The Law Office of Patricia D. Castorena

 
 

Education

 

  1. •Lincoln Law School of San Jose, J.D., 2008

  2. •Santa Clara University, B.S., Sociology, 2002

 

Honors/Awards

 

  1. •Advocate Award, Domestic Violence Limited Scope Representation (DVLSR), Pro Bono Project (2008)

  2. •Dean’s List Scholar, Lincoln Law School (2006-2007; 2007-2008)

  3. •Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association Scholarship Recipient (2005)

  4. •Honorable Adoralida and John Padilla Scholarship Award, Lincoln Law School (2005-2006; 2006-2007)

 

Professional Associations and Memberships

 

  1. •Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association

  2. •Member, Santa Clara County Bar Association

  3. •President-Elect, Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association

  4. •Member, American Bar Association

 

Pro Bono Activities

 

  1. •Volunteer Attorney, Domestic Violence Limited Scope Representation (DVLSR)

  2. •Board Member, Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley

  3. •Co-President, Chicano/Latino Alumni Chapter at Santa Clara University

 

Patricia D. Castorena, Esq.

Patricia is admitted to practice before all the courts for the State of California, the United States District Court, Northern District of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.


Biography


Formerly with the Center for Employment Training’s Immigration and Citizenship Program and the Asian Law Alliance, Patricia is an immigrant rights advocate and strong supporter of civic engagement and community empowerment. She supports pro bono work among the legal community and mentorship of the next generation of Latina/o law students and attorneys.  


She received her Juris Doctor from Lincoln Law School in June 2008, where she was the recipient of the Honorable Adoralida and John Padilla Scholarship Award, the Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association Scholarship and the Dean’s List Scholar Award.  In her last year of law school, Patricia became a certified law student and represented victims of domestic violence seeking temporary restraining orders in Family Court, on behalf of the Domestic Violence Limited Scope Representation (DVLSR) program of the Pro Bono Project. She received the Advocate Award at the 2008 DVLSR Access Awards ceremony in recognition of her excellence in advocacy and community service.


Patricia was born and raised in San José, California.  Her parents are from Zacatecas, Mexico and immigrated to the United States in 1974; both were unable to receive an education past elementary school.  She is a first generation college graduate and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, with a double minor in Ethnic Studies and Anthropology, from Santa Clara University in 2002. 


Experience


  1. •Center for Employment Training’s Immigration and Citizenship Program, 2010-2012

  2. •Asian Law Alliance, 2009-2010

  3. •Law Office of Steven Clark and Christopher Schumb, 2007-2011

  4. •Spector Law Firm, 2005-2007

  5. •Law Office of Margarita Prado Alvarez, 2004-2005

  6. •Katherine and George Alexander Community Law Center, 2002-2004