Liwanag 2: Patuloy sa Ating Kinabukasan

Forward to Our Future

A.I., Equity, and the Law

Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Location: University of California College of the Law, San Francisco

Address: 200 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94612

Liwanag is an all-day conference geared toward Filipino legal professionals in the early and mid-years of their careers.

This year, Liwanag 2: Patuloy sa Ating Kinabukasan – Forward to Our Future will explore the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”), equity, and the Law, examining how rapidly evolving technologies are reshaping legal practice, access to justice, and professional development. Through thought-provoking discussions led by industry experts, hands-on skills-based workshops, and dynamic networking opportunities, attendees will gain practical strategies for navigating AI and the law, explore AI’s ethical implications, and forge meaningful connections with peers and mentors shaping the profession.

This event is open to ALL who are interested in attending. Registration begins at 9:00 am. MCLE Credit will be available to all attendees! Complimentary Breakfast, Lunch, Happy Hour, and Professional Headshots will be provided.

  • The entrance to Liwanag is located at Cotchett Law Center (333 Golden Gate Avenue). The registration table will be located in the 1st-floor lobby at 333 Golden Gate Avenue, leading to the auditorium.

    Detailed directions to UC Law SF can be accessed here.

    The nearest parking garage is UC Law SF Garage, found at 376 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102.

    An alternate option is the Civic Center Garage situated at 355 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102. Further details are available at Civic Center Garage.

  • By attending this Filipino Bar Association of Northern California ("FBANC") event or activity, you expressly acknowledge and agree that FBANC may capture photos, videos, or other media featuring your likeness ("media"). Under California Civil Code § 3344, no compensation will be provided for the use of such media in promotional, educational, or informational materials.

    All media remain the property of FBANC, and you expressly waive any rights to inspect, approve, or claim royalties. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, notify event organizers in advance. Your presence in recorded areas constitutes consent to this policy.

    For concerns, contact FBANC at info@fbanc.org, in writing.

Liwanag 2: Program Schedule

(Scroll down for Program Descriptions, Speaker Biographies, and a Behind-the-Scenes Interview with Liwanag Co-Founders and FBANC Professional Development Directors, Mika Domingo and Armbien Sabillo)

Complimentary Breakfast, Lunch, Happy Hour, and Professional Headshots will be provided.

MCLE Credit will be available to all attendees!

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Registration, Networking Breakfast (ChatSilog), and Free Professional Headshots

10:00 AM - 10:20 AM | Opening Remarks by FBANC’s Professional Development Directors, Armbien Sabillo and Mika Domingo

10:30 AM - 11:20 AM | “Navigating the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Data Privacy, and Security: Legal Challenges and Opportunities” with Anna Mercado Clark and Paula Plaza

11:20 AM - 11:40 AM | Refreshment Break

11:40 AM - 12:30 PM (Concurrent) | “AI in Employment Law and in the Workplace” with Glicel Sumagaysay

11:40 AM - 12:30 PM (Concurrent) | “AI & Intellectual Property Law” with Stephanie Dusaban Gonzales and Armbien Sabillo

12:30 PM - 12:40 PM | Refreshment Break

12:40 PM - 2:00 PM | Lunch Keynote: “Illuminating Impact: Leveraging AI for the Law and Business, Prioritizing Equity” with Professor Marc Santamaria

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Coffee Break: “AI Powered Deposition & Medical Summaries” with US Legal Support

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Concurrent) | “Negotiations Skills Workshop” with Mark Punzalan, Gabrielle Sullera, Tyler Alsey, and Jobe Danganan

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Concurrent) | “Litigation Workshop” with Vannalee Cayabyab and Ryan Manuel

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Refreshment Break

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Financial Advice Stations with Mika Domingo, Miguel O’Hara, and Sheila Zarekari

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Networking Happy Hour & Rotating Tables (Senior/Mid-Level Atty. Advice to Early/Mid-Level Attys.)

Questions? Contact FBANC’s Professional Development Directors: Armbien Sabillo (armbiensabillo@fbanc.org) and Mika Domingo (mikadomingo@fbanc.org).

