Michael Abril:  

First Baptist Church. I served two years as fraternity coordinator working to get bible studies started in frat houses (this may explain why I remained in the fraternity). During my senior year in college, I was accepted into USC, Pepperdine, and a few other law schools. I accepted the offer to attend USC law school. I enrolled in the fall of 1982 and began law school life at an apartment in Westwood. After the money quickly ran out after two months, and my car broke down several times, I almost had to leave law school. The USC Law School Dean of Student Life Larry Raful saved my law school career by getting me emergency loans and grants and got a space for me at the law school dorm. I owe my professional career to this man (who I believe was an agent of God's grace). The next Angel in my life was the Dean of Students for the Marshall School of Business, which was next to the law school. Although getting my MBA had been a dream, I could barely afford law school. This dean found a full scholarship for me, which enabled me to pick up my MBA as well. Workplace High School Employment: Dishwasher\Assistant Cook at Michael's Restaurant in the summer of 76; Stockboy at House of Fabric during my senior year (I had the opportunity to be the stockboy at Judys, surrounded by beautiful girls, but remained loyal to House of Fabric and recommended the Judy's job to Randy Rowles). College Summers: Millers Outpost at Valley Plaza during the summers after high school and before my sophomore year. Millers Outpost on Columbus before my junior year. Fastrip on Niles Street before my senior year. Waterbed Warehouse before law school. Law School\Business School: Law Clerk at the current Klein, DeNatale law firm before my second year. Law Clerk at Reinjohn, Clements & Burgess before from the beginning of my second year to law school graduation in 1986. Post Law School-- Please check my profile on linkedin.com for a full summary of my work history. In short, I worked at four different law firms in seven years of L.A. Law practice and one prior law firm in Bakersfield for five years. Since 1998, I have been an attorney at the current Borton Petrini, LLP, having made partner in 2001. I have also served as an adjunct professor at various local universities. Military The closest I ever got to the military was the day Randy Rowles, Pat Zuniga, Roy Sekine, and probably Don Cook and I went to the Post Office on Stockdale Highway and enrolled for selective service. I also briefly considered becoming a military lawyer because the military would have paid for my law school tuition and expenses. At the time, the idea of serving a 6 year committment before being discharged scared me. After all, I would have been 31 years old and an old man. Considering that the first seven years of my legal career was spent changing jobs every two years and trying to find my life mate, I could have found more stability in the military. Yet, had I joined the military, I would not have been able to meet or develop my friendship with two lifelong friends: Michael Flanagan and Michael Van Konynenberg. I enjoy seeing the posts of South High grads who have served in the military. If I had to live life again, I would strongly consider serving in the armed services.