Board Members
2025-2026
ALYSSA AGUILAR
BALIF Co-Chair | New Lawyers Chair | Programs/CLE Committee
Jamal Anderson
BALIF Co-Chair | Communications & Social Media Committee | Programs/CLE Chair
Kelsey Chetosky
Amicus & CCBA Committee | Gala Committee
Raisa Dyadkina
Communications & Social Media Chair | Programs/CLE Committee
Gerardo Gama
Community Engagement Committee | New Lawyers Committee
Hillary T. Irvin
Community Engagement Committee | DEI Committee
Brianna Jackson
Secretary | CCBA Chair
Melanie Kim
Treasurer | Fundraising & Finance Chair
Lindsey Kincaid
Membership Chair | Communications & Social Media Committee
Stephen Klavuhn
Law Student Representative | Social Committee
Connor Kratz
Amicus & CCBA Committee | Community Engagement Committee
Rafael Langer-Osuna
Amicus Chair | Community Engagement Committee
Andy Le
Law Student Representative | Social Committee
JON LUCCHESE
Fundraising & Finance Committee | Gala Committee | Membership Committee
Michael Mahoney
Amicus & CCBA Committee | Judiciary/Endorsements Committee
Ernie Mejia
DEI Chair | Social Chair
Virginia Millacci
Gala Committee | Programs/CLE Committee
Daniel Turner
Judiciary/Endorsements Chair | New Lawyers Committee
Nathan Wexler
Community Engagement Chair | Amicus & CCBA Committee
Keerthi (Kiki) Yalamanchili
Law Student Representative | Law Student Committee Chair | DEI Committee
ALYSSA AGUILAR
BALIF Co-Chair | New Lawyers Chair | Programs/CLE Committee
Alyssa is a recent graduate of Santa Clara Law where she received the High Tech Law Certificate with Honors for Intellectual Property. She has also worked with Colleen Chien at Santa Clara Law and UC Berkeley Law on the Paper Prisons Initiative, which advocates for expanding expungement laws across the states and working on automating expungement processes.
As a queer woman of color, she strives to bring intersectionality to the legal and tech professions by offering her thoughts and perspectives about how tech companies can be more inclusive, and helping with events, participating in ERGs, training, and overall employee education. She understands how important it is to always make sure she is representing her communities and making spaces more inclusive.
Alyssa discovered BALIF as a law student and this will be her fifth year on the Board. In her free time, Alyssa likes to hang out with her friends and family, go to concerts, play bass and drums, go wine tasting, and spend time with her dog, Carli. In addition to being a WSET Level 2 wine expert, she is also a fried chicken, chip, and street meat connoisseur.
Jamal Anderson
BALIF Co-Chair| Communications & Social Media Committee | Programs/CLE Chair
Kelsey Chetosky
Amicus & CCBA Committee | Gala Committee
Kelsey is a graduate of Northwestern Law School and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she studied Agricultural and Consumer Economics. As an undergraduate, she was an active member of the Illinois Trial Team, competing in dozens of tournaments across the country, and serving as President and team captain. Kelsey continues to serve as a member of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Law Related Education Committee, where she helps write the mock trial case problem for the Illinois State Competition.
In her free time, Kelsey enjoys meditation, biking up Hawk Hill, running along the Marina Green, planning for the Burn and staying close with her friends and family.
Pronouns: she / her
Raisa Dyadkina
Communications & Social Media Chair | Programs/CLE Committee
Gerardo Gama
Community Engagement Committee | New Lawyers Committee
Gerardo Gama is a Mexican-born, San Francisco-based state bar candidate and self-taught multidisciplinary artist whose work challenges boundaries. Gerardo dives deep into authentic tradition, to create visual and intellectual experiences that invite exploration of alternate dimensions and deeper truths.
Gerardo is known for his analytical rigor, creative problem-solving, and deep commitment to justice. His professional journey bridges the realms of law and art, reflecting a nuanced understanding of both societal systems and human expression. Whether advocating for justice or presenting groundbreaking artworks, he is guided by a passion for beauty and truth.
Gerardo’s art, often rooted in mixed media, photography, and installation, evokes comparisons to classical and impressionist traditions, with clear influence from Russian iconography and Mesoamerican cosmovision. His visual works are designed to transport the viewer—to other planes of consciousness and self-reflection.
