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 BIOGRAPHIES
David Ackerly
Directing Attorney Homeless Veterans Project
David joined Inner City Law Center in 2008 as the Directing Attorney of the Homeless Veterans Project, which focuses on securing VA benefits for disabled and homeless military benefits in order to stabilize their lives and obtain greater access to healthcare. He spent the previous six years at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, where he created and ran the pro bono program. In 2007 he received the Tanya Neiman Award for the top pro bono professional in the nation. David received his B.A and M.F.A. from UCLA, and his J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1996, receiving one of two Alumni Awards for Outstanding Graduating Student. He then joined Public Counsel Law Center as a staff attorney in the Homelessness Prevention Project. In 1998 he received one of the First Annual Hon. Benjamin A. Aranda II Outstanding Public Service Award, presented by the Los Angeles County Bar Association, for his work with the homeless. He also spent two years at Public Law Center working on a pro per mediation project for the Orange County Court System, and served six years on the State Bar of California Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services, including serving as Chair from 2006-2007. In 2006 Loyola Law School honored David as Public Interest Alumni of the Year.
Harry Batt
Development Director
Harry Batt joined Inner City Law Center in February 2010. Harry came to us from Public Counsel, an organization he joined in December 2000, where he was the Associate Director of Development. Harry began his career in Development working with organizations focused on assisting elderly and low-income communities as well as social change issues such as generic drug substitution laws and “Lifeline” utility rates. Prior to joining Public Counsel Harry owned, operated, and managed casual, fine dining, and concept restaurants throughout the world and has contributed to the success of a diverse portfolio of brands including Hilton Hotels and Hyatt Hotels, as well as national concept restaurants. Harry trained at Midwest Academy, where he received a degree in community organizing. He was an undergraduate at Hebrew University, Brandeis University, and University of Phoenix, and holds a B.S. in Information Systems.
Javier Beltran
Staff Attorney
Javier joined Inner City Law Center as Staff Attorney in April 2008 litigates habitability and unlawful detainer cases. Previously, Javier worked in civil litigation with a law firm in Orange County and worked as an immigration attorney in Sherman Oaks. Before becoming an attorney, Javier worked as a teacher. Javier was born and raised in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pico-Union and has a close connection with the problems and concerns of the greater Los Angeles community. He is a former board member and president of the Pico-Union Neighborhood Council for the City of Los Angeles. Javier received a B.A. in History from California State University Los Angeles and a J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law.
Jericka Campos
Advocate
Jeri is an Advocate at Inner City Law Center. As an advocate, Jeri enjoys working towards assisting the underprivileged with the respect and dignity that they deserve. Jeri received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Prior to joining ICLC in 2007, Jeri worked with the Department of Public Social Services for 7 years in servicing clients with CalWORKS, foodstamps, and medical. She enjoys spending time with her family and watching movies.
Gabriela Carballo
Paralegal
Gabriella Carballo joined ICLC in 2007, prior to that she worked at UCLA as an Executive Assistant. Gabriella graduated with a B.A. in Politics with a concentration in American Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. While pursuing her undergrad education she interned for Congresswoman Linda Sanchez in Washington, D.C. She hopes to return to the D.C. area in the near future. She is passionate about immigrant rights and educational policies. She loves running, traveling, the ocean and Latin jazz.
Isabela Carrillo
Advocate
As an Advocate, Isabela focuses her efforts on educational justice and community development projects. Before joining ICLC in 2006, Isabela was a Reading Tutor for the America Reads and Counts Program. She graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a B.A. in Sociology with a Law and Society option and a minor in Mexican-American Studies. Outside of work, Isabela enjoys reading, photography, and swimming.
Daisy Chavez
Tenant Organizer
Daisy joined Inner City Law Center in March of 2010 as a Tenant Organizer. Daisy has lived in Downtown all her life and has a keen understanding of the disadvantages people face that are marginalized by homelessness, lack of job opportunities, and poor public education. She looks forward to brining resources to the diverse communities in Los Angeles and loves being witness to empowered families. Daisy also received a BA degree in Literature and Political Science form the University of California, Irvine.
