Jennifer Burton

Jennifer graduated with an Associate of Science degree in paralegal studies from South Coast College.  She currently works as a Paralegal at Starting Over, Inc., a nonprofit organization, which involves post-conviction relief, expungement, criminal defense, civil and family law.

Jennifer came to OCPA in 2020 as a student liaison and quickly became a Co-chair for the Criminal Section.  She has been actively involved in many of the MCLE events, including the 2021 and 2022 Educational Conferences. In 2023, she was a director at Large for the OCPA Board and a member of NALA

Luigi Giovanni Guereca

Luigi obtained his Paralegal Certificate from Santa Ana College in 2023. He is currently employed with Knobbe Martens. Not only does he have legal experience, but he also possesses a wide range of experience in banking, finance, mortgage, and customer service. He was introduced to the OCPA by his Professor at Santa Ana College. 

Luigi shares OCPA’s commitment to excellence through education, certification, and ethical responsibility. In 2022, he was a student volunteer for the in-person events held by the OCPA. In 2023, he continued volunteering in the OCPA. 

Luigi would like to serve on the OCPA Board of Directors to expand OCPA’s insightful social media presence for the legal community. He was concurrently working on bridging the OCPA gap with paralegal students. He would like to further foster the legal community in Orange County for 2024. 

E. Penny Gutierrez

E. Penny Gutierrez received her Paralegal Certificate from Fullerton College and has a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. 

Penny currently works as a Civil Litigation paralegal at Walworth, with previous experience in Family Law, Estate Planning, and Criminal Defense. Penny has over 13+ years of experience and has assisted in Federal and State Court proceedings. She served on the OCPA Board in 2023 and co-chaired the Annual Educational Conference.   

Penny looks forward to serving on the OCPA Board in 2024. 

Lorena Hughes

Lorena received her bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Cal Poly, Pomona. She previously worked as a manager in the hospitality industry and has extensive experience in business. Lorena moved on to pursue a career in the legal field and earned her Paralegal Certificate at the University of California, Irvine Division for Continuing Education. She is a paralegal at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, Inc., specializing in criminal defense and driving under the influence of alcohol and drug cases. Lorena is also a law firm's certified Notary Public and Spanish Interpreter.

Lorena is currently OCPA’s Compendium Editor and has served in this capacity since 2018. She will be the chair of the Pro Bono section in 2024. She served as President for OCPA in 2017 and as Vice President of Administration in 2015 and 2016. Lorena is a frequent guest speaker for student paralegal classes at Santa Ana College and UCI Division for Continuing Education. In the past she has chaired the Criminal Section for OCPA, the Hospitality section in 2014 and 2018-2019, and co-chaired the 27^th Annual OCPA Educational Conference. 

Lorena is the recipient of several prestigious awards including 2021 National Affiliates Award from the NALA, The Paralegal Association (“NALA”), and the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Orange County Paralegal Association (“OCPA”).

Lorena’s goal is to continue contributing towards OCPA’s mission, paying it forward and sharing the value of learning through the OCPA organization and how it can help make positive and meaningful changes, both personally and professionally. Lorena believes in the high standards that OCPA has set for educational, career, and networking opportunities that have been specially designed for the membership over the years. Lorena enjoys and feels honored to have had the opportunity to know others and build relationships over the years during the time serving with OCPA.

Chloe Lee

Chloe graduated from the University of Southern California and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She graduated from the ABA-approved UCI Paralegal Program in 2021, where she obtained her paralegal certification. 

With over two years of hands-on experience in Mass Arbitration, litigation, and intellectual property law, Chloe has honed her skills in navigating complex case management in litigation practice. Her dedication to this specialty area has allowed her to develop innovative case management techniques that streamline legal processes in e-filling. She also has a genuine passion for sharing knowledge and empowering others. At her previous law firm, she created a comprehensive training program for the department's new hires within three months of joining the firm. Before leaving the firm, she was involved in the new hiring process because they valued her opinion and trusted her as a team leader. 

