As May blooms in full glory, we're thrilled to catch you up on the latest buzz and updates for this month!

Welcome to the May edition of HK Today! As we honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and celebrate the arrival of our new law clerks and new hires, our firm continues to blossom with growth, diversity, and enriching connections. We are over-the-moon to present our exceptional new team members and highlight their unique backgrounds, talents and skills they bring into the firm. Come along as we unveil the freshest developments at Hoover Krepelka, LLP.

We are pleased to announce that Christine Pham, our Senior Associate Attorney, now ascends to Senior Counsel at Hoover Krepelka, LLP!

“Chris is a settlement-oriented family law attorney who also excels at court room advocacy. She is a “go-to” for our law clerks to partners alike. I’m very pleased she accepts this new leadership role, which I have no doubt will lead to an offer of the role and title partner in the future.” ~ James Hoover

We are excited to announce the promotion of our dedicated team member, Phaedra Lopez, to the role of Paralegal at Hoover Krepelka! Please join us in celebrating her remarkable achievement and educational endeavors.

Phaedra's journey is truly inspiring. While raising school-age children involved in sports and working full-time, she pursued her education with unfailing dedication. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from California State University-Dominguez Hills, along with multiple Associate degrees.

We are ecstatic to welcome Azadeh S. Mohajer, our new associate attorney, to the team. She brings extensive experience and an outstanding academic background to our firm. During her time at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, she excelled in moot court and was awarded the prestigious CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Writing II. Her dedication to excellence is further highlighted by her consistent achievement of the Dean's Honor Roll, most recently in May 2022. Additionally, she graduated cum laude, showcasing her commitment to academic and professional excellence.

Azadeh’s impressive legal experience includes her roles as a Post-Bar Law Clerk at the County of Monterey's District Attorney’s Office, and as an intern at the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, where she served as a Certified Legal Intern in both Collaborative Justice and Economic Crimes divisions. Her experience also extends to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, where she worked part-time as a Law Clerk in the Major Crimes division. This collective experience has provided her with invaluable insights, particularly in the field of family law and the intricate dynamics between couples.

Outside of her professional achievements, Azadeh leads an active and well-rounded lifestyle. She enjoys reading and swimming, and she shares her life with a lively 4-year-old Border Collie who keeps her busy with walks, hikes, and trips to the beach. She is also an avid sports fan, cheering on the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants, and Golden State Warriors whenever she can.

We're thrilled to introduce our new paralegal, Emily Hill. 

With a distinguished background, Emily's experience as a member of SFPA, the San Francisco Paralegal Association, and her WestLaw certification from UCLA Extension's Paralegal Studies Program showcase her commitment to excellence in the legal field. Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in International studies from the University of San Francisco, with a focus on Societies, Cultures, and Values. Her undergraduate concentration in Comparative Cultural Communication, coupled with a minor in Latin American Studies, underscores her commitment to understanding diverse perspectives, an invaluable skill in navigating complexities of cases involving clients from various cultural backgrounds. 

Join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest law clerk, Gil Ellis Torres!

Now at Santa Clara University School of Law, coupled with a stellar academic credential, graduating cum laude with a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Gil brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to our team. His Service Award during graduation underscores his exceptional commitment and leadership qualities.

Furthermore, Gil served as an Operations Officer for the UP Career Assistance Program, where he played a crucial role in facilitating career development initiatives for students. His leadership and organizational skills were instrumental in the program's success.

Join us in welcoming Catherine Kinkel to HK, our new law clerk.

Catherine's background and experiences bring a wealth of benefits to our firm. Now at University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) paired with her magna cum laude graduation from University of Arizona indicates a strong academic foundation and a commitment to excellence, qualities that are essential in the legal profession, especially in family law where thoroughness is paramount.

Catherine's involvement in various legal organizations, such as the Women’s Law Society, Family Law Student Association, and Health Law and Policy, demonstrates her passion for advocacy and her interest in areas relevant to family law. Her experience interning at an estate planning firm and her upcoming involvement in the Lawyering for Children's Clinic and externship at Legal Services for Children highlight her dedication to serving vulnerable populations, a crucial aspect of family law practice.

We're thrilled to introduce Kavan Sabahi, our newest law clerk.

With over six years of experience as an Environmental Health Specialist with the County of San Diego, Kavan brings a wealth of expertise in navigating complex regulations—a skillset that seamlessly translates to the meticulous nature of family law. His roles involved conducting technical analyses and providing professional input for consistent code interpretations, highlighting his dynamic approach to compliance—an essential trait for ensuring the best outcomes for our clients.