Featured Programs and Speakers

Keynote: “Illuminating Impact: Leveraging AI for the Law and Business, Prioritizing Equity”

Professor Marc Santamaria

  • Professor Marc Santamaria of UC Berkeley School of Law and Santamaria Law Firm, P.C. will demonstrate how A.I. can be leveraged to enhance equity, entrepreneurship, and the practice of law.

  • Marc Santamaria is an attorney and law lecturer, ESL instructor, and AI trainer for ESL teachers and attorneys. He is the founding attorney of Santamaria Law Firm, P.C. which is a full-service immigration law firm based in San Francisco, CA. He leads the law firm team and together with the team, they’ve assisted clients obtain humanitarian relief at USCIS and from Immigration Court (e.g., asylum, cancellation of removal), various non-immigrant visas (e.g., investor visas, work visas), and many other types of immigration relief. Santamaria Law Firm has been recognized by several consulates in the Bay Area and community organizations for their work in advocating for immigrants. Marc Santamaria is licensed to practice law in California and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

    Attorney Santamaria has extensive experience in teaching the law. He currently teaches LL.M. Legal Research and Writing (“LRW”) at UC Berkeley Law School. In the LRW course, he empowers students to navigate the intricacies of legal research, critical analysis, and effective writing by teaching them writing concepts like CREAC. He also teaches removal defense where he cross-trains with PhD psychology students and law students to assist immigration clients to strengthen their cases through psychological reports at San Francisco Law School. He was also an SJD (PhD equivalent) Dissertation Committee Member at Golden Gate University Law School, in which he guided his students in legal research and writing and conducted, or participated in their first and final oral defenses.

    Attorney Santamaria draws his teaching techniques from his background as an English as Second Language teacher. He teaches ESL at City College of San Francisco (“CCSF”) where he was voted as a member of the Academic Senate. He also taught Legal Writing and Introduction to the U.S. Legal System to ESL students at UC Berkeley’s College of Writing Program.

    Attorney Santamaria is researching, writing, and speaking on the intersection of AI, education, and the law working in Silicon Valley. He is a committee member of the Distance Learning Advisory Committee at CCSF, where he contributes to advancing innovative approaches to online education including AI. He serves as a legal advisor to California Technological Care where he shares his insights on AI and the law. He speaks about AI at conferences like the International Conference on Innovative Education and Learning Resources in Fukuyama, Japan, as a selected speaker, sharing insights on the transformative role of AI in education. His work reflects a commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology with practical applications to drive progress in law and English. He earned certificates in Generative AI for the Legal Profession from UC Berkeley Law School in Executive Education and AI in Education: Leveraging ChatGPT for Teaching from Coursera.

"Navigating the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Data Privacy, and Security: Legal Challenges and Opportunities"

Anna Mercado Clark

Paula Plaza

  • ("Liwanag sa Pagtahak sa Pagitan ng Artipisyal na Intelihensiya, Privacy ng Datos, at Seguridad: Mga Hamon at Oportunidad sa Batas")

     This panel aims to shed liwanag (light) on the intersection of artificial intelligence, data privacy, and security in the legal context. As AI technologies reshape industries, understanding the legal implications on data protection and cybersecurity is crucial. Legal experts will discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities, exploring the balance between technological advancement and safeguarding personal data. Key topics will include compliance with data protection laws, ethical considerations, and strategies for securing AI systems. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest developments and how to navigate the complex legal landscape with clarity and foresight, bringing liwanag to this ever-changing field.  Anna and Paula look forward to a vibrant discussion, including about this panel description, which was generated by ChatGPT.

  • Anna Mercado Clark, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM, FIP, is a partner at Phillips Lytle LLP and serves as the firm’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). She is Co-Leader of Phillips Lytle’s Technology Industry Team, which includes serving as Leader of the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Team and e-Discovery Team, as well as Co-Leader of the Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Team. In these roles, Anna focuses on complex e-discovery and digital forensics, cybersecurity and data privacy, and complex commercial litigation.

    Anna routinely counsels sophisticated clients on data governance issues to address business needs while minimizing risks and complying with a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape and other legal obligations. She has extensive experience advising businesses in the technology, consumer, health care and financial industries regarding information management and disposition policies, litigation readiness, data transfers, third-party/vendor negotiation and management relative to data administration, and disaster recovery and avoidance.

