2025 Leadership Academy Scholars
Matthew Baker
Senior Staff Attorney
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
Matt currently works as a senior staff attorney at the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program. In his current role, Matt primarily practices family law, though in his ten years of practice he has also worked in criminal defense and civil litigation. He is proud of his development of training procedures and materials for the volunteer attorneys he mentors.
Alexandria Dave
Attorney
Ms. Davé provides legal counsel to optimize clients’ objectives. Her varied solo practice has ranged from litigating a First Amendment case as co-counsel with the ACLU of Northern California to evaluating another state’s wildlife protection laws and policies for litigation. Ms. Davé previously clerked for a federal magistrate judge; externed for a federal judge on the Ninth Circuit; served as a director on the ACLU-NC board; and completed the SDCBA Trial Advocacy College.
Nadia Galash
Senior Attorney
Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego
Nadia came as a refugee in 1998. She passed July 2008 California Bar Examination and was admitted in 2009. Nadia works for Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego. She practices immigration law. She is being proud to be able to help many immigrants with diverse backgrounds from all over the world over span of over ten years or more.
Natalie Holtz
Associate
Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP
Natalie Holtz is an associate attorney at Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP. Her practice focuses on defense of individuals and businesses in litigation. Ms. Holtz graduated cum laude from California Western School of Law in 2020 and previously earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Colorado at Boulder. While in law school, Ms. Holtz served as Executive Editor of the California Western Law Review. She currently serves as a Co-Chair of the Professional Advancement Committee for Lawyers Club.
Joanna de Vos
Owner, Principal Attorney
Joanna de Vos has over 15 years' experience in estate planning, probate, and trust administration. In 2022 she opened her own law practice and takes great pride in having a positive relationship with her clients. She is a dynamic and frequent speaker on estate and elder care planning issues. She is the former Vice President of the Board of Directors for Parkinson’s Association of San Diego and an adjunct lecturer at Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Haley Kopp
Corporate Partner
Yohanan Law
Haley is a corporate lawyer at Yohanan Law focused on representing start-ups and small companies in formations, venture capital, angel investor financings, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate matters. During her time at USD School of Law, she co-founded the Older Wiser Law Students (OWLS) with some of her fellow part-time students and served as the first President of the organization. She is proud to see that OWLS is still making a difference at USD.
Lauren A. Martin
Staff Attorney
Children’s Legal Services of San Diego
Lauren A. Martin is proud to serve as attorney and Guardian Ad Litem for abused and neglected children. Prior to her current role as Staff Attorney at Children’s Legal Services of San Diego, Lauren worked as a Special Education attorney, and as an Assistant Public Defender for children in foster care. Honored with the designation as a “Next Generation Leader,” Lauren received national recognition for her leadership contributions in law school.
Katie Mefford
Deputy City Attorney
General Trial Unit for the San Diego City Attorney's Office
Katie Mefford practices criminal law as a Deputy City Attorney in the General Trial Unit for the San Diego City Attorney's Office. In this role, Ms. Mefford handles a wide range of criminal matters including motions, hearings, and trials. Ms. Mefford is also on a specialized motions team focusing on termination of probation and case expungement. In addition to managing her case load, Ms. Mefford also supervises interns and post bar law clerks. Ms. Mefford takes an active role in designing and facilitating trainings in her office. Her most significant leadership accomplishment was her recent project to completely redesign her team's Post Bar Law Clerk Program.
Amanda-Dawn Natalia
Principal
Natalia Law, P.C.,
Amanda-Dawn Natalia is a business and estate attorney who is currently in solo practice with her firm, Natalia Law, P.C., which she began in 2020. In her free time, Ms. Natalia serves as Vice-Chair for the City of La Mesa’s Environmental Sustainability Commission. As a leader, Ms. Natalia is most proud of organizing a volunteer group that contributed over 30 hours of service in 2024 to the Litter Free La Mesa and I Love a Clean San Diego community cleanup programs.
