Jesse F. Blancarte is the Managing Partner of Blancarte Law, APC, which he co-leads with his brother, James E. Blancarte. He focuses primarily on immigration law, representing clients before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. He also serves as Supervising Attorney at El Rescate, a non-profit that has provided immigration representation in Los Angeles for more than 40 years.

Jesse earned his B.A. in Sociology and English from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and his J.D. from Loyola Law School in 2015. During law school, he externed for the Honorable Philip S. Gutierrez (Ret.) of the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the Honorable Steven J. Kleifield of the Los Angeles Superior Court. He also served as a Board Member of the Scott Moot Court Honors Board at Loyola.

Dedicated to serving immigrant communities, Jesse has volunteered extensively with non-profit organizations that provide pro bono and low-cost legal representation. Throughout his career, he has been committed to advocating for immigrant families facing increasingly difficult challenges. He credits his parents, Judge Jim Blancarte and Cynthia Blancarte, for their unwavering support and guidance.

Juan J. Redín is a Senior Deputy General Counsel with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Juan was born in Ixtapan de la Sal, Mexico. At the age of 10 he immigrated to the U.S. with his Mom and younger sister. Juan was raised in a single parent household and is the first in his family to graduate from college. As an undocumented student, Juan endured many challenges on his journey to achieve his Dream of higher education. Juan attended Mt. San Jacinto Community College and Mt. San Antonio College before being able to take advantage of California’s pioneering law, AB 540 and transfer to UCLA. Juan received his bachelor’s in political science, magna cum laude, from UCLA in 2003.

Juan obtained his Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law. During law school, Juan served as the Co-Editor in Chief of the Chicano Latino Law Review and the External Co-Chair of the La Raza Law Student Association. Juan also completed a judicial externship with the Honorable Fernando Olguin at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Prior to joining Metropolitan, Juan represented school districts, cities, and various public agencies, in securing funds to finance critical infrastructure projects.

Juan is passionate and deeply committed to expanding educational access to those who are less fortunate, especially for Dreamers. Through his work with Dreamers, Juan was honored to join First Lady Michelle Obama during the 2012 State of the Union address in Washington DC. Juan is an avid cyclist, striving baker, and enjoys coaching youth soccer.

Eric Roberto Canton is the Managing Attorney for the Litigation Department at Sepulveda Sanchez Law, PC. Since 2017, he has dedicated his practice to representing individuals catastrophically injured by the wrongful and negligent acts of others. Through his advocacy, Eric has helped secure more than $15 million dollars in settlements for clients across California. As a trial attorney, he has actively participated in at least six jury trials since 2018.

Eric earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2009, majoring in Law and Society with double minors in Music and Spanish. While at UCSB, he remained deeply engaged in community work—performing in a non-profit community-based Mariachi ensemble, working with children with learning disabilities through a local non-profit, and interning with the Santa Barbara Public Defender’s Office.

He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in 2016, completing the Civil Litigation and Advocacy Concentration with honors. During law school, Eric served as Vice President of La Raza de Loyola, mentored students through Loyola’s Young Lawyers Program, and competed in the 21st Annual Uvaldo Herrera Moot Court Competition. His passion for trial advocacy then earned him a fellowship with the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

Eric continues to remain deeply committed to service beyond the courtroom. Since 2018, he has been an active board member of the Mexican American Bar Association (MABA), where he continues to advance the organization’s mission of promoting diversity, equity, and justice in the legal profession.

Ronald Gomez, a native of Inglewood, CA, has a background in Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation. He previously served as Deputy Public Defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender's office and practiced Employment Law (management-side) as an Associate Attorney at prominent law firms in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of UCLA, Loyola Marymount University, and USC Gould School of Law. As a proud first-generation American, he is passionate about serving the needs of underrepresented communities. Before law school, he was both a member of Teach for America and a Fulbright Scholarship recipient. Today, he uses his legal education to advocate for racial and social justice.

It is Ronald’s fourth year on the MABA Board of Trustees, and he is proud to serve as Secretary.

James Blancarte, Jr. has served as a Trustee on multiple MABA Boards. On his first MABA Board, he served as the MABA Golf Tournament Chairman and has been on the committee for every golf tournament since then, including the 2023 tournament at the Brookside Golf Course. He has also served on numerous committees over the years and is honored to serve as a Trustee for the 2024 MABA Board.

James comes from a family with an extensive background in the legal field. His father was an attorney for many years and is now a Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. His brother, Jesse Blancarte, is an attorney and fellow MABA Board Member. They are the Managing Partners of their law firm, Blancarte Law, APC. James's sister, Marisa Blancarte-Cuevas, is a contract procurement specialist for SCAG, the Southern California Association of Governments. James credits the guidance of his father, past MABA president judge James Blancarte, Sr., who helped him become the attorney he is today.