    Anna has been awarded the following ANAB-accredited credentials by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP): Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E); Certified Information Privacy Professional for the U.S. Private Sector (CIPP/US); and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). CIPP/E and CIPP/US are preeminent certifications for advanced concentration in European data protection laws and U.S. private-sector laws, standards and practices, respectively. The CIPM certification recognizes Anna’s ability to design, build and operate data privacy management programs that are compliant with privacy laws and regulations. She has also been designated as a Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP). The FIP designation signifies that she has demonstrated her comprehensive knowledge of privacy laws, privacy program management and essential data protection practices with significant data security and privacy experience in these areas. Anna is among a select group of individuals around the world who have received this designation.

    Serving in leadership roles is also a focal point of Anna’s career. She is a member of Phillips Lytle’s Governing Committee, as well as its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee. She is the Past President of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and has been appointed to three leadership positions on the American Bar Association’s Science and Technology Law Section, including Vice Chair for the Cloud Computing Committee, Co-Chair of the Privacy and Computer Crime Committee and Vice Chair of the Membership and Diversity Committee.

  • Paula Plaza, CIPP/E is a Senior Associate of the Litigation Practice Group of Phillips Lytle LLP.  She specializes in antitrust and data security issues.  Paula advises on data access agreements, privacy policies, cookie policies, website terms and conditions, acceptable use policies and compliance due diligence.

    She earned her Master of Laws from the University of Michigan on a full-tuition, merit-based scholarship and her Juris Doctor from the University of the Philippines College of Law, where she was a three-time Gawad Chanselor ng Natatanging Mag-aaral Awardee, an award granted by the university chancellor to students with outstanding achievements.  Paula was selected as an American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Technology Fellow and U.S. Department of State’s Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Fellow.  She currently serves as the Northeast Governor of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association and as board member of the Minority Bar Foundation.  Paula was an associate editor of the Michigan Journal of International Law and was recognized as the Most Valuable Masters of Law student.

“AI in Employment Law and the Workplace”

Glicel Sumagaysay

  • Join us for an insightful discussion with Glicel Sumagaysay (Law Office of Glicel Sumagaysay) as she explores key topics at the intersection of A.I. in Employment Law and the Workplace. 

  • Glicel Sumagaysay (She/Her)

    (pronounced Glee-sell Sue-muh-guy-sigh) 

    ​In her legal career, the principal attorney, Glicel Sumagaysay, has litigated and resolved various matters for her clients in court, administrative agency forums, mediations, and pre-litigation negotiations. She has served as lead counsel in a bench trial, Labor Commissioner hearings, and internal employer hearings with public entities. Glicel has also served as second chair in a federal civil trial.

    Positions/Memberships

    • Consumer Attorneys of California New Leaders Council graduate 2014. 

    • Former Board of Director of Richmond Community Foundation 2016-2017.

    • Former member of the Alameda County Bar Association's Labor and Employment Section Executive Committee since 2018, Chair in 2020, Vice Chair in 2019.

    • Alameda County Bar Association member since 2017.​

    • California Employment Lawyers Association member since 2015.

    • Solo and Small Firm Section of the State Bar of California since 2015. 

    • California Employment Lawyers Association Barristers Committee 2015-2017. 

    • California Employment Lawyers Association Worker Outreach Committee Vice Chair 2021-2023.

    • California Employment Lawyers Association Worker Outreach Committee Chair 2023-2025.

    • Filipino Bar Association of Northern California and the National Filipino American Lawyers Association member 2021.   ​

    • Filipino Bar Association of Northern California Board of Directors 2023-2025.

    • Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Association Civic Engagement Committee member, Civic Engagement Committee Co-Chair 2024, 2025.

    • Asian Pacific American Bar Association Solano County Board member and Secretary 2024. 

    • Contra Costa County Bar Association member 2015, 2024, 2025.

    Speaking Engagements 

    • March 2025 Liwanag Conference Panelist, "AI in Employment Law and the Workplace".

    • February 2025 Armijo High School, Legal Careers Panelist.