Marisol Ornelas
Supervising Attorney
Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Marisol Ornelas is a California Certified Family Law Specialist and a Family Law Supervising Attorney for Legal Aid Society of San Diego. She has exclusively practiced Family Law for the past six years in various non-profit organizations throughout San Diego. Her legal career has been committed to helping indigent individuals overcome their legal hardships in hopes that they create a stronger and more resilient life.
Stephanie Pengilley
Partner
CA Consumer Law APC
Stephanie Pengilley founded CA Consumer Law APC where her practice focuses on consumer protection claims. She has represented consumers, car dealerships, and car manufacturers. Ms. Pengilley has successfully obtained verdicts in favor of her clients against BMW, Kia, Ford, Toyota, and Honda. Among other honors, in 2023, Ms. Pengilley was elected to the SDCBA’s Board of Directors for a three-year term after serving for three years on the SDCBA New Lawyer Division Executive Committee.
Paulina Reyes-Perrariz
Managing Attorney
Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Paulina Reyes-Perrariz is a Managing Attorney at Immigrant Defenders Law Center, a social justice law firm that provides pro bono representation in immigration proceedings. Paulina supervises the Cross-Border Initiative, representing noncitizens in ICE and CBP custody and providing legal presentations to asylum-seekers in Tijuana, Mexico. In 2023, Paulina was one of the lead organizers responding to the humanitarian needs of asylum-seekers released by DHS in San Diego, and helped welcome over 150,000 individuals from around the world.
Ashley Salas
Telecom. Regulatory and Policy Attorney; Adjunct Professor
The Utility Reform Network
Ashley L. Salas (pronouns: she/ her) is a Telecommunications Regulatory and Policy Attorney at The Utility Reform Network (TURN). She practices Administrative Law before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), advocating for safe, affordable, and reliable telecommunications and broadband services. Ms. Salas is also an Adjunct Professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. She has served on the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Alumni Association and Global Conservation Force (GCF) boards.
Robert Shawhan
Associate
Klinedinst PC
I am a new associate attorney at Klinedinst PC, practicing General and Professional Liability Defense. I have been practicing in general liability defense for 4 1/2 years. Prior to this I spent a year providing non-profit legal services to indigent, veteran, and elderly communities throughout Northern Nevada - my native state. The opportunity to serve and be a leader in these underrepresented communities was a proud accomplishment of mine. I look forward to assisting these communities through future work.
Susan Sinatra
Of Counsel
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Susan Sinatra is Of Counsel at the law firm of Jackson Lewis P.C. After an extensive litigation career of defending clients in employment and other civil matters, Susan’s practice now primarily focuses on providing tailored advice and strategies to California employers in navigating complex employment issues. Susan is a member of both Lawyers Club and the SDCBA. She devotes time to mentorship of associate attorneys through her firm’s RISE Mentor Program.
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Carrie Stelzig
Senior Staff Attorney
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Shriver’s Program
Carrie Stelzig transitioned from a 10-year social work career supporting domestic violence survivors to law. She earned a JD from California Western School of Law and a Master’s in Social Work from San Diego State University in 2014. After running a restraining order clinic for three years, she became Senior Staff Attorney at the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Shriver’s Program, continuing her dedication to supporting domestic violence survivors and family law.
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Taylor Wemmer
Of Counsel
DLA Piper’s San Diego Office
Taylor Wemmer is an employment attorney in DLA Piper’s San Diego office. Ms. Wemmer specializes in employment litigation and counsels employers on compliance with California and federal regulations. Her experience includes defense of wage and hour class actions and individual discrimination claims, conducting classification and pay equity audits, and advising on reductions in force. Ms. Wemmer serves as a representative for DLA’s Leadership Alliance for Women and runs a bi-monthly veteran’s pro bono legal clinic.
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Sarah Wigdor-Roberts
Senior Lead Deputy City Attorney
City of San Diego
Sarah Wigdor-Roberts is a Senior Lead Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Diego. She has been practicing within its General Civil Litigation Division for six years. She has been practicing civil litigation for over fifteen years, working at both private firms and in house before joining the City. In addition to her work, Ms. Wigdor-Roberts has served on the boards of several nonprofits that focus on youth sports and educational communities.
Alexander Winkle
Senior Associate
Henderson, Caverly & Pum LLP
Alexander C. Winkle (“Alex”) is a Senior Associate in Henderson, Caverly & Pum LLP's Estate Planning Group and Trust Administration & Probate Group, where he assists clients in all aspects of estate planning, inter vivos and post-mortem trust administration, probate administration and a variety of tax-related matters. Alex previously served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, supporting the goal of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.
2024 Leadership Academy Scholars
Sofya Asatryan
Associate Attorney
Sheppard Mullin
Sofya Asatryan is an associate in the Sheppard Mullin's Intellectual Property Practice Group in the firm's San Diego (Del Mar) office.
Sofya’s practice focuses on trademark infringement, false advertising, unfair competition, and patent infringement claims in a broad range of industries, including food and beverage, fashion, technology, financial services, and construction. She also has significant experience litigating contractual disputes.
Sofya has prepared many motions and has successfully argued motions in court, including motions for summary judgment, discovery motions, and a motion for reconsideration. In addition to motion practice, she has taken and defended several depositions.
While attending law school, Sofya served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Ronald S. W. Lew of the United States District Court in the Central District of California. She was also a member of Loyola Law School’s Transactional Negotiations Team and served as a Production Editor of Loyola’s International Law Review.
Mark-Robert Bluemel
Attorney
McDougal Boehmer Foley Lyon Mitchell & Erickson
Mark began working on criminal appeals at Cleary & Sevilla before private practice handling felonies and misdemeanors along with personal injury and family law matters. He studied jury trial practice utilizing psychodrama techniques with Gerry Spence. In 2022, he joined the McDougal Firm for the camaraderie and challenging case load, where he defends municipalities, businesses, and prosecutes code enforcement violations as an assistant city attorney for El Cajon, still representing plaintiffs in serious injury cases.
Bobby Case
Staff Attorney
Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Bobby Case is a Staff Attorney with LASSD. Before becoming an attorney, he was an active-duty United States Marine for ten years; serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and other combat theaters. Bobby earned his bachelor’s degree, while on active duty, followed by his MSRE at the University San Diego, and his JD, with Honors, from California Western School of Law. Bobby’s life focus is making societal change, from the intersecting avenues of law and policy.
Kevin Chang
Senior Associate
Sheppard, Mullin
Kevin Chang is an experienced business litigator in all manners of high-stakes and complex matters in state and federal courts, mediation, and arbitration. Kevin is a senior associate in the Del Mar office of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, with broad experience in the energy and infrastructure, private equity, and construction industries. Kevin’s biggest leadership accomplishment to date is heading a team of associates in defending against claims worth $50 million in arbitration.
Leah Gonzales
Deputy Public Defender
Office of the San Diego Public Defender
I have been an attorney since 2016 and have primarily worked in indigent criminal defense. I currently serve as the Treasurer for La Raza Lawyers Association and am on the SDCBA's JEEC.
Rolando Gudiel Sanchez
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Staff Attorney &
Air National Guard Deputy Staff Judge Advocate
As a San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program staff attorney, Rolando trains volunteer attorneys and provides free legal assistance to vulnerable members of San Diego County. He is also an Air National Guard Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for military units that conduct combat support and humanitarian operations.
Rolando’s biggest leadership accomplishments are leading the Army’s legal investigation team in Afghanistan and helping establish the legal clinic at One Safe Place, the North County Family Justice Center.
Ted Holmquist
Employment Rights Attorney | Founder
Law Office of Ted Holmquist, APC
Ted Holmquist is an employment attorney and solo practitioner. His practice focuses on protecting employee rights in the workplace. Ted also volunteers his time in the community. He serves as Co-President of the Tom Homann LGBTQ+ Law Association and Vice-Chair of the SDCBA Labor & Employment Section. He is also one of the founding organizers of the San Diego Unity Bar. In addition, Ted volunteers with various legislative advocacy efforts to encourage elected officials to protect civil rights.
Claudia Ignacio
Senior Associate
Hone Maxwell LLP
I am going into my 5th year as an attorney and last year I got promoted to Senior Associate. For the last four years I was part of the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association Board as a director and treasurer. Currently, I am on the SDLRLA Public Benefit Fund Board and on the SDCBA Tax Section.
