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Judge Lee was born in Cleveland, Ohio but raised in New York City since the age of three.  She attended public schools in New York from kindergarten through college. She graduated from New York's H.S. of Music & Art in 1966, received a B.A. in political science from Brooklyn College in 1971, and obtained a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law in 1974. 

After graduating law school, Judge Lee worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the Bronx County District Attorney's Office in New York for approximately three years. She then moved to San Francisco to work on an 18-month special project for the National Center for State Courts where she visited various State and Federal courts around the country studying trial delay. Thereafter she became a member of the California bar and joined the United States Attorney's Office in San Francisco as an Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting criminal cases.  Judge Lee left the U.S. Attorney's Office in 1980 to stay at home with her first child for one year.  She re-entered the workplace in 1981 and spent the next 20 years in private practice with various law firms in the Bay Area as a trial lawyer handling civil cases and finally as a Special Master and Discovery Referee in the years immediately preceding her elevation to the bench.

In 2002 then Governor Gray Davis appointed Judge Lee to the Alameda County Superior Court where she currently sits.  She was the first Asian-American female judge to be appointed to this court. Judge Lee has worked in both the criminal and civil departments at the court.

Judge Lee has been on a judicial sabbatical since the beginning of 2023 during which she spent three months as a Visiting Fellow with the Commercial Law Center, Harris Manchester College, Oxford University.  She is in the process of completing the comparative study of U.K. and U.S. asbestos litigation. That study was triggered, in part, on her experience presiding over the asbestos docket at the Alameda County Superior Court for several years prior to taking her sabbatical.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

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Alameda County District Attorney | Oakland, CA 

Deputy District Attorney – Public Accountability Unit                                                                                                                  02/2023 – Present

 Work to restore public trust by holding law enforcement and public officials accountable for misconduct.

 Fair and Just Prosecution

Research and Policy Fellow                                                                                                                                                                          07/2022 – 02/2023

Office of the San Francisco District Attorney | San Francisco, CA 

Assistant District Attorney                                                                                                                                                                            03/2020 –07/2022

Serve on 12-member team of DAs in General Felonies Unit, reporting to DA Chesa Boudin. As a progressive prosecutor, conduct preliminary hearings in the Superior Court of San Francisco, including long-cause hearings. 

 Office of the Alameda County Public Defender | Dublin, CA 

Deputy Public Defender                                                                                                                                                                                04/2015 – 03/2020

Advocated for indigent defendants in criminal cases. Interfaced and negotiated with opposing counsel, researched and wrote motions and memoranda on legal issues.

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

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EDUCATION 

Ruben Sundeen 

University of California, Berkeley, School of Law 

Juris Doctor, May 1996
California Law Review, Member 1994-1996
 Boalt Hall Students Association, President 1995-1996 

University of California, Davis, University Extension 

Hazardous Substances Program Certificate, Site Assessment and Remediation, May 1993 

University of California, Berkeley 

B.A. Philosophy, May 1988 

EXPERIENCE 

Judge,  Superior Court of California, County of Alameda. Jan. 2019 to present.

Commissioner,  Court commissioner (sworn on January 18, 2019) assigned to the probate department (201), conducting procedural and evidentiary hearings, and trials of all matters falling under the California Probate Code, including probate, trust, guardianship and conservatorship matters. 

Partner, Sundeen & Salinas, Oakland, CA. 1998 to 2004, and 2017 to 2018.
 Principal and managing attorney with general civil practice emphasizing trust and estate litigation as well as real estate and commercial transactions and litigation. Other areas of the firm’s practice include Federal Title VII, State Fair Employment and Housing Act, and landlord-tenant litigation. 

Partner, Sundeen Salinas & Pyle, Oakland, CA. 2004 to 2017.
 Principal and managing attorney with general civil practice emphasizing trust and estate litigation as well as real estate and commercial transactions and litigation. Other areas of the firm’s practice include Federal Title VII, State Fair Employment and Housing Act, consumer class actions, personal injury, criminal defense, and landlord-tenant litigation. 

ACTIVITIES 

Rotary International
 Rotary Club of Oakland Uptown 

Member 1996 to present
 President 1999-2000 & 2011-2012 

Rotary International District 5170 

Area One Governor, 2018-2020 

East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association 

Member, 1997 to present President 2004, 2007 & 2008 

Alameda County Bar Association 

Board Member, 2010-2016
 Chair of Litigation Subsection of Trusts & Estates Section,, 2009-2010 

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

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lovethylawyer.com

I went to Maui.  This is what I saw, what I did, why I went, and what I think.

