About ACBA
Board of Directors
Janice Cho
Law Office of Janice Cho
Janice Cho has been practicing law since 2004, with expertise in family law and immigration law. Ms. Cho received her Juris Doctorate degree from Northwestern University School of Law. After law school, Ms. Cho began her career working exclusively in the area of family law and immigration law. She has supervised family law and domestic violence legal clinics, provided technical assistance to non-profits and pro bono attorneys, provided trainings on family law and immigration law, and regularly volunteers in multiple capacities for the Alameda County Superior Court. Ms. Cho was selected as a 2021 Super Lawyer in Northern California. She is proficient in Spanish and conversational in Korean.
Mario Choi
Administrative Law Judge State of California
Mario Choi is an Administrative Law Judge with the State of California. He hears, mediates, and arbitrates administrative matters. He is a former litigation attorney and counselor with nearly 20 years of experience handling complex commercial, intellectual property, civil, partnership, consumer protection, securities, antitrust, and privacy matters. Outside the office, Mario is an active member of the community. He serves as a judge pro tem with the San Francisco Superior Court and teaches at U.C. Berkeley School of Law and U.C. Law San Francisco. Mario also serves – or has served – on the boards and committees of several non-profit and legal organizations. For his work, Mario was elected a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Dave Parnall
Parnall Trust & Estate Law, PC
David Parnall is the principal of Parnall Trust & Estate Law, PC. His practice emphasizes trust and estate litigation, administration, and mediation. Dave is a seasoned litigator who fights hard for his clients, having taken cases through trial and appeal. When possible, he aims to resolve his clients’ legal issues by working cooperatively with opponents, emphasizing alternative dispute resolution and the mitigation of interpersonal conflicts. Dave’s cases commonly relate to financial elder abuse, contested estate accountings, the validity of testamentary instruments, the removal of fiduciaries, and similar disputes relating to the transfer of assets between generations. A certified trust and estate law specialist, Dave was selected to the Northern California SuperLawyers list for 2022 through 2024. He spent several years with one of California’s preeminent trust and estate law firms, where he defended a trial victory through a successful, published appellate decision addressing an opposing attorney’s incivility. Dave earned his J.D. in 2006 from U.C. Davis, where he was an editor of the law review. Dave is also an accomplished musician and was one of the original music analysts for Pandora internet radio. He also serves a lifetime appointment as the lucky father of two wonderful children.
Mahal Montoya Billingsley
Montoya Billingsley Law
Mahal began her law practice in 2014, having spent the previous fourteen years as a law clerk, educator, and paralegal specialist for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mahal was born in Vallejo, and after a series of family tragedies enrolled herself in the tenth grade at Oakland Technical High School. She was legally emancipated as a minor the following spring. These childhood experiences inspired her to become an attorney and in her law practice, to work on family law issues. Mahal received a full academic scholarship to study law at the University of Iowa after earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from UC Berkeley.
Aimee Hamoy
California Department of Justice – Attorney General’s Office
Aimee Hamoy is a deputy attorney general with the California Department of Justice Attorney General’s office. Ms. Hamoy is assigned to the Police Practices Section of the Public Rights Division. Prior to joining Cal DOJ, she was a litigation partner with extensive trial experience in the defense of public entities in cases alleging violations of civil rights/excessive force, and the defense of national retailers in serious personal injury and premises liability matters. Ms. Hamoy started her legal career as a deputy district attorney and has represented public entity clients and large national retailers in all aspects of conflict resolution from pre-litigation negotiations through verdict and appeal.
Helen Hoeffel
Legal Assistance for Seniors
Helen Hoeffel has been practicing law since 1994, with a background in real estate title litigation, civil and criminal appeals, consumer law, and housing. She is currently a senior staff attorney at Legal Assistance for Seniors where she assists older adults with a wide variety of legal issues including fraudulent debt collection, illegal home solicitation contracts, and tenant rental deposit disputes. Her prior litigation experience includes quiet title and escrow matters, predatory lending, financial elder abuse, and wrongful foreclosure. Ms. Hoeffel handled criminal appeals for six years as a court-appointed appellate attorney representing indigent defendants, including juveniles which she found to be the most compelling appeals. She chairs the ACBA business section, is a past board member of the Women Lawyers of Alameda County and serves as a Pro Tem Judge in Alameda County Superior Court.
Maria Lampasona
Rankin, Shuey, Mintz, Lampasona & Harper
Maria Lampasona is a shareholder of Rankin, Shuey, Mintz, Lampasona & Harper, an Oakland civil litigation defense firm. Her practice includes the defense of general liability, access, and employment-related claims.
In general liability matters, Ms. Lampasona’s practice has included the representation of clients in the medical transport and hospitality industries, as well as various universities, public school districts, and public and private entities. Ms. Lampasona also is experienced in advising and defending clients, including owners and tenants of large facilities, stadiums, and ballparks, regarding general liability matters, access issues, and compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act.
In employment-related litigation, Ms. Lampasona has represented public entities and private companies, as well as public and private educational institutions, both in civil actions, and in administrative actions involving the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the California Civil Rights Department (formerly the California Department of Fair Employment & Housing).
Originally from Massachusetts, Ms. Lampasona graduated from the University of California at Davis, receiving a B.A. in American Studies and a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to receiving her degrees, Ms. Lampasona participated in the University of California Washington D.C. program, and interned at the White House in the office of Vice President Al Gore. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Christina Lum
Office of the City Attorney, City of Oakland
Christina Lum represents the City in a broad range of litigation matters, including constitutional claims, civil rights actions, breach of contract, employment discrimination, inverse condemnation, and a variety of torts. She handles all aspects of litigation from motions and discovery to trials and appeals.
