Classnotes submitted by Melissa Borrelli on November 04, 2011
Paul Whitfield: After almost 5 years practicing in Fresno, I relocated to Santa Monica, and joined a boutique firm in Century City, Denenberg Tuffley, PLLC.
Ben Eggert: Amy and I are celebrating our 10 th anniversary next month. And on February 12, 2011 we welcomed Bryson Niels Eggert to our family. I’m working with Jim Deslaurier in the Family Protection Unit at the Placer County DA’s Office.
Lauri Damrell: I am still enjoying practicing in the Employment Group at the Sacramento Office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. I now have two wonderful children, Jack (4 yrs) and Lily (21 mos.). I am also currently working with classmate Melissa Borrelli and other Sacramento lawyer moms to organize the Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Sacramento (MAMAS), modeled after the original MAMASeattle.org. Our next few events are scheduled for September 29, October 16, and November 17. If you are interested in joining, please email me at ldamrell@orrick.com!
Makesha Patterson: Don McChesney '05 and I were married in November 2009 in San Francisco. We are both living and working in the Bay Area. Earlier this year, I left the law firm of Allen Matkins after nearly six years there and I now work as in-house litigation counsel at Google.
The big news for us is that we welcomed our son, Malcolm, into the world on August 8, 2011.
Michelle Duval: I’m living in San Francisco and practicing in Oakland with a firm that specializes in elder, probate, and fiduciary law. My practice primarily focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, conservatorships, and related litigation. I’ve also done some traveling to South Africa, England, and France, most recently spending several weeks in Tuscany, Italy on a “senior trip” with my daughter before she leaves the nest and moves down the peninsula to join the Stanford University class of 2015.
Megan Bluntzer: On Nov. 7. 2009, I got married on the beach in Cabo San Lucas. Christine Vogelei (’05) and Lina Balciunas Cockrell (’05) were my bridesmaids, and Shaye Harrington (’05) also attended. In Sept. 2011, I left Jackson Walker LLP and began work as in-house litigation counsel at Valero Energy Corporation, headquartered in San Antonio, TX. I live in San Antonio with my husband, Shay, and our two Boston Terriers, Boerne and Lacy.
Jeb Burton: I think we got my son, Jackson David Burton born on June 16, 2007 [in the last update]. However, my daughter, Jelena Marie Burton was born on April 14th. Weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces.
Firm is doing well, we just acquired a Roseville solo (David Kelley) and a Roseville office.
Cherita Laney: Greetings Class! After years of talking about moving to Atlanta, I finally turned my dreams into reality in the summer of 2010. I've been a Georgia Peach for about a year now. It was a little scary at first because I quit my job in California, sold everything in my apartment, and stepped out on faith. Some people thought I was crazy for relocating across country without a job in this economy and knowing very few people. I was even told that I was living on the edge, but sometimes that’s the best view in life. Fortunately things have worked out. I've made new friends, survived the winter (having been snowed in for four days!), and a tornado or two. I was also blessed with a great in-house counsel position a few months after my move. All in all, the South has been good thus far. For those of you wondering, no, I'm not married, but maybe that will be in the next class update....lol....If anyone is the Atlanta area let me. Take Care.
Eric Davis: I recently started work as the Regional Legal Advisor for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) at the American Embassy in Jakarta. I serve as the legal counsel for USAID’s missions in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. My wife Emilie and our daughter Elena plan on being in Jakarta for the next four years.
I hope you’re doing well!
Agnes Juang: I continue to practice IP law at Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear in Irvine, and just made partner in January 2011. My husband, Nick, and I enjoy spending time with our two kids, our daughter Alexis is now 2.5 years old, and our son Ivan was born in May 2011. It's fun to see the kids grow. Our dog Zodie is now 4 years old, but is still full of energy. The kids and the dog are definitely keeping us very busy.
