Associate at Fragomen Del Rey Bernsen & Loewy
Jomana Abdallah is an Associate at Fragomen’s San Francisco office, where she represents a range of clients, from startups to multinational corporations, on all aspects of U.S. immigrant and nonimmigrant matters. She has unique experience in securing visas for treaty investors, individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, internationally recognized athletes and entertainers, religious workers, among other corporate immigration matters. Jomana is Palestinian-Mexican and is born and raised in Southern California. Outside of work, Jomana plays in competitive volleyball league, enjoys writing, is actively involved in pro bono citizenship workshops, mentors Latinx law students, and is a member of AILA’s Northern California chapter.
Associate at Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
Abe Andrade’s practice focuses on complex litigation matters, including high-stakes commercial disputes, employment issues, and white collar defense. He represents businesses and individuals in all phases of litigation, including at the appellate level, in state and federal court. Abe also maintains an active pro bono practice, including immigration and criminal matters.
Associate at Whiting, Ross, Abel & Campbell LLP
Elizabeth is a family law attorney and she is passionate about her work and takes pride in assisting clients in one of the most important moments of their lives. Elizabeth received her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco where she graduated cum laude. During law school, she was a senior staff member for the University of San Francisco Law Review. She interned for Honorable L. Michael Clark in Santa Clara County’s Juvenile Dependency Court. Elizabeth also externed at the Supreme Court of California, working in the chambers of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.
Associate at Sheppard Mullin
Luis Arias is an associate at Sheppard Mullin in San Francisco. He represents employers in a broad range of labor and employment litigation matters arising under federal and state laws. He also provides advice and counseling on all areas of employment law, including employee handbooks, employee classification, and employment law compliance.
Associate Product Counsel for Google LLC
Nadia Arid is an Associate Product Counsel for Google LLC supporting the Chrome browser and Chrome web extensions. Prior to joining Google, Nadia worked at a San Francisco law firm as a litigation attorney, specializing in intellectual property and technology law. The daughter of a Peruvian-Chilean mother and a Palestinian-Lebanese father, Nadia was born and raised in San Jose, CA and graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Law School. She has been an active member of the board of the San Francisco La Raza Lawyers' Association since 2018 and has also served on the Board of Directors for the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League since 2017. Nadia is committed to the mission of diversifying the legal profession and creating educational and career opportunities for people of color.
Associate at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP
Abraham Barrera is an Associate in the San Francisco office of GRSM and is a member of the Commercial Litigation practice group.
Alexia Beatriz
Student, University of California, College of the Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings)
Alexia is a third-year law student at the University of California, College of the Law San Francisco, where she serves as the Articles Editor for the UC Law SF Business Law Journal, and is part of the UC Law Honors Society. Alexia has received honors-elect Cum Laude. She currently serves as the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) student representative for Northern California (Region XVII). Alexia participated in Sidley Austin’s summer associate program in 2023 and served as a legal intern for the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. She is currently interning at a fintech company based in San Francisco, Upgrade, Inc.
Sandra A. Beltran
Attorney at Bay Area Rapid Transit
Sandra she performs a diverse range of legal duties in the Office of General Counsel. Prior to joining BART, Sandra practiced employment litigation focusing on a broad spectrum of employment issues such as discrimination, wrongful termination and retaliation claims.
Sandra received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Latina/o Studies from San Francisco State University. She then graduated from University of San Francisco School of Law with a Labor and Employment Law Certificate. During law school, Sandra participated in the Employment Law Clinic where she assisted claimants in administrative hearings.
Associate at Nixon Peabody LLP
Carlo’s practice focuses on intellectual property and complex commercial litigation, with a focus on disputes involving trademark and copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, false advertising, and unfair competition. In addition to litigating IP-centric disputes in federal and state courts, Carlo also represents clients in enforcement actions before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and assists in the management and monetization of domestic and international intellectual property portfolios.
Partner at Farella Braun + Martel LLP
Cynthia represents clients in a wide range of complex litigation matters, including complex contract disputes, fraud and tort litigation, and consumer class actions. She has experience with all phases of litigation, including achieving early resolutions of disputes through pre-litigation negotiations, drafting dispositive motions, managing complex e-discovery, and representing clients at trial.
Senior Litigation Counsel at Hanson Crawford Crum Family Law Group
Marisa R. Chaves has spent her career litigating complex mass tort cases, general liability matters, and commercial disputes in both state and federal courts. She has represented clients in all phases of litigation, including trial, and now brings that experience to family law. Coming to Hanson Crawford Crum from a top 10 ranked AmLaw 100 law firm, she is well-versed in handling complex and contentious legal matters.
Christopher Garcia
Deputy Public Defender at San Francisco Public Defender's Office
Christopher Garcia is a Deputy Public Defender assigned to the General Felonies Trial Unit at the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. Christopher handles all aspects of the criminal litigation process, including arraignments, various motions and hearings, and trials. Christopher graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Christopher has familial roots in Mexico City and Chihuahua, Mexico.