Tamra Lett
Divorce & Family Law Associate
I am a junior associate at a small family law practice. I recently increased my involvement in bar associations and affiliate organizations, including Lawyers Club and Wallace Inn of Court. I look forward to pursuing leadership positions next year and becoming involved in advocacy work within my community of Imperial Beach. I am most proud of presentations I gave on various legal issues as a Legal Aid attorney, and hope to continue those outreach efforts.
James Maroulis
Senior Associate
James is father to a wonderful four-year-old and is a transactional healthcare attorney during the day. His most important leadership work involves his non-profit board membership at California Physicians Alliance to expand healthcare access and quality for all Californians.
Koryn Sheppard
Family Law Attorney- CFLS
I have spent the last fifteen years guiding families through the complicated and often daunting legal system as a Certified Family Law Specialist. In addition to representing clients going through the family law process, I am a minor’s counsel, representing children in the most high-conflict and complicated proceedings. I am qualified as a Discovery Referee and Pro Tem for Mandatory Settlement Conferences.
I am an adjunct professor for California Civil Procedure at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and am a mentor for the Lawyer's Club. I was on the Board of the San Diego Family Law Bar Association and Foothills Bar Association. Recently, I published an article in San Diego Lawyer Magazine.
I am now campaigning for Superior Court Judge, Office 43. This may be my biggest leadership accomplishment to date. While I have not yet been elected, I believe in simply running and representing the interests of my community (family law specifically, San Diego families broadly). This campaign is costly/draining in time, finances, and mental and emotional energy. However, I believe I am being a good role model by trying to do something good by serving others- I believe that leaders also serve.
David Solberg
Senior Associate
Sheppard Mullin
I am currently a Senior Associate at Sheppard Mullin in the firm's Real Estate, Energy, Land Use and Environmental Practice Group. I represent public and private companies in corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions and debt and equity financings, as well as general corporate governance and operational matters. I recently worked on a transaction involving the acquisition of a national portfolio of renewable energy projects that was awarded IJInvestor's 2023 North America Renewables M&A Deal of the Year.
Rebecca Van Loon
Partner
Solomon Ward Seidenwurm & Smith LLP
I am partner at Solomon Ward Seidenwurm & Smith LLP. I am an estate planning, probate, trust and tax attorney and certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in estate planning, probate, and trust law. I also hold an LLM in taxation from the University of San Diego. I have served in various leadership roles both professionally and in the non-profit sector.
Matthew Wang
Associate
I have been practicing law for eight years, starting out representing governmental agencies with public works and other municipal law issues.
I have recently switched career paths from municipal to focus on land use and environmental law, which is my passion.
My biggest leadership accomplishment to date was representing the County of Tulare in a development agreement for a commercial development that brought in a Children's Hospital to an underserved area of California.
Amy West
Of Counsel
Genesis Family Law, APC
Ms. West became a licensed attorney in 2004 and a Certified Specialist - Family Law in 2016. Currently Of Counsel at Genesis Family Law, APC, Ms. West handles complex, high-conflict litigation cases. She has tried more than 50 cases, including family law, criminal defense, and civil trials. Ms. West has written four appeals, arguing two before the 4th DCA. Ms. West teaches CLEs on Domestic Violence, Evidence, and Trial Practice for local bar associations, including the San Diego County Bar, San Diego Family Law Bar Association, and the Foothills Bar. She served as the Education committee Co-Chair for the San Diego Family Law Bar Association in 2021 and 2022.
2023 Leadership Academy Scholars
Diana Adams
Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney
San Diego City Attorney's Office
Diana Adams is the Chief of the Workers' Compensation Unit at the San Diego City Attorney's Office. She enjoys the legal challenges in the practice and the camaraderie with Unit members and other practicing attorneys. Prior to joining the City Attorney's Office in 1997, she was in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps and taught sixth and eighth grade at public schools. Her biggest leadership accomplishment has been leading the Unit's diverse team for 17 years.
