ALLAN & MARTELLE - Key Persons
Alexa LeBlanc joined the team at Allan & Martelle in 2021 with an established aspiration to pursue a career in law. Her interest in family law comes from a past AmeriCorps fellowship working with the youth of San Jose. In this position, Alexa was able to work one-on-one with young students in disadvantaged communities and learn about their personal struggles as well as their aspirations. This up-close and personal work showed Alexa that she has the ability to help those in her community and make a difference in their lives, which she hopes to continue to do in the legal field.
Alexa completed her studies at San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a double minor in Business and Psychology. Due to her passion for education, she completed her undergraduate degree in only two and a half years and graduated summa cum laude in December 2021. Alexa is a life-long learner, soaking up every bit of knowledge from years of court precedent and case law which makes her an incredible advocate for the clients she assists.
Starting fall 2023, Alexa will be attending law school at Santa Clara University but will continue to work on various domestic violence and child custody cases. Following the completion of law school, Alexa intends to take the California Bar Exam and commence work in the family law field as a licensed attorney.
Anna joined the firm as a Legal Assistant in January of 2023. Her interest in law as a whole stems from a general passion for the pursuit of justice and equity. She is excited to use the opportunity presented to her at Allan & Martelle to effect tangible change in her local community of San Jose. Particularly, she finds Child Custody and Minor's Counsel cases most rewarding, as they offer the opportunity to make a significant impact on the futures of children affected by often tumultuous and emotionally charged cases.
Anna graduated cum laude from UC Berkeley in 2022 with two Bachelor's degrees in Integrative Biology and Legal Studies. She intends to apply to law school in the near future, and is excited by the prospect of pursuing a career that allows her to extend her impact to a larger scale. Outside of work, Anna enjoys dancing, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, and traveling to visit family and friends.
Eva M. Martelle is a peer-endorsed attorney through Martindale-Hubbell with an AV rating representing families and individuals throughout Santa Clara County with prowess and over 15 years of experience within the realm of family law that serve as tools for her to successfully resolve cases and help clients find amicable solutions.
Ms. Martelle's assiduous and successful style in legal matters has been distinguished by many notable awards including Best Lawyers in America 2020 by U.S. News & World Report, Client's Choice by Avvo (5-time winner), Platinum Client Champion Award by Martindale-Hubbell, 2019 Northern California Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers, and Henry B. Collada Memorial Award by Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County. Find a detailed list of Ms. Martelle's awards and recognition below.
Ms. Martelle obtained her law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. While in attendance, Ms. Martelle was a Technical Editor of the Santa Clara Law Review and participated in the quarterly publication of Volume 44.
Ms. Martelle has enjoyed donating her time to various non-profit organizations located in the Bay Area. Ms. Martelle's donation of time to the community has been recognized and awarded with a Pro Bono Award and Public Interest Certificate which was administered and recognized by the Santa Clara University School of Law.
Since founding Allan & Martelle in 2005, Ms. Martelle has assisted over one thousand clients during some of the most difficult times of their lives. Ms. Martelle has represented husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, grandparents, and other individuals in family law matters. Ms. Martelle has been appointed by the court to represent many children of divorced or separated families, giving her a unique perspective when assisting other parties. Above all else, Ms. Martelle strives to truly understand her clients' needs and works tirelessly to protect their rights.
Gizelle joined the firm in September 2023. She graduated in 2022 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Justice Studies with a concentration in Criminology from San Jose State University. Prior to joining Allan & Martelle, Gizelle always had the passion and dedication to make a positive impact on the future generations. Since joining the firm, her passion has only grown stronger as she continues to help set up families and individuals for future success. In her free time, Gizelle enjoys spending time with friends and family, serving as a youth leader at a local church, and experiencing new adventures the world has to offer.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Certified Family Law Specialist
Heather M. Allan is a certified family law specialist and a peer-endorsed attorney representing families all across Santa Clara County with aptitude and experience in the numerous aspects of family law, allowing her to successfully resolve cases for her clients and reach amicable solutions.
