Andrew Jurs 

Andrew Jurs serves as the Robert Eglet Evidence Law Endowed Chair and Professor of Law at McGeorge. He joined the faculty in 2024. Jurs teaches Criminal Law, Evidence and Expert Evidence, where he instructs students in courses on evidence, expert evidence, criminal law and criminal procedure. 

“Because we have so many students who will be in the courtroom after graduation, I try to bring a very practical approach to these topics, emphasizing those rules and ideas that I used the most in practice,” Jurs said. “I also try to make each class engaging, even when the topic itself is not the most inherently interesting one.”

Before this appointment, Jurs served as the Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law at Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. His professional background before entering higher education includes service as an Assistant Attorney General for the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and as a Deputy District Attorney within the Denver metropolitan area.

“I was surprised to learn I had been elected Professor of the Year, because I know how excellent the professors at McGeorge are across the board and so I am sure there were many deserving candidates,” he said.

Jurs earned a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a JD degree from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.

Carmen-Nicole Cox ‘11

Carmen-Nicole Cox, a lawyer, advocate and adjunct law professor, recently served as Chief Counsel of Public Policy and Advocacy at United Way California Capital Region. Cox worked to reduce poverty, support families and boost educational results for children.

Cox has dedicated almost 10 years to criminal justice overhaul, holding roles like Deputy Director at For The People, Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary for Gov. Jerry Brown, Chief of Legislation at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Deputy District Attorney in San Joaquin County.

She teaches a course on Race, Mass Incarceration and Criminal Justice Reform. According to her, the class surveys the historic and contemporary relationship between race and the U.S. criminal legal system. 

“I believe that the students appreciate having a safe place to wrestle with nuanced subjects that impact each of us daily, even if in different ways,” she said. 

She said the discussions allow them to see themselves not just as future lawyers, but as future thought leaders.

“I was so surprised; I cried, like ugly cried, because we all want to believe we are having a positive impact,” she said. “This award gives me some affirmation that my students know that I am committed to them.” 

She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2007 from Fisk University and a JD from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 2011.

Robert Miyashiro 

Adjunct Professor Robert Miyashiro specializes in legislative analysis, finance and budgeting. Before joining the faculty at McGeorge, he had a four-decade career in the public and private sectors, focusing on California finance, legislation and budgeting. 

“My classes expose students to fiscal documents and legislative reports that public officials use each year to craft public policy for California,” Miyashiro said. “I want students to know how to interpret these real-world documents.” 

Miyashiro built a public sector career, holding roles as an analyst for the Legislative Analyst's Office, director for the Commission on State Finance, consultant for the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and education division director. He concluded his government service as Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, representing the department in legislative hearings and advising the governor. Additionally, he was Vice President and Trustee at School Services of California, Inc. He currently serves on the finance committee of ACC Senior Services.

“I try to engage all students in the class, not just those who would be eager to raise their hand,” Miyashiro said. 

Miyashiro holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of California, Berkeley and a master’s in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

“I was extremely surprised and deeply honored to find out the award was based on the vote of graduating students,” he said. 

Thomas Cinti 

Thomas Cinti, Senior Assistant Regional Counsel and Adjunct Professor, is responsible for directing superfund lawsuits. He guides the National Bankruptcy Workgroup as the regional specialist on insolvency issues. Additionally, he operates as Regional Lead Counsel for Revitalization, managing contaminated site redevelopment and Brownfield policy enforcement. 

“I was completely surprised and deeply honored to receive the award,” he said. “I can only hope that it was because my students found the course valuable to them.”

He has taught negotiations for over 20 years. In addition to teaching at McGeorge, he spent a decade guest lecturing at Southern Methodist University’s Center for Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management, detailing public policy mediation. Cinti also handled private environmental law cases within New Jersey. He is a member of the bars of the State of New Jersey, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Cinti earned a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry, a master of science degree in environmental health sciences from Harvard School of Public Health and a JD from Rutgers University School of Law. 

“I wanted to design and implement a course that would allow my students to immediately begin utilizing the course material in real-world negotiations,” Cinti said. 

Cinti transforms complex bargaining concepts into actionable tools and methods which students can easily utilize throughout their career.