Driven by a belief that both law and art are tools for awakening and empowerment, Gerardo Gama invites us to look deeper, question boldly, and live our most authentic lives.
Hillary T. Irvin
Community Engagement Committee | DEI Committee
Hillary T. Irvin is a former federal prosecutor who has represented clients in all facets of high stakes commercial litigation and criminal matters. She has experience litigating in federal and state courts throughout the United States. Hillary formerly served as an Assistant United States Attorney in both Miami and San Francisco. As a federal prosecutor, Hillary managed over 100 cases involving wire fraud, bank fraud, embezzlement, domestic and international terrorism threats, national security, and violent crimes.
Following her time at the United States Attorney’s Offices, Hillary specialized in ‘bet-the-company” litigation as an Associate at the prominent San Francisco boutique firm Keker, Van Nest & Peters. Hillary defended Fortune 10 companies in matters involving intellectual property, class-actions, mass arbitrations and emerging technology.
Hillary served as a law clerk to Judge Shaniek M. Maynard of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and Judge Michele D. Hotten of the Supreme Court of Maryland.Hillary earned her J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and her B.S. in political science from Towson University. Following her law school graduation, Hillary was inducted into the Order of the Barristers, an elite honor society for individuals who demonstrate exceptional skill in trial advocacy, oral advocacy, and brief writing. Hillary also received the Jerome E. Deise Trial Excellence Prize and the Maryland Public Service Award.
Brianna Jackson
Secretary | CCBA Chair
During law school, Brianna dedicated herself to civil rights, criminal defense, and government accountability work. She currently serves as a Fellow with the Family and Children’s Law Center, providing vital family law services to underserved communities in Marin County who might otherwise navigate complex legal challenges alone.
A dedicated volunteer with the National Lawyers Guild’s Know Your Rights and Demonstrations Committees, Brianna champions stronger bridges between LGBTQIA+ legal professionals and grassroots movements. As Amicus/CCBA Committee Co-Chair, she brings a policy-forward, community-rooted perspective to BALIF’s legislative and amicus work, ensuring that legal advocacy remains connected to the lived experiences of those most affected by systemic inequities.
JON LUCCHESE
Robert Half Legal | Membership Co-Chair | Gala Co-Chair
Melanie Kim
Treasurer | Fundraising & Finance Chair
While in pursuit of her law degree, Melanie served as a clerk for the AIDS Legal Referral Panel in San Francisco, and as a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Jon S. Tigar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. During the COVID -19 pandemic, she volunteered for Berkeley Law’s CARES Act Small Businesses Project, assisting small business owners applying for federal aid available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Lindsey Kincaid
Membership Chair | Communications & Social Media Committee
Lindsey works alongside legal professionals as a hybrid legal secretary/litigation assistant for Gibbs Mura LLP, a plaintiff’s side law firm that seeks to protect individuals and class members from corporate misconduct. She’s also a member of the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion task force, promoting diversity and inclusion through employee engagement, training, and community outreach. As a non-licensed legal professional, Lindsey sought to find her place at the table, and found BALIF provided her a place where her interest in the law and passion for volunteering in her community could intertwine. Lindsey spends most of her free time in the outdoors or dabbling in photography. On the weekend you’ll find her hiking with her trusty camera, seeking a digital memento, or in the community dark room developing and printing from film. She’s currently exploring street photography with a focus on connecting with the LGBTQ community and other local communities in Oakland.
Stephen Klavuhn
Law Student Representative | Social Committee
As a first-generation law student, Stephen has found a strong sense of community and mentorship through BALIF and the broader LGBTQI legal network. He’s clerked with the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, and in private practice, where he’s developed a strong foundation in legal research, advocacy, and collaboration.
Stephen is especially passionate about being part of the queer community in San Francisco. He’s committed to strengthening professional and social ties among LGBTQI legal professionals, building coalitions with other organizations to combat discrimination, and promoting the appointment of LGBTQI attorneys in the Bay Area. He believes law students can—and should—start making an
Connor Kratz
Amicus & CCBA Committee | Community Engagement Committee
Prior to joining the Cox Castle, Connor received his J.D. degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. While at Georgetown Law, he clerked at the United States Senate and District of Columbia Office of Planning, in addition to receiving the CALI Award for his studies in Land Use Law. He also provided pro bono representation to DC residents facing eviction proceedings through his law school’s housing advocacy and litigation clinic. Connor was also a proud member of Outlaw to further LGBTQ inclusion throughout his legal studies.
