Sondra S. Sutherland

Sondra S. Sutherland, Esq., brings more than 35 years of legal experience to her practice, beginning her career at age 17 as a legal secretary and later earning a paralegal certificate from the University of San Diego. She served as a litigation paralegal for eight years before graduating with honors from Whittier Law School in 1996. During law school, she was selected as a Judicial Extern to the Hon. Norman L. Epstein of the California Court of Appeal and Hon. Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Ms. Sutherland’s early legal career included work as a Research Attorney with the L.A. Superior Court, Family Law Division, before moving into private practice. Her accomplishments include several published appellate decisions, one of the nation’s largest civil rights verdicts against CPS, and recognition as a CLAY "Attorney of the Year" in 2012 for family law. Committed to community service, Ms. Sutherland’s pro bono efforts have earned her the State Bar’s pro bono award. She is active in numerous professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, San Diego County Bar Association, and the American Inns of Court.