Rina Makena Mwiti
27622 Corte Del Sol, Moreno Valley,CA
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Attorney
Los Angeles Superior Court
Los Angeles, California
09.2021 - Current
- Drafted over 1,000 tentative rulings for all kinds of civil motions throughout the litigation process, including discovery motions and motions for summary judgment
- Researched and analyzed simple to complex legal issues for judges and commissioners, including employment, personal injury, insurance subrogation, and breach of contract issues
- Managed to demonstrate exceptional research and communication capabilities while working remotely since 2021
- Selected by a committee of judicial officers for promotion from a law clerk to a permanent research attorney position beginning September 2023
Staff Attorney I
Inland Counties Legal Services
San Bernardino, California
09.2019 - 09.2021
- Litigated unlawful detainer cases, including successfully representing tenants at trials
- Drafted housing-law-related demand letters, eviction notices, settlement agreements, notices of inability to pay rent due to COVID-19, reasonable accommodation letters, and ex parte applications
- Started as a volunteer in the Consumer Practice Group in 2019, then hired as Paralegal II in the Housing Practice Group in 2020, and finally promoted to Staff Attorney with the Housing Practice Group after being admitted to the State Bar of California
Certified Intern
Milton A. Kramer Law Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio
09.2018 - 05.2019
- Assisted clients with disabilities prepare and submit their initial applications for social security disability benefits
- Presented a mitigation plea on behalf of an inmate in a state prison and the court granted the request
- Drafted legal memorandums analyzing criminal and civil issues
- Weekly visited a residential and outpatient treatment services center, a local court, and a Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP) center to intake new matters
Legal Researcher
LMAYS Law Firm
Cleveland, Ohio
01.2019 - 02.2019
- Drafted a motion, filed with a Third Circuit District Court, to stay the demolition of a community bridge
- Analyzed statutes, regulations, and case law to identify relevant precedents.
Summer Extern
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Long Beach, California
07.2018 - 08.2018
- Stationed at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles ("LAFLA") Self Help Legal Access Center inside the George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach
- Assisted pro se litigants visiting the LAFLA center draft unlawful detainer, divorce, paternity, domestic violence, and civil harassment pleadings
- Explained court and filing procedures to pro se litigants
Remote Law Clerk
Syed Law Firm, PLLC
Washington, DC
03.2018 - 05.2018
- Drafted writ of mandamus complaints for immigrants whose N-400 applications were unduly delayed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Drafted employment-based petitions like H-1B and L-1A visa petitions
Summer Associate
Squire Patton Boggs, LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
05.2017 - 07.2017
- Attended and summarized witness interviews for partners and associates in the Labor and Employment practice group
- Wrote a legal memorandum analyzing a hoverboard patent issue for a case pending in the International Trade Commission
- Solved a complicated question concerning a client's bond-purchase agreements, successfully assisting a partner in the Public and Infrastructure Finance practice group advice a client how to stop urban renewal payments
Education
Juris Doctor -
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Cleveland, Ohio05.2019
Graduate Certificate - Chinese and American Studies
Johns Hopkins-Nanjing University Center
Nanjing, China06.2014
Bachelor of Arts - International Development, Chinese Double Major
University of California
Los Angeles, California12.2012
Bar Admission
California 2021, SBN 334531
Timeline
Research Attorney
Los Angeles Superior Court
09.2021 - Current
Staff Attorney I
Inland Counties Legal Services
09.2019 - 09.2021
Legal Researcher
LMAYS Law Firm
01.2019 - 02.2019
Certified Intern
Milton A. Kramer Law Clinic
09.2018 - 05.2019
Summer Extern
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
07.2018 - 08.2018
Remote Law Clerk
Syed Law Firm, PLLC
03.2018 - 05.2018
Summer Associate
Squire Patton Boggs, LLP
05.2017 - 07.2017
Bachelor of Arts - International Development, Chinese Double Major
University of California
Juris Doctor -
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Graduate Certificate - Chinese and American Studies
Johns Hopkins-Nanjing University Center