    • November 2024 CELA Conference Panelist, "Lawyers at a Cross-roads: Resisting the Dark Side".

    • November 2024 CELA Conference - Leadership Conservatory Panelist, "Differing Leadership Styles".

    • March 2024 Filipino Bar Association of Northern California - FBANC 43 Know Your Rights Webinar - Worker Rights, Immigration - March 21, 2024.

    • October 2023 DLAC - Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative, Co-Author, "Disability Leave Rights When Disaster Strikes".

    • December 2022 Lawline Organizer and Panelist, "The Importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession: A Discussion from Various Perspectives."

    • October 2021 CELA TALK on "Tips for Productivity."

    • 2021 Alameda County Bar Association, Organizer and Moderator "Litigating Race Discrimination Cases".

    • 2020 Alameda County Bar Association, Organizer and Moderator "Employment Law Developments in the Age of COVID-19".

    Articles and Publications

    ​Honors 

    • 2025 Northern California Super Lawyers list.

    • Witkin Award for Choice of Law, San Francisco Law School 2008.

    Education

    • Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Davis 2003.

    • Juris Doctorate, San Francisco Law School 2008.

    ​​Admissions

    • State of California, the California Supreme Court.

    • Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit.

    • United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. 

    • Past admissions Pro hac vice to United States District Court for the: Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Eastern District of Wisconsin; District of New Jersey; Eastern District of Texas.

"AI & Intellectual Property Law”

Stephanie Dusaban Gonzales

Armbien Sabillo

  • Join us for an engaging discussion with Stephanie Dusaban Gonzales (Goodwin Procter LLP) and Armbien Sabillo (Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.) as they explore key topics at the intersection of A.I. and Intellectual Property Law. 

  • Dr. Stephanie Dusaban Gonzales is a senior associate in Goodwin’s Life Sciences group. As a practicing patent attorney, Stephanie has extensive experience in leading patent prosecution, diligence, and related transactions, including capital raising, licensing, and initial public offerings.

    Stephanie primarily focuses on representing growth-stage therapeutics companies spanning the breadth of life sciences in managing the patent strategy and prosecution of US and foreign patents. This includes pharmacology, antibody therapies, cell therapies, peptide-based therapeutics, CRISPR and genetic engineering, gene therapies, agriculture, and synthetic DNA tools.

    Stephanie has also led IP diligence on both client-side capital raises and investor-side on investments totaling over $300 million.

    Working extensively in the life sciences space, Stephanie utilizes her over ten years of biomedical research experience in pharmacology, cell signaling, drug discovery and translational medicine to support the holistic approach Goodwin brings to IP.

  • Armbien Sabillo, Ph.D., J.D. (he/him) is Patent Counsel at Neurocrine Biosciences in San Diego, where he is the lead patent attorney for several research programs investigating treatments for neurological and endocrine-related disorders. Armbien’s practice includes intellectual property due diligence, freedom to operate analysis, and global patent prosecution.   

    Armbien earned his J.D. at Berkeley Law, his Ph.D. in Molecular & Cell Biology at UC Berkeley , and his B.S. in Physiology at San Francisco State University. He was previously a Patent Analyst at Morrison & Foerster LLP in San Francisco, a Patent Associate at Cooley LLP in Silicon Valley, and Patent Counsel at Gilead Sciences.

    As a queer Pilipino immigrant, Armbien is passionate about serving his communities, and is on the board of directors of the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC) and Community Resources for Science, a science education non-profit that provides free science lessons to underserved students in Oakland and the greater Bay Area. Armbien is determined to diversify the legal profession as a Fellow of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA) Leadership Academy, and as an alumnus of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinder Program.

“Negotiation Skills Workshop”

Mark Punzalan

Gabrielle Sullera

Tyler Alsey

Jobe Danganan

  • Join Mark Punzalan, Gabrielle Sullera, and Tyler Alsey—experienced attorneys from Chan Punzalan LLP—as they lead a hands-on negotiation skills workshop. They will be joined by Jobe Danganan, CEO and Co-Founder of LexText AI.

