Joni Etue came to San Diego to attend San Diego State University right after high school in northern California. Her first job was washing glassware in the chemistry lab at a local tuna cannery. More than 20 years later, she was still working for Bumble Bee Seafoods, but had moved up the ranks to corporate director of quality assurance and regulatory affairs.

Etue has always been intrigued by the legal field and knew that someday she wanted to get a job that had something to do with the law. In 2000, with the drastic changes in the tuna industry and other extenuating circumstances, she decided to make the change. Etue went through a paralegal certification program at California State University San Marcos. She loved the course and the material, and a few weeks after completing the program, she got her first job as a paralegal.

After a few years, Etue decided to go through an ABA certified program and enrolled at the University of San

Diego and completed the civil procedure program with honors in July 2006. The program gave Etue a better understanding of the legal process and procedures, allowing her to provide a higher level of support to attorneys.

In April of 2006, she was hired by Gordon & Rees LLP. Etue believes she has found the perfect fit. She feels fortunate to work with a great group at Gordon & Rees, and has grown in many areas since being there.

During a recent high-profile case, she provided courtroom support, and she is very involved in the firm's transition to new technological advances and e-discovery procedures. Etue looks forward to going to work every day.