Alicia Valencia, Esq., Senior Counsel
Employer Defense Group
Born in Central America (El Salvador). Raised in the Bay
Area. Firsthand experience of the immigrant struggle
inspired study of law. Attended UCSB as an
undocumented student. Went on to USF law. Internship
in immigration and judicial externship in domestic
violence before graduating
and has since amassed
extensive experience in all aspects of Workers
Compensation litigation.
Alicia Valencia
THEN
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Alex’s parents escaped political persecution in China.
Their journey, as well as Alex’s own experience
growing up in Southern California and Hong Kong as a
transgender American, inspired him to fight for civil
rights. He studied his way to Harvard, Columbia, and
Oxford, clerked for judges in California, and now leads
a clinic at Harvard protecting LGBTQ+ rights.
Alexander Chan, Founding Director
Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic
Alexander Chan
Lisa J. Cisneros, Magistrate Judge
Northern District Federal Court San Francisco
Raised in Salinas. Grew up loving to read and play
sports. Attended Brown University and UC Berkeley
School of Law. Worked at California Rural Legal
Assistance Inc., leading its LGBTQ Program, a model for
similar programs nationwide. Appointed by Governor
Brown to the Fair Employment and Housing Council.
Joined the Civil Rights Enforcement Section in the
California Office of the Attorney General in Feb. 2019.
Appointed as federal magistrate judge in Nov. 2022.
Lisa Cisneros
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David Kelly, Chief Business Officer
Golden State Warriors
Born in Chicago. Attended Morehouse College and
the University of Illinois College of Law. Before
settling into a law career, was a rap musician and
founder of a record label and music producer,
releasing eight albums and touring internationally.
Established a successful practice in corporate
and sports law before joining the Warriors in 2012.
THEN
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As a lawyer, you can work for justice. You can create change and right the wrongs you see in
your community. You can help people who need a passionate and effective advocate.
Truth is, lawyers can work in just about any field. You can have a career in politics, business,
education, healthcare, environmental or criminal justice, sports, entertainment, or any
combination.
In government, lawyers write laws as legislators or their staff, apply and enforce them in
executive branch departments, and interpret them as judges. The possibilities are endless.
All sorts of people, from all walks of life, become lawyers. Undocumented immigrants. Rap
musicians. Creative people. Passionate people. Lots of people just like you. Becoming a lawyer
takes hard work and dedication, but it’s possible!
Think a law career is out of reach for you? IT IS NOT.
Worried about the cost? Don’t let that stop you.
Check around, there are lots of ways to become a lawyer, and many organizations offer financial
support and resources to help students with the grit to study the law.
Defend our rights to be treated fairly at work, to be free to assemble and protest peacefully, and
against unlawful search and seizure
Help people achieve U.S. citizenship
Negotiate deals with musicians, actors, and athletes
Protect our communities from pollution and keep them safe and strong
Write or change the laws by running for office or working with an officeholder, or decide what
the laws mean by becoming a judge or a research attorney
Develop new businesses and create new opportunities for yourself and your community
Help people stay in their homes and get public assistance when needed
Fight to make sure everyone gets equal rights and the wages, benefits, and protections they
deserve
And more!
Okay, so what do lawyers actually do?
Meet some of California's inspirational lawyers
Born and raised in California's Imperial Valley as the
daughter of Mexican immigrants. Now the 1st Latina
Chief Justice of California. Committed to promoting
diversity and inclusivity in the judiciary, as well as
technology that furthers access to justice for
Californians. Passionate about civic education and
increasing the provision of pro bono legal services to
underserved communities.
Patricia Guerrero
Chief Justice of California
Patricia Guerrero
Want to learn more? Yes! Check out the path to becoming a lawyer on the back.
David Kelly