  • Mark is a Partner at Chan + Punzalan, a full-service business law firm that represents companies in litigation, corporate, and employment matters. Mark serves as the firm's Head of Litigation, and he leads the firm’s litigation matters in the areas of trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks, founders' disputes, and commercial litigation. 

    Mark has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as one of the Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers for five consecutive years (2020-2024), and he has received the Super Lawyers distinction every year since 2015. The Daily Journal has also recognized Chan + Punzalan as one of the Top Boutique Law Firms in California. Mark also teaches trial and litigation skills at Stanford Law School's Trial Advocacy Workshop, and he is also the co-author of “Employee Mobility in California – Trade Secrets, No-Poach Agreements, Non-Solicitation Agreements” in the Practising Law Institute’s (PLI) treatise on California Employment Law. 

  • Gabrielle is an associate on the firm's intellectual property and business litigation team. 

    Before joining Chan + Punzalan, Gabrielle gained experience in transactional and litigation matters, focusing on trademark and domain name disputes and enforcement. She also dedicated her efforts to pro bono legal work at Start Small Think Big, where she helped find legal services for start-ups and developed educational materials on legal issues affecting small businesses and entrepreneurs. While in law school, Gabrielle worked for USF's Internet & Intellectual Property Justice Clinic, providing services in trademark prosecution, contract drafting/review, and privacy policy preparation for artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Gabrielle served as Senior Survey Editor for the Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal and Co-President for the Business Law Association. She also competed in the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition, which focuses on critical issues arising in United States trademark and unfair competition law. 

    Gabrielle is active in the legal community as a member of the California Lawyers Association's Intellectual Property Law Section, Women Lawyers of Alameda County, Asian American Bar Association, Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, and the Earl Warren American Inn of Court.

  • Tyler is an Associate at Chan + Punzalan, a full-service business law firm that represents companies in litigation, corporate, and employment matters. Tyler's practice covers business transactions, commercial contracts, and outside general counsel services.

    Tyler has gained experience working with companies of all sizes, ranging from emerging growth to enterprise level companies. He is also an active member of the legal community as a member of Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, Charles Houston Bar Association and Sports Lawyers Association.Tyler was selected as a Leadership Academy Fellow for the National Filipino American Lawyers Association.

  • Jobe Danganan is the CEO and Co-Founder of LexText AI. Jobe was a litigator for top law firms and the US government before becoming General Counsel and C-suite executive to startups backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Menlo Ventures, and others. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard (AB), Princeton (MPA), and UC Berkeley (JD), where he was a member of the Law Review. Jobe began his career as a judicial clerk for the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

“Litigation Skills Workshop”

Vannalee Cayabyab

Ryan Manuel

  • The first years as a litigation associate are crucial to building the groundwork for a successful mid-level or senior associate.  Join Ryan and Vannalee to discuss how you, as a junior or mid-level associate, can advance your career by asking for substantive experiences early on, managing time and billable hours, and gaining mentorship at your firm or organization.  We will dive into how to prepare for a deposition, one of the key aspects of discovery.  Rarely do junior associates get to defend or conduct a deposition, so in groups, you will receive an AI-related complaint to prepare a short deposition outline.  Walking away from today's session, Ryan and Vannalee hope attendees will feel more knowledgeable and empowered to ask for more responsibility in their workspaces, enforce boundaries to ensure a work-life balance, and find mentorship inside and outside the workplace.

  • Vannalee Cayabyab is an associate in the San Francisco office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She currently practices within the firm’s Litigation Department.

    Before joining Gibson Dunn, Vannalee served as a law clerk to the Honorable Ana de Alba of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California.

    Vannalee earned her law degree in 2022 from the University of California, Davis School of Law, where she was elected as a member of the Order of the Coif and the Order of Barristers. While at UC Davis School of Law, Vannalee was Senior Symposium Editor of the UC Davis Law Review and External Competitions Chair for the Moot Court Honors Board. Vannalee was awarded the annual King Hall Outstanding Clinic Student Award for her advocacy as a member of the UC Davis Immigration Law Clinic. She also received the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Constitutional Law and the Reynoso Academic Achievement Award in Criminal Procedure.

