Students interested in legal careers invited to law panel

From left: Downey planning commissioner and attorney Miguel Duarte, Councilmember Blanca Pacheco, Maria Torres; and attorney Ricardo Perez.

DOWNEY -- Downey Councilmember Blanca Pacheco will take part in Rio Hondo College’s Pathway to Law School program this Thursday, a  two-hour panel on law school and legal careers, ranging from civil rights to education law.

The event is open to all. Downey attorney Ricardo Perez, a Loyola Law School graduate, will moderate. 

Panelists include: 

■ Blanca Pacheco, a Loyola Law School graduate who specializes in living trusts, probate, DUI and eviction cases;

■ Devon Rios, a UCLA School of Law graduate who concentrates on special education and advocacy;

■ Noreen Barcena, a University of La Verne College of Law graduate who focuses on civil and criminal law, family law and immigration issues; and

■ Claudia Osuna, a California Western School of Law graduate whose firm specializes in bankruptcy, personal injury, family law and criminal defense.

Rio Hondo College’s Pathway to Law assists underrepresented, first-generation students who are interested in pursuing legal careers. Rio Hondo College is one of 28 California community colleges in the program, launched in 2014.

For information, email lawschool@riohondo.edu or call (562) 463-7008.