Executive Director at Morgan Stanley
Cal is a seasoned attorney with significant government, regulatory, investigative and in-house experience. He served as a trial attorney with the US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, and as an enforcement attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He is currently an Executive Director in Morgan Stanley’s Legal and Compliance Division, and Deputy Head of the Special Investigations Unit, where he leads, manages, and supervises internal investigations across the Firm’s Wealth Management business. Cal also teaches Professional Ethics in Technology, Law and Business at UC Berkeley's Master of Engineering Program. Cal is also on the San Francisco HSF Advisory Council.
Corporate Associate at Latham & Watkins LLP
Raul Gonzalez is a corporate associate in the San Francisco Office of Latham & Watkins LLP. Raul’s practice includes, among others, representing late-stage private companies in financing transactions and public company readiness, representing companies and underwriters in initial public offerings, public company representation, and representing companies and underwriters in public company transactions. Raul is the Treasurer of the Young Lawyers Division of the Hispanic National Bar Association.
Miguel Gradilla
Deputy City Attorney at San Francisco City Attorney's Office
Miguel A. Gradilla is a Deputy City Attorney on the Complex and Affirmative Litigation Team in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office. Previously, he was an associate at a litigation boutique in San Francisco, and at large law firms in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Miguel also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Mary H. Murguia, now Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the Honorable Salvador Mendoza, Jr. while Judge Mendoza served as a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. A Los Angeles native, Miguel is a graduate of Stanford University and Columbia Law School. He is a former member of the board of directors of the Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, one of the largest providers of free legal services to low-income people in southern California.
Associate at Sidley Austin LLP
Laura focuses her practice on complex civil litigation and white collar criminal defense and investigations. She maintains an active pro bono practice with a focus on protecting the rights of immigrants.Prior to joining Sidley, Laura participated in Sidley’s summer associate program in 2020 and served as a legal intern with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund in 2019. She graduated from The University of Chicago Law School, where she worked as a student attorney on a lawsuit that recently achieved one of Chicago’s largest settlements for wrongly convicted persons. Laura graduated with an A.B. in government from Harvard College. Before attending law school, Laura worked with Teach For America as a middle and high school social studies teacher.
Elisse Larouche
Assistant Federal Defender of the Office of the Federal Public Defender
Elisse Larouche is a Bay Area native and graduate of UC San Diego and Berkeley Law. After graduating Berkeley Law, she clerked for District Court Judge John Tuchi in Phoenix, Arizona and then for Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Mary Murguia, also in Phoenix. She has practiced as an Assistant Federal Defender for over six years, first in the District of Arizona and now in the Northern District of California. Elisse is a member of the Latina Committee, assisting with the Latina Academy.
IP & Commercial Counsel, Deckers Brands
With a focus in intellectual property and as a registered patent attorney, Laurie has counseled high-tech clients including independent inventors, start-ups and public companies, and has supported all levels of management. Laurie manages Deckers’ worldwide patent portfolio and serves Deckers’ design and product teams. In addition to IP, her work covers brand integrity, licensing, contract negotiation, marketing and public relations. Outside of work, Laurie is committed to serving the community. Re-appointed by Governor Newsom in 2020.Laurie also holds various leadership roles with the Hispanic National Bar Association, Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, and the National Filipino American Lawyers Association.
Raymond Manzo
President
Associate at Littler Mendelson P.C.
Jacqueline represents employers in single-plaintiff and representative actions regarding wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, and wage and hour claims. She also counsels employers on a range of workplace privacy and information security issues. Jacqueline holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics. She received her J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law, where she was a member of the Berkeley Business Law Journal and Berkeley La Raza Law Journal.
Perry Miska
Senior Counsel for Wonolo Inc.
Perry Miska is Senior Counsel at Wonolo Inc., where he specializes in employment litigation and advice, commercial contracts, and corporate matters. Prior to joining Wonolo, he was an Associate at Littler Mendelson, representing businesses in labor and employment disputes in addition to providing advice and counsel. Perry received his B.A. in Philosophy and Minor in Hispanic Studies from Boston College, and his J.D. from the University of Michigan. He is a San Francisco native, who was raised in the Tenderloin as a first generation Peruvian American. Perry is committed to diversifying the education system, workplace, and legal profession in order to maximize career and life opportunities for people of color.
Partner at Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP
Franco Muzzio is a Partner at Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP (“KVP”), where he represents clients in all facets of commercial litigation and maintains a dedicated pro bono practice with an emphasis on prisoners’ rights. Prior to joining KVP, Franco served as a law clerk to Chief Judge Virginia A. Phillips of the Central District of California and Judge Susan P. Graber of the Ninth Circuit. Franco graduated from UCLA School of Law and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Prior to law school, Franco taught high school English in Spanish Harlem, New York. He is a proud Latin American immigrant and enjoys mentoring younger Latina/o attorneys and law students.