    Vannalee graduated in 2019 from the University of California, Davis with Bachelor degrees in Political Science, magna cum laude, and Spanish, cum laude. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

    Vannalee is a member of the State Bar of California.

  • Ryan Manuel (He/Him) is a litigation attorney at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in San Francisco, specializing in high-exposure personal injury defense. As a member of the General Liability Litigation Practice Group, he handles cases from inception through settlement or trial preparation, representing construction companies, AV event production firms, and national retailers in matters involving construction site accidents, premises liability, and automobile and trucking accidents. Ryan has successfully defended clients against claims of traumatic brain injuries and catastrophic injuries, leveraging strategic case analysis, discovery, expert retention, and motion practice to achieve favorable outcomes.  

    Beyond his practice, Ryan is committed to mentorship and professional development within the legal community. As FBANC’s Secretary, he leads efforts to enhance member engagement and oversees FBANC’s monthly newsletters. Previously, as Mentorship Co-Director, he worked with law student leaders from USF, UC Law SF, Santa Clara Law, and UC Davis Law, playing a key role in organizing Komunidad 5.  

    Ryan earned his B.A. in Political Science and Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara, where he served as Co-Chair of Kapatirang Pilipino. He received his J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where he refined his litigation skills and commitment to advocacy.

“Financial Advice Stations”

Mika Domingo

Miguel O’Hara

Sheila Zarekari

  • As experienced advisers in their respective fields and practice areas, Mika, Miguel, and Sheila will provide personalized recommendations on key financial topics, including financial planning, real estate investing, and trusts & estates.

  • Mika Domingo is Founder of M.S. Domingo Law Group, P.C., an estate planning, probate and trusts administration and litigation, and conservatorship firm. 

    Mika served as a Deputy Attorney General with the Attorney General’s Office and worked for a trusts and estates firm before launching her own practice in 2017. Mika made history as the first Filipina President of the California Women Lawyers, a statewide organization dedicated to advancing women in the profession of law, and eliminating all forms of inequities. She served as Chair of the Judicial Evaluations Committee for CWL for eight years. Currently, she is serving her second term as President of California Asian-Pacific American Bar Association, representing the interests of 14,000 API attorneys across the state. She is also Co-Director of Professional Development for the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California and previously served on the State Bar of California’s Committee of Bar Examiners.

    Mika serves as a Commissioner for the San Francisco Assessment Appeals Board. She is a founding member of A New Wrinkle, a non profit organization serving the senior communities in Contra Costa County.

    Mika hosts her own podcast, “Mika Minutes,” designed to make information about trusts and estates accessible to everyone.

  • Miguel can partner with you to understand your goals, create a personalized plan, and provide investing guidance. You’ll understand where your money is invested and why, how your investments are performing, and how much it’s costing you. Plus you’ll have access to Schwab’s portfolio management expertise, insights, and specialists. It’s a modern approach to wealth management—so you can take ownership of your financial life.

  • As a teenager, Sheila watched her parents lose their home in the aftermath of the Philippine revolution. Since then, home ownership has been an important goal and priority for her. By the age of 21, Sheila bought her first investment property and has been passionate ever since about real estate.

    Sheila graduated from college at age 18 with a degree in Management Economics.  After college, she pursued a career in Brand Marketing eventually heading consumer brands like Tide, Pampers & Ivory.  Sheila is a seasoned international marketing & public relations executive with over 25 years experience and shines in the process of selling homes. She has led multi-million dollar campaigns and product launches and is at ease in fast paced environments, unconventional solutions and tough negotiations. An early advocate of social media and mobile marketing, Sheila has a clear mastery of how these new platforms and technology impact a sale.

    ​Borrowing from 14 years of art school, Sheila has a sharp eye for design and is able to visually execute compelling marketing materials that complement the entire home selling experience.

    ​Sheila & her family have lived in the Bay Area since 2001 and she loves to share her unique perspective on neighborhoods, schools and recreational opportunities that the area has to offer. Sheila and her husband are also long time restaurant proprietors in downtown Oakland and support various educational and philanthropic causes in that community. They have two sons, one is now a resident at UCSF and their youngest is in high school, a budding YouTube filmmaker and avid Golden State Warriors fan.