Stephen Blea
Senior Associate
Henderson Caverly & Pum, LLP
Stephen Blea has practiced trust and estates litigation for approximately nine years and is a Senior Associate at Henderson Caverly & Pum, LLP. His most significant leadership accomplishment has been to lead trials that were ultimately successful for his clients.
Alicia Bond
Director of Operations, Counsel
Jacko Law Group, PC
With a strong business background, Alicia M. Bond serves as the Director of Operations and Counsel at Jacko Law Group, PC (“JLG”). Ms. Bond manages legal operations, day-to-day business of the firm, and oversees the company’s processes and systems. As strategic business advisor and trusted counsel, she partners with the CEO on strategic direction and vision. Operationally, Ms. Bond is responsible for alignment, communication of firm goals with organizational values, and implementation of business growth strategies.
Her biggest leadership accomplishment to date professionally has been being asked to serve our community as a member of the Board of the Chicano Federation of San Diego.
Hilary Boyer
Partner
Alaimo Boyer, APC
Hilary Boyer is the co-founding partner at Alaimo Boyer, APC. She is a Certified Family Law Specialist. Her diverse background includes that of mediator; representing clients in mediation; and consulting with clients who seek out of court settlements. She helps the State Bar Board of Legal Specialization develop examination content and grades examinations. Hilary is a member of the SDCBA ADR executive committee and a mentor with the Crawford High School Academy of Law and Justice.
David Casey
Associate
CaseyGerry
David S. Casey III is an associate attorney at CaseyGerry. He specializes in personal injury and has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch since 2021. He has served as a monthly team leader in the Wallace Inn of Court for the past two years. David's past leadership experience includes managing a team of 100+ volunteers as a field organizer for a presidential campaign.
Michelle Celleri
Human Rights Counsel
Alliance San Diego
Michelle Celleri serves as Department Director and Human Rights Counsel at Alliance San Diego where she oversees their immigration legal services, education and outreach, as well as high impact litigation. She works closely with the immigrant community/organizations, policy centers, and government agencies calling for just policies and accountability. She is honored to serve on the legal team for the family of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas, in the first extrajudicial killing case against U.S. law enforcement to be decided before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Ana Ferman
Supplemental Security Income Attorney
Legal Aid Society of San Diego Inc.
Ana Ferman is a third-year attorney with the Legal Aid Society of San Diego. In practice, Ana helps San Diego residents access their rights to justice before the Social Security Administration while in administrative or district court. The most rewarding aspects of Ana’s practice are providing free education, outreach, and successful outcomes to members of our community.
Robbie Heaven
Senior Associate
Robbie Heaven’s practice involves both the planning and litigation side of trust and estate law. A graduate of U.S.C. and Adelaide University, Robbie started his legal career 11 years ago in Australia working in civil litigation before becoming a criminal defense barrister (trial attorney). He has taught courses in evidence and criminal law in academia for more than 7 years and has served in the U.S. Army for 6 years and is currently an infantry sergeant.
Christina Howden
Deputy District Attorney
San Diego District Attorney’s Office
Christina Howden began her prosecuting career at the City Attorney’s office as a line deputy across five units. Departing from the City as the supervising attorney of the Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes unit, Christina now continues her career as a Deputy District Attorney. Having been a line deputy, team lead, and supervising attorney, she has gained the experience to mentor deputies through new and challenging cases. Christina's proudest leadership accomplishments have been maintaining a thriving team through the COVID pandemic and enabling rewarding careers for the deputies she has led.
Laura Lakeotes
Staff Attorney
Legal Aid Society of San Diego Inc.
Laura Lakeotes is a relatively new attorney and former Department of Energy (DOE) contractor. She currently works for LASSD, defending tenants facing eviction. For 13 years with DOE, she worked in Counterintelligence, IT, Training, Emergency Operations, and lastly, matrixed to LANL and LLNL for R&D programs exploring the nation’s aging nuclear stockpile.
Laura's biggest leadership accomplishment: raising two children to adulthood without criminal activity on anyone’s part; offspring now 22 and almost 25 years old and they still like her.