Bruce Chang: I’d like to mention that my wife, Fatima, and I had a son, Matthew Lorenzo Chang, in June of 2010. He was baptized this summer and two of his Ninongs (godfathers) are Juan Cervantes and Faustino Abad.
Melissa Borrelli: I have almost completed my LL.M. in Health Law, just needing to complete my thesis this semester on patient safety issues. I am working as Licensing Counsel with the Department of Managed Health Care. My husband is really enjoying working as a high school teacher to at-risk youth, my son is in third grade (can you believe it?), and my daughter is 3 and a half. They are a handdorabful (handful/adorable). Looking forward to a great year and to catching up with many friends!
Class Notes February 2010
Corinne Gartner: I am working in the Corporate, Security, and Tax practice group at Downey Brand in Sacramento, where the focus of my practice is working with nonprofit and tax exempt organizations. My biggest news in the past year, though, was the birth of my son (our first), Graham Thomas Gartner, born on October 14, 2008.
Megan Quinn: In the summer of 2008, I got engaged, moved to San Antonio, TX and we bought our first house. I'm practicing environmental litigation at Jackson Walker LLP. I recently found out that I passed the Feb. 2009 Texas Bar Exam! My fiancé and I are getting married in Cabo San Lucas in November.
Ben Eggert: I'm at the Placer County DA's Office in the DUI unit. Just finished my 30 th jury trial last week.
Anna Gehriger: I am living in San Francisco and working at the Callahan firm. I've recently become a LEED Accredited Professional. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The LEED rating system which is administered by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) was developed to encourage green building practices. To become a LEED AP, one must demonstrate a thorough understanding of green building techniques, the LEED Green Building Rating System, and the certification process.
Lauri Damrell: I am still enjoying practicing in the Employment Group at the Sacramento Office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. Jack, our 21 month old, is keeping me entertained, and I am looking forward to the birth of my second child at the end of December 2009.
Eve Brown: For class notes, I am happy to report that my husband, Nathaniel and I are expecting our second baby in January. This baby will join big brother, Trevor, who is 3 years old. We live in Bloomington, Indiana now, where I am a professor of Business Law at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. My husband is also an IU professor, in the School of Education. Faculty life is incredible - I couldn't ask for a better job, or a better place to raise a family than Bloomington. If anyone is ever in the Midwest area, I'd love for them to stop by!
Neelam Naidu: I am currently at Meyers Nave, a public law firm in Oakland, practicing labor & employment law. My husband accepted a pediatric pulmonology fellowship at Seattle Children's Hospital, and we are nervous and excited about moving to Seattle in June 2010!
Red Gobuty: 1) I'm getting married 8/30/09 2) I was recently put in charge of the FTB's voluntary disclosure program.
Elle Byram: Well, I've decided to continue my masochistic desire to take bar exams. I moved to New York last January and am doing contract work for Bloomberg LP while I'm looking for my next career move. I passed the February New York bar exam and am awaiting my admissions to the New York bar (hopefully in September - they interview you out here if you can believe that!). I spent a couple of years in Chicago at a litigation boutique focused primarily on insurance defense and some commercial litigation, but decided in January to move on from that area of law and from Chicago - granted, I picked an economically lousy time. Other than my work life, I am also currently campaigning for a former judge (Judge Snyder) who is running for Manhattan district attorney (she's in the lead, so there's a good chance she'll succeed). I'm hoping that this may lead into a position in her office. Otherwise, I'm looking to segue my career into white collar crime or securities litigation, but, as with many in the current economy, I'm riding the tide waiting for the economy to pick up while I network and build up my New York contacts. If anyone's in New York now, definitely get in touch.
Agnes Juang: I continue to practice IP law at Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear in Irvine. The big news for me this year is the birth of my daughter Alexis Prokopuk. She was born on 3/3/09 and is now 4 months old. My puppy Zodie is now 20 months old and he adores his little sister Alexis.
