ABOUT CASSANDRA:
I grew up in the sunny suburbs of Los Angeles, California. I chose to pursue a career in law at the young age of six after seeing the movie “Inherit the Wind,” with Spencer Tracey. Taking a detour I spent time after high school being a choreographer in Hollywood. It was during the process of giving birth to my first child (daughter Alexes) that it dawned on me that one day Alexes would ask me what I wanted to become when I grew up and it was at that moment that I decided to actively pursue a career in law.
It was not long before making the decision to get back into school that the Rodney King riots occurred (1993), burning down the Wilshire District neighborhood around my home. My husband, Mike, and I decided to leave the state and with almost no money moved to the Pacific Northwest. As soon I established state residency I applied and was admitted to the University of Washington. On the day I started at the U, my newest child, Mikey was six weeks old (1994). I graduated in three years with honors, balancing both kids and school with Mike also at UW while working two jobs.
Mike I decided to return to Los Angeles so I could attend Loyola Law School. While in law school, I researched many Civil Rights issues for two prominent Los Angeles attorneys who taught at Loyola, as well as interned at Lambda Legal Defense Fund. At the same time I helped coach my kids AYSO soccer teams and worked part-time as a server at the Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel and Spa. Being trained in providing Five-Star service to dignitaries, Hollywood stars, and the business community, I learned that service is an art and I pride myself in providing impeccable service to her clients.
After graduating from Loyola Law School in 2001, Mike and I, moved back to Seattle for Mike to complete his undergraduate degree at University of Washington which he put on hold for me to attend law school. I studied for the bar while substitute teaching at Holy Names Academy.
Before I could begin my first legal job, Mike was deployed to Iraq in February of 2003 with the 1st Marine Division to spearhead Operation Iraq Freedom. I stayed home to with her kids during the stressful and difficult time. Months later Mike returned home safely and I began to work for a Civil Litigation firm in Seattle concentrating on construction defect cases.
A couple of years later, feeling unsatisfied with the area of law I was working in, I accepted a position with the Whatcom Public Defender’s Office commuting from Bothell to Bellingham every day. I loved my job in Whatcom practicing before Judge Grant, Judge Elich and Commissioner Parise. A year later I moved her work closer to home and worked for the Snohomish County Public Defender’s Association. During the next three years with the Snohomish County Public Defender’s Association, I handled misdemeanor cases in South District Court as well as felony class A, B, and C cases in Superior Court. I tried eleven Superior court cases in one year.
When not fighting crime, I enjoy spending time with my family. My daughter, Alexes just graduated from Holy Names Academy and is now at the United States Naval Academy and my son goes to O’Dea High School. Admittedly, I am a soccer mom, as Alexes will be plays for Navy and Mikey plays for Crossfire Premier.