Gloria Contreras
Screener / Receptionist
Gloria is a Screener and Receptionist at Inner City Law Center and has been with the organization since 2006. Gloria appreciates the reciprocity in the interactions where she can learn from clients as well as help them. Prior to joining ICLC, Gloria served as Office Clerk at Elco Lighting. She is especially skilled in cosmetology and hairstyling. She also enjoys outdoor activities like camping, swimming, bicycling, and dancing.
Amelia Fay-Berquist
Public Ally
Amelia is from the SF Bay Area, and graduated from UCLA in 2009 with a degree in Chicana/o Studies. Before joining ICLC, Amelia spent much of her time focusing on immigrant rights issues, including working as a patient interpreter and advocate in health clinics in New Jersey, volunteering for the New Sanctuary Movement, and conducting research on the convergence of immigration law and gang policy here in LA. Amelia is excited to be working on housing issues as it is yet another facet of human rights. She plans on attending law school in 2011, with a focus on public interest law.
Marcy Gribin
Staff Attorney
Marcy litigates habitability and unlawful detainer cases. Prior to becoming a staff member in 2007, Marcy volunteered at ICLC and worked at the Office of the Federal Defender Eastern District. Marcy earned her B.A. in Politics at Occidental College and her J.D. at the University of California, Davis School of Law. Outside of work, Marcy serves on the board of the Junior League of Los Angeles, is a certified Zumba fitness instructor, and enjoys singing.
Patty Gurrola
Senior Tenant Organizer
Patty Gurrola has been an advocate for Inner City Law Center since 2007. Patty graduated with a B.A. in Chicano/a Studies from Pomona College. She enjoys informing tenants of their rights and assisting them to acquire proper living conditions. Patty also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling to Durango, Mexico, cooking, and politics.
Jenna Hamerling
Staff Attorney
Jenna is a staff attorney at Inner City Law Center. Jenna accepted a voluntary year deferral from Morrison and Foerster LLP to work at Inner City Law Center after graduating from UCLA School of Law in May of 2009. Prior to joining Inner City Law Center, Jenna was a summer associate at Morrison and Foerster LLP, where she worked in the litigation practice group. Jenna also spent a summer at Olson, Hagel, & Fishburn LLP, where she worked on issues pertaining to election and administrative law. While in law school, Jenna was a teaching assistant for UCLA's Anderson School of Management and a member of the mock trial team.
Betsy Handler
Director of Legal Services
Betsy has been the Director of Legal Services at ICLC since 2004. During this time, she has led the litigation team on several major habitability cases, including one which settled for almost $7 million. In addition to litigation, Betsy focuses on housing policy. Betsy earned a B.A. in American History from Long Island University, an M.A., also in American History, from the University of Wisconsin, and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin. After law school, Betsy joined the U.S. Department of Justice, where she became Assistant Director of the Torts Branch. She joined the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles in 1985 and then entered private practice until ICLC beckoned. Betsy has taught American and British history, and has also been an editor at the University of Wisconsin Press. She enjoys photography, gardening, travel, knitting, reading, and politics.
Betty Hung
Special Counsel, Part-Time Fellow
Betty Hung is a part-time fellow at ICLC focusing on the linkages between urban poverty, public policy, and low wage-work. Betty is a co-founder of and serves as counsel to the Los Angeles Taxi Workers Alliance and also played a key role in reauthorization of a California law that addresses the exploitative working conditions of car wash workers. She has a joint position at ICLC and LAFLA where she is a Senior Attorney in the Employment Law Unit. Prior to joining LAFLA in 2004, Betty served as a staff attorney/Echoing Green Foundation Fellow at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, where she was part of the legal team that litigated the El Monte Thai and Latino garment worker case. She also worked as a community organizer with Cambodian high school girls in Long Beach, CA, where she spearheaded a campaign that led to school safety reforms, and as a litigation associate at the law firm of O'Melveny & Myers LLP where she initiated several diversity efforts. Betty serves on the boards of the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation and Worksafe. She is a former board member of the Fund for a New Los Angeles of the Liberty Hill Foundation and the former board chair of the Sexual Assault Crisis Agency, which honored her with a lifetime achievement award in 2004. Betty is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School.
