Need to contact us?  See our contact page for each director’s responsibilities and contact information.

2012 Board of Directors

Melanee Cardoza Cottrill, President / Journal Editor

Ms. Cottrill has worked in the legal field for over 10 years.  She earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from California State University, Sacramento.  Later, she became a registered paralegal by passing the PACE examination.  She is happy to be serving her third term as SVPA’s President.

Connie Kelley, Vice President – Membership

Ms. Kelley began her career in the legal field in 1987. She has worked continuously since then in various law firms, gaining over 20 years of experience. Her paralegal career began in 1999 when she went to work for her current law office, specializing in commercial real estate transactions, business litigation and landlord-tenant law. In 2005, she obtained her paralegal certificate from UC Davis. In 2007, she attended her first CAPA Annual Educational Conference. In 2009, she attended her first NFPA Annual Convention, after which she decided she wanted to become more involved in SVPA. She is happy to be to serving as Vice President of Membership and CAPA Secondary on behalf of SVPA.

Christina Robinson, Vice President – Education
Christina Robinson has worked in the legal field for over 5 years with most of her focus on Healthcare Litigation. She graduated from MTI College in 2007 with an AA degree in Paralegal Studies. Christina started in 2005 at Downey Brand LLP as a Document Clerk in litigation and a legal secretary in Real Estate. In 2007 she moved on to McDonough Holland and Allen as a legal secretary in the Healthcare Litigation practice group and in the same year was promoted to Paralegal. In April, 2010 the practice group Christina had been working with at MHA moved to the largest law firm in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world, DLA Piper, LLP.  Christina has been a part of the Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association since 2007 and has been on the Board of Directors since 2009. Christina has also been a volunteer with the Sacramento Court Appointed Special Advocates since 2008.

Elizabeth Geiger, Secretary

Ms. Geiger graduated from California State University, Sacramento in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, double major in Psychology and Government.  She earned her Paralegal Certificate from Barclay College in 1988 and has worked in the legal field ever since. She is a Senior Legal Analyst for the State of California, working with Professional Licensing and Regulations.  She is a former VP Education and director at large for SVPA and currently serves as secretary.

Janine Orsi, Treasurer

Janine has been a member of SVPA for eight years, serving as a Director and Treasurer. Janine has worked as a paralegal for 26 years, 15 of which were as a Senior Legal Analyst with the State Attorney General’s Office. After 34 years of state service, she retired but continues to work as a retired annuitant in the legal field. She currently works for the State of California. Janine says, “My membership in SVPA has allowed me to meet so many paralegals from the private sector and learn about what they do as well. I’ve enjoyed keeping the financial part of the association’s business in order, chairing the annual crab feeds, handling reservations for the Casa luncheons, and meeting so many talented professionals. I look forward to serving on the Board in 2011.”

Jeanna Martens, Director-at-Large

Jeanna graduated from University of California, Berkeley in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She received her Paralegal Certificate from Lincoln Law School in mid-86; and earned her CLA shortly thereafter.  Jeanna has been in the legal field for over 25 years and is currently the Sr. Paralegal for Angelo, Kilday & Kilduff whose attorneys specialize in defense of public entities and private companies in employment, civil rights and personal injury matters. Jeanna has been involved with SVPA for the past five years and returns for her third year on the Board. She currently holds the “primary” position for NFPA, Region I.

Jennifer Myers, Director-at-Large

Jennifer Myers is a 2010 graduate of MTI’s Paralegal Studies Program and new to the legal field.  Jennifer credits SVPA with helping her secure her job at the Attorney General’s Office, Victim’s Services Unit. She met her supervising attorney at the July SVPA meeting and began working a month later. Jennifer has been a member of SVPA since 2009 and has contributed articles to The Journal and assisted with identifying and arranging speakers for CLE events.  Prior to her paralegal career, Jennifer worked as a human resources administrator for a Sacramento manufacturing firm, and a training and development consultant in Portland, Oregon.  In addition to her degree in Paralegal Studies, Jennifer has a Masters Degree in Career Development and a Bachelors Degree in Journalism.  She has served on the adjunct faculty of several colleges and universities in California and Oregon.

Leslie Baum, Director-at-Large

Leslie Baum received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Black Studies at the University of the Pacific followed by her Masters in Social Work from San Diego State University. She worked in the social services field for 12 years in child protective services, child therapy and foster care. After having her own child, she shifted gears and went back to school to become a paralegal. Leslie graduated from Sonoma State University in 2009 with her paralegal certificate. For the last two 1/2 years, she has been split between two firms practicing criminal law and personal injury. She is very passionate about the paralegal profession. She is also eager to learn more and share her passion of being a paralegal with others.