Board and committee members who have been practicing for over 6 years.
Co-Founder, Global Citizens
LinkedIn
Jomana is the cofounder and Head of Immigration at Global Citizens, a global immigration legaltech startup. Global Citizens is building the operating system for global immigration, supporting all visa types and cross-border mobility matters. The platform combines AI-native infrastructure with human oversight to deliver immigration services with accuracy and care. Global Citizens is designed with a long-term vision of supporting public-sector institutions and global companies through a one-to-one model in which business immigration helps fund humanitarian and asylum visas worldwide.
Jomana previously founded her own private immigration practice in San Francisco, representing top global talent in complex U.S. immigration matters. She began her career at Fragomen and later worked with Silicon Valley legal immigration companies. She is a frequent speaker on immigration topics, an active AILA member, and a mentor with Centro Legal de la Raza’s Youth Law Academy.
Litigation Associate, Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass- LinkedIn
Abe Andrade’s practice focuses on complex litigation matters, including high-stakes commercial disputes, employment issues, and white collar defense, as well as intellectual property litigation and trademark prosecution and enforcement. He represents businesses and individuals in all phases of litigation, including at the appellate level, in state and federal court, as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and in Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) proceedings.
Abe also maintains an active pro bono practice, including immigration and criminal matters. Prior to joining Coblentz, Abe was an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Murphy Pearson Bradley & Feeney.
Attorney, Hanson, Crawford and Crum
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.
Managing Counsel, Lucid Motors- LinkedIn
Luis represents employers in a broad range of labor and employment matters arising under federal and state laws. His practice includes discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour disputes.
Luis also provides advice and counseling on all areas of employment law, including employee handbooks, employee classification, and employment law compliance.
During law school, Luis served as executive editor for the Michigan Journal of Race and Law and as co-president for the Latino Law Students Association.
Associate, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani - LinkedIn
Abraham Barrera is an Associate in the San Francisco office of GRSM and is a member of the Commercial Litigation practice group.
Partner, Farella Braun + Martel LLP- LinkedIn
Cynthia Castillo litigates high-stakes, complex civil cases with a focus on contractual disputes and consumer class actions, particularly Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) class actions. She has represented a broad range of clients, including private equity firms, cannabis companies, large technology companies, startups, nonprofits, and individuals. While she typically handles business disputes and consumer claims, her broad litigation background includes experience with matters such as environmental liability, governmental enforcement actions, and bankruptcy claims. The breadth of her litigation experience allows her to quickly spot risks and develop creative solutions for her clients. Cynthia has experience preparing for and taking cases to trial. She successfully defended a private equity management firm at trial in an employment and breach of contract suit brought by one of its former officers.
Senior Litigation Counsel, Hanson Crawford Crum Family Law Group- LinkedIn
Marisa brings a unique combination of legal acumen and unwavering dedication to guiding clients through life’s most challenging transitions. She started her career in family law after honing her litigation skills at an AmLaw Top 10 firm, where she developed a strong foundation in high-stakes civil litigation. Marisa’s background offers a distinct perspective and skill set to complex legal issues in family law. She is a trusted advocate for individuals navigating divorce, high-asset disputes, spousal support, property division, and disputed prenuptial agreements. Known for her strategic thinking and compassionate approach, she tailors her representation to each client’s needs, ensuring that their rights, families, and futures are protected. Her expertise in evidence and trial strategy positions her clients for success whether their case requires negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
Practice Attorney, Ashurst Perkins Coie
Nancy assists developers, private offtakers, and public utilities with power and renewable energy development transactions, including project development, power purchase, and offtake agreements.
Nancy represents a diverse range of clients—including developers, private offtakers, and public utilities—in the transactional aspects of power and renewable energy development. Her practice spans a broad mix of resources, including solar, wind, battery energy storage systems, geothermal, and renewable natural gas. She advises on the negotiation of complex project agreements and supports corporate and finance transactions through regulatory due diligence.
Personal injury attorney, Anderson Franco Law, A.P.C.
Anderson Franco is the founder of Anderson Franco Law, A.P.C, and serves as a San Francisco personal injury lawyer representing injured individuals and families throughout the Bay Area. His practice focuses on serious, high-stakes personal injury litigation, including motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, construction site injuries, and workplace third-party claims.Before founding his plaintiff-side practice, Anderson represented insurance companies and defendants in complex injury litigation.
Anderson is a Bay Area native and earned both his undergraduate degrees and his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley. As a bilingual attorney, he represents clients in both English and Spanish, and he is deeply committed to improving access to high-quality legal representation for injured people in Northern California's Latino and immigrant communities.
Christopher Garcia
Deputy Public Defender, 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.
Executive Director, Morgan Stanley- LinkedIn
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.
Managing Senior Counsel, Palo Alto Networks
Raul Gonzalez-Casarrubias is a Managing Senior Counsel at Palo Alto Networks. Prior to that, he was 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.
Associate, Renne Public Law Group LLP- LinkedIn
Mauricio Grande is an attorney in the firm’s Litigation practice group. He represents public agencies in state court. Mauricio focuses his practice on labor and employment cases involving breach of contract, discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims. He also has experience representing California counties in property tax disputes.
Before joining Renne Public Law Group, Mauricio was a judicial law clerk to Judges Garrett L. Wong, Cynthia M. Lee (ret.) and Samuel K. Feng of the San Francisco Superior Court. In law school, Mauricio participated in moot court and served as a civil procedure and property law tutor for the Legal Education Opportunity Program. He continues to give back as a UC Law San Francisco adjunct professor and bar success specialist.
Assistant Federal Public Defender, Northern District of California, 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.