Jonathan Lopez
Paralegal
Jonathan Lopez joined Inner City Law Center in November 2009 as a Litigation Paralegal. Prior to joining ICLC, Jonathan was a Paralegal for Takehara & Stuart, LLP., where he specialized in negotiating loan modifications, home retention solutions and several other foreclosure related issues affecting home owners who fell victim to the sub-prime mortgage crisis. Jonathan graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara in Spring 2008 where he earned a B.A. in Anthropology and a B.A. in Chicana and Chicano Studies. He plans to continue his education and eventually earn a Juris Doctorate degree to further his contribution in the non-profit sector as an attorney for the underrepresented. He is passionate about equal justice, immigrant rights and providing better living conditions for low income families in the community. Jonathan is also a drummer with over 10 years of experience; he has been riding motorcycles recreationally for 5 years and enjoys working out at the gym in addition to morning jogs along the ocean coast.
Lorraine Lopez
Pro Bono Director
Lorraine joined ICLC in October 2009 as Pro Bono Director. She spent the two previous years at Eviction Defense Network in Los Angeles as their Law & Motion Clerk and Litigation Director. From 2005-2007, Lorraine was an Equal Justice Works Fellow working with the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago. There she provided community outreach services and representation to tenants participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Lorraine earned her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and her J.D. from Tulane University Law School. Outside of ICLC, Lorraine is actively involved with the Koreatown Tenant’s Defense Network tenant’s rights legal clinic. She enjoys running, photography, and attending baseball games when the Chicago Cubs come to California.
Monica Mercado
Paralegal
Monica has been a Paralegal at Inner City Law Center since 2005. She enjoys working with clients and is passionate about using her bilingual and bicultural background for serving as a language and cultural translator. Monica earned a B.A. in History and Chicana/o Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and baseball; especially since her little brother went to the little league world series.
Adam Murray
Executive Director
Adam, who joined ICLC as Executive Director in May 2007, has been leading the organization in strategic planned growth to meet increasing client needs. Prior to joining ICLC, Adam was a litigator with the international law firm of Howrey LLP. In 2001, he worked pro bono on the momentous Rosales slum housing case in which ICLC secured $1.9 million for 59 parents and children. Adam sits on the Los Angeles County Citizens' Committee on Economy and Efficiency and has taught economics and political science at East Los Angeles College. In 2009, the Daily Journal newspaper named Adam one of the top 20 attorneys under 40. He sits on the board of the ACLU of Southern California, and previously served as president of the boards of both the Housing Rights Center of Southern California and the Immigration Center for Women and Children. He is also a former board member of the Fair Housing Council of the San Gabriel Valley, and of the Center for Progressive Leadership. Adam received a B.A. in International Relations from Pomona College, an M.A. in economics from Claremont Graduate University, and a J.D. from U.C. Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law. Adam and his wife, Aman Thind, live in South Pasadena. They enjoy playing soccer and spending time with their two young children.
Sonia Pflaster
Staff Attorney
Sonia is a staff attorney at Inner City Law Center whose work focuses exclusively on defending indigent Los Angelinos against unlawful detainers. Sonia earned her B.A. in Latin American History from UC Davis and her J.D. from Harvard Law School. After completing her first year of law school, Sonia was selected as an Equal Justice Works Fellow for her work at Public Counsel. Returning to Harvard, Sonia spent two years practicing family law as a student attorney with the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, where she obtained trial and motion practice representing victims of domestic violence. Prior to joining ICLC, Sonia was a summer associate at Morrison & Foerster and volunteered at the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office. Long inspired by her Father’s career, Sonia is excited to put her degree to work fighting for the rights of every day Los Angelinos.
