UC Irvine Law Announces Gift from Hannah and Jeffrey Wachs to Establish School’s First Alumni Named Scholarship Endowment 

IRVINE, Calif. (May 14, 2025) — The University of California, Irvine School of Law is pleased to announce the Hannah and Jeffrey Wachs Law Scholarship, established through a generous $50,000 gift from Jeffrey Wachs ’12, and his wife, fellow Anteater Hannah Wachs, MAT ’11. This gift marks a milestone as the first named scholarship endowed by a UC Irvine Law alumnus. 

Jeffrey and Hannah Wachs
Jeffrey Wachs ’12, and his
wife, fellow Anteater
Hannah Wachs, MAT ’11

Jeffrey Wachs, a member of UC Irvine Law’s inaugural class, currently serves as Director and Senior Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs, Film at Netflix. Throughout his career — spanning roles at Lakeshore Entertainment, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, and O’Melveny & Myers LLP — Jeffrey has remained deeply connected to UC Irvine Law, serving as the 2014 president of the Law Alumni Association and as a current member of the Dean’s Circle Executive Committee. Alongside Hannah Wachs, he has also championed alumni engagement through matching gift initiatives and volunteer leadership. Jeffrey was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award at UC Irvine’s 2023 Lauds & Laurels ceremony, celebrating his professional excellence, community service, and campus involvement. 

“I am forever grateful to have been a part of the inaugural class at UC Irvine School of Law,” said Jeffrey Wachs. “It was a transformative experience for Hannah and me, and we continue to benefit from it to this day. I take great pride in what my classmates and our sibling alumni have achieved in their careers and their communities. I wouldn’t be where I am without UC Irvine Law, and I am humbled by the ability to endow a scholarship to enable future students to meet founding Dean Chemerinsky’s charge to ‘practice law at the highest levels.’” 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute in a small way to the institution that changed the course of our life as a family,” said Hannah Wachs. “We wouldn’t be in a position to give now if it weren’t for the generosity and vision of those who gave so much to the inaugural class of 2012.” 

I am forever grateful to have been a part of the inaugural class at UC Irvine School of Law. I wouldn’t be where I am without UC Irvine Law, and I am humbled by the ability to endow a scholarship to enable future students to meet founding Dean Chemerinsky’s charge to ‘practice law at the highest levels.’

Jeffrey Wachs ’12
Director and Senior Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs, Film at Netflix

“We can’t thank Hannah and Jeffrey Wachs enough for their tremendous support and enduring commitment to UC Irvine Law,” said Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law Austen L. Parrish. “Their thoughtful gift to support students, while recognizing how gifts from others made a difference in their lives, embodies the spirit of ‘Anteaters for Anteaters’ that defines our community.” 

The Hannah and Jeffrey Wachs Law Scholarship joins a growing legacy of endowed support at UC Irvine Law made possible through the generosity of alumni, faculty, law firms and community partners. Named endowments reflect a strong and growing network of supporters committed to advancing access, equity, and excellence in legal education at UC Irvine Law. 

The Hannah and Jeffrey Wachs Law Scholarship is also a testament to the vital role UC Irvine Law alumni play in shaping the future of legal education at their law school alma mater. For more information about supporting scholarships at UC Irvine Law, please contact Steven Andrade, Associate Director of Development, at (949) 824-2921. 

About the University of California, Irvine School of Law               

The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. At UC Irvine Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UC Irvine Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UC Irvine School of Law.