Generous spirit
by Michelle Mondo
Laveta Casdorph (J.D. ’99) was well into her career as a federal civil servant in employee relations when she entered law school. Her job involved investigating cases of individuals who were disciplined or fired, then working with attorneys if the case went to an appeals board. A colleague encouraged her to become that attorney.
Casdorph’s husband, Tom Casdorph, then a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, was on board. She applied to numerous Texas law schools but fell in love with the St. Mary’s University School of Law during an open house they attended after flying all the way from Hawaii, where she and her husband were stationed.
“Everybody was so nice,” she said. “They couldn’t accommodate us enough. I just loved the campus. You know how you go somewhere and just know this is a good place.”
Returning to school
Once her husband got a transfer to San Antonio, Casdorph made the leap back to being a student.
“I was scared to death that first year,” Casdorph said. “It had been more than 20 years. I was over 40 years old, in the middle of my career and the middle of my life. Would I even remember how to study?”
She dove into her studies, particularly enjoying legal writing. Casdorph worked on The St. Mary’s Law Journal during her second year and published a brief on standing, which she still sees cited.
“To me, it’s just the most fundamental skill that a law student can have or learn,” she said. “I’m a big cheerleader for putting in the effort.”
During her time in school, Casdorph worked as a paralegal at Kelly Air Force Base. After graduating with her law degree, she was hired as an attorney, working on cases until the base closed.
She retired in 2001 as a civil servant. For the next 10 years, she and her husband worked as consultants and subcontractors on federal jobs.
Supporting students
Now residing in Nipomo on California’s central coast, Casdorph gives back to St. Mary’s Law by sponsoring the Best Brief Awards. Sister Grace Walle, F.M.I., D.Min. (B.A. ’78), School of Law Chaplain, created the awards and became a friend of the couple. Casdorph also donates yearly to the Cantú Fund for the School of Law-University Ministry.
“She always had a generous spirit,” Walle said. “Her deep empathy motivated her to act. She believed that because she received an excellent education, it was important to give back. She truly has been a stakeholder in the well-being of our law students and their success in legal writing.”
“St. Mary’s gave me the rare opportunity we often wish for in life, which doesn’t always come — the chance to expand who we are and what we can do in the world.”
— Laveta Casdorph (J.D. ’99)
Sometimes students send Casdorph their winning briefs, which she always enjoys reading. She never expected recognition for her generosity.
“No one becomes successful without help,” she said. “St. Mary’s gave me the rare opportunity we often wish for in life, which doesn’t always come — the chance to expand who we are and what we can do in the world. The professors, the placement office and Sister Grace all made themselves available to support us and encouraged us to have confidence in ourselves. I was so scared of the unknown and so grateful for that support. That’s much of the reason I give back — to honor what the community gave me.”
