Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Director Lisa Sperow Selected to Lead Law School

Lisa Sperow, who has led Cal Poly’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic as executive director for 12 years, is leaving Cal Poly to become president and CEO of the Monterey College of Law, the law school announced this week.

Sperow, who has also taught undergraduate law, tax and accounting at Cal Poly since 2001, will continue to work at the LITC until August 1, when she retires from the university.

“It’s been an honor to have led the Cal Poly Low Income Taxpayer Clinic for the past 12 years,” she said. “I’m very proud of the tremendous growth we’ve seen in the clinic and the many people we have helped during that time. In particular, I’ve really enjoyed working closely with the many students who worked in the clinic prior to launching their careers.”

In the Orfalea College of Business, the LITC provides students with real-world experience as they have a positive impact on the community. Specifically, students help local residents who face significant tax challenges, often achieving positive results.

“The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic is an excellent example of Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing approach to education,” said Damon Fleming, dean of the Orfalea College of Business. “Students who work in the clinic literally sit down with clients and figure out solutions to stressful, frightening and often unexpected tax debts.”

Earlier this month, the clinic reported that 2024 featured its highest volume of client work, with 88 cases. During that time, the clinic decreased $262,602 in liabilities for clients and obtained $43,412 in refunds. Meanwhile, 47 students participated in the LITC as their senior project and another 10 worked in the clinic as team leaders, including 4 bilingual students.

In addition to assisting members of the community with tax challenges, the clinic also provides education and outreach.

Sperow is a long-time San Luis Obispo County resident, who received her bachelor’s degree at University of California, Davis with honors and her law degree with highest honors from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

Sperow is a board member and vice president of the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association, the co-chair of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation’s Pro Bono and Tax Clinics Committee and former president of the Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo County. Among her other community activities, Sperow serves on the boards of Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County, Unity Bar of San Luis Obispo County, and KCBX Public Radio Station. In recognition of her community service, she was recognized as the Outstanding Woman Lawyer of the Year in 2020 by the Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo County and was the 2023 recipient of the John L. Seitz Award for Community Service from the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association.

Lisa Sperow, executive director of Cal Poly’s Low Income Tax Clinic, speaks with her student leadership team. (File photo/Pat Pemberton)

Sperow began her legal career as a judicial law clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit and as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice, Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch in Washington D.C. While working in the Justice Department in Washington, D.C. she also taught as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University School of Law.

Sperow will begin her new role following the retirement of long-standing President and Dean Mitchel Winick. Winick is retiring in July 2025 after 20 years at the helm of the non-profit California-accredited law school.

“I have no doubt that I am turning over the presidency of MCL to someone who brings a passion for education, community service, and dedication to mission that will allow MCL to continue its success as a leader in community-based legal education,” said Winick.

Under Winick’s leadership, the school has experienced a period of successful growth that included opening three additional residential campus locations – San Luis Obispo College of Law, Kern County College of Law, and Empire College of Law (Santa Rosa) and the development of one of the first California accredited online hybrid law school programs.

Sperow will remain based in San Luis Obispo at the law school’s branch campus and intends to expand her engagement and involvement into each of the communities served by the law school, including Monterey, Bakersfield, and Santa Rosa.

The LITC helps members of the community who face significant tax challenges. Your support for the LITC will have a positive impact on real people while helping students gain valuable real-world experience.

Give Now