CCSLS - Key Persons
Camarin Madigan is the current President of the Board. She previously served as the Board President of CCSLS from 2007-2012 as well. Camarin is a partner at Perkins Coie LLP in San Francisco. She focuses her practice on real estate law, with additional experience in land use, natural resources, energy and environmental law. Camarin graduated from Grinnell College with honors and earned a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Job Titles:
- Intake Specialist Is Responsible for Taking Client Calls, Conducting Intakes, and Executing a Wide Range of Administrative Tasks
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- CEO of the Congress of Neutrals
Deborah Levy is currently the CEO of The Congress of Neutrals, a nonprofit organization that provides mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services. In addition to leading the organization, she mediates civil matters and unlawful detainers using her legal, mediation and counseling skills to reconcile differences and negotiate settlements between parties. She holds a Master's degree in Social Welfare from University of California Los Angeles, a Master's degree in Public Health from The Johns Hopkins University and a Law degree from John F Kennedy University. She has extensive experience working with older adults in roles with the Contra Costa Court Superior Court Probate Department, JFKU's Elder Law Clinic, Diablo Valley Foundation for the Aging. She looks forward to using her diverse skillset to serve CCSLS.
Job Titles:
- Attorney Focusing on Elder Abuse Cases As Well As Awareness & Prevention Training. She 's Also Managing Several of Our "Consult an Attorney" Clinics
Attorney focusing on elder abuse cases as well as awareness & prevention training. She's also managing several of our "Consult an Attorney" clinics.
Gerald Richards is proud to have volunteered with various organizations caring for and serving our senior citizens since he retired in 1993. He previously worked at the University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and joined the Office of Laboratory Counsel, where he was the generalist in a staff of specialists. Prior to that, he worked in private practice and concentrated on wills, trusts and probate, nonprofit corporation, and small business law.
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- Office Manager
Office manager and administrator. Gina oversees all aspects of client intakes, data management, and coordination of delivery of legal services. She also assists with financial administration and supervision of administrative staff.
Graham Douds volunteered in the CCSLS Wills Clinics before joining the board in 2022. Graham serves as Partner for Barr & Douds Attorneys in Danville practicing elder law litigation and specializing in business development for the firm. Practicing for nearly a decade in areas of law that involve vulnerable older adults, he felt his skills could make at least a small, but helpful difference to our community. Graham holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctor degree from University of San Francisco School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Member Emeritus of the Board
- President of the Board
Jeffrey Hamerling served as CCSLS's Board President for several years. He has over 25 years of experience handling business and litigation matters involving franchise, marketing and distribution, and environmental issues. Jeffrey received his J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law and his B.A. with honors from the University of California, Berkeley. He continues to provide periodic advice to CCSLS as Board President Emeritus.
Job Titles:
- Attorney Who Uses His Legal Expertise to Serve Clients across All of Our Issue Areas
Attorney who uses his legal expertise to serve clients across all of our issue areas.
Job Titles:
- Outreach Coordinator and Grants Manager Who Provides Support to CCSLS Programs
Intake Specialist who handles all kinds of clients' inquiries and refers folks to appropriate services as needed. She also tackles various administrative projects for the office.
Job Titles:
- Intake Specialist Who Wrangles Client Calls and Handles Inquiries to and from Various Partner Agencies
Intake Specialist who wrangles client calls and handles inquiries to and from various partner agencies.
Matthew Hulse is our new Executive Director, and brings years of non-profit experience and a passion for our mission to his new role. He loves meeting people and collaborating, so reach out by email!
Matthew S. Toth has served on the board since 2006 in various roles. He is currently a named partner at Pedder, Hesseltine, Walker & Toth, LLP in Lafayette, where he has been since 2001. He enjoys his practice in the areas of contested estates, trusts, and wills, guardianships, and conservatorships. He graduated from John. F Kennedy University School of Law and received a Bachelor of Science from California State University, Hayward.
Job Titles:
- Attorney Who Uses His Legal Expertise to Serve Clients across All of Our Issue Areas
Attorney who uses his legal expertise to serve clients across all of our issue areas.
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney Who Focuses Primarily on Housing Cases
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Partner
Robert M. Bramson is a partner in the Walnut Creek law firm, Bramson, Plutzik, Mahler & Birkhaeuser, LLP. His practice focuses on consumer law and consumer class action cases in California and throughout the United States. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Rob attended UC Berkeley and Berkeley Law School (Boalt Hall), graduating in 1981. Imbued with the "Berkeley Spirit," he has long supported organizations providing legal services to underserved populations.
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney Who Focuses Primarily on Housing Cases
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Treasurer of the Board
Board Treasurer Ronald Gene Boyer is a CPA specializing mainly in taxation and is a Certified Valuation Analyst. He has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Master of Business Administaration, and two Masters of Science degrees in taxation and personal financial planning. He enjoys using his expertise to help further the mission of CCSLS.
For seniors who have limited resources and income*, the pro bono attorneys at the Free Wills Clinics can assist in drafting a simple will. Our clinics do not assist with trusts or more complex estate planning.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board
Board Vice President Stephanie Hayes recently retired after a career providing legal counsel to homeowner's associations. She now volunteers as an attorney for CCSLS. She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a J.D. from John Marshall Law School in Chicago. She is grateful to be able to support the work of Contra Costa Senior Legal Services.
Steve Spafford joined the board in 2022. He is a recently retired tax professional with extensive and varied experience in both public accounting and private industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from UC Berkeley. He is interested in using his financial background and experience to help make a difference to seniors.
Director of Development and Special Projects who uses her experience in philanthropy and nonprofits to help CCSLS increase and diversify its funding, and contributes to projects that strengthen the organization overall.
Job Titles:
- Director of Legal Services
Director of Legal Services who is a passionate, experienced advocate for our older adult clients. She oversees all of legal services by managing all Staff Attorneys and Intake Staff. She also manages some cases and provides services relating to prevention of elder abuse and accommodations for persons with disabilities.