GRIFFITH & THORNBURGH - Key Persons
Austin joined Griffith and Thornburgh in 2018 after spending the first seven years of his legal career in Nashville, Tennessee. He works primarily in the firm's Education Law practice, counseling school district clients through a broad range of issues. Austin has extensive experience representing government agencies from his previous work as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Tennessee and Assistant General Counsel for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Prior to law school Austin worked for a U.S. Senator on Capitol Hill, where he focused on healthcare, environmental, and education issues.
Austin grew up in Dallas, Texas and is thrilled to make Santa Barbara his new home. Austin grew up playing golf and ice hockey and is still a huge fan, though these days he sticks to trail running, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors.
Job Titles:
- High School ( Board of Trustees Member 2020 - Present )
Originally from Los Angeles, Craig arrived at Griffith and Thornburgh in 1977 after graduating UC Berkeley and law school at UCLA, and serving a stint as Assistant County Counsel in Ventura. Craig attributes his genuine enjoyment of practicing law to the trust that his clients place in him to solve challenging and important issues. Outside of legal work, Craig is involved in various community leadership roles, currently serving as board president of the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, among other activities. He also occasionally finds time for fly fishing in Idaho where one of his adult children is a guide and photographer and for excursions to San Francisco and Seattle with his wife Tricia, where they enjoy long morning sightseeing runs and visiting their favorite food joints.
Felicita "Cita" joined Griffith and Thornburgh in 2014, after spending seven years working at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, as a law clerk to the Honorable Robin L. Riblet (Ret.). She feels fortunate to have gained invaluable experience at the court, including an in-depth understanding of bankruptcy law and its broad impact in the community.
John was born and raised in Carson City, Nevada. After high school, John attended the University of San Diego, where he played on the football team and was team captain. John stayed at USD and obtained his law degree. After law school, he moved to Carson City, Nevada where he worked as a Deputy District Attorney. As an assistant D.A., John tried numerous cases, from speeding tickets to murder and everything in between. John and his wife moved to Santa Barbara in 1998, and he joined Griffith & Thornburgh upon his arrival. He enjoys coaching his boy/girl twins in several sports and serves on the boards of local non-profit organizations.
John grew up in Santa Barbara and attended the local public schools. He returned to Santa Barbara after college, the Navy, and law school and joined Griffith & Thornburgh in 1974. He was elected to two terms on the Hope School Board, and has served in leadership positions for several local non-profit organizations. As an avid golfer, he served as the President of the Southern California Golf Association and has enjoyed traveling to the magnificent courses of England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and Australia. John and his wife Helen have been blessed with three wonderful children, nine remarkable grandchildren, and one precious great-granddaughter.
Don came to Santa Barbara as a student at UCSB. After graduation he left the area to attend law school at the University of California (Boalt Hall) in Berkeley. After serving as a Deputy Attorney General in the California Attorney General's Office in San Francisco, in 1968 he returned to Santa Barbara and joined Griffith & Thornburgh. Except for a three year stint as a Judge of the Santa Barbara Superior Court, he has been with the firm since he returned to Santa Barbara. Don has served as President of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association and on the boards of several non-profit community organizations. Don is an avid and enthusiastic tennis player.
Lauren joined Griffith and Thornburgh in 2020 after spending three years as an associate with a boutique firm in Santa Barbara focusing almost exclusively on family law matters, including complex divorces and child custody disputes. Before moving to Santa Barbara in 2017, Lauren worked for a firm in Los Angeles, where she handled all the firm's Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy matters throughout all four districts in California. Prior to law school, Lauren worked at Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones, one of the most prominent insolvency practices in the nation. It was in that position Lauren decided to achieve her law degree. Lauren received her law degree from University of Minnesota Law School and her undergraduate degree from Cornell University.
Lauren grew up in Los Angeles, lived in upstate New York for her undergrad education, followed by Minneapolis, Minnesota for law school, and back to Los Angeles. Lauren loves the beautiful weather and small-town feel of Santa Barbara and is happy to now call it home. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys playing basketball, yoga, hiking, and spending time at the beach. Lauren is also an avid Los Angeles Lakers fan. .
Marisa was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She attended Louisville High School in Woodland Hills, and then moved to Santa Barbara to attend UCSB. After graduation, she lived in the Bay Area while attending law school at Santa Clara University. During law school, Marisa served as a summer law clerk at Griffith & Thornburgh, LLP, and was thrilled to join the firm as an associate attorney in 2004. She became a partner in 2009 and served as the firm's managing partner for several years.
Marisa has been practicing family law for over 18 years. She enjoys working with people to solve often complicated divorce issues. Marisa has experience dealing with complex financial issues, such as business apportionment and separate property tracing.
In addition to her family law practice, Marisa has extensive experience in appellate work, trust litigation and real estate matters, which often arise out of the divorce cases she handles. Believing that the best outcomes are attained through settlement, Marisa works tirelessly to settle cases. Still, Marisa has extensive courtroom and trial experience, and will not hesitate to litigate when necessary.
Marisa and her husband Chad, a Santa Barbara native, have two children. Marisa has leadership roles in Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts and serves as the treasurer of a local Parent Teachers Association. Marisa spends her free time riding horses and hanging out with her family and their two dogs, Moose (a pug) and Roxy (a pug mix).
In addition to traditional full-scope representation, Marisa offers limited scope representation and consulting for parties in mediation or who are self-represented.
Job Titles:
- Junior Golf Association ( past President