Behind the Scenes of Liwanag 2

What makes Liwanag 2 more than just a conference? It’s the vision, passion, and purpose that fuel every panel, workshop, and connection.

Co-Founders of Liwanag Conference and Professional Development Co-Directors Mika Domingo and Armbien Sabillo pull back the curtain to share their insights on why this year’s event is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience for FBANC and our attendees. From groundbreaking discussions on AI, Equity, and the Law to the power of mentorship, discover what makes Liwanag 2 a movement, not just a moment! 

Why is Liwanag such a meaningful and essential space for new to mid-level attorneys? 

“Liwanag is meaningful because it helps illuminate a key stage of an attorney’s career. New and mid-level attorneys are in a transitional period: from law student to practicing attorney, and from foundational training to focusing their career trajectories to specific directions. FBANC and other organizations have amazing programs to support experienced attorneys as well as law students, particularly through FBANC’s phenomenal Komunidad Conference.”

As FBANC’s Professional Development Co-Directors, what impact do you hope Liwanag will have on attendees navigating the early years of their legal careers?

“With Liwanag, we saw an opportunity to bridge and further empower the pipeline from law student to seasoned practitioner. Liwanag provides hands-on, skills-based workshops and a wide variety of subject matter seminars to challenge attorneys to think about their own career development more broadly across practices and industries.”

What excites you the most about this year’s Liwanag conference? 

“What excites us the most about Liwanag this year is highlighting the breadth and depth of subject matter expertise in the FBANC community. It is wonderful to see Fil-Am leaders representing many different industries and practice areas including data privacy & security, trusts & estates, employment law, immigration law, and intellectual property law. And best of all, the speakers have a shared background that allows us to dissect key legal and equity issues from a Fil-Am lens. Many of us struggle to find mentors or even representation in the legal field and in our specific practice areas. Liwanag brings people together to form connections and broaden our perspectives.”

Is there a particular moment, speaker, or experience you’re looking forward to sharing with attendees?

“We are incredibly grateful to the speakers for lending us their time and expertise for Liwanag, and we look forward to learning more about different areas of the law.”

Do you have any other comments or information about this year’s Liwanag Conference you would like to share with our FBANC members?

“This is only the second year for Liwanag, and it is amazing to see how the conference continues to evolve and improve over time. Our hope is that attendees will be inspired to think about what Liwanag 3 could look like!”

This year’s theme explores the intersection of AI and the legal profession—what inspired this focus? 

“The legal field is an ever-evolving profession, and technology is one of the key drivers of change. Artificial intelligence brings with it many challenges, but also countless opportunities. Liwanag’s theme this year seeks to dissect the ways in which AI impacts people and society, and how as attorneys we can help ensure that the law is applied equitably.”

How do you see AI shaping the future of law, and what do you hope attendees will take away from these discussions?

“We hope that attendees keep an open mind and also see how the legal profession can grow with AI as a business tool. This is particularly important in today’s multigenerational workforce, where early- and mid-career attorneys have an opportunity to be leaders in their workplace and in the community with regard to AI and the legal profession.”

If you could give one key piece of advice to Liwanag 2 attendees, what would it be? 

“One key piece of advice to attendees is to make and maintain connections! This applies both to people and to ideas. Ask questions now and ask even more questions later. Challenge underlying assumptions within your practice groups regarding where AI fits and doesn’t fit and, more importantly, how ethics and equity can permeate every aspect of AI and the law. Make professional and conceptual connections and your mind will light up with all the ways AI and your expertise can make the world a better place.”

How can the attendees maximize their experience and walk away with the most valuable insights and connections?

“Stay curious. Expand what you learn today by doing your own additional research. Reach out to the speakers after the conference and engage in additional dialogue. We are here to connect and inspire each other.One key piece of advice to attendees is to make and maintain connections! This applies both to people and to ideas. Ask questions now and ask even more questions later. Challenge underlying assumptions within your practice groups regarding where AI fits and doesn’t fit and, more importantly, how ethics and equity can permeate every aspect of AI and the law. Make professional and conceptual connections and your mind will light up with all the ways AI and your expertise can make the world a better place.”