Our Team

  • Monique L. Fierro, President

    Monique is a civil litigation attorney at Myers, Widders, Gibson, Jones & Feingold, LLP specializing in personal injury, civil rights, employment, and education law.

    Monique has a longstanding history committed to doing pro bono and public interest work serving underrepresented communities.

    Litigating cases before state courts, federal courts and administrative agencies, Monique has secured millions of dollars for clients facing discrimination and abuse.

  • Vanessa B. Valdez, Vice President

    Vanessa is the founder and principal attorney at Family Law House. Born and raised in Oxnard, CA, Vanessa has dedicated herself to helping families find a happy future. As a mother herself, she hopes to provide her services to as many couples and parents as she can possibly reach. Vanessa has over 15 years of experience in Family Law and is fluent in Spanish, receiving her Interpreter's Degree from CSU Northridge.

  • Karen Oakman, Secretary

    Karen earned her J.D. from California Western School of Law.  She is the co-owner of Clunen and Oakman Law, LLP and practices criminal defense and family law.  Additionally, Ms. Oakman is a senior adjunct professor at California Lutheran University, on the Board of the Ventura County Family Bar, secretary for a local PTA, and Legal Director of the Conejo Free Clinic. In 2019, she was awarded WLVC’s Holly Spevak Award for her community service and in 2023 she was awarded the Ben Nordman Award from the Ventura County Bar Association. Ms. Oakman joined the WLVC Board in 2020 and is a Past President of the Board.

  • Jill Friedman, Board Member

    Jill Friedman, Board Member

    With more than 30 years of litigation experience, Ms. Friedman is a tenacious civil trial attorney specializing in personal Injury, employment law, and business litigation.

    Ms. Friedman is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a prestigious invitation-only organization for attorneys who have tried a minimum of ten civil jury trials to conclusion as lead counsel. Nationally, women comprise approximately 10% of ABOTA membership, and she is the only female member based in Ventura County.

  • Jodi Prior, Board Member

    Jodi is the Managing Attorney - Professional Services for the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, overseeing the Family and Civil Self-Help Centers, Family Court Services, and the Children's Waiting Room. In 2006, she started her career with the Ventura Superior Court as an attorney in the Family Law Facilitator’s Office and then in 2009 she was promoted to the Supervising Attorney position for the Civil Self-Help Center and coordinator for the Homeless Court Program. Additionally, Jodi was recently appointed as a Commissioner to the California State Bar's Legal Services Trust Fund Commission, highlighting her commitment to legal services. Her experience is complemented by previous positions as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles' Family Law Unit, AmeriCorps Attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and Director of the legal services program at the Coalition for Family Harmony in Oxnard. In 2015, Jodi was awarded WLVC’s Holly Spevak Award for her work with the Self-Help Centers and Homeless Court.

  • Dien Le, Board Member

    Dien, an attorney with The Alvarez Firm, is an experienced litigator with more than two decades of trial experience.  His current practice is primarily focused on probate, trust, conservatorships, and elder abuse litigation.  He represents beneficiaries, trustees, executors, conservators, and professional fiduciaries.

    Dien has handled a wide range of sophisticated business and civil litigation disputes in state and federal courts throughout California.  He has represented clients including Fortune 500 companies, public utilities, property management entities, trade associations, and government agencies.  His clients have included Verizon, Blue Cross, Delta Dental, Credit Suisse First Boston, Broadspire Services, AstroCosmos Metallurgical, California Amplifier, National Stores, LB Property Management, and Oxnard Union High School District.

  • Edward Andrews, Board Member

    Ted is a senior deputy district attorney, who has been assigned to very serious trials pertaining to domestic violence, elderly abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. In these cases, he has given a voice to countless victims and brought about meaningful change in our community.

    He spends his free time volunteering with victim advocacy groups, teaching fifth-graders about the justice system and is a devoted father to his two young children.