Full Biography for Eris Wagner

Eris Wagner was born in Eureka in 1948. She is a fourth-generation resident of Humboldt County.

Her mother, Janice Peers Slack, grew up in Ferndale. Her father, Fred Slack, grew up in Eureka. Both attended Humboldt State College. Her parents raised five children in Eureka and continue to live there. All her brothers and sisters and their families live in Humboldt County.

She graduated from St. Bernard's High School in 1966, and received a Bachelor's and a Master's degrees from Humboldt State University. Prior to attending law school, she taught English at HSU.

In 1980, Eris enrolled at the University of California at Davis Law School. After graduation, she worked as an associate with the Eureka law firm of Corbett, Roberts and Hill practicing both civil and criminal law. In 1984, she opened her own general civil practice, specializing in real estate and family law. During the mid-1980s, she directed the Real Estate Program at College of the Redwoods and taught law classes. In 1985, Eris started the Paralegal Studies Program at CR.

During the past ten years, Eris has combined child advocacy with a busy family law practice. For many years, she appeared in court each day. In addition to her substantial practice in the trial court, Eris has practiced appellate law, and has served as a Judge Pro Tem and a judicial arbitrator. Since 1986, she has been appointed by the courts to represent over 1,500 children in legal proceedings.

In 1991, Eris founded a local chapter of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A.). She also founded the Center for Child Advocacy, a nonprofit agency which provides legal advocacy services for children. As a result of her work in child advocacy, she was selected by Mirabella Magazine in June 1994 as one of 1000 outstanding women across America.

Eris spends many hours each year attending workshops and conferences in order to maintain her expertise in the areas of family law including child development, sexual abuse, and issues relating to child abuse and neglect and divorce.

Eris has served on the Humboldt County Grand Jury, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Commission, the Child Welfare League of America Task Force, and numerous boards, committees, and commissions. She belongs to many community groups and generously supports many local organizations.

She is also an experienced business owner, and is the Chief Financial Officer for her husband's medical business, HOEM Medical Clinics.

Eris is married to Phillip Wagner, a local physician. They have a combined family of five adult children, ages 24-34. Eris enjoys gardening and artistic pursuits including photography, writing and bookmaking.