Ms. Allan's diligent and successful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including Top 100 Lawyers by The National Advocates, 10 Best by American Institute of Legal Counsel, and Henry B. Collada Memorial Award by Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County. Find a detailed list of Ms. Allan's awards and recognition below.
Ms. Allan maintains an extensive network in family law with associations ranging from Certified Family Law Specialists to the United States Supreme Court. She leverages her vast network to assist each client efficiently and effectively, helping clients avoid extensive legal fees.
Ms. Allan attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Ms. Allan was a member of the National Honor Society (Psy Chi Omega) and recognized on the Dean's list.
Ms. Allan obtained her law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. While in attendance, Ms. Allan was a member of Honors Moot Court from which she received recognition as Best Oral Advocate.
Ms. Allan interned for the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office in the Juvenile Dependency and Law and Motions Units. Ms. Allan argued several cases at the trial court level, a case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and had an appellate brief published on Termination of Parental Rights.
Since establishing Allan & Martelle, Ms. Allan has handled hundreds of cases within the family law context. She has assisted numerous individuals with resolving complex and highly emotional matters. With a passion and drive for advocacy, Ms. Allan listens to understand her clients needs' and works assiduously to protect their rights.
Education:
California Polytechnic State University, B.S. in Psychology, Graduated Cum Laude, Member of National Honor Society (Psy Chi Omega), Recognized on the Dean's list.
Santa Clara University School of Law, Honors Moot Best Oral Advocate Award Recipient
Jessica Colling joined the firm in 2020 and wasted no time proving herself to be a diligent, skilled, and communicative team member. Jessica enjoys various aspects of Family Law, but most particularly she loves assisting clients to reach a full resolution. Currently, she serves the firm on a large variety of family law cases, seeking to gain exposure with every element of the complicated family law issues faced by our clients. When looking for a legal assistant who is enthusiastic and passionate about taking any problem head-on, Jessica is our firm favorite!
Jessica graduated from California State University, Fresno with a B.S. in Animal Science. Since then, she has built up her career in Law and graduated from the ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate Program at West Valley College in June 2020. She gained lengthy and valuable experience in Corporate Law as a Paralegal and Legal Administrator. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys riding her horse, visiting National Parks, and spending time with her family.
Jessica graduated from West Valley College in 2018, earning an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Math and Science. Shortly thereafter, Jessica found herself working with individuals and their families as a swim coach and resource educator. Her early career working with families drives Jessica's passion for working in family law. Jessica has gained valuable knowledge of how Family Law works across the state of California, honing in on her skills from legal experience with a firm in Sacramento and another in San Francisco.
Jessica has been working with Allan & Martelle since August 2020. She enjoys various aspects of family law, but her favorite part of the job is working alongside Ms. Allan and Ms. Martelle to help individuals going through an emotional and stressful time. Currently, Jessica serves the firm on a large variety of cases, including but not limited to child custody/visitation, property division, and domestic violence. Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs outside of work, doing escape rooms with her friends and family, and traveling.
Prisha Bhadra is an ambitious undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley. She joined the firm as a legal intern in the summer of 2023 and will be returning this summer 2024. As a rising senior, pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor in South Asian Studies, Prisha's unwavering passion for justice has become the driving force behind her desire to make a meaningful impact in the legal field. Family law holds a profound importance to her because it allows her to provide support and guidance to individuals navigating challenging family-related matters, understanding the significant impact these issues have on people's lives.
Prisha's commitment to justice extends beyond her academic pursuits. She has actively worked with organizations dedicated to freeing those wrongfully convicted, championing fairness and equity within the justice system. Through her experiences, she has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of law in correcting injustices and giving a voice to the voiceless. It is this empathy and dedication that fuels her aspirations of starting her own law firm in the future, where she hopes to make a lasting difference in the lives of those in need.
In addition to her legal endeavors, Prisha has also taken on leadership roles in student government, serving as the Campus Affairs Director at Berkeley. In this capacity, she has worked diligently to address issues relevant to the student body, advocating for their rights and fostering a supportive campus environment. Prisha's genuine care for the well-being of others, coupled with her strong work ethic, empathy, and determination, make her a valuable asset to Allan and Martelle, LLP.