James manages a general practice including a variety of state court matters. He also represents minors in custody and guardianship cases to assist in their eventual application for a juvenile visa, a critical step in acquiring legal status in the United States. James also represents many individuals, unable to afford legal services, on a low-bono and pro bono basis. Through his work at Blancarte Law, APC and MABA, James dedicates his time and energy to give back to the community.

Selene Estrada-Villela is an Associate Attorney at Gastélum Law, APC. Her practice primarily focuses on civil rights and police misconduct cases in federal courts throughout California. Selene received a B.A. in 2013 and MSW in 2015 from the University of California, Los Angeles.

In 2023, Selene received a J.D. from Loyola Law School, where she was an editor of the International and Comparative Law Review and board member of the Latinx Law Students Association. During law school, Selene was a certified law student in Loyola’s Juvenile Justice Clinic where she represented children impacted by the delinquency system. Selene externed at several public interest organizations while in law school including the Western Center on Law & Poverty, Public Counsel and the ACLU of Southern California. Selene also served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong.

Prior to law school, Selene was a children’s social worker for nearly a decade. As a social worker, Selene worked primarily with Spanish-speaking families navigating the dependency system.

Alma D. Puente is the founder of the Law Office of Alma D. Puente, a boutique, immigration law firm. Her practice focuses on family-based immigration, political asylum and removal defense. She has practiced immigration law since April 2005 when she left her position with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Alma was a member of the El Monte City Council from November 2020 to December 2024. She served as Mayor Pro Tem from August 11, 2021 to December 2022. She has also served on the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley (IRC) board and currently provides pro bono services to the IRC. Alma has been married to her husband for 24 years and together they have three sons and a giant schnauzer who thinks he is her favorite child. Alma was recently appointed by Governor Newsom to serve as judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Beatriz Pimentel Flores was raised in both Los Angeles and Mexico City. She was graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara and received her J.D. from the University of Quinnipiac Law School. Her bi-cultural upbringing imbued a sense of appreciation and pride in her heritage and gave her an understanding and respect for the nuances of differing cultures, perspectives, and opinions that guide her family law and civil litigation practice.

On a daily basis, Beatriz remembers, respects and honors her father’s words, “Tu educación no te pertenece a ti, sino a todos los que no tuvimos la oportunidad de estudiar.” (Your education does not belong to you; it belongs to all of us who did not have an educational opportunity). Coupled with her father’s constant challenge to, “study, learn and help others,” Beatriz brings thoroughness, vigor and compassion to her family law cases, a determination and zealousness to promote institutional change in her civil rights cases and is a sought after mediator because of her bilingualism, her neutrality, adaptability, analytical thinking and a commitment to resolving cases by thinking outside the box and fashioning creative settlements.

Beatriz is dedicated to serving, promoting and empowering all people to engage the legal process to petition for and sometimes demand that justice and equality for all is respected and effected.

A native of California's Central Valley, Maria Olaguez is a proud graduate of UCLA and Southwestern Law School. She has been practicing law since 2012. Maria practices immigration law with a focus on victim-based immigration relief. Her previous work experience includes serving as a deputy public defender for the Kern County Public Defender's Office and the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. Maria currently serves as Co-Chair of MABA's Judicial Endorsement Committee.

Alfonso Estrada is a partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP. He is an experienced labor and employment attorney who is well-versed in all stages of the litigation process. He represents both public and private sector clients in matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, First Amendment violations, and more. He has a wealth of trial experience and previously worked with law enforcement as a criminal prosecutor.

In addition to the litigation side of his practice, Alfonso also focuses part of his practice in investigations related to employee misconduct and harassment, as well as regulatory enforcement and white-collar defense matters. Throughout his career, Alfonso has worked extensively with law enforcement agencies and unions across California in a variety of matters. He has successfully conducted complex internal investigations for several notable agencies, including the City of Beverly Hills Police and Fire Departments, City of Anaheim, City of Alhambra Police Department, among others.

Prior to joining the firm, Alfonso worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Alfonso is affiliated with several professional organizations and regularly presents his expertise at conferences. Outside of his practice, he volunteers as a Certified Instructor for the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

David Casarrubias-González is a Partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP where he focuses his practice on public agency litigation with an emphasis on complex matters, class actions, and multi-party litigation. With a background in writs, appeals, and law and motion, David brings invaluable knowledge and a unique perspective to his cases. In state court, David is experienced with the California Government Claims Act and the array of defenses it provides to public agencies. In federal court, David routinely defends special districts, counties, and state departments against various constitutional claims.

