Bay Area PALS Coalition

Franchesca Buendia (she/her) is a 2L attending Santa Clara Law, and is looking forward to participating in Komunidad this year. She is the co-vice president of Filipino-American Law Society and is the co-communications chair for the Vietnamese-American Law Students at Santa Clara Law. Franchesca is currently volunteering at the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center's consumer protection clinic. She is interested in learning more about consumer protection law, business litigation, and labor & employment law.

Therese is a 3L at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she has distinguished herself as both a leader and mentor throughout her law school career.

She currently serves as Co-President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), and as a 2L, served as President of the Pilipinx American Law Society (PALS), where she continues to serve as Professional Development Chair. Through these roles, she has been deeply committed to advancing Filipino representation in the legal profession and fostering mentorship opportunities for aspiring attorneys.

Since her 1L year, Therese has worked as a law clerk with the San Francisco office of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, where she has developed a strong interest in civil defense litigation. She hopes to continue her work in civil defense while remaining dedicated to mentorship and advancing the success of Filipino and other underrepresented communities in the legal field.

I am a second-year law student at the University of San Francisco, School of Law, where I serve as a Junior Staffer on Law Review, Co-President for the Pilipinx American Law Society, and Treasurer for the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association. I was born and raised in San Francisco. I attended the University of California, Merced, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Management and Business Economics with a minor in Psychology. During my undergraduate years, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad at the Université de Bordeaux in France. After graduating in 2018, I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, to begin my professional career at The Vanguard Group as a Personal Investment Brokerage Professional.

There, I obtained my Series 7 and 63 licenses and worked closely with clients to navigate investment strategies, financial products, and compliance regulations. I transitioned into the insurance industry, taking on a role as a Client Representative at Newfront Insurance (formerly ABD Insurance & Financial Services). In this role, I obtained my Insurance Producer License for Accident & Health or Sickness, Life and developed expertise in compliance, contract review, and benefits administration.

In 2024, I made the decision to leave my employer and embark on my journey to law school. Last summer, I interned for Federal Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler at the United States District Court, Northern District of California. I gained insight into the judicial process and strengthened my legal writing and research skills. In my free time, I enjoy baking and Pilates. My experiences in finance and insurance have shaped my analytical mindset, resilience, and dedication to client advocacy.

Arren Kyle is a 2L and current co-president of PALS at UC Law San Francisco. Last summer, Arren Kyle was a judicial intern for the Honorable Renee C. Reyna of the San Mateo Superior Court and a Legal Fellow in LinkedIn’s Uncovering Opportunities Program. In addition to PALS, Arren Kyle competes on UC Law’s Moot Court team and serves as a Staff Editor for the UC Law Business Journal. Long-term, Arren Kyle hopes to find a pathway which allows him to combine his passion for litigation and experience working with startups. 

Abby is a third year law student at Santa Clara University School of Law. She currently serves as Filipino-American Law Society President. She also serves as the Student Bar Association Co-Vice President of External Affairs. Abby has been a part of the PALS coalition for two years.

Faith Magbero is a 3L at Berkeley Law. She is on the board of Berkeley’s Pilipinx American Law Society. Faith is from Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles, CA. She went to UC Berkeley for undergrad and majored in History. She previously worked as a business immigration paralegal for Weaver Schlenger LLP and as a law clerk for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles’s API Outreach program. Faith has most recently worked for Norton Rose Fulbright in Los Angeles and plans to return after finishing law school.

I am a 3L at Berkeley Law and am on the board of the Pilipino American Law Society (PALS)! I am from Sacramento and went to undergrad at UC San Diego studying political science data analytics.

Angelene Obedoza is a second-year law student at UC Davis School of Law, originally born in Manila and from Daly City. She currently serves as Co-Chair for the Filipinx Law Students Association, Treasurer of the King Hall Negotiations Team, and Articles Selection Editor for the Business Law Journal. Grateful for the mentorship and support she received from FBANC, Angelene is passionate about continuing this tradition of giving back and is committed to making the legal field a more diverse and inclusive space.

Kaitlyn Pasaylon is a 2L at UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) who grew up in Makati, Philippines. After graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Kaitlyn moved to the Bay Area to pursue law. She is heavily involved on campus and is currently serving as Co-President for the Pilipinx Law Society, External Vice President for the Video Game Law Society, a staff editor for the UC Law Journal, and a board member for the UC Law SF Moot Court Team. Kaitlyn is interested in civil litigation and internet law. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games and listening to dungeons & dragons podcasts.

Nathaniel Teng is a current 2L at UC Davis School of Law. He is a member of the Trial Practice Honors Board, serves as the Co-Chair for the Filipinx Law Students Association, and as the Vice-Chair of King Hall Defenders through his Research Assistant position with Professor of Law and Chancellor's Fellow Irene Oritseweyinmi Joe. Nathaniel's identity as Filipino-American and as a first-generation college graduate and law student lies at the heart of his chosen career path in public defense.

Isaiah Uson is a 2L at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, where he serves as the Finance Chair for the Filipino American Law Students Association and as the Community Outreach Chair for the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. He earned his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego, majoring in Sociology with a focus on Culture and Communications.

Born in the Philippines and raised in the Bay Area, Isaiah is passionate about empowering under-resourced and underrepresented communities through service and advocacy. In summer 2026, he will join Hanson Bridgett LLP as a Summer Associate in San Francisco, where he looks forward to gaining practical experience and growing as a legal professional.