a great law school, very welcoming, warm people, and I felt very prepared for the bar and the real world of being an attorney. The first year of law school and studying for the bar were really challenging, but otherwise I enjoyed it. Like anything, it took some getting used to initially, but once you acclimate to the reading and how to outline and study, it was fine. I was able to work throughout my second and third year, including a clerkship for a judge in my second year. I started at K&P during my third year of law school and have been here ever since." When she's not working Heather enjoys going to the gym and doing yoga, pilates, barre workouts, and playing beach volleyball. She loves traveling and had an amazing trip to Costa rica this past summer with her boyfriend, Craig. Heather is a new aunt to Xavier LaSala, the son of her sister, Brandie, and her brother-in-law, Greg. "I think being in Pi Phi really made my college experience overall. I loved it so much and wouldn't change a thing about my experience as a Pi Phi or at USC," she says. Heather lives in Marina del rey and may be reached via e-mail at hbake1021@gmail.com. Alexandra Demetriou, daughter of Steve and Joanna Defterios Demetriou '83, was presented at the Saint Sophia Philoptohos Society 2013 Debutante Presentation Ball at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Joanna met her future husband when she was presented at the 1982 event. Joanna is past president and the current advisor of the St. Katherine's Greek Dance School. Reach Joanna by e-mail at sdemetriou@earthlink.net.

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