I hope you'll take a listen.

Louis

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 
 

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

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Emilie Raguso founded and runs the Berkeley Scanner.

The Berkeley Scanner is an independent daily news outlet devoted to crime and public safety reporting in Berkeley, California.

Berkeley police activity on your block? Smoke in the air? Helicopter overhead? We'll find out what's happening. Earthquakes? Power outages? We'll give you all the latest updates on breaking news and other critical coverage.

We'll also follow serious cases through the criminal justice system and report on ongoing efforts to reshape Berkeley's approach to policing and fire safety in the years ahead.

Veteran reporter and editor Emilie Raguso launched The Berkeley Scanner in September 2022 to provide more robust daily crime and public safety coverage to Berkeley and the Bay Area.

Raguso has been a reporter for nearly 20 years. She's spent the past 10 of those years becoming the most authoritative source on Berkeley policing and crime reporting news coverage.

After working for a decade at Berkeleyside, Raguso realized her passion to write about Berkeley police activity and public safety issues needed a bigger platform.

She founded The Berkeley Scanner to offer comprehensive coverage of crime and safety in the city and to allow her to help readers learn more about what's really going on in the neighborhood.

The Scanner retains full editorial independence over all of our stories.

The Berkeley Scanner is 100% reader-supported. That means we need your help to survive (yes, yours!). Pitch in now to ensure our reporting can continue.

Media coverage about The Berkeley Scanner

• Emilie Raguso on the past, present and future of local news (The E'ville Eye)
• Women's History Month: Emilie Raguso (NATAS SF)

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

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lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com.

Alameda County Assistant Public Defender Joe Penrod joins me to discuss trying the most serious of cases, his career in law, his adventures as a professional sailor, and juggling the life of a criminal litigator and father of a young family.

We also touch on his kiteboarding.  Joe is a fantastic kiteboarder.  I'm the second best kiteboarder in the Alameda County legal community.  Joe is far and away the best.  I'm not aware of a third kiteboarding lawyer, so there's room if you're interested.

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

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lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com.

Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.

In collaboration with the Alameda County Bar Association, Love Thy Lawyer presents an interview with: Emily Dahm

https://www.bonjourandthorman.com/

EDUCATION 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY, BOALT HALL SCHOOL OF LAW BERKELEY, CA JURIS DOCTOR (JOINT DEGREE) 2000-2004 

Awards: Moot Court Best Brief Award; American Jurisprudence Award: Contemporary Chinese Legal Institutions. Activities: Volunteer for the East Bay Worker’s Rights Clinic, the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center’s 

TUFTS UNIVERSITY, THE FLETCHER SCHOOL OF LAW AND DIPLOMACY 

MASTERS DEGREE OF LAW AND DIPLOMACY (JOINT DEGREE) 

Fields of Study: Asia and International Law. 

EXPERIENCE
 BONJOUR, THORMAN, BURNS, DAHM & WARGO 

PARTNER 

Criminal law partner in established criminal law and personal injury practice in the East Bay. Represent clients in all manner of criminal matters, ranging from misdemeanor offenses to homicide and serious sex crimes. 

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO, CA DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER - FELONY TRIAL ATTORNEY 

Obtained extensive trial experience and a broad range of investigative skills by directing a team of law clerks, paralegals, social workers, and professional investigators to achieve desired legal outcomes for hundreds of clients. Developed superior client management and negotiation skills while litigating cases to clients’ benefit. 

Alameda County Bar Association

The Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) is a professional membership association for lawyers and other members of the legal profession. The ACBA provides access to ongoing legal education; and promotes diversity and civil rights in the Alameda County legal community. Our mission is to promote excellence in the legal profession and to facilitate equal access to justice.

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
 

Special thanks to ACBA staff and members: Cailin Dahlin, Saeed Randle, Hadassah Hayashi  (https://www.acbanet.org/)

 Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland

Audiograms & Transcripts: Paul Roberts  

 
 We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com.

https://www.minamitamaki.com/attorneys/daleminami/

Wikipedia Link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Minami

Dale Minami is recognized as one of the top personal injury lawyers in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was selected as a Super Lawyer for each year from 2004 through 2023 in the Personal Injury category, one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers for Northern California in 2005 and from 2007 to 2023, and in the Top Ten Super Lawyers in the Personal Injury Category from 2013 through 2018.