Chloe strongly believes in the power of knowledge sharing and mentorship, aiming to inspire and guide fellow paralegals in their career journeys and guiding them towards excellence in the legal profession. She has received messages from many aspiring paralegals on LinkedIn asking for career advice since the beginning of her legal career. She enjoys sharing her experience with them and encouraging them to become paralegals. 

Tammy Manning-Dickerson, MBA, CP

Tammy Manning Dickerson, MBA, CP, has served in many capacities with the Orange County Paralegal Association for over ten years.  She is a past President, Member of the Board of Directors, Hospitality Co-Chair, Section Co-Chair for Corporate Law, and Treasurer.  She was also the Chairperson for the 2014 Educational Conference with the Orange County Paralegal Association. She has previously served as chair of the domestic violence committee for the Langston Bar Association and as Vendor Relations Chair for the Minnesota Paralegal Association.

Tammy has over 21 years of experience as a paralegal, and currently works as a global legal operations manager for Envista Holdsing Corporation, a publicly traded company.  In her role, she manages the legal department, handles various types of corporate contracts, governance, mergers, litigation, employment, and product liability matters.  Tammy earned both her masters and bachelors degrees from California Baptist University and is a Certified Paralegal through the NALA.  She has been a guest speaker on corporate law at University of California Riverside, University of California Irvine, and The Legal Secretaries Association.

Tammy believes that her desire and dedication to mentorship in the paralegal community and her belief in the Orange County Paralegal Association’s mission will allow her to serve as a successful Director at Large to all our members. She brings many years of leadership skills to the organization and welcomes the opportunity to continue to use her skills in the position of Director at Large. She is confident that she is and will continue to be part of an already amazing team of leaders who have run the organization over these past 43 years. 

Joi Millett, ACP, CAS

Joi served as Secretary in 2023 and Vice President of Administration for 2018 and 2019. She has been a member of the Board of Directors for nine years and seeks to expand her contribution to the paralegal community.  Joi has worked primarily in Family Law for over 11 years and enjoys the personal experiences of working there in this area of law. 

Joi has earned her Advanced Certified Paralegal certification and a California Advanced Specialist in Discovery certification through the National Association of Legal Assistants.  Joi earned her certification in Early Childhood Education from Citrus College in Azusa, California, and was a newspaper staff member while attending. Joi worked as a Preschool Teacher while obtaining her associate degree in paralegal studies from Platt College in Ontario, California, earning an Excellence in Legal Research and Writing award.  Joi speaks regularly at paralegal programs with the University of California, Irvine, Fullerton College, Fremont College, Irvine Valley College, and Santa Ana College. 

The Orange County Paralegal Association has a long legacy of success that Joi has admired and has been fortunate to be involved in over the past eight years.  Joi looks forward to spending another year serving the paralegal community in Orange County.

Brandon graduated from the University of Massachusetts Global with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, a Minor in Criminology, and his Paralegal Certificate. Brandon is currently a Paralegal at the firm of Hueston Hennigan, LLP, based out of their Newport Beach office. In addition, he is also a Notary Public for the States of California & Nevada. Brandon is also an adjunct professor of Paralegal Studies at the University of California, Irvine Continuing Education Division. 

Brandon brings the unique experience of over 15 years in technology, combined with over five years of legal experience, to the profession. Brandon is passionate about educating future paralegals and serving the OCPA membership. Brandon has volunteered throughout the year at various OCPA events, serving as the Historian, capturing the major events – such as the annual NALA Conference, OCPA 45^th Anniversary Cruise, and the 2022 educational conference – on film and in pictures. Brandon looks to continue this effort in a more official capacity as a board member in 2023, continuing to educate and inspire the next generation of legal professionals and expanding the membership of OCPA.

Allen Sifuentes

Allen is a Director at Large and wants to give back to the legal community.  He has been a paralegal since graduating from UC Santa Barbara and has continued his path in the legal profession. His current employer is Bisnar|Chase LLP and he is currently enrolled in a master’s program at Pepperdine University, which aligns with his life’s goal to “never stop learning.”