Currently, David is the Regional Governor for the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Region XVII which covers Northern California and Hawaii. He is also on the faculty at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) where he teaches legal research and writing, and appellate advocacy courses.

Bessie "Isabella" Mafud is an associate at Lagasse Branch + Kinkead where she focuses her practice on catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, trucking and transportation, premises liability, and public entity defense.

Isabella was raised in a single parent household and is the first in her family to graduate from college. Isabella is dedicated to promoting diversity and equity in the legal profession. She currently serves on the New Lawyers Committee for the Latina Lawyers Bar Association where she aims to build a community of support for new lawyers.

She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Riverside majoring in International Affairs with a focus on Middle East and Islamic Studies. While at UCR, Isabella founded Students for Animal Welfare and studied Middle Eastern Affairs in Istanbul, Turkey. She earned her Juris Doctor from Whittier Law School where she served as the ABA liaison and interned at CARACEN helping unaccompanied minors gain asylum.

As Trustee for MABA, Isabella intends to mentor students in high school and college and help build a blueprint for them to navigate their legal careers. As a leader, she plans on seeking opportunities to impart her knowledge to these students through presentations and other engagements.

Dulce Velasquez is an immigration attorney at the Law Office of Alma D. Puente, where she primarily focuses on family-based immigration and removal defense litigation.

She obtained her J.D. from Southwestern Law School. While attending Southwestern’s evening program, she worked full-time as an immigration paralegal, gaining hands on experience throughout her legal studies.

As a first generation college graduate and attorney, she’s deeply committed to serving her community and supporting future legal professionals. She regularly serves as an attorney mentor through MABA and LEAP.

Alongside her work as an immigration attorney, she is a business owner who, with her fiancé, operates Bevel Coffee, a café and coffee roastery in Altadena.

Alexandra Jara is a litigation associate at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, where she represents clients in complex matters and brings a detail-oriented, strategic approach to advocacy. She is also a community leader dedicated to mentorship, advocacy, and advancing opportunities for Latino attorneys within the legal profession. Born in Peru, Alexandra brings a global perspective and a deep personal commitment to equity, representation, and access to justice that informs both her legal practice and community involvement.

Alexandra has been actively involved with MABA since 2022, beginning her service as a Vice Chair while in law school at Western State College of Law. She currently serves as a Trustee, where she supports the Association’s mission to empower the Latino community through advocacy and education and contributes to initiatives focused on mentorship, professional development, and member engagement. She is also involved with the Latina Lawyers Bar Association’s New Lawyers Committee, where she supports initiatives focused on mentorship, professional development, and engagement of early-career attorneys.

During law school, Alexandra demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and service. She served as President of the Latinx Law Student Association, Vice President of the Student Bar Association, and Managing Editor of Law Review. In these roles, she advocated for student representation, organized community-focused programming, and supported the professional development of her peers.

Mildred Segura is a litigation partner in the Los Angeles office of Reed Smith LLP. She is a nationally recognized litigator with over two decades of experience defending complex product litigation matters. Her extensive portfolio includes mass torts, class actions, and coordinated actions involving a diverse array of products. Her practice combines a deep understanding of cutting-edge technologies with the ability to guide clients through the complexities of the legal landscape.

Beyond her litigation practice, Mildred is a champion of diversity and community engagement. She has served as the firmwide chair of Reed Smith's Hispanic/Latino Business Inclusion Group and served as co-chair of the Hispanic National Bar Association's Health & Life Sciences Section. As a first-generation attorney of Guatemalan heritage, Mildred is deeply committed to not only increasing but also maintaining diverse talent in the legal profession. In recognition of her commitment to promoting diversity in the legal profession, she was honored with the 2023 Luminaria Award by the Latina Lawyers Bar Association.

Additionally, Mildred dedicates her time to pro bono initiatives, including representing indigent U-Visa applicants, and has held board roles with the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Counsel for Justice, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, and the UCLA School of Law Alumni Board of Directors.

Mr. Carlos Cruz has successfully represented thousands of immigrants from all around the world in cases before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, numerous Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. District Court and various Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal. Mr. Cruz has an impressive successful track record in particularly complex cases involving novel issues in immigration law. Founded by Carlos A. Cruz in 2000, the Law Offices of Carlos A. Cruz & Associates has grown and enjoyed tremendous success and now has two offices in Alhambra and Brea, California. The firm was founded on the principle that every client deserves the highest-quality representation. The firm prides itself in hiring talented lawyers with a passion for representing immigrants. The firm's non-attorney staff is dedicated to providing a high level of professionalism and client satisfaction. Every member of the firm's staff is fluent in both Spanish and English.