Moreover, Kavan's recent tenure as a Legal Extern at VTA in Santa Clara showcased his proficiency in assisting senior attorneys on various cases and drafting memorandums on intricate policy issues. These experiences have honed his ability to analyze legal matters from multiple perspectives—a valuable asset in family law cases where empathy, attention to detail, and strategic thinking are paramount.

Join us in welcoming Sophia Sottile, our new law clerk, to our team!

A proud member of the Women and Law and the Family Law Society at Santa Clara University School of Law, she's shown a commitment to both her profession and her community.

With her background as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Gregory Alarcon at the Los Angeles Superior Court in the Civil Division, Sophia has already established herself as a dedicated legal professional. Her multifaceted background further enhances her capabilities, including her experience as a Legal Intern at the Van Nuys City Attorney's Office, where she gained valuable insights into Criminal Law and Information Technology. This early exposure has undoubtedly shaped her approach to the legal profession, fostering a well-rounded perspective that will serve her well in navigating the complexities of family law.

We are delighted to welcome Lauren Swenson-Lennox as our new summer intern. Lauren is a rising senior at Loyola Marymount University majoring in sociology with double minors in dance and psychology. Originally from the Bay Area, she plans to apply to law school in fall 2025.

Lauren has an impressive background, including achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts in 2020. She brings strong communication skills, a passion for learning, and a love for problem-solving to our team. Her previous roles as a Public Relations Intern at FYI Brand Group, Counselor for children with special needs at EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS NETWORK, and Project Intern at the Alameda County District Attorney's Office’s have equipped her with valuable skills in media monitoring, event planning, caregiving, and team collaboration. These experiences will undoubtedly enhance our firm's dynamic environment.

A special shoutout goes out to our esteemed colleagues and guests for joining us, standing together in camaraderie to champion meaningful causes. It was great to see our friends and neighbors across the race course including Michael Mulcahy, Kimberly Mulcahy, Orion English, Matt Byom, and Chelsea Byom. Cheers to Tamara Pow, Business & Real Estate Lawyer for ranking an outstanding 4th place in her division!

Anthony Hsu

On Saturday evening, the 11th of May, our staff members and esteemed guests took part in experiencing an enchanting production. Symphony San Jose's recent performance of Puccini's masterpieces was a spellbinding journey through the composer's rich repertoire. Led by Conductor Carlos Vieu, the orchestra delivered a mesmerizing rendition of classics like "Nessun Dorma" and "O Mio Babbino Caro," captivating the audience with their exceptional skill and emotional depth. The seamless synergy between the orchestra, soloists, and chorus elevated the production to new heights, leaving a lasting impression on all in attendance.

The event not only celebrated Puccini's enduring legacy but also showcased Symphony San Jose's commitment to excellence in bringing world-class performances to the community. From impeccable staging to flawless coordination, every aspect of the production reflected the orchestra's dedication to delivering unforgettable musical experiences. HK is honored to be funding the arts and as we reflect on this remarkable evening, we extend our gratitude to Symphony San Jose's Robert Massey, Sophie Fenoll, and Beck Engwerda (Muir) and all involved in participating in this extraordinary performance possible. We will be eagerly anticipating future concerts that continue to inspire and unite audiences through the power of music.

The Santa Clara County Bar Association’s Meet the Family Law Judges Social is a cherished annual tradition that brings together the Santa Clara County family law community for an evening of reconnection and camaraderie. This year, the event was held at Teskes Germania Restaurant.

Pictured from our firm left to right are Caycie Favier, Bob Hoover, James Hoover, Karina Pozsar, Esq., Monica Nemec, JD, MPP, and Vivian Tran. In attendance and non-pictured are Christine Pham, Joy Diaz, and Patricia Zerbini.

Thank you to Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley for a splendid evening savoring Californian sips and tastings at Joseph George Wines, our favorite charming family-owned wine collector and store.

Michelle Hoover, our Director of Community Relations and Vivian Tran, our Community Outreach Specialist, shared a sense of inspiration and empowerment to continue support of children and their access to shelter, resources and education amidst Steve Wymer’s speech.

Attending the wine tasting event organized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley was a wonderful, intimate experience; it served as a heartfelt thank-you to this year's Youth of the Year gala sponsors while sparking excitement for next year's. We hope to see you there.

We will be a Drive Leader for Family Giving Tree's backpack drive, sponsoring and coordinating donations to provide essential school supplies to students in need, ensuring they have what they need to succeed.

Our Virtual Giving Tree (https://lnkd.in/gZrZP2Ym) is now live until September 5th, 2024, offering a convenient way for our community to participate in the drive.

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