Golden Gate University School of Law – Juris Doctorate

American Jurisprudence Awards in Antitrust and Criminal Law

University of Alabama – Masters in Education

Graduated Summa Cum Laude

Sonoma State University– B.A. Bilingual Education/Mexican American Studies

Graduated Cum Laude

Principal Training Center– Certificate in International School Leadership

2020 – present Family Fiduciary & Mediation Services

• Private Fiduciary in Living Trusts and Special Needs Trusts
• Mediator in family disputes
• Life Coaching in multiple areas, including relationships, divorce and employment

2021 – 2023 – Petaluma Education Foundation

• Managed stores with 60 volunteers and 15 employees
• Recruited and managed volunteers
• Fundraised for college scholarships

2020 – 2021 – Chapman Law Group, APC Associate Atty.

• Practiced Trust and Financial Elder Abuse Litigation , Commercial and Real Estate Litigation
• Participated in Mediations
• Drafted Contracts, leases and mediation agreements
• Drafted pleading and discovery documents
• Maintained client relationships

2004 – 2019 – Educator/School Administrator

• Taught middle and high school social studies in the Pan American School of Bahia (PASB), Salvador, Brazil (7 years)
• Coordinated the Community Service Program at PASB (8 years)
• High School Curriculum Coordinator (1 year)
• Taught Spanish at McDowell Elementary School (3 years)
• Coordinator of Center for Teaching Excellence at the American School Foundation in Mexico City, Mexico (2 years)

1994 – 2004 – Pelican Insurance Services, Exec VP

• Managed office with 24 employees to underwrite and issue lawyers’ professional liability insurance policies averaging $15 million in annual premiums; trained employees and supervised policy issuance
• Wrote employee handbook for company in compliance with California and Federal laws
• Represented insurance carriers to ensure program renewals with reinsurance companies in the U.S. and Europe
• Managed budget and collaborated with IT staff to streamline accounting practices and reporting company results

1992 – 1994 Law Offices of Maria L. Mandolini

• Commercial and business litigation

1986 – 1991 Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro

• Complex litigation practice and pro bono work in civil rights cases with the ACLU
• Member of law firm’s hiring and alternative dispute resolution committees