Ria Kanani is diligent, driven, and an assiduous student of Law. She has been serving in various roles at Allan & Martelle, LLP for over four years. She assists the Partners both at Court and in the office with tasks including trial brief writing, legal writing, ghostwriting legal magazine columns, recruiting employees, and training new staff. While hustling alongside the rest of the team, Ria finds the most gratification in working with vulnerable victims on court-appointed Minor's Counsel cases and DV-related issues. She maintains an extensive network across the country with the aim to open up her own firm one day, dedicated to serving victims of sexual violence.
Prior to joining the firm in 2019, Ria garnered experience in Immigration Law and Policy Making. She has also led community workshops on Human Trafficking in the Strong Girls, Strong Women conferences hosted by Santa Clara County's Office of Women's Policy. Ria recently graduated from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Washington D.C. with honors and a B.S. in International Political Economy paired with a minor in Spanish. She was President of the Women's Network at Georgetown University and part of the country's oldest debate society, The Philodemic. Outside of work, Ria enjoys traveling, hiking, and watching the Golden State Warriors!
Rorye joined the firm in January 2023. She attended Pomona College in Claremont, CA where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in Mathematics. Within her time at Allan & Martelle, Rorye has quickly become captivated by the ever-changing landscape of family law. Every day brings a new challenge, and she finds it incredibly gratifying to be able to help clients with their cases in any capacity. Each member of Allan & Martelle's team inspires Rorye daily with their unmatched dedication to their clients, and she gets added motivation daily from working with such a team. Outside of work, you will find Rorye reading, painting, and seeking new experiences.
Job Titles:
- Legal & Accounting Assistant
Sabrina Cisneros is a Legal & Accounting Assistant at Allan & Martelle, LLP. She has been successfully assisting attorneys across diverse areas of law, including family, bankruptcy, criminal, civil litigation and estate planning for over 20 years. Sabrina first joined Allan & Martelle in 2008. She brings a rich background of versatile legal experience and a level-headed management style to the team, helping calm the often emotionally intense waters associated with Family Law. Over the course of working at Allan & Martelle, Sabrina has enjoyed the rewarding experience of assisting clients and potential clients during very difficult times in their lives.
Sabrina has an Associates Degree in Liberal Studies and is an ABA Certificated Paralegal. She enjoys time with her husband and their two children, doing things like traveling, taking long walks, and spending time in nature.
Sarah joined the firm in 2023 and has quickly shown her skills in attention to detail and dependability. Her expertise from years of customer service is outstanding, making her the perfect first point of contact for new and incoming clients as well as current clients. Sarah's interest and passion for Family Law stem from giving a voice back to those who have lost it along the way.
Sarah's stellar interpersonal communication was a skill she honed during her undergraduate years at California State University-East Bay where she majored in Psychology and earned a minor in Criminal Justice. She has plans to expand and continue her education through a graduate program for Legal Studies shortly and is eager to continue her career in the legal field. Outside of work she enjoys baking, spending time with family, and traveling.
Knowledge, leadership, and versatility make Stella Lightfoot one of the most valuable employees at Allan & Martelle, LLP since she joined in 2017. Having served the firm in numerous positions, Stella is able to navigate practically any challenges in a client's case. She is experienced in cases that deal with child custody/visitation, child support and spousal support, and enjoys applying her vast experience to high conflict Minor's Counsel cases. Stella works to assist many victims of domestic violence, a part of the job which she finds especially gratifying.
Stella graduated from Sierra College with an A.A. in Fashion Merchandising in 2010. She went on to graduate from the ABA approved Paralegal Certificate Program at West Valley College in May 2020. Stella often trains new firm employees in various positions and demonstrates tremendous leadership skills, which undoubtedly reflect her confidence while serving clients. Away from the firm, Stella likes reading, stand-up paddle boarding, spending time with family (especially her niece), collecting unique houseplants, playing with her cats, doing pilates, and watching the latest true crime documentary on Netflix.