Graham Brownstein: I've continued plugging away this last year as Executive Director of the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS). Any of you folks who are still around these parts, you should be ECOS members -- so get in touch with me to sign up. Check out our website at
www.ecosacramento.net for more info. As you've probably noticed, times are a bit tough. ECOS is struggling -- and I'm struggling to raise enough money to keep us afloat (and to keep covering my salary). But we're continuing our aggressive efforts to protect the environment of the Sacramento region -- and we're gearing up to sustain an effort for the next few years on the importance of local planning efforts to successful implementation of CA's new climate change laws.
In other news, my wife Dana and I got an awesome dog about a year ago -- her name's Toshy. She's a wonderfully goofy labradoodle. We're still living in midtown -- though we're moving from 25th to 28th Street. And I'm taking the damn bar exam for the 3rd time this summer. Hopefully the third time's a charm! I've attached a cute photo of our dog.
I'll look forward to running into some of you walking and biking around midtown Sac. Be well.
Melissa Borrelli: Melissa is enjoying her two children, Matthew and Sophia and husband Scott. She has taken a new position with the Department of Managed Health Care and is earning her LLM in Health Law.
Judah D. Antonin
I finally passed a bar exam! With no shame in my game, I passed the New York Bar on the first time! I look forward to practicing some sort of litigation in Manhattan and perhaps settling down and raising a family. Who'ud thunk THAT?
Vicky Choy
My two-year clerkship with the New York State Court of Appeals, in Albany, New York, concluded in August 2007. In September 2007, I began another two-year clerkship, this time in New York City. I am currently a law clerk to Chief Judge Jane A. Restani at the United States Court of International Trade. In addition to working on international trade cases, I also get to work on federal appellate cases from various Circuit Courts, as Judge Restani often sits on Circuit Courts by designation. I am loving my job and life in New York City!
Michelle Duval lives in San Francisco, in that neighborhood between neighborhoods, alternatively called "NOPA" and/or "Alamo Square," and/or the "Western Addition." She is a litigation associate at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy.
Agnes Juang
Well, I am still in the same firm where I started right after leaving King Hall - Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear, and still practicing IP law. My husband and I decided to settle down in Orange County, and we bought a house in Aliso Viejo, about 10 miles south of Irvine. We are enjoying what Southern California has to offer, and have been doing some outdoor stuff, like kayaking, biking and hiking.
We also have been doing some traveling. The highlight was the trip to the Galapagos Islands last year. We observed unique animal behaviors that were not influenced by humans, while we hiked the volcano, kayaked in the sea, and camped by the ocean. We also went to the Big Island Hawaii, where we enjoyed the beautiful beaches, fabulous snorkeling, and amazing volcano hikes. After no skiing for 2 seasons, we finally brushed the dusts off our skies and snowboard and went for a 3 day Salt Lake City skiing trip. It was our first time skiing Utah, and the snow there was fluffy and light.
In January, we adopted a 13 weeks old puppy - a labracollie shepherd (see attached photo). At least that's what we think he is; a mix of Labrador, collie and German shepherd dog. His mom was rescued when she was pregnant and gave birth to 7 cutest puppies. He is now 6 weeks old and is a lot of fun, and of course, a lot of work too. I have been going home to entertain him during lunch hours everyday. That usually takes about 1.5 hours, and it really eats into my billable time. But I think it's all worth it.
Graham Brownstein
I'm working as Executive Director for the Environmental Council of Sacramento. Married (to the amazing, incredible and stunning Dana Gray). Still haven't passed the damn bar (only tried the once so far -- been too busy working the last few years to try again -- but will be diving back in to try one more time ASAP). Hoping to set up an externship arrangement for ECOS (my org) w/ King Hall -- maybe we can get it going this coming fall semester.
Jennifer (Krause) Fisher
I am back in Pennsylvania, and got married last summer, so I am now Jen Krause Fisher. We are enjoying our new house and love spoiling our Boston Terrier. I left my personal injury job after about a year and a half, and have been at legal aid in Erie, PA, for the last year and a half. I practice mostly employment law and family law, and am really enjoying it. I have also been teaching a business law class at my alma mater, Mercyhurst College, which has been fun.