Jenna MacRae
Supervising Attorney/Director of Fund & Program Development
Elder Law & Advocacy
Jenna MacRae is an experienced legal services attorney at Elder Law & Advocacy. Currently working as a supervising attorney, she also leads EL&A’s project and fund development. Throughout her time at EL&A, Jenna has worked on programs that increase access to justice and healthcare for those that are often left behind. Jenna developed and was lead attorney on EL&A’s elder abuse program, helping underrepresented victims seeking elder abuse restraining orders.
Jennifer McCollough
Assistant U.S. Attorney
United States Attorney's Office
Jennifer McCollough is currently an Assistant U.S. Attorney where she prosecutes federal crimes. She was previously a Navy helicopter pilot and completed three deployments to the Middle East. Following law school and two federal judicial clerkships, Jennifer initially joined the U.S. Department of Justice as a Trial Attorney. Since joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in July 2017, Jennifer has tried 15 jury trials to verdict and is currently the Deputy Chief of the Intake Section.
Chelsea Mutual
Senior Appellate Court Attorney
California Court of Appeal
Chelsea Mutual is an attorney in the chambers of Justice Martin Buchanan at the California Court of Appeal. Prior to joining the court, she was the senior staff attorney at the California Women's Law Center and, before that, a litigation associate at DLA Piper. While at DLA, Chelsea led an initiative to partner with a local nonprofit to train firm attorneys in trauma-informed lawyering and taking on pro bono representation of sex trafficking survivors. She represented survivors seeking to vacate their criminal records, and supervised and mentored other attorneys on their vacatur cases.
Mario Nguyen
Judicial Law Clerk
Mario Nguyen is a Law Clerk for a federal judge, an Adjunct Law Professor at Texas A&M University, and one of TikTok’s 150 LatinxCreatives (@AttorneyMario). In his sixth year of practice, Mario has served as a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice and a criminal defense attorney. As its former President, Mario led the Dallas LGBT Bar Association to be the first LGBT “Sister Bar” officially recognized by a general bar association in Texas.
Jaclyn Reinhart
Associate
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Jaclyn Reinhart is a sixth-year associate at Jackson Lewis P.C. She practices all facets of employment law on the management side, including defending employers in litigation and providing advice and counsel. Jaclyn serves on the Board of Directors for Lawyers Club of San Diego where she has co-chaired both the Law Student Outreach and Membership Development Committees. Her biggest leadership accomplishment to date is creating and spearheading Lawyers Club's Mentor Connection Program.
Seana Scholtemeyer
Attorney
Walton Law, A.P.C.
Seana Scholtemeyer is Lead Attorney of the employment law team at Walton Law, A.P.C. Her practice includes employee representation and personal injury cases. She successfully mentored multiple associate attorneys over the years. She serves as a member of the San Diego County Bar Membership Committee and Lawyers Club Red, White & Brew Subcommittee. She formerly served on the Board of the Irish American Bar Association. Seana interned for Senator John McCain in Washington, D.C.
Joy Seo
Family Law Attorney
Stark & D’Ambrosio, LLP
Joy Seo is a third year family law attorney at Stark & D’Ambrosio, LLP. She started her legal career after spending 10 years as a stay-at-home mom. Her experience with everyday families raising children led her to family law. She is grateful that she can work closely with clients and help them navigate family law issues in their difficult times. She is fluent in Korean and takes pride in representing Korean speaking clients who are underserved.
Andrea Warren
Special Counsel
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Andrea Warren is a nationwide litigator handling commercial and complex insurance coverage litigation. She has represented nationwide and global companies in the insurance, pharmaceutical, construction, and medical device sectors. Andrea was one of 25 attorneys in Indiana selected for the Indianapolis Bar Association's Bar Leader Series Class XII. She served on the board of Paws & Think, Inc. and the American Indian Center of Indiana. In 2016, Andrea founded and chaired the IBA’s Insurance Coverage Section.
2022 Leadership Academy Scholars
Alison Adelman
Associate
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Alison Adelman earned her JD from the University of San Diego School of Law, and is now an associate at Ogletree Deakins practicing employment law. Prior to joining Ogletree, Alison practiced general civil litigation at a local firm. Alison is a member of both Lawyers Club and the SDCBA, where she previously served on the Labor and Employment Section’s Executive Committee. Alison’s proudest leadership accomplishment is serving as President of her high school’s Alumni Board.
