Fatima Rodriguez-Ortiz

Current Employment Position

Junior Paralegal

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Biography

Fatima Rodriguez-Ortiz is a junior paralegal at Christy, Keith & Donnell Family Law Group, P.C. She provides support for the firm’s senior paralegals as well as the firm’s attorneys, including discovery, court filings, document management, and scheduling. Prior to serving as a junior paralegal, she was the firm’s Office Manager and legal assistant. She therefore brings with her to the junior paralegal position instrumental knowledge regarding the internal workings and daily operations of the firm. She also draws on her background in the non-profit arena working with a vast array of individuals to connect with clients and provide information and guidance to them as needed.

Ms. Rodriguez-Ortiz holds bachelor’s degrees in both Sociology and Latin American/Latino Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. A Berkeley High School alum and the first in her family to graduate from college, she was the recipient of the High Hopes Scholarship and the Berkeley Community Fund Scholarship. During college, she interned with Community United and Restorative Youth Justice, Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos Inc., Bay Area Peacekeeper’s Inc, the Population Council, the Seneca Family of Agencies, Community Agroecology Network in Tzucacab, Mexico, and RISE – Responsibility, Integrity, Strength & Empowerment. After graduating, Ms. Rodriguez-Ortiz was the Community College Success Advisor for Berkeley Community Scholars.

Prior to joining Christy, Keith & Donnell Family Law Group, Ms. Rodriguez completed the prestigious Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs in New York City, where she worked as an Immigration Protection Unit intern with the New York Legal Assistance Group. She assisted attorneys and their respective clients and worked at the office of New York City Council Member Carlos Menchaca, supporting the undocumented community by providing translation services and community resources.

Working many years in the non-profit arena has provided Ms. Rodriguez-Ortiz with the opportunity to work alongside a range of communities and shaped her passion for social justice and advocacy work. She is excited to continue her passion for helping others through the legal profession generally and family law in particular.

In her spare time, Ms. Rodriguez-Ortiz enjoys hiking with her dog on Bay Area trails, playing sports with friends, and spending time with her family.

Education

University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
B.A., Sociology and Latin American and Latino Studies – 2016

Honors

Coro New York Leadership Center, Coro Fellow in Public Affairs, New York, New York

Past Positions/Volunteer Work

Berkeley Community Fund, Berkeley, Advisor and Program Assistant, California
YMCA Teen Center, Counselor/Tutor
RISE (Responsibility, Integrity, Strength & Empowerment), Berkeley, California, Volunteer
Seneca Family of Agencies, San Pablo, California, Classroom Counselor
Population Council, Mexico City, Mexico, Intern
Bay Area Peacekeepers, Richmond, California, Summer Intern
Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos, Santa Cruz, California, Volunteer
Experiential Leadership Program, Santa Cruz, California, Group Leader
Community United and Restorative Youth Justice, Oakland, California, Summer Intern
Richmond Youth Service Agency, Richmond, California, Montalvin Elementary School Teacher’s Assistant
The Mosaic Project, Napa, California, Student Leader
Youth Spirit Artworks, Berkeley, California, Youth Worker
University of California, Berkeley, Student Volunteer Intern at Chicano/Latina Student Group