Nicoletta Bozhilova

Nicoletta holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Cal State University Fullerton and an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from Rasmussen University. With five (5) years of experience in Trusts & Estates, focusing on probate, Nicoletta has shown strong leadership and community involvement throughout her career.

Her leadership roles include: Vice President of the Snowboarding Club during her school years; Founder of the Geology Club in college, utilizing early social media tools; Ambassador for Mountain Chicks, promoting outdoor activities for women; and Ambassador and Planning Committee member for Women on Course, a national women’s golfing organization.

Nicoletta is motivated to join the OCPA board due to the current committee’s dedication to community service, mentorship, and education, which align with her values.

Her goals for 2025 include: supporting the Pro Bono Chair with community outreach; enhancing the mentorship program with her expertise in trust and estates law; developing educational workshops on emerging trends in paralegal practice; and increasing OCPA’s visibility and fostering relationships within the Orange County legal community.

Nicoletta aims to bring fresh perspectives, collaboration, and continuous learning to the OCPA board, contributing to its mission and giving back to the community.

Jennifer Burton Clifton

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, 2022 and 2023 Educational Conferences. In 2023, she was a director at Large for the OCPA Board and became a member of NALA.

In 2025, she would like to continue to assist hosting with criminal and other MCLE presentations and will co-chair the Annual Educational Conference.  Most importantly, she will bring her enthusiasm and support to make this excellent paralegal association even better and stronger.

Crystal Fowler

As a paralegal with Bisnar Chase, LLP, Crystal brings a wealth of experience having earned her paralegal certificate from Coastline Community College and specializing in various areas of law, including personal injury, business litigation, probate litigation, business formations, and trusts & estates.

Crystal aims to join the Orange County Paralegal Association Board to actively contribute to the ongoing development of the paralegal profession, enhance the roles paralegals play in the legal community, and support paralegals’ involvement in community service.

In 2025, Crystal plans to assist the OCPA in organizing continuing legal education seminars that are impactful and beneficial for paralegals, helping them advance their careers and acquire essential knowledge and skills. She is also eager to participate in OCPA community activities, giving back to the community as much as possible. Crystal’s primary motivation for becoming a paralegal was to serve others, and she is enthusiastic about the opportunity to achieve her goals by serving on the OCPA Board of Directors.

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. Concurrently, working on bridging the OCPA gap with paralegal students. He would like to further foster the legal community in Orange County for 2025.

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.

Tammy Manning-Dickerson, MBA, CP

Tammy has served for the past 11+ years in many capacities with the Orange County Paralegal Association. 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 on the domestic violence committee for the Langston Bar Association and as Vendor Relations Chair for the Minnesota Paralegal Association.

Tammy has over 22 years of experience as a paralegal and currently works as the Head of Legal & Risk Management Operations for Envista Holdings Corporation, a publicly traded company. In her role, she manages the legal department and handles various types of corporate contracts, governance, mergers, litigation, employment, and product liability matters. Tammy earned her master's and bachelor’s degrees from California Baptist University and is a Certified Paralegal through the National Association of Legal Assistants. She has been a guest speaker on corporate law at the 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.

Tammy is grateful to the OCPA for affording her the opportunity to mentor paralegals and paralegal students during their journeys with the OCPA.

Danielle Olson

Danielle is a passionate community organizer, a paralegal, and the HR Supervisor at Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. Danielle has spent over a decade running the day-to-day duties of the law firm and is an integral part of the team and its culture. In 2023, Danielle was the OCPA MCLE coordinator, in addition to serving as the Hospitality Chair. In 2024, she served as the VP of Administration, while continuing the role of MCLE coordinator and Hospitality Chair.

Danielle is heavily involved in helping our communities in every possible way, including dog rescue, clothing the homeless, supporting veterans, and providing critical personal supplies to the underprivileged. She has spearheaded the Backpacks4Life program for eight years, providing thousands and thousands of backpacks to local churches, parents, schools, and the homeless.

Her educational background includes an AA and Certificate in Paralegal Studies 12/2019, Coastline Comm. College, Certificate in Human Resources Management 12/2019, Coastline Comm. College 2022 - Present, Coastline Comm. College General classes to obtain BA, twenty (20) years Human Resource/Payroll Generalist in the legal field, three years Intake Specialist Paralegal, sixteen (16) years at Bisnar Chase as Executive Assistant/HR Manager/Paralegal (Personal Injury/Product Defect), 2019 - 2021 Military Mamma Network Local Board, 2017-2022 Navy Mom Support Group Coordinator, 2014-2022 Backpacks4life Coordinator.

Jeffrey Rodriguez

Jeffrey obtained his Paralegal Certificate from the University of California, Irvine, in December 2024. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University Channel Islands.  Jeffrey is enthusiastic about joining the Board of Directors for the Orange County Paralegals Association (OCPA). In his current role at a personal injury law firm, he serves as a vital resource, helping clients recover financially after car accidents. Beyond his professional experience, Jeffrey has actively participated in OCPA outreach events, which support legal education and promote the paralegal profession. He aims to further empower and improve his community by contributing to the OCPA board in a leadership capacity. He believes this role is a crucial step towards making a positive impact on the legal community. He aims to expand his knowledge of various legal fields and processes, building long-lasting relationships with professionals. This goal reflects his commitment to continuous learning and his desire to positively impact both his career and the wider community.  He envisions collaborating with fellow board members to develop workshops and seminars addressing pressing legal topics and community needs, ensuring a diverse audience is reached.  Through increased involvement, he hopes to gain insights from experienced paralegals and other professionals, further enhancing his skills and knowledge.

Jeffrey is excited about the possibility of contributing his skills and passion to the OCPA and looks forward to the opportunity to work with other dedicated professionals to advance the community.  

Brandon Sharp

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 instructor of Paralegal Studies at the University of California, Irvine Continuing Education Division. 

Brandon brings the unique experience of over sixteen (16) years in technology and over six 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 45thAnniversary Cruise, and the 2023 educational conference – on film and in pictures. Brandon looks to continue this effort in a more official capacity as a board member in 2025, continuing to educate and inspire the next generation of legal professionals and expanding the membership of OCPA.

Brandon enjoys seeing the world, singing, and taking in live theatre when not at work or in the classroom. Cruising is his preferred method of travel, allowing him to visit various countries and beaches and learn about various world cultures. As the 2002 National Vocal Grand Champion, you may have seen Brandon perform in various entertainment venues, such as Disneyland, and heard his voice on various commercials and TV shows. Brandon also maintains a season subscription to the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, CA. When unable to use his tickets, Brandon donates them back to Pantages, where they are, in turn, donated to local theatre students.  

Allen Sifuentes

Allen graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in English, then pursued his paralegal certificate from the UC Irvine extension program and has continued his path in the legal profession for nearly 15 years.  Allen recently obtained his master’s in legal studies degree and is only a few units away from obtaining his master’s in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University. Allen is a paralegal at Bisnar|Chase LLP in Newport Beach and is a Notary Public for the State of California.

In 2025, Allen plans on continuing to assist in bringing in speakers for the legal education seminars and hopes to enrich our members’ knowledge and provide practical insights that keep us ahead in the field. One of the main reasons he is returning to the OCPA board is to give back to the legal community and hopes to inspire the next generation of legal professionals, offering guidance, and creating opportunities that set them on a path to success.  He is eager to amplify the board’s mission through active volunteering and to serve as a voice that promotes growth, integrity, and collaboration in the legal community. Allen also contributed to the OCPA Compendium where he enjoyed the opportunity to interview attorneys for the speaker spotlight articles.  He looks forward to serving on the OCPA board again this year.