Maria C. Chavez
Partner
Jacobs & Schlesinger LLP
Maria C. Chavez is a partner at the boutique immigration law firm Jacobs & Schlesinger LLP in San Diego, CA. She represents clients in a wide range of immigration matters including removal defense in immigration court, family-based petitions, and humanitarian remedies. She frequently gives presentations in the community and volunteers with immigrant rights organizations throughout San Diego. She currently sits on the board of directors for The AjA Project and holds leadership positions in different bar organizations..
Christine Y. Dixon
Associate Attorney
Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC
Christine Dixon is an associate at Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin on the Employment and Retail teams. She is going into her eighth year of practice. Christine is the President of the San Diego Defense Lawyers for the 2022 term after having been on the Board of Directors for six years. She is looking forward to being a part of the 2022 SDCBA Leadership Academy.
James ("Jim")
Eischen, Jr.
Owner
Eischen Law Office
Jim Eischen is a business planning attorney with a national expertise in healthcare regulatory business planning for innovative healthcare practice models/services. Jim authors the California Medical Association physician legal desk book chapter on private direct medical practice compliance and lectures on healthcare innovation and avoiding professional burnout for a variety of conferences and organizations throughout the U.S. Jim's most recent professional burnout presentations were for New York Attorney General Office and the Georgia Prosecutor’s Council. Jim is the SDCBA Law & Medicine Section Chair for a second year. He owns an online learning platform providing innovative healthcare compliance & burnout avoidance educational content.
Shannon Finley
Shareholder
Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC
Shannon Finley is a shareholder at Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin. Shannon focuses her practice on employment law litigation and counseling matters. Shannon's leadership activities include service as the Vice President of Policy and Membership and Director for Lawyers Club of San Diego, and Chair of the SDCBA's Labor and Employment Section. Shannon previously served as an Affiliate Governor for California Women Lawyers, and a Team Leader for American Inns of Court, J. Clifford Wallace chapter.
Kelly Gemelli
Managing Partner
Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation
Kelly Gemelli is a Managing Partner with Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation and heads up the firm’s San Diego office. After litigating employment disputes for over 20 years, and serving as outside counsel for many clients, Kelly’s practice now focuses on conducting impartial workplace investigations. Kelly conducts and manages complex investigations with a special focus on challenging and high-profile matters. Kelly is the Vice-President and Board Member for Friends of Crown Point Junior Music Academy, is the Vice-Chair of SDCBA’s Labor & Employment Committee, and a Co-Chair for Lawyers Club’s Business Development Sub-Committee.
Lila Gitesatani
Lead Attorney, Housing Team,
Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc.
Lila Gitesatani is a Lead Attorney with the Housing Team at Legal Aid Society of San Diego, representing tenants in eviction cases and landlord/tenant disputes, as well as engaging in community outreach and education. Lila supervises and trains staff attorneys, advocates and support staff. Lila has been at the forefront of developing and conducting trainings for the public regarding tenant’s rights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dani Glazer
Legal Counsel
Emerson Collective
As Legal Counsel at Emerson Collective, Dani Glazer works with a wide variety of teams both within the Collective and externally, and in true in-house counsel fashion, she knows a little bit about everything. Dani loves applying private business solutions to community problems, advising businesses with social missions. In particular, she is one of few attorneys with significant experience helping businesses convert to worker ownership, which she pioneered as a law student in the Duke Law clinics.
Lucas Hirsty
Deputy Public Defender III
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
Lucas Hirsty is a criminal defense attorney working as a Deputy Public Defender and the Creator/Host of “Members of the Jury” Podcast. As a Deputy Public Defender, he protects the rights, liberties, and dignity of all persons while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the American Criminal Justice System. As the host of members of the Jury Podcast, Lucas interviews lawyers about their true-crime jury trials and discusses ways to improve the criminal justice reform.
