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We are legally brave. We value this, we encourage it, and we invest in it.

We are the only legal services organization in San Francisco that exclusively serves older adults and people with disabilities. This vulnerable population of San Franciscans deserves specialized services and fierce advocates who know how to navigate the legal system and protect their right to live with independence and dignity. Because we are experienced litigators, we are willing to push our cases to trial when needed and to develop innovative legal arguments that advance justice for our clients. Our committed staff provides the highest quality of legal services.

Our holistic approach to our mission is key to the effectiveness of our services. Because our attorneys work closely and collaboratively, they can tap into the expertise of our entire legal team to address multiple legal issues that our vulnerable clients face. We also connect clients with vital social services that ensures more sustainable outcomes.

Our lawyering approach is creative and resourceful. Even when the challenges are great and the legal avenues uncertain, we won’t be discouraged. We are smart, we are outraged, we work hard, and we are determined to stand up for our clients’ rights. And we have the skills to do it.

Our Mission

Legal Assistance to the Elderly’s mission is to protect and advance the right of San Francisco’s seniors and adults with disabilities to be housed, healthy, financially stable, and safe.

San Francisco’s astronomical rise in evictions is hitting our city’s senior and disabled residents especially hard. LAE provides free full-scope representation to elderly and disabled residents, many on limited incomes, who urgently need our help.

LAE is often the last chance for our clients to save a home, stop financial or physical elder abuse, or retain vital benefits. More than ever, there is an increasing need for our services.

Our Team

Abel Mouton

Staff Attorney
LAE staff adelina gracias

Adelina Gracias

Paralegal, Housing
Amanda Janks

Amanda Janks

Paralegal
Ana Denmark

Ana Denmark

Staff Attorney
Arriana Cook Thajudeen

Arianna Cook-Thajudeen

Staff Attorney
Barbara Lam

Barbara Lam

Supervising Attorney

Bréyon Austin

Staff Attorney
Carol Bettencourt

Carol Bettencourt

Staff Attorney
Cathy Mosbrucker

Cathy Mosbrucker

Managing Attorney, Housing
portrait of lae staff Chellee

Chellee Parker

Development Coordinator
Chelsea Blocklin

Chelsea Blocklin

Staff Attorney
Christian Siegenthaler

Christian Siegenthaler

Staff Attorney
Colette Simanello

Colette Simanello

Executive Coordinator
Elinor Roberts

Elinor Roberts

Staff Attorney
portrait of lae staff Elizabeth

Elizabeth Zavala

HR & Operations Coordinator
Fares Alharazy

Fares Alharazy

Social Service Advocate (CARE Court)

Gene Garrote

Front Office Coordinator
Jason Law

Jason Law

Accounting
Jessica Juarez

Jessica Juarez

Provisionally Licensed Attorney
John Balza

John Balza

Staff Attorney
Judy Hitchcock

Judy L. Hitchcock

Senior Staff Attorney
Kaitlyn Willison

Kaitlyn Willison

Staff Attorney
Kelly Barnett

Kelly Barnett

Staff Attorney
Kim Kruse

Kim Kruse, LCSW

Social Worker
Kitania Folk

Kitania Folk

Grants Manager
Laura Slade Chiera

Laura Slade Chiera

Executive Director/Managing Attorney
portrait of lae staff Margaux

Margaux Payton

Staff Attorney
Marwa Ibraheem

Marwa Ibraheem

Development Director

Mitzy Lopez

Social Service Advocate
Richard Hurlburt

Richard Hurlburt

Supervising Attorney

Robert Schoen

Staff Attorney
C. Sage Dames

Sage Dames

Paralegal
Samantha Chu

Samantha Chu

Paralegal / Client Advocate

Sarah Abelow

Staff Attorney
Sydney Gartmond

Sydney Gartmond

Community Outreach Lead & Client Advocate
Tom Drohan

Thomas E. Drohan

Director of Litigation
Valeria Romo

Valeria Romo

Paralegal

Our Board

Jennifer Johnson

President
Principal Attorney, J.K. Johnson Advisors

Donna Seid

Vice President
Community Member, Artist

Isaac Safier, Esq.

Treasurer
Forfeiture.com

Keith Rockmael

Commercial Real Estate, Luxe

Hannah Kim

Staff Attorney, Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board

Matthew Brinegar

Principal Attorney, The Brinegar Law Firm

Nicole C. Kelly, Esq

The Kelly Law Firm

Roger B. Levin

Retired (SF Rent Arbitration Board)

Vanessa Peña-Hallinan

Managing Partner, Hallinan Law Firm

Amy Talarico

Of Counsel, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

Rosangela Nicholson

CBIZ CPA's P.C. / CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner

Join Our Board

    Join our Board

    San Francisco is a vibrant and creative place full of people who really care about the community and each other.

    Laura Chiera, Executive Director

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