LEGAL CAREER HISTORY
CANDELARIA PC, 2014 to present
Founder of Candelaria PC (formerly known as Law Offices of Vanessa Candelaria, P.C.), a full-service family law and estates and trusts firm.
FOX & BANK LLP, 2012 to 2014 Walnut Creek, CA
Associate Attorney of Fox & Bank LLP specializing in all aspects of family law, including divorce, domestic partnership dissolution, pre- and post-marital agreements, child custody, child support and spousal support, and property issues.
VIOLA LAW FIRM, P.C., 2011-2012 San Mateo, CA
Associate Attorney in a firm with a focus on family law and civil litigation. Experience included drafting motions and agreements, preparing for and appearing at hearings, legal research and analysis of complex family law issues and assisting with discovery matters.
DI MARIA & CONE, 2009-2011 Palo Alto, CA
Associate Attorney for a sole proprietor who practiced exclusively family law. Experience included second chairing an international move-away trial, drafting motions, letters and agreements and conducting legal research and analysis for family law issues.
WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS CLINIC Golden Gate University School of Law, Spring 2009 San Francisco, CA
Graduate Law Fellow for a legal clinic that represented low-income clients with employment-related problems, including unpaid wages, discrimination and harassment, pregnancy disability, family and medical leave and unemployment benefits. Experience included drafting letters and research memoranda, conducting legal research regarding relevant employment laws, performing intakes and evaluating individual cases for staff attorneys.
SAN FRANCISCO SUPERIOR COURT, Spring 2008 San Francisco, CA
Judicial Extern for Commissioner Marjorie Slabach (ret.) of the Unified Family Court. Experience included reviewing individual case files and drafting bench memos, preparing court orders for self-represented litigants, and assisting Commissioner Slabach and the court clerk during the readiness calendar, law and motion calendar and domestic violence hearings.
TENDERLOIN HOUSING CLINIC, Summer 2006 San Francisco, CA
Intern for a legal clinic that represented low-income clients in unlawful eviction actions. Experience included conducting intakes and subsequent counseling sessions, researching legal issues and drafting demand letters and legal memoranda, and assisting counsel with pre-trial litigation matters, such as depositions.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
California State Bar Association Member, Family Law Section
Contra Costa County Bar Association Member, Family Law Section
Alameda County Bar Association Member, Family Law Section
Filipino Bar Association of Northern California President (2015-2016); Internal Vice President/President-Elect (2014-2015); External Vice President (2013-2014); Secretary (2012); Co-Historian (2009-2011)
National Filipino American Lawyers Association Vice-President for Membership (2024)
American Bar Association District Representative (2014-2016)
EDUCATION
Licensed to Practice Law, California, 2008
Juris Doctor, Golden Gate University School of Law, 2008
*Honors and Activities: Dean’s List Merit Scholarship Linda Caputo Endowed Law Scholarship Street Law, Student Instructor Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, Member 2005; Board Member 2006-2008 Latino/a Law Student Association, Member 2005; Board Member 2006- 2008 Asian American Bar Association, Student Council Representative, 2006- 2008
University of California – Irvine, 2003 Bachelor of Arts, English Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Social Behavior Minor, Political Science
*Honors and Activities: Dean’s List Law Forum Certificate from the School of Social Sciences Pre-Law Society, Member