Ms. Lum earned her law degree at U.C. Hastings, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies at U.C. Berkeley. She studied abroad at the University of Hong Kong as an undergraduate and at Bucerius Law School in Germany during law school. Prior to law school, Ms. Lum taught English in Japan through the JET Program and studied Mandarin in China.
Sonya Z. Mehta
Siegel, Yee, Brunner & Mehta
Sonya Z. Mehta is a trial attorney and partner with Siegel, Yee, Brunner & Mehta. She represents individual employees and labor unions as a dedicated advocate for workers’ and civil rights. She has won high value verdicts, including over $2.2 million in a public employee equal pay case, many favorable rulings, and significant settlements in whistleblower, discrimination, and other civil rights cases. She is General Counsel to Public Employees Union, Local #1. Ms. Mehta served two terms as President of Women Lawyers of Alameda County (WLAC) and was a two-time Co-Chair of the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA) Public Employees Committee.
She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and received her law degree from the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law. Before practicing law, Ms. Mehta was the Co-Executive Director and a Community Organizer at community and workers’ organization Young Workers United (YWU) in San Francisco. At YWU, she won the nation’s first paid sick leave law through a San Francisco ballot initiative.
Spojmie Nasiri
Law Office of Spojmie Nasiri, PC
Spojmie Nasiri the principal attorney at the Law Office of Spojmie Nasiri PC. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis in 1998 and her Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University, School of Law in 2003. Mrs. Nasiri is a member of the California State Bar and has been practicing immigration law for over 10 years.
In addition to her legal practice, Mrs. Nasiri is actively involved in various immigrant rights organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and has volunteered her expertise to provide services to the immigrant community. She is a frequent speaker at immigration law conferences and seminars and has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field.
Her dedication to her profession has been recognized by many organizations. In 2019, she was inducted into the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame for her unwavering commitment to immigration-related legal work in the community. In 2021, she was also awarded the Minority Bar Coalition Unity Award by the AILA Northern California Chapter. Additionally, in 2021, Mrs. Nasiri was recognized by Congressman Eric Swalwell in the Congressional Record for her pro bono service to the Afghan community. In 2022 and 2023, Mrs. Nasiri was awarded AILA President’s Commendations Award for her tremendous contribution to immigration law. Mrs. Nasiri is fluent in English, Pashto, and Dari.
Brian Ripley
Law Office of Brian A. Ripley, P.C.
Since 1983, Oakland-based business transactions attorney Brian Ripley has counseled and represented business owners, particularly licensed professionals, in a broad variety of legal issues and matters, including corporate compliance and governance, risk management, asset protection, buy-sell agreements, business policies and procedures, commercial leases, business contracts and agreements, succession planning and “exit” strategies, and many more.
Rob Schwartz
Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli
& Brewer
As a Partner at Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer, Rob Schwartz exclusively represents plaintiffs in employment, civil rights, and personal injury cases throughout California.
Mr. Schwartz received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Michigan. An idealist, he decided to attend law school to focus on social justice and environmental issues. Mr. Schwartz attended the University of Oregon School of Law, receiving certificates in public service law, pro bono, and environmental and natural resources law. He then served as staff attorney for a Bay Area environmental nonprofit organization.
After two years, Mr. Schwartz was ready for a change, wanting to work more directly with people to make a difference in their lives. He found a home at Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer, a firm with a long history of important civil rights and personal injury cases, litigated with compassion.
Mr. Schwartz specializes in employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation; whistleblower retaliation; civil rights; and personal injury cases. He has been selected to Super Lawyers since 2021.
Jo-Anna Nieves
Nieves Law Firm
Jo-Anna Nieves formed the Nieves Law Firm, APC in order to help those accused of crimes navigate the complex and challenging criminal justice system. Jo-Anna is the former Chair of the ACBA Barristers Section Executive Committee, former Chair of the ACBA Judicial Appointments Evaluation Committee, and Past President of the ACBA Board of Directors. She has been recognized by SuperLawyers, Law Firm 500, and Seminole 100 on a recurring basis and most recently her firm was named one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the nation by Inc. 5000. She attributes her Firm’s success to her genuine commitment to helping people thrive in difficult situations.
Stephanie Gonzalez
(Ex-Officio)
Donahue Fitzgerald LLP
Stephanie Gonzalez practices civil litigation at Donahue Fitzgerald, LLP. As a member of the Litigation practice group, Stephanie assists clients in all stages of litigation in various areas of law, including Employment, Trust and Estates, Real Estate, and Business and Corporate. Stephanie also serves as Board President to Peralta Hacienda Historical Park—a community and cultural hub located on a nationally historic site in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood which seeks to move its community towards greater equity, environmental resilience, and belonging through education, experience, and art. While attending law school, Stephanie was on the executive board for the Students for Immigrants’ Rights (SIR) organization at University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco. While on the board, she planned and executed SIR’s annual immigration detention center trip where law students travel to the US-Mexico border to provide free legal services to detainees. She also externed for the Honorable Justice Teri L. Jackson at the California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District. Stephanie is a former yoga instructor and although she no longer teaches, she enjoys practicing weekly.
Hadassah Hayashi
Alameda County Bar Association
Legal Access Alameda
Hadassah Hayashi has built a 20-year career at the ACBA serving in various capacities and positions, most recently as ACBA Deputy Director responsible for managing operations, finance, and technology. She has successfully managed various programs and departments including Membership, Education, & Events, the Lawyer Referral Service Program, and the Bay Area Legal Incubator. She has worked in both the Civil and Criminal Court Appointed Attorney’s Programs and partnered with Legal Access Alameda on various projects and fundraisers. During her tenure with the ACBA she has worked closely with the Board of Directors, Executive Committees, and collaborated with many local legal organizations and the courts on initiatives including the formation of the Racial Justice and Equity Task Force and the Civics Outreach Program.