Student Support Services Staff Bios

Annik Hirshen is the Dean of Students. She joined the law school in 2008. Dean Hirshen has worked for UC for over twenty years in different capacities. Before her work at Berkeley law, she was the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies at UC Davis. She also spent five interesting years at the UC Office of the President working on system-wide student affairs policy issues (her law degree was very helpful!). She started her UC career coordinating judicial affairs in Housing here at Berkeley. Dean Hirshen grew up in the Bay Area. When she isn’t spending time with her family, she loves reading mysteries (or really any escapist novel – she loves to get suggestions).

Kyle is the Senior Director of Student Academic Advising and Support Services at Berkeley Law. Before joining Berkeley Law in 2016, he was an associate at a small labor and employment firm in San Francisco. Kyle clerked for the Hon. Jenny Rivera on the New York Court of Appeals and was a civil rights fellow at LatinoJustice PRLDEF. He holds an MA in Counseling Psychology from the Wright Institute and a JD from New York University. Kyle grew up in Palo Alto and loves exploring the Bay Area with his dog. 

Chelsea Yuan is our Director for Student Academic Advising and Support Services, Accessible Education. Chelsea holds a JD from the University of Texas, Austin, and a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University.  Prior to joining Berkeley Law, she practiced civil litigation in the Bay Area for 15 years, focusing on maritime law. In addition to her work at the law firm, Chelsea also taught Legal Research and Writing at UC Law SF. Originally from Texas, Chelsea loves travel and spending time with her family.  

Emily Bruce is our Director of Inclusion and Wellness. Prior to joining our office, Emily taught in the Legal Practice Program at the University of Michigan Law School, and also taught in the undergraduate Legal Studies Program at UC Berkeley. Emily is trained as a mindfulness teacher and holds a master’s degree in counseling from the Wright Institute in Berkeley. In addition to her work on the Dean of Students team, Emily also teaches a course at Berkeley Law: Mindfulness, Self-Care, and Belonging in the Legal Profession.

Hannah is our Assistant Director. Prior to joining the team at Berkeley Law, she worked at a non-profit organization as a staff attorney in San Francisco, primarily focusing on eviction defense, elder abuse, and working with survivors of domestic violence. Hannah grew up in Northeast Ohio (Go Cavs!), and found a new love for boba when she moved to California. When she can, Hannah loves going to BTS concerts, running, gaming, and spending time with her family.

Amanda is the Exam Administrator here at Berkeley Law. She is the point person for faculty and students for all things exams, midterms and quizzes. She also coordinates lockers for students. She has a Master’s in Health Administration from University of Missouri Columbia (MIZ! ZOU!) and previously worked for the Medical School and Women’s & Children’s Hospital and One Medical. She enjoys traveling and spending time at the plentiful beaches that California has to offer with her husband and her dog, Luna.

Levi is our Administrator and sits at the front desk in 280 Simon Hall. Before coming to Berkeley Law, he was living and working in New York City, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from Columbia University. Levi was born and raised in the Bay Area. He enjoys reading and writing short stories, cooking for his friends and family, and going to the opera whenever he can.