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Overview

Natalie is a creative and driven litigator guiding clients through all phases of commercial litigation at a national level in state and federal courts.

From complaint to verdict, Natalie’s advocacy includes aggressive discovery strategy, taking and defending depositions, pre-trial motion work and trial preparation for optimal and customized client legal solutions. Manufacturers, premises owners, contractors, suppliers, retailers and insurance companies rely on her defense in complex claims of product liability, premise liability, construction defect, mass toxic tort, pharmaceutical and other general liability issues. Natalie has worked closely with Fortune 50 companies, Fortune 500 companies and small businesses, among other clients. She is well-versed in collaborating with medical and scientific experts, including pulmonologists, internists, cardiologists, radiologists, economists and industrial hygienists while defending client cases. She regularly represents clients facing compliance issues under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), the California Health and Safety Code (HSC), and other federal and state laws.

In addition to her focused practice on toxic tort matters, clients value Natalie’s prior litigation background in general business disputes, real estate claims, and labor and employment matters. Additionally, before beginning her legal career, Natalie worked as a senior commercial real estate research analyst specializing in the Chicago Business District. This unique viewpoint often helps her see different perspectives and strategies when partnering with cross-functional teams to identify the best solutions for moving clients forward.

Natalie serves as co-chair of the firm’s Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern & North African Employee Resource Group, where she collaborates with firm leaders on diversity, equity and inclusion matters and regularly mentors her diverse colleagues to ensure they have a supportive work environment.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Prospective Partners Program, 2022
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellows Program, 2022
  • Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network, Global FWN100™ “Most Influential Filipina Women in the World," 2021
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Leadership Advancement Program, Fellow, Class of 2020-2021
  • Northern California Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2021-2022

Education

  • J.D., Thomas Jefferson School of Law
    • Moot Court Honor Society: Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, American Bar Association National Moot Court Competition
    • Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, President
  • B.A., University of Illinois at Chicago
    • Political Science
    • with Distinction
    • University of Illinois Board of Trustees, Two-Term Student Trustee

Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • California Women Lawyers, Board Member, In-House Counsel Network Chair, 2023
  • Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC), Foundation Treasurer, 2019-2020; Executive Board Member, 2019-2021; Professional Development Committee Co-Chair, 2018-2021; In-House Committee Co-Chair, 2019-Present
  • Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, 2017-Present
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), Mass Torts and Class Action Committee Member, 2018-Present
  • National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA), Chair of Women Lawyer’s Affinity Network, 2021-Present; Mid-Year Summit Committee Member, 2019-Present; Programs & Operations Committee Member, 2021-Present
  • St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco, 2012-Present


*Contact Natalie to set up an in-person consultation by appointment in the Oakland office.
Experience
  • Obtained mistrial judgment as second chair for talc supplier facing personal injury claims in seven-week jury trial in Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
  • Defended pharmaceutical company in personal injury action regarding popular cosmetic filler involving high-profile medical provider co-defendant. Obtained early dismissal from plaintiff.
  • Represented toxic substances abatement vendor for multiple violations of the California Health and Safety Code (HSC). Obtained favorable resolution from tactical negotiation discussions with California's Department of Toxic Control Substances (DTSC).
  • Obtained favorable outcome as second chair in five-day trial, Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, defending real estate owner/developer in wage claim and employment matter; $1,200 plaintiff award was fraction of $190,000 potential liability.
  • Obtained defense verdict as second chair in three-day trial, Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, defending small business owner facing $1M+ claims in partnership dissolution.
  • Obtained plaintiff verdict as second chair in five-day trial in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California, representing homeowner plaintiff in contractual dispute based on fraudulent business practices of a general contractor, saving client nearly $100K potential exposure.
  • Obtained favorable resolution at mediation for window manufacturer in construction defect matter.
  • Defended pesticide/herbicide manufacturer in high profile personal injury matter in Superior Court of California, County of Solano involving a minor child. Less than one week before voir dire was to commence, obtained a dismissal based following recent rulings on motions in limine and Sargon motions, regarding plaintiffs' experts.
  • Defended auto parts supplier in personal injury matter in Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles defending auto manufacturer supplier. Obtained a writ judgment for a stay on trial proceedings from the California Court of Appeals based on undue prejudice and violation of due process rights due to rigid COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the Court. Obtained favorable resolution prior to the resumption of new trial.
  • Represented international non-profit organization in a dispute involving accounting and potential misappropriation of funds by fiscal sponsor. Obtained favorable resolution and settlement from negotiation discussions.
Outside the Office

Natalie is originally from the Chicagoland area, but has called the San Francisco Bay area home for over 10 years. Natalie and her husband have two young sons; they enjoy traveling and hiking together.

Natalie enjoys baking bread and is an amateur graphic design artist. While in law school, she ran an Etsy store designing wedding and party invitations. Natalie also enjoys indoor cycling, running and practicing yoga.

Community Leadership

Natalie stays active in her community.

Natalie is committed to giving back to her community and is particularly focused on volunteering her time in schools and educational institutions.

She currently serves on the school board for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Redwood City, California, one of the San Francisco Bay’s oldest institutions, where she advises the administration on recruitment, marketing and community outreach. Natalie has also been active at her alma mater, where she has previously served on the University of Illinois at Chicago Alumni Board and as Vice President of the University of Illinois Asian American Alumni Network.