Shandyn H. Pierce
Overview
Shandyn Pierce is an Associate in the Municipal & Special District Law Practice. He serves as Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Leandro.
Shandyn works on a broad range of municipal and special district law issues, including matters relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, redistricting, campaign finance reform, Brown Act requirements for notice and agenda posting, police department subpoena response procedures, the Public Records Act, requirements for timely filing of government claims, social media and the workplace, and transgender and non-binary employee rights.
While earning his JD from UC Hastings College of the Law, Shandyn participated in Meyers Nave’s Diversity Fellowship Program in 2018 and 2019. Shandyn also acted as a mentor to many students and led numerous campus organizations. A gifted writer and skillful advocate, Shandyn was a two-time Moot Court competitor and coach, recipient of a Snodgrass Award, and was selected to serve as Student Counsel for the Hastings Appellate Project, culminating in a precedent setting Ninth Circuit win for domestic violence victims seeking asylum in the United States.
Published Decisions
- Diaz-Reynoso v. Barr, 968 F.3d 1070 (9th Cir. 2020) [Asylum – Domestic Violence Victims Fleeing Persecution]
Honors and Awards
- Black Attorney Resource Group Scholarship, Charles Houston Bar Association/Ogletree Deakins, 2019
- Student Leader of the Year award, UC Hastings College of the Law, 2019
- Snodgrass award, UC Hastings College of the Law, 2018-2019
- Diversity Ambassador, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, 2015-2016
- Thesis of the Year award, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, 2015
- Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Regional Finalist and National Semi-Finalist, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, 2015
Presentations and Publications
- Presenter, “Navigating the Remote 2021 California Bar Exam,” Bar Association of San Francisco – Barristers Club, April 14, 2021
- Podcast, “A California Bar Exam Like None Before It,” COVID-19 Legal Perspectives & Information – Episode 20, UC Hastings Law, March 2021
- Interviewed, “A California Bar Exam Like None Before It,” Law and the Pandemic podcast series #20, sponsored by UC Hastings College of the Law, March 6, 2021
- Author, “Overcoming a Historic Bar: Victory for Applicants, Not High Court,” The Recorder, January 12, 2021
- Author, “2020 Bar Applicants Held Hostage by Hubris,” The Recorder, September 8, 2020
- Author, “Law School Grad: California Bar Exam Decision Is a ‘Hurtful Half-Measure’,” The Recorder, July 22, 2020
- Presenter, “Agents of Change” portion of YJA Convention, 2016
Affiliations
- Member, The State Bar of California
- Member, Admissions Committee, Legal Education Opportunity Program, UC Hastings College of the Law, January 2020-May 2020
- Liaison, Black Law Students Association, UC Hastings College of the Law, August 2019-May 2020
- President, Black Law Student Association, UC Hastings College of the Law, 2018-2019
- Director, Northern California Region, National Black Law Students Association, August 2018-May 2019
- Board Member, UC Hastings Moot Court Board, August 2018-May 2019
- Member, Admissions Policy Committee, UC Hastings College of the Law, August 2018-May 2019
- Facilitator, Black Future Leaders, Inc., June 2016-2017. Black Future Leaders assists Black high school students cultivate leadership skills, participate in community development, and achieve academic excellence. Shandyn assisted Executive Board Members with various programs, including organizing and planning student and parent orientations, serving as a counselor and chaperone for the Summer Residence Program, and facilitating discussions relating to the principles of Servant Leadership.
Education
- University of California, Hastings College of the LawJD, 2020
- California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBA, Philosophy, 2015,
(Phi Sigma Tau Honor Society, Black Students Union)