Until May 2008, Professor Cato was a trial attorney with Procopio,
Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP, where she practiced in the areas of
business and real estate litigation and garnered extensive experience
litigating cases in both federal and state court. She is experienced in
handling both jury and bench trials, as well as binding arbitrations.
Professor Cato graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts
degree in international relations and print journalism from the
University of Southern California in 1988. She received her law degree
from the University of Southern California Law Center and was admitted
to practice law in California in 1991.
Professor Cato is also admitted to practice before the federal courts
in the Southern and Central Districts of California, as well as before
the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal.