Candidate for
Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 144

I grew up in humble circumstances in Miami, Florida. Both of my parents struggled to overcome the difficulties that immigrants share. My father worked much of his life as a union employee for the City of Miami, until he retired. My mother worked in factories until she was able to save enough money to start a small beauty shop. I moved to Los Angeles 17 years ago.

I am proud to be a Hispanic-American Woman and just as proud to be married into my husband's Jewish traditions. Both cultures and women have suffered oppression, and I strongly identify with all people that have been disadvantaged and denied access to power and benefits.

I have put my energy, passion and resources to bridge the gap of those who have struggled for equality. As brief examples, I provide pro bono work to abused women for the non-profit group Sojourn. I started girls' soccer against cultural norms in a soccer crazed South American nation. From humble beginnings in the only place that would permit girls to play, orphanages, I integrated my orphans with other school girls, trained 125 girls in six cities, hosted a national tournament and brought the very best to my home in the United States to compete against the best in the United States (with the help of Mexicana Airlines). Each of my girls was awarded a proclamation from the City Council of Los Angeles.

I have been a trial lawyer for those in federal and state courts in many parts of our nation. I have been involved in simple and very complex civil and criminal cases. I have been a litigator for many years, however, I believe that most cases should be settled and I try to do so in every case I have been involved in. Ten years ago, I made a commitment to families in trouble. I became a family lawyer. Most will agree that this is a very challenging area of the law-one that takes patience, compassion and expertise. Part of my commitment stems from the joy and stability of my family. My husband, Richard, has been my partner for my entire career. My older daughter, Cassie, is a fully granted student at Columbia University in New York. My younger daughter, Diana, is attending Emerson College in Boston by grace of an acting grant.

I am a board member of the Women Lawyer's Association of Los Angeles, and co-chair of the Family Law Section. I am also a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Mexican American Bar Association, and the Surfing Lawyer's Association. I am legal advisor to the Colombian Consulate in Los Angeles. I am licensed to practice law in both California and Florida.

Through my career I have also believed in the importance of education and community service. In addition to the soccer project I previously mentioned, I have been volunteering for the last several years as a trainer and counselor at a domestic violence legal clinic sponsored by Sojourn and the Women Lawyer's Association of Los Angeles. This volunteer work has been very rewarding for me and I have on many occasions also provided advice to these ladies by phone, particularly where the other volunteers feel that the ladies need more family law advice. I have provided small seminars for the volunteers of this program.

As legal adviser to the Colombian Consulate, most of my work involves providing free legal advice to any Colombian national who approaches the Consulate for legal advice on any issue. I do not represent these individuals who request legal advice. Although this work pays substantially less than the fees I receive in my private practice, I continue to work for the Consulate because I am helping the community. I have provided advice on issues of family law, labor law, international child kidnapping law, contract law, federal and state criminal law, immigration law, and other areas of law. My work also involves working with many City, State and Government agencies.

I have lectured on many occasions to the community, including schools and rotary clubs, and legal groups on family law issues.

I have been a soccer coach on regular and All Star teams for AYSO in my community and team manager. I also coached a team when my daughter was not playing soccer because I enjoyed the positive effect that the sport did for the girls' self esteem and confidence .

I have been a relentless volunteer for the various schools attended by my daughters. I was on the PTA (board member), fundraising committees, events committees and a volunteer for many school events.

I had often thought about being a judge because of my love of the law and my belief that a judge should be professional, courteous, strong, dedicated, knowledgeable and fair. I also believe that serving as a judge is another way to serve my community. I did not run sooner because of my obligations to my children (who were home and are now in college) and because of my other legal and community obligations. I am now ready for this very intellectually stimulating and community oriented opportunity.

If the voters provide me with the privilege to serve, I will be a fair, patient, dynamic, and scholarly judge, striving to serve the community and make Los Angeles proud of me.