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McGeorge School of Law alumnus shares how military experience helped him thrive in law school
Staff Srgt. Brian Taghadossi '23
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law alumnus Brian Taghadossi '23 shows how the school helps veterans through law school.
Staff Srgt. Taghadossi enlisted in the U.S. Army field artillery unit and completed two deployments. Taghadossi was deployed to Kuwait for a peacekeeping mission for four months. Later, in March 2004, he went to Baghdad, Iraq, and returned home the following year.
In 2005, Taghadossi became a recruiter and then wrapped up his 6-year enlistment in 2006.
Seven years out of the service, Taghadossi bounced around from job to job. Taghadossi said after a while he stopped working entirely. After coming to terms with his undiagnosed PTSD, Taghadossi reached out to the mental health team at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"They got me into this inpatient PTSD program at the VA, and it saved my life," Taghadossi said. "But shortly after that, I ended up homeless and was living out of a tent for a while. The doctors at the PTSD program found out, and they said, 'Hey, just come back. We'll get you a bed, and we'll figure out next steps.' So, I went back, and they got me into a transitional housing program for homeless vets."
To qualify for transitional housing, Taghadossi was told he either had to work or be in school. So, he decided to apply for law school and was accepted into McGeorge School of Law.
Taghadossi ' 23
"There was so much kindness, compassion, and generosity that I experienced leading up to that first semester," Taghadossi said.
Joshua Harzman, the then-Sacramento Campus Housing Director, helped Taghadossi secure campus housing. One of the members of the admissions team even offered to let him stay at her home temporarily until they could figure out housing placement.
Issues arose the week before Taghadossi's first week when money from the VA hadn't arrived in time for him to purchase books. So, he reached out to Jennifer Carr, the then-Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, to discuss the next steps.
"And she said, 'Don't worry, Brian, you're going to get your books one way or another. Even if I have to put them on my credit card, you'll have your books.' And I just couldn't believe it," Taghadossi said.
As his first semester progressed, despite all the support from the McGeorge community, Taghadossi struggled. The isolation from the COVID pandemic made him consider dropping out as his PTSD symptoms progressed.
"I had Professor Dan Croxall for GLS ı and reached out to him because I was struggling. He met with me that night on Zoom and shared his story with me. Going to school later in life, having a family, and all of these other things. He was there for me a lot," Taghadossi said.
Taghadossi continued his education through McGeorge and was a part of the first cohort of the Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic, working with Professor Ron Hochbaum. Taghadossi remembered that Hochbaum would allow him to make mistakes and learn as he went.
"Professor Hochbaum allowed me to be unapologetically and authentically myself. I'm not your typical law student; I'm older, and I've got tattoos all over my arms. I've lived a different life than most of my peers," Taghadossi said. "But he taught me that my experiences allowed me to get a different perspective. And in a lot of cases, the clients were able to relate to me in a different way."
Taghadossi stands with his cohort outside the McGeorge Community Legal Services building.
McGeorge is home to a Military Law Society (MLS), which is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for military-serving students. On the second floor of the Student Center on campus is a dedicated MLS space called the Military and Veteran Student Center.
"It's a great place to build camaraderie with like-minded people who speak your language," Taghadossi said. "I've been out of the military for 20 years now, and there are very few circumstances when I feel that same level of camaraderie. Like I'm around a group of people who just get me, I really enjoyed that aspect of the Military Law Society."
Students in MLS can gain insight into the legal aspects of military service, work in community engagement through volunteer work with veteran organizations, and provide resources and networking opportunities.
McGeorge School of Law is a certified Yellow Ribbon institution that provides extra tuition and fee assistance for eligible veterans, service members, and their dependents using their GI Bill benefits.
"I have nothing but the highest regard for McGeorge, and I'm grateful for everything that McGeorge has bestowed upon me because I'm a better person and I have a brighter future because of it," Taghadossi said.
After passing the California Bar Exam, Taghadossi is ready to use his legal education to help people in the community.