Partner at Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger
Rene represents duties include City Attorney & General Counsel Services, Housing, Land Use Planning & Zoning, Public Works Labor Compliance, Litigation & Appeals
Associate at Greenberg Traurig LLP
Omar Parra is an associate in the San Francisco office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Omar represents private equity funds, privately held businesses and strategic investors in a wide range of corporate matters, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, growth equity investments and general corporate governance. Omar has advised clients in domestic and cross-border transactions in a number of industries, including agribusiness, medical, technology, retail and consumer products. Additionally, Omar has as an active pro bono practice where he represents unaccompanied immigrant children in removal proceedings as well as individuals seeking entry into the United States through humanitarian parole. Omar holds a B.A. in Political Science and Chicano and Latin American Studies from California State University, Fresno and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings Colleges of the Law, where he served as Co-Chair of the Hastings La Raza Law Students Association and as an elected member of the Associated Students of UC Hastings.
Associate at Phillips, Spallas & Angstadt LLP
Cristina’s practice focuses on landlord-tenant, premises liability, and real estate/real property. Cristina was proudly raised in San Francisco, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts from San Francisco State University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco School of Law. Prior to law school, Ms. Quiñonez taught empowerment classes to female incarcerated persons at the San Francisco County Jail and tutored formerly incarcerated individuals for their College Entrance Exams.
Cristina Resendiz-Johnson
Attorney, Judicial Council of California, Center for Families, Children & the Courts
Cristina Resendiz-Johnson serves as Lead Counsel for the Advisory Committee on Providing Access and Fairness where she provides expertise on issues addressing racial, gender, and implicit bias; language access to the courts; and services for self represented litigants. Prior to joining the Judicial Council, Cristina was a Staff Attorney for the San Francisco Superior Court’s Family Law Facilitator’s Office and Self-Help Center. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish from UC Davis and a juris doctorate from Golden Gate University, School of Law.
Intellectual Property and Technology Transactions Associate at Jones Day
Jareli is an associate who handles complex and high-value transactions involving various intellectual property, technology, software and data for clients across diverse industries, such as technology, health care, data, energy, education, cosmetics, security, and automotive. She leverages her expertise in licensing, data privacy, and technology transfers to provide strategic counseling and guidance, and to protect and maximize the value of her clients' intellectual assets. Additionally, Jareli maintains an active pro bono practice and is involved in representing asylum seekers and domestic abuse survivors in record clearing proceedings.
Attorney at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Cecilia Segal is an attorney with NRDC's Litigation Team in San Francisco. Prior to joining NRDC, Cecilia clerked for the Honorable Christopher F. Droney of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Tufts University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she served as managing editor of the Harvard Environmental Law Review and member of La Alianza.
Elizabeth Silva
Legal Research Attorney at San Francisco Superior Court
Elizabeth Silva is a legal research attorney in San Francisco Superior Court's Complex Litigation Department. She has a diversity of experiences having worked at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, California State Assembly, California Attorney General's Office, Oakland City Attorney's Office, and Miller Starr Regalia. She graduated from the University of San Francisco and UC Hastings. During her time at Hastings, Elizabeth was a part of the Hastings Moot Court team, Hastings Business Law Journal, La Raza Law Students Association, and Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. Elizabeth is a San Francisco native.
Partner at Hanson Crawford Crum Family Law Group
Experienced in the Bay Area’s distinct financial environment, Juliana specializes in high-asset dissolutions and represents a diverse range of clients, including tech executives, founders, stay-at-home parents, lawyers, venture capitalists, and business owners. Juliana was trial counsel in what the New York Times has described as “the first major Bitcoin divorce.” Prior to transitioning to practicing family law, Juliana was a business litigator at an AmLaw 100 law firm where she handled complex business disputes in both federal and state courts. In addition to serving on the board for SF La Raza Lawyers, Juliana serves on the board of La Raza Centro Legal.
Associate at Rogers Joseph O'Donnell, PC.
Ruby is a member of the firm’s Complex Commercial Litigation, Construction, and Labor and Employment Practice Groups. She has extensive experience representing individual and corporate clients from varied industries in both litigation and transactional matters.
Ruby received her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law, where she was a member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, Professional Development Committee, and on the board of the Latinx Law Students Association. She has dedicated herself to community organizations and initiatives that promote and advance diversity equity and inclusion in the legal profession, including San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association and the ABA Judicial Intern Opportunity Program.
Veronica Zavala
Associate Commercial Counsel at YouTube
Veronica is an in-house transactional attorney at YouTube where she primarily focuses on drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and providing related legal guidance. Prior to joining YouTube, she worked as an associate at Del Shaw Moonves et. al, a boutique entertainment law firm based in LA, where she represented several production companies through the development and production of their audiovisual projects and negotiated a wide variety of agreements, including content licensing, production and talent deals. Veronica was also an associate at Fenwick & West, where she represented Peloton in its initial public company offering and several other emerging technology companies in general corporate matters. Veronica earned her J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law.