Senior Counsel, Molecular Devices, LLC (Danaher Corporation) - LinkedIn
Seasoned tech/IP attorney with demonstrated expertise delivering strategic IP, product, and commercial counsel to diverse technology sectors including AI/ML, e-commerce, cloud computing/SAAS, supercomputing, wireless network devices, security, gaming, footwear and apparel. Proven ability to guide IP development and strategy for global brands and high-tech clients from start-ups to Fortune companies. Strong commitment that extends beyond the legal practice to significant community service, including gubernatorial appointments to the Medical Board of California, and leadership roles in local and national non-profit organizations, earning local and national recognition for professional excellence, leadership and diversity advocacy.
President , San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association/Executive Director, Bay Area Latino Lawyers Fund
Ray Manzo has been leading SFRLLA and BALLF since 2019. His experience in government, public interest, and the private sector, he has looked to support Latina/e/o and attorneys who come from underserved communities through programming and mentorship.
Associate, Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass
Laura V. Martínez provides strategic support to companies navigating complex litigation matters, government enforcement actions, and sensitive internal investigations. She has represented clients before a variety of regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as in state and federal courts. Her practice spans a range of sectors, including the financial services, supply chain, technology, and professional services industries.
Prior to joining Coblentz, Laura was a managing associate with Sidley Austin LLP in San Francisco. Before attending law school, she taught middle and high school with Teach for America.
Senior Counsel, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani- LinkedIn
Ernie D. Mejia is a Senior Counsel in the San Francisco office of GRSM and is a member of the Healthcare practice group. Ernie’s healthcare practice runs the gambit of issues that healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities may face. He has defended claims ranging from allegations of elder/dependent adult abuse and neglect, wrongful death, financial fraud, premises liability, violation of patient rights, catastrophic injury, and medical malpractice. His civil trial practice focuses on the defense of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare and long-term care professionals and organizations. Ernie routinely deals with aggressive opposing counsels on high-exposure and complex multi-party claims. Through his team’s expert negotiation, clients are able to seek an often early and favorable resolution.
Perry Miska
Senior Counsel, Wonolo Inc.- LinkedIn
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, Keker, Van Nest & Peters- LinkedIn
Franco specializes in high-stakes litigation in state and federal court. His clients include technology companies, professional sports leagues, investors, and criminal defendants. He has significant experience at every phase of the litigation process and has played a leading role in multiple trials where his clients were victorious on all claims. He maintains a robust pro bono practice with an emphasis on prisoners’ rights. Franco began his legal career by clerking for Judge Susan P. Graber of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Judge Virginia A. Phillips of the Central District of California. He earned his law degree from UCLA School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Before law school, Franco taught high school English in the Spanish Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP- LinkedIn
Omar Parra 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. Additionally, Omar has substantial experience drafting master service agreements, work authorizations, and indemnification provisions for owners, developers, and general contractors. Omar also has broad litigation experience, defending national and local corporations in all phases of litigation, including discovery, motion practice, mediation, and trial.
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.
Legal Counsel, Kraken - LinkedIn
Robert is an attorney at Kraken Digital Asset Exchange, where he advises the business and represents the company in litigation and arbitration. Prior to joining Kraken, he was a senior associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP, specializing in commercial and class action litigation, and clerked for Judge Orrick and Judge Seeborg in the Northern District of California. In his free time, Robert is committed to public service and active in local politics, including currently serving as Chair of the San Rafael Park & Recreation Commission. Robert received his B.A. in Politics and Economics from Occidental College, and his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.
Deputy Attorney General, California Department of Justice - Linked In
Cecilia Segal is a Deputy Attorney General with the Natural Resources Law Section at the California Department of Justice, where she litigates on behalf of state agencies to enforce and defend air quality, water quality, forestry, and other environmental laws. Prior to that, she served as a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, and clerked for the Honorable Christopher F. Droney (ret.) 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 a managing editor on the Harvard Environmental Law Review and as a member of La Alianza.
Elizabeth Silva
Legal Research Attorney, 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, Hanson Crawford Crum Family Law Group- LinkedIn
Juliana Yanez is a distinguished partner at Hanson Crawford Crum Family Law Group, known for her commitment to excellence and extensive expertise in high-asset, complex dissolutions. Specializing in cases involving cryptocurrency, restricted stock units, carried interests, founder’s stock, closely held businesses, and family trusts, Juliana is a trusted advocate for clients navigating the complex terrain of divorce and legal separation. Beginning her legal career as a business litigator at an AmLaw 100 law firm, Juliana honed her skills handling complex business disputes in federal and state courts. Recognized for her meticulous approach to legal practice, Juliana crafts effective strategies tailored to each client's specific needs. Working closely with clients and retained experts, Juliana customizes strategies aligned with her client’s objectives. Whether negotiating settlements or passionately litigating in court, Juliana is dedicated to achieving optimal outcomes for her clients. Her success spans both trial and appellate levels, including a noteworthy accomplishment as trial counsel in the groundbreaking Bitcoin divorce case, Marriage of DeSouza. Juliana also completed the 40-hour mediation and conflict resolution training with the Center for Understanding in Conflict.
Associate, Hanson Bridgett
Ruby represents employers and businesses in a broad range of litigation and transactional matters with a focus on employment law. She advises clients across diverse industries on issues ranging from wage and hour compliance to discrimination claims, workplace investigations, and operational best practices.
Ruby regularly conducts witness interviews and obtains key declarations in support of defense strategies in both individual and class action matters. She has experience managing cases from inception through appeal, including briefing before the Ninth Circuit. Her litigation work includes preparing dispositive motions, managing complex discovery, and preparing trial-stage evidentiary submissions.
Veronica Zavala
Associate Commercial Counsel, Google LLC
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.