Prior to attending law school, Connor received his B.A., with high honors, in Political Science and Sociology from Boston College after writing his thesis on urban planning and affordable housing outcomes in American cities. During his undergraduate studies, Connor also interned at the Boston Municipal Courthouse under the Honorable Michael J. Coyne and at the Office of US Senator Elizabeth Warren. As an elected student body representative, he expanded access to sexual health resources on campus and advocated for the creation of an LGBTQ student center. Connor remains committed to the advancement of LGBTQ rights in his personal and professional capacities as an attorney in San Francisco.
Rafael Langer-Osuna
Amicus Chair | Community Engagement Committee
Rafael dedicates a significant amount of time to studying and bettering the world around them. They recently maintained an active pro bono practice assisting trans asylum efforts, working for environmental groups, winning cases for local charitable organizations, and helping to improve gender equity. In addition to serving as a BALIF board member, Rafael also currently serves as the Co-Chair of the National Trans Bar Association and the Vice President of the Western Cave Conservancy. Rafael has served on a number of other boards in the past few years.
Rafael was born in Bolivia, grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has lived all over the country. They earned degrees from Carnegie Mellon University (BA), UC Berkeley (MA in Education), and Duke (JD/MA in East Asian Studies) and studied in Hong Kong SAR and Nanjing, China. In their spare time, Rafael reads voraciously, practices Daoist arts, cooks vegetarian meals for friends, gardens, and surveys California’s caves and reefs.
Andy Le
Law Student Representative | Social Committee
Andy Le (He/Him) is a JD Candidate at Santa Clara University School of Law. A California native, Andy was born and raised in Silicon Valley by Vietnamese and Chinese immigrant parents. He credits his teachers and community for supporting his personal and academic journey, inspiring a lifelong commitment to service and advocacy.
Prior to law school, Andy served on the board of a regional center and a national organization dedicated to advancing equitable healthcare access for children with special needs. His experiences have fueled a deep passion for advocating on behalf of underserved communities, particularly individuals with disabilities. He believes in using his voice, education, and legal training to empower others.
Outside of his legal pursuits, Andy enjoys working out at the gym, exploring new restaurants, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Ernie Mejia
DEI Chair | Social Chair
Ernie received his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco, School of Law, and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego. Ernie was identified Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch distinction in Litigation – Labor and Employment (2024) and currently serves on his firm’s Associate Leadership Council and Diversity Committee. Ernie is a Los Angeles native and currently lives with his Partner and his little Chihuahua Bettie near Golden Gate Park where they spend nights watching Ru Paul’s Drag Race and every scary movie they can get their hands on together.
Michael Mahoney
Amicus & CCBA Committee | Judiciary/Endorsements Committee
Michael’s legal work focuses on consumer and data privacy class actions. He is a member of the Bay Area Legal Incubator where he is receiving support to help grow his firm. Michael started his legal career as a litigation associate at Seyfarth Shaw and was an attorney with the San Francisco Dependency Panel where he represented parents at-risk of having their children removed from their care.
Michael previously served on the board of Code Tenderloin, a Tenderloin-based non-profit that removes employment barriers for formerly homeless and formerly incarcerated people.
He earned his BS from Cornell University, MBA from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and JD from UC Law, San Francisco.
In his spare time, he helps with his parents’ real estate business and his fiancé’s specialty foods company. He also farms a small piece of land in Half Moon Bay and spends time with his dog, Henry.
Virginia Millacci
Gala Committee | Programs/CLE Committee
Daniel Turner
Judiciary/Endorsements Chair | New Lawyers Committee
Nathan Wexler
Community Engagement Chair | Amicus & CCBA Committee
Before law school, Nathan studied Jewish and Islamic law and literature in Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories. As a law student, he interned at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston in the Major Crimes Unit, for Justice Barbara Jaffe on the New York County Supreme Court (Civil Division), and with the Advancement Project on prison condition reform.
Keerthi (Kiki) Yalamanchili
Law Student Representative | Law Student Committee Chair | DEI Committee
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