Ms. Tapia has dedicated her entire legal career to fight for the legal rights and protection of all communities which are currently underrepresented. Ms. Tapia is proactive in advocating the rights of the underprivileged communities in both Northern and Southern California. Her philosophy is to educate and assist those who need it most. By doing so, she can help clients gain a better understanding of their situation and help them navigate through a complex legal system. Ms. Tapia is a native of Los Angeles County and a first generation Mexican-American. She understands the challenges faced by many immigrants and is dedicated to helping them face and conquer these challenges
Education and Membership:
Ms. Tapia attended the University of Southern California (USC) and received her Bachelors of Science degree in Public Policy and Management in June 1996. During her tenure at USC, she interned with the United States Attorney’s Office in Washington D.C. where she clerked in the Narcotics division. Upon graduating from USC, she interned with the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and soon thereafter completing her internship became a legal assistant for a Business and Estate Planning lawyer at the Law Firm of Frye & Hsieh, LLP.
Ms. Tapia received her Doctor of Jurisprudence in May 2000 from the Golden Gate University School of Law where she interned at various non-profit agencies, such as Mexican American Legal and Defense Educational Fund (MALDEF) in the City and County of San Francisco, Federal Public Defenders Office in the City of Oakland, and Law Center for Law and Justice, in the City of Los Angeles among other internships during her law school career. Upon graduating from law school, she passed the California Bar and was sworn in on December 2000. She is an admitted Attorney and Counselor of the California Supreme Court and the United States District Court – Central District of California. Ms. Tapia also serves as a member of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. She is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Once becoming a lawyer, Ms. Tapia worked tirelessly for victims’ rights. She was a staff attorney at the San Pedro Community Legal Services representing victims of domestic violence in Immigration and Family Law matters in Los Angeles County. Ms. Tapia became a staff attorney at Bay Area Legal Aid in the City of Oakland where she worked with victims of domestic violence in their Family and Immigration law matters. At Bay Area Legal Aid, she worked in collaboration with other public agencies in advocating the rights of victims of domestic violence through advocacy in the Courts and in the community. In 2004, she opened up her own private practice while still maintaining her passion and commitment to helping the underprivileged at the Family Law Facilitator’s office in the City and County of San Francisco. She returned to her roots in the City of Los Angeles in 2005 and continued her solo law practice in Los Angeles while maintaining her commitment to the indigent communities.
At the Law Office of Jacqueline Tapia, we are equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience to represent your legal interests. We look forward to serving your legal rights!
