Meet Jude! Originally from Ventura County, Jude has always enjoyed staying busy and finding creative outlets both inside and outside of school and work. While in high school, she participated in a dual-enrollment program that allowed her to complete a full year of college coursework at her local community college at no cost while still earning her high school diploma. Taking advantage of that opportunity became an important stepping stone in her educational journey and helped shape her path forward. During that time, she also worked as a nanny for families in her neighborhood and later as a barista at Coffee Bean.
After graduating high school in 2022, Jude attended community college for an additional year to complete her associate degree before transferring to the University of California, Santa Cruz (Go Banana Slugs!). While at UCSC, she studied Political Science and worked as a Resident Assistant, making for a memorable college experience (and free housing didn’t hurt either!). She graduated in June 2025 and joined BWB&O’s Woodland Hills office shortly after in August.
Outside of work, Jude has always been very artistic. From writing stories and putting on little “shows” as a kid to now drawing, painting, sewing, crocheting, and teaching herself new creative hobbies; she loves finding ways to express herself creatively. She also enjoys identifying plants, spending time outdoors, and relaxing with a good book or craft project in nature.
Q&A
Q: What inspired you to pursue political science at UC Santa Cruz?
A: I chose political science because I felt it would provide the most opportunities to break into a field where I could make a difference, the foster care/child welfare sector. The rationale is that it would enable me to make larger-scale changes within those systems.
Q: You balanced school, work, and dual enrollment early on. How did those experiences shape who you are today?
A: It taught me the value of balance and perseverance more than anything. It certainly was not easy, but it was rewarding to challenge myself. Those lessons are truly invaluable and helped shape me into someone who has learned to appreciate (most) challenges in life rather than run from them.
Q: What’s something you’ve learned during your time at BWB&O that has surprised you?
A: What surprised me most was how quickly unfamiliar legal concepts became second nature. Thanks to the support of my fellow secretaries, file clerks, and colleagues, I learned far more than I ever expected. If you had told first-week me that I’d hear the word “frog” and think Form Interrogatories before the amphibian, I wouldn’t have believed you!
Q: Which artistic activity are you enjoying most right now?
A: I enjoy sewing/embroidering, painting, and reading. Most recently, I painted a hanging wooden butterfly decoration I bought at Michael’s because their sale section is irresistible to me. I also sewed patches onto a new tote bag I thrifted, and finished reading a book called Remarkably Bright Creatures (I highly recommend it to anyone looking for their next leisure read.)
A special thank you to Jude for being part of this spotlight and sharing her experience with us!