Shauna (she/her) is an Oakland resident and has lived in the Northern CA / Bay Area for nearly 15 years. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA but immediately fell in love with Northern California during a college tour. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from UC Davis, double majoring in Sociology and African & African American Studies with a minor in Sexuality Studies. After graduating, Shauna earned her law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law.  

 

Presently, Shauna works as a Managing Partner at Medina Orthwein LLP - a queer owned, civil rights firm specializing in police brutality cases, prisoner rights litigation, employment discrimination and LGBTQ discrimination matters. Shauna will also continue her criminal defense practice at Medina Orthwein. 

 

Prior to working at Medina Orthwein LLP, Shauna worked tirelessly as a criminal defense attorney, advocating on behalf of indigent clients throughout Alameda County. She provided expert representation in both misdemeanors and felony cases, preliminary hearings, extradition cases and more. 

 

Shauna has also volunteered for various LGBTQ organizations, co-organized countless events including the 4th Annual Queer People of Color Conference, and has even served as a delegate at the Black LGBT Emerging Leader’s Conference hosted by the White House (2011). After law school, Shauna became a Board Member of BALIF, the Bay Area’s oldest and largest LGBT bar association, as well as a Board Member for USF Law’s Public Interest Law Foundation Advisory Board. Shauna is also a mentor through the Point Foundation – The National LGBT Scholarship Fund. She is honored to continue serving her community by joining the Board of Directors for the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. 

 

In her personal life, Shauna practices self care by hiking with her wife and rescue pup Maya, running 5Ks, and completing DIY projects.