Autobiography
I am an Attorney and Real Estate Broker. I have over 30 years’ experience as a litigation and trial paralegal prior to becoming an Attorney. Additionally, I have over 35 years’ experience in real estate, including real property sales and property management.
Education
I graduated from John F. Kennedy High School (1985) in Richmond. I completed my real estate sales license education at Anthony Schools (1986) in El Cerrito. I completed my real estate broker license education at Executive Studies (1991) in Irvine. I attended Solano and Diablo Valley Community Colleges, where I majored and received certificates of completion in Criminal Justice and Corrections. I graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California (2006) in Moraga, where I received a paralegal certificate (with highest honors) and a BA (with honors) in law studies. I graduated from Empire College School of Law (2013), where I received my law degree, Witkin Award for Excellence in Professional Responsibility, and was selected for the Moot Court Team for 2012/2013. I graduated from Golden Gate University School of Law (2017), where I received my Master of Laws advance law degree (with honors).
Admissions
- All Superior Court of California
- United States District Court, Northern District of California
- United States District Court, Eastern District of California
- United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Past/Present Association Membership
- Robert G. McGrath American Inns of Court
- National Paralegal Honor Society, Lambda Epsilon Chi
- California Lawyers Association
- Litigation Section
- Criminal Law Section
- Trusts & Estates Section
- Contra Costa County Bar Association
- Barristers Section
- Estate Planning & Probate Section
- Litigation Section
- Real Estate Section
- Solo Practice & Small Firm Section
- Elder Law Section
- Berkeley-Albany Bar Association
- EBTEL (EastBay Trust and Estate Lawyers)
- National Association of Criminal Defense
- California Association of Criminal Justice
- Forfeiture Endangers American Rights (F.E.A.R.)
Legal Professional Experience
- 30 years’ experience as litigation/trial paralegal prior to Bar Admission
- Logan Mooney LLP (formerly Putterman Logan LLP), Walnut Creek, CA
- Business and Complex Litigation, Construction Defects/Disputes
- Trial Preparation/Support and Case Management
- (2007-2010) Contract Work, (2010-present) on as-needed basis)
- Liner LLP (now DLA Piper Los Angeles)
- Business and Complex Litigation (Asbestos-Product Liability)
- Trial Preparation/Support and Case Management
- (2007) Contract Work, (2008) complex litigation paralegal
- Chapman, Popik, & White, San Francisco, CA (now dissolved)
- Trial Preparation/Support for Partners and Of Counsel
- Malpractice, Contract Dispute, Trade Secrets, Insurance Coverage
- (2006-2007) Contract Work
- RobinsonLegal, Richmond, CA
- Trial Preparation/Support and Case Management for Solo Practitioners and Small-Medium Size Law Firms
- 1991-2020
Real Estate Professional Experience
- 35 years’ experience
- Licensed Real Estate Broker
- Property Management
- Complex Real Estate Transactions
- Trust/Estate Sale of Real Property
- Distressed Property Sales
- Acquisition/Remodel of Real Property