Claire Eustace
I've been working as a Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst for the California Public Utilities Commission, Division of Ratepayer Advocates in San Francisco since February. I worked as an estate planning and probate lawyer for 2 years before switching careers.
On a personal note, I'm getting married on June 15, 2008 to Amit Shoham, an electrical engineer and musician.
Justyna Walukiewicz
I am still working at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in SF, where I have been since graduation. The big news for the past year was that I got married to John Lee (also King Hall class of '05) in October. He is working at Carroll, Burdick & McDonough in SF.
John Lee
Justyna Walukiewicz '05 and I were married in Oct. of 2007. We are both living and working in San Francisco, she works at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and I work at Carroll Burdick & McDonough.
Alberta Lee
Hello everyone - hope you are all doing well, I spent the last few years traveling and trying to figure out what to do next - will let you know what that is, next time through. Best wishes, Alberta Lee.
Andrew Whang
After having spent two years with the City Attorney's Office in Bakersfield, CA, I left that office. I'm now preparing to start work with the California Parole Advocacy Program in Kern County, CA.
Wendy Tauriainen
I've continued to enjoy my estate planning and business practice at Hanson Bridgett while trying to keep up with Evan - 5, Neil - 4, and Reed - 18 mos.
Elle Byram
I'm currently working at Williams as a defense attorney at a boutique firm in Chicago. I guess my biggest accomplishment in the past year was surviving one of the worst winters I've ever lived through.
Ranene Royer
I am still working at the private high school and I LOVE it. I could not ask for a better place to work or better people to work with. I do personal counseling (having three daughters helped prepare me for working at an all-girl's high school) and I do college counseling. It is a college prep high school, so my experience work in admissions at UCD is very helpful.
My oldest daughter is a junior, and we are beginning the college-search for her. It is very interesting! She is interested in the Oregon and Seattle area, so we are going to go look at colleges there this summer.
Leslie (Platz) Gray
I am still working as a grant writer for a social services non-profit organization in San Diego. I am currently 4+ months pregnant with our first (and probably only) baby and am due in mid-September :) Thankfully, no family or close friends were affected by the wildfires last October although my mom’s family did get evacuated for 2 days
L. “Red” Gobuty
I don't have much exciting to report, other then that I got engaged in New Zealand a few weeks prior. I am a tax counsel for the Franchise Tax Board and am chair of the State Bar of California's, Taxation Section, Young Tax Lawyer's Committee, in the Sacramento Area.
Ray Wood
I am currently a public defender for Riverside County in Indio (but ready to come back home to the Bay Area when I find someone hiring!! I'm ready to wave goodbye to SoCal).
Lauri (Kauffman) Damrell
The big news for me is that I too had a little one this year - Jack Damrell. Born 9/9.2007. 8 lbs. 9 oz., 21 inches.
Kristy Kunisaki
I continue to practice law in the San Francisco office of Foley & Lardner LLP as an associate in the labor and employment practice group. As for personal achievements, I finished my first marathon this past year.
Jennifer LaGrange
This past year I've been living in Seattle, Washington, and clerking for the Honorable Robert R. Beezer on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. It's been great to live in a new place, and I've met some interesting and talented people.
Ben Eggert
I’m at the Placer County DA’s office prosecuting DUI’s.
Matthew Bullock
I did a clerkship in Wyoming, but have been in Sac for about a year and a half working for the State Water Board.
Charone Frankel
This past year, I got admitted to the New Jersey Bar and started working as an associate at Montgomery, Chapin & Fetten, P.C. in Bridgewater, NJ. I also took up gardening and am trying to grow flowers and vegetables during the times of year when the ground isn’t frozen.
Melissa Borrelli
I moved back to Sacramento to join Hanson Bridgett where I practice estate planning, business, and tax. I had my second child, Sophia Anne, in February.