He was also named to the Best Lawyers of America list for nine straight years from 2014-2022 by Best Lawyers, recognized four times as one of the 500 Best Lawyers in America by Lawdragon Magazine (2005, 2014, 2015, 2018), and in the top 3% of attorneys in the nation by The Legal News.

In 2019, Mr. Minami was honored with the ABA Medal, the American Bar Association’s highest honor. He is the first Asian American to receive the award in its 90-year history.

He has been involved in significant litigation involving the civil rights of Asian Pacific Americans and other minorities, such as Korematsu v. United States, a lawsuit to overturn a 40-year-old conviction for refusal to obey exclusion orders aimed at Japanese Americans during World War II, originally upheld by U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Minami's advice to a new attorney:

“I would advise a new attorney to find a mentor, someone with experience, knowledge, wisdom and willingness to help you grow.  A mentor will shortcut the learning process and accelerate your development of skills.  I was too dense and perhaps diffident to ask for help but if I were to do it all over again, I would be more assertive in finding someone and asking for help.  I realized later in my career that so many attorneys are willing to help younger attorneys if they were just asked.”

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com.

Marco owns Brown Family Law in Salt Lake City, Utah. Brown Family Law specializes solely on family law and helps more people through divorce than any other law firm in Utah.

https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/

Marco’s path started a long way from Salt Lake. He grew up in Cold Bay, Alaska, a tiny village of 85 people. His dad ran a salmon hatchery and his mom was an air traffic controller. Eventually, Marco made his way to Anchorage to attend high school before he left out early to attend college.

Alaska formed Marco’s personality in profound ways and has given him the ability to be fiercely independent and persist in no matter the challenge.

Marco lived in Italy for a couple years before graduating college at BYU, which is where he met his beautiful wife, Demaree. Demaree is an opera singer and college professor, and she and Marco have three kids.

After graduating law school with honors, Marco made his way back to Salt Lake and opened Brown Family Law in 2010 with no money, no connections, and no clients. It took years of work and mistakes for Marco to build a law firm that worked both for his family and for his clients.

Now, Marco leads Brown Family Law and the legal teams in order to ensure all clients are served exceptionally well.

In his spare time, Marco spends time with Dem and the kids, cooks, reads, and travels to Italy as often as possible. 

. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 
 

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com.



CRIMINAL LAW EXPERIENCE

The Law Offices Of Del Bahner, Pleasanton, CA

Owner/Criminal Defense Attorney, November 2020-Present

Running a private criminal defense practice as a solo practitioner with a legal secretary. Representing indigent defendants through the Alameda County Court Appointed Attorney Program. Litigating extensively in a wide range of cases, ranging from motions for mental health diversion to a serious felony jury trial.

 Stanislaus County Alternate Defender’s Office (Perry & Associates), Modesto, CA

Criminal Defense Attorney, June 2013 – November 2020

Tried 18 jury trials, including 12 serious felony jury trials and 4 murder trials. Defended clients at over one hundred preliminary hearings, including 1 murder preliminary hearing where the judge did not hold my client to answer. Autonomously handled 50-60 open cases at one time, mostly felonies. Litigated hundreds of contested hearings, ranging from suppression motions to petitions for resentencing.

 The Law Office of Charles B. Smith, San Mateo, CA

Criminal Defense Attorney, Nov. 2012 - April 2013; Law Clerk, Spring & Fall 2012 

Argued a factual innocence motion, a severance motion, and a juvenile detention hearing; regularly appeared in court for arraignments and pleas; negotiated with prosecutors; counseled clients; wrote a wide variety of legal documents, ranging from Romero motions to a request for a Governor’s Pardon.

 San Francisco, Sacramento, & San Mateo County District Attorney’s Offices

Law Clerk, Summer 2010, Summer 2011, & Fall 2011

Argued at suppression hearings, preliminary hearings, a 17(b) hearing, a sentencing, and a motion to withdraw a plea. Prosecuted 13 bench trials in traffic court.

 EDUCATION 

 University of California, Hastings College of the Law

Juris Doctor, 2012, Top 50% of Class

• CALI Award for Excellence, Trial Advocacy I, Spring 2011

• Nominated for Best Oral Advocate, Hastings Appellate Advocacy Competition, Fall 2011

• Best Oral Advocate, Moot Court, Spring 2010

 University of California, Davis

Bachelor of Arts, with Honors, Philosophy, 2008

• Philosophy Department Award: Outstanding Performance by an Undergraduate

• Chief Justice, UC Davis Student Court

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]