- B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara;
- J.D., California Western School of Law.
For as long as I can remember, my life has revolved around hospitality. I am proud to be a son of two Mexican, small business owners. My parents have owned a Mexican Taqueria y Carniceria for the last 20 years in the Central Valley. Seeing them manage their business instilled in me valuable lessons of dedication, discipline, and an entrepreneurial spirit that I carry with me every step of the way.
My oldest brother is a labor & employment attorney and has been one of my role models for my personal and professional career. I have always been interested in labor & employment law, specifically how it intersects with many industries including hospitality and business.
Throughout my legal career, I have honed my problem solving, attention to detail, and people skills to strategically advocate for our clients. I am committed to providing exceptional service to all our hospitality and business owner clients.
I chose Stokes Wagner because I was eager to return to the hospitality industry and apply my legal diverse experience to counsel and zealously represent our clients. I am honored to do this fulfilling work with a collaborative, fun, and warm group of people. From the moment I met the Stokes Wagner family, I knew it would be my next home.
When I am not working, I like to workout at the gym, go to my favorite local wine shop, hang out with my friends/family to watch live sports or try a new bar/restaurant with my girlfriend.
Crunch Time for California Employers to Submit Mandatory Pay Data Reports
March 7, 2024
Category: Legal Updates
California’s electronic portal for mandatory pay data reporting opened on February 1st, giving employers three months to complete reporting. Employers with at least 100 employees should start, if they have not already, preparing a plan for submitting pay data to the state Civil Rights Department (“CRD”). Pay data reports for calendar year 2023 are due by May 8, 2024.
Impact of The U.S. Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Decision on Employers
August 28, 2023
Category: Legal Updates
On June 29, 2023, the United States Supreme Court overturned a decades-old precedent that held race-based affirmative action policies in higher education institutions were constitutional. However, in Students for Fair Admission, Inc. v. Harvard, the Court deviated from precedent and held colleges/universities can no longer use race as a factor in their college admissions. Although this ruling may not directly impact employment law, it inevitably will affect employers, via interpretations applicable to employers’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.