Sylvia Skillicorn
Advocacy Coordinator
Sylvia is the Advocacy Coordinator at Inner City Law Center and has been with the organization since 1998.
Greg Spiegel
Director of Public Policy and Communications
Greg leads ICLC's efforts to craft and advocate for housing and homelessness policy. Prior to joining ICLC in 2009, Greg practiced for eight years at the Western Center on Law and Poverty. In addition to redevelopment and other areas of housing law, Greg's Western Center practice focused on drafting and implementing state and local reforms to improve slum housing conditions, particularly to prevent environmental health hazards such as lead poisoning. Greg co-founded the Healthy Homes Collaborative, chaired housing committees of the State and Los Angeles Strategic Plans to End Lead Poisoning and wrote The Lead Guide: A Community Resource for Lead Poisoning Prevention in California. From 1997 to 2000, Greg was a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles working on redevelopment, transportation, affordable housing and nonprofit corporate law. In 1996, Greg was an AmeriCorps fellow advising community-based organizations in South Los Angeles. Greg received his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law and his B.A. from UCLA.
Brett Terrell
Director of Advocacy
Brett Terrell is the Director of Advocacy at Inner City Law Center and has been with the organization since 1987. Brett enjoys the satisfaction of seeing a client's rights protected and is dedicated to defending his clients' interests. Prior to working with ICLC, Brett served as shelter manager at El Rescate. He enjoys trail running and biking.
Julius C. Thompson
Senior Staff Attorney
Julius has been with Inner City Law Center since December 1998 and is currently a Senior Staff Attorney. Julius has successfully litigated a number of affirmative habitability (slum housing) lawsuits and has also defended unlawful detainer (eviction) cases and Los Angeles Housing Department Rent Escrow Account Program administrative hearings. He graduated from Loyola Law School's evening program in 1997. Prior to law school, he worked as a human resources manager at three manufacturing facilities. Prior to that he worked in various positions in human resources, music and entertainment (Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland), and also served in the U.S. Army. He graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of Notre Dame in 1978. While enrolled at Notre Dame, he spent a year abroad studying Spanish in Mexico City. He has also lived in Japan and Germany. He is grateful to be able to use his Spanish in everyday communications.
Melissa Tyner
Staff Attorney
Melissa is a veterans’ advocate in the Homeless Veterans Project at Inner City Law Center. Melissa graduated from Whittier Law School in May of 2009. Prior to joining Inner City Law Center Melissa worked as a law clerk at Disability Rights California and assisted clients, including veterans, whose disability benefits had been wrongfully terminated. As a law clerk at Public Counsel she advocated for children with disabilities in foster care whose health benefits were being reduced and processed adoption and guardianship cases. In law school Melissa participated in legal clinics serving low-income families with conservatorships, special education needs, and domestic violence services.
Patsy Van Dyke
Senior Staff Attorney
Patsy joined the legal staff of ICLC in August 2008 to work on complex habitability matters and eviction defense after spending several years as a stay-at-home mom. Previously, Patsy was in private practice with the international law firm of Jones Day specializing in insurance recovery on behalf of policyholders. Her insurance coverage experience has proven valuable when negotiating settlements on behalf of ICLC clients. She also has worked as a real estate broker and a counselor in a group home for adolescent girls. Patsy serves on the board of Casa de Las Amigas, a substance abuse treatment facility for women. She is a former board member of Hathaway-Sycamores, a children's welfare agency. Patsy received a B.S. in Individual and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University and a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. Passionate about social justice, Patsy is grateful to serve the clients of ICLC. She enjoys horseback riding, traveling, reading, and politics.
Aura Yuson
Advocate
Aura has been an Advocate with ICLC since February 2009. Since earning her Bachelor's degree from UCLA in Sociology, she has worked in the nonprofit field in various capacities including case management, outreach, program coordination, and facilitating groups. Aura is particularly passionate about encouraging clients to become self-advocates. Aura enjoys gardening, taking care of her environment, good books, and time with her family.
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