The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to honor Jessica Sutterley, BA Philosophy '06, with the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award in philosophy.
Sutterly is a deputy district attorney V, working for the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. For 15 years, she has dedicated her career to trying cases of our most vulnerable victims. Her experience is reflected in her extensive work trying misdemeanor and felony cases (fifty-one jury trials total), which have progressively increased in complexity.
Sutterley trains extensively for her community, educating law enforcement and young attorneys. She regularly conducts training on complex legal topics, including homicide self-defense, assaults with deadly weapons, preventing errors in closing arguments, and juvenile petitions. She trains for the California Deputy District Attorney Association, San Diego County law enforcement, and in-house training sessions.
Additionally, she led and moderated the in-house criminal discovery seminar and New Deputy Training Program for the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. She has also taught at the Felony Trial Advocacy, Homicide Training, and Trial Skills Academy.
Congratulations, Jessica Sutterley!
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences honors distinguished alumni each fall at Community and Catalysts: Achievements, Awards, and Innovations. This signature event is a celebration of alumni, faculty, and students whose leadership, research, and service have made outstanding contributions to their fields, communities, and to the university.