Education
Law School/Year: Tulane Law School, 1991
College/Year: UC San Diego, 1987
Bar Admissions
California, 1991
Practice Areas
Discrimination & Civil Rights, Labor
Major Cases
My law practice is devoted to representing companies in all aspects of employment law, including defending employers who are sued for harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, breach of contract and other related issues. Noteworthy accomplishments include two published appellate decisions addressing the extent of free speech and first amendment rights within both private and public work environments.
Professional Background
I am a founding partner of Andrews ? Lagasse ? Branch ? Bell LLP, which is a 100 percent female/minority owned law firm. Prior to ALBB, I was a shareholder at Littler Mendelson, where I practiced from 1991 to 2000, and a partner at Gordon & Rees LLP from 2000 to 2007, where I co-chaired the San Diego Employment Group.
I was voted by my peers as one of the Top 25 Women Lawyers in San Diego in 2010 and a 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Southern California - San Diego Super Lawyer, representing the top 5 percent of San Diego attorneys. I have received Martidale-Hubbell's highest rating (AV Peer Review Rated) for legal ability and ethical standards.
Professional Affiliations
I am a member of the San Diego Bar Association and the California Bar Association. I also am active in the San Diego Society of Human Resource Management (SDSHRM), where I currently serve as immediate past president on its board of directors. From 2006 to 2009, I served as its vice president, legislation, president-elect and president. I am a former member of the Point Loma Rotary Club, where I served on its board of directors and as a co-chair of the district-wide task force on jobs for the disabled.
Personal Background
I have been married for almost 20 years and have four amazing children. I am an avid hiker and runner, recently completing the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and placing 4th in my age division!
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |