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Sondra S. Sutherland, Esq. (CSB #185374)

Sondra S. Sutherland, Esq. (CSB #185374)

A Long and Distinguished Career

My odyssey in the law began more than 35 years ago, at the ripe age of 17.

After 8 years as a legal secretary, I earned my paralegal certificate from the University of San Diego and worked as a litigation paralegal for another 8 years. I graduated from Whittier Law School in 1996, earning multiple honors and awards and serving as a Judicial Extern to two extremely well respected jurists, Hon. Norman L. Epstein of the California Court of Appeal and Hon. Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit.

In my first position after law school, I worked as a Research Attorney for the L.A. Superior Court, Family Law Division.

I have been in private practice ever since, distinguishing myself with several published appellate decisions, one of the largest civil rights verdicts in U.S. history against CPS, and honors which include the CLAY (California Lawyer Magazine) "Attorney of the Year" Award in 2012 for family law.

I have never forgotten the importance of "giving back", engaging in numerous pro bono and volunteer activities which earned me the State Bar's award for my pro bono work.

Education

  • Whittier Law School, J.D., May 1996
  • Cum Laude, #11 in Class, Top 7%
  • Dean's List; Honor Roll
  • Teaching Assistant, Contracts and Advanced Legal Writing
  • Merit Scholarship, David Holtz Memorial Scholarship, General Scholarship

Law School Awards:

  • Am Jur Bancroft-Whitney Award, Professional Responsibility
  • Am Jur Bancroft-Whitney Award, Advanced Legal Writing
  • Cali Excellence for the Future Award, Arbitration
  • Cali Excellence for the Future Award, Securities Regulation

Bar and Court Admissions:

  • The State Bar of California, December 1996
  • The Supreme Court of the United States of America, 2006
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1997
  • United States District Court for the Central District of California, 1997
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of California, 1999

Memberships and Associations:

Prior Legal Positions:

OVER 35 YEARS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

  • Legal Secretary: 1980 to 1988
  • Paralegal: 1988 to 1996
  • Judicial Extern to Hon. Norman L. Epstein, California Court of Appeal, 2nd App. Dist. - Los Angeles: Summer 1995
  • Judicial Extern to Hon. Alex Kozinski, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit - Pasadena: Fall 1996
  • Research Attorney, L.A. Superior Court, Family Law Department - Los Angeles: Jan. to Nov. 1997
  • Attorney, Trope And Trope and Sacks & Zweig - Los Angeles: Dec. 1997 to May 1999
  • Attorney, Law Offices of Sondra S. Sutherland, APC - Escondido: June 1999 to Present

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