Emily Howe
Founder | Principal
Law Offices of Emily E. Howe
Emily Howe assists socially conscious individuals, start-ups & nonprofits in accessing legal rights of San Diegans. Emily's career has focused on general practice & civil rights, including wrongful death-catastrophic injuries, workplace fairness, compliance, and policy solutions that further access to justice. She led the UN Special Rapporteur's San Diego visit, organized ‘Path to the Bench’ initiatives and collaborated to win legislative reform. Emily serves in leadership of San Diego Law Library Foundation, La Jolla Bar Association, PALSD & NAPABA.
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Arezoo Jamshidi
Partner
Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP
Arezoo Jamshidi is a Partner and the Leader of Haight Brown & Bonesteel, LLP’s Appellate Practice Group. Arezoo is a Certified Specialist in Appellate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Her practice focuses on representing individual clients and diverse businesses on a wide range of appellate matters before both state and federal courts. Arezoo is also the Past-President of the Iranian American Bar Association and recent Past-Chair of the Appellate Practice Section of the San Diego County Bar Association.
Shandi Korte
Deputy Public Defender II
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
Shandi Korte proudly advocates for the rights of indigent clients as a Deputy Public Defender at the San Diego County Public Defender's Office. Shandi has been practicing for 3 and 1/2 years and currently represent clients facing a variety of misdemeanor and low-level felony charges. Shandi's biggest leadership accomplishment to date has been joining the inaugural board of her office union’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, with a focus on recruitment and retention of diverse attorneys.
Arcelia Magaña
Associate Attorney
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Arcelia “Arcy” Magaña is a Xicana and first-generation attorney, born and raised in Escondido, California. Arcelia is a sixth year Associate at Jackson Lewis P.C. where she represents employers — from non-profits to Fortune 500 companies — on employment law matters. Arcelia serves as (pro bono) General Counsel for MANA de San Diego, Vice-President of the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association, and on the SDCBA Labor and Employment Law Section Executive Committee.
Tarina Mand
Complex Litigation Attorney
Dixon Diab & Chambers
Tarina Mand is constantly searching for ways to make the world around her more just and equitable — whether that be while passionately advocating for her clients or by volunteering her time in the community. She is the co-chair for the National FBA D&I Subcommittee where she is working on creating a diverse and inclusive speaker panel database. As former President of the South Asian Bar Association of San Diego, Tarina launched the Equal Pay Transparency Initiative to help close the gender and minority pay gap.
Patrick McGill
Associate
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Patrick McGill is a senior associate at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP. His practice is split between litigation and transactional matters. On the litigation side, Patrick primarily litigates intellectual property disputes in federal court. He also serves as the outside general counsel for several companies. Patrick has an active pro bono practice, which has provided him with his proudest moment as an attorney to date: reversal of a death penalty conviction under Brady v. Maryland.
Joe Peacock
Associate Attorney
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP
Joe Peacock is in his fourth year of practice at Sheppard Mullin as a labor and employment and business litigation associate. Joe seeks leadership opportunities that provide a meaningful impact in the San Diego community. He currently sits on the San Diego State University Pre-Law Advisory Committee.
Ana M. Sambold
Mediator - Arbitrator
SAMBOLD LAW & ADR SERVICES
Ana Sambold, Esq. has successfully facilitated, in English and Spanish, the resolution of thousands of matters involving civil litigation matters, multicultural issues and multilingual parties. Ana is a neutral for AAA, ADR Services, Inc., and CPR. As a devoted leader, she has greatly contributed to the promotion of Dispute Resolution Alternatives worldwide. She is the SDCBA ADR Section Chair, ABA Mediation and Advocacy Institute Co-Chair, ABA DR Section Vice-Chair, and SD Law Library Foundation President.
Anna Jane (“A.J.”) Zarndt
Special Counsel
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Anna Jane (AJ) I. Zarndt serves as special counsel at the law firm Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP. AJ’s practice focuses on business litigation, government investigations and compliance. She has previously served as counsel for municipal entities throughout Southern California — including the Lakeside Fire Protection District and the San Diego Convention Center. AJ currently sits as Director of Compliance on the Board of Directors for the Junior League of San Diego.