Christopher Patti Fellowship

Honoring Christopher M. Patti

Christopher M. Patti

 

Mission and Purpose

The Fellowship honors Christopher M. Patti, who served the University of California for more than 27 years, including seven years as UC Berkeley's Chief Campus Counsel. Chris was known for his integrity, constitutional law expertise, pragmatic advice, commitment to equity and diversity, and dedication to public higher education. By preparing emerging lawyers for careers in public service, the Fellowship extends the impact of a career that served many across the University and beyond.

The Christopher M. Patti Legal Fellowship is a one-year, full-time fellowship offered by UC Legal in partnership with Berkeley Law for a recent Berkeley Law graduate interested in public service. It gives a new lawyer meaningful experience with the broad spectrum of legal issues facing a major public university and nonprofit institution.

Working under the supervision of UC attorneys, the Fellow conducts legal research, drafts legal documents, participates in client meetings, hearings, and negotiations as appropriate, and develops the judgment, collaboration, risk analysis, and counseling skills required of an effective public lawyer. The experience may span constitutional law, contracts, employment, free speech, governance, intellectual property, research, real estate, student and faculty affairs, civil rights, and other higher education matters.

Past Fellows

2018-19: Melissa Montenegro

2019-20: Un Jung (Michelle) Kim

2020-21: Melani Tiongson

2021-22: Malissa (Blake) Mollberg

2022-23: Ariana Abedifard

2023-24: Haley Broughton and Brandy Doyle

2024-25: Cody Bowlay-Williams and Phillip Gomez

2025-26: Tatiana Bedi and Maria Magdalena Watson

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