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This month ushers in a clear sense of direction.
Take a look at our latest work:
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On Friday, September 26, Hoover Krepelka, LLP held a Celebration of Life honoring Robert L. Hoover at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos. The program was led by James Hoover as Master of Ceremonies, with heartfelt remarks shared by Travis I. Krepelka, Judge Vanessa Zecher, Kapil Nanda, and Barrie Jones. Guests were also treated to a moving performance of live music by members of the Symphony San Jose.
Our hope was that Bob was smiling down on us as we came together to share and cherish our favorite memories of him. Surrounded by colleagues, friends, and family, the entire community gathered in support and in celebration of his remarkable life and legacy.
We extend our gratitude to our esteemed guests, firm members, and the many pillars of the legal community who joined us in honoring Robert’s life.
Photo gallery by Julio L. Solis
| | Elaine Le, Senior Counsel | |
Elaine Le joined Hoover Krepelka in 2020 and has since distinguished herself as a fierce and compassionate family law advocate, known for her integrity and dedication to guiding clients through some of life’s most challenging moments. Before devoting herself fully to family law, Elaine began her legal career in bankruptcy law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with minors in Political Science and Music History from UCLA, followed by her Juris Doctor from the University of La Verne College of Law.
Beyond her legal career, Elaine is committed to community service through her involvement with the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California, where she served as Community Service Co-Chair overseeing the association’s San Jose Legal Clinic. Outside the courtroom, she is an avid reader, a classic Jimmy Stewart film enthusiast, a passionate concertgoer, and a world traveler with a never-ending sense of wanderlust.
We look forward to Elaine's contributions and her continued impact as Senior Counsel at Hoover Krepelka, LLP.
| Kennasey Green, Legal Assistant | | |
Kennasey G. joins Hoover Krepelka, LLP as Legal Assistant.
Kennasey recently made the big move to the Bay Area (with just her car!) and is completing her Paralegal Certificate at Phoenix College. She also graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Arizona State University. Kennasey brings legal experience as a Personal Injury Legal Assistant; she’s eager to expand her knowledge of family law and continue growing her legal career.
Outside of work, Kennasey is always exploring new hobbies—whether it’s cooking, reading, crocheting, or sewing(though like the rest of us, she admits she’d like to commit to at least one someday!). She also enjoys trying out new restaurants and welcomes any Bay Area recommendations. And of course, in her own words: “I love cats and they are the best.”
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James Hoover, Partner and Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) at Hoover Krepelka, LLP has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Symphony San Jose.
Mr. Hoover brings valuable leadership and community experience to the board, complementing his longstanding support for the arts in the San Jose community. Recognized for his experience and client advocacy, Mr. Hoover continuously receives numerous honors. He remains actively engaged in the community through board service and support of local arts and cultural initiatives.
| We honor and celebrate the rich histories, diverse traditions, and remarkable contributions of the Hispanic and Latino community. | |
We paused to honor and remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. We hold in our thoughts the families, survivors, and first responders whose bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire us.
| On Native American Day, we reflected on the enduring strength, resilience, and profound cultural heritage of Indigenous communities. It is a moment we hold to honor the perseverance of Native peoples in reclaiming their narratives and preserving their heritage against centuries of adversity. | | Click below to read our latest articles: "Split Custody: Understanding the Rare Exceptions in Child Custody Decisions," "Divorce and Life Insurance: Avoiding Common Mistakes with Beneficiary Designations," and "Common Reasons to Challenge Prenuptial Agreements." | | |
The article emphasizes that during divorce, it’s important to explicitly address life insurance by updating beneficiary designations—since many policies still list the ex-spouse—and by considering any accumulated cash value in whole or universal life policies, which counts as marital property and must be included in asset division, as neglecting these aspects can lead to financial complications or unintended outcomes.
Read 'Divorce and Life Insurance: Avoiding Common Mistakes with Beneficiary Designations' Article
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Prenuptial agreements provide clarity and protection, but in California, they can be challenged if legal requirements weren’t properly followed or if a spouse was pressured, uninformed, or denied independent counsel, potentially rendering the agreement unenforceable.
Read 'Common Reasons to Challenge Prenuptial Agreements' Article
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Pasquale Esposito Dinner Concert : Celebrating 100 Years of Guglielmo Winery
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Pasquale Esposito’s Dinner Concert took place at Guglielmo Winery, est. 1925, celebrating 100 years of winemaking heritage.
Guests enjoyed an authentic Italian buffet by Sapore Italiano, followed by a breathtaking live performance from internationally renowned tenor Pasquale Esposito. Beyond the music, this event supported a meaningful cause: a portion of proceeds benefited the NOTABLE MUSIC AND ARTS ORGANIZATION, which mentors young singers, provides music scholarships, and fosters the next generation of talented artists. Victoria McDowell performed, showcasing her talent alongside other students in a diverse set spanning opera and hits from Céline Dion to Whitney Houston.
A special thanks to Helen Owen for being such a wonderful supporter and inviting us to this unforgettable evening of music, culture, and community.
Learn about Notable Music and Arts Organization
James Hoover
Michelle Hoover
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Provisors MTV1 Volunteers with
Boys and Girls Club of Silicon Valley
| | Junior League of San Jose's Find the Good Day Brunch and Awards Ceremony | | |
The Junior League of San Jose hosted its inaugural Find the Good Day Brunch and Awards Ceremony at the Farrington House, bringing the community together to celebrate women who exemplify service and leadership. The event honored outstanding volunteers through the Find the Good Awards, continuing JLSJ’s long-standing tradition of uplifting community impact in Santa Clara County.
Director of Community Relations Michelle Hoover was recognized as an award recipient. Thank you to Chelsea Byom for nominating Michelle for her dedication to fostering connection and positive change.
The inspiring program featured speakers Gabriela “Gabby” Chavez-Lopez Executive Director of the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley, Harbir Kaur Bhatia, CEO of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber Of Commerce; and Kyra Kazantzis, CEO of the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits.
Vivian Tran
Cindy Barrett
Victoria McDowell
| Vietnamese Bar Association of Northern California's 27th Annual Scholarship Gala Dinner | |
The Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California (VABANC) hosted its 27th Annual Gala Dinner at Villa Ragusa, bringing together judges, legal professionals, law students, and community leaders to celebrate connection and service. Hoover Krepelka, LLP proudly supported the evening as a sponsor in recognition of Senior Counsel Elaine Le, past Community Service Co-Chair and Community Outreach Specialist Vivian Tran, Board Member and Social and Professional Networking Chair. Senior Associate Joy Antonette Diaz and Operations Manager Calvin Nguyen also attended to show their support for Elaine and Vivian.
This inspiring evening highlighted VABANC’s mission to uplift the Vietnamese American legal community through the presentation of the Trailblazer, Community Impact, and Lifetime Achievement Awards, as well as scholarships awarded to outstanding Bay Area law students dedicated to public service. It was a meaningful celebration of community, leadership, and impact.
| | Rotary Club of San Jose's Gala Donor Reception | | |
Lights, camera, impact! Hoover Krepelka, LLP’s Community Outreach Specialist and Rotarian, Vivian Tran, was honored to celebrate the success of the 2025 Rotary Gala at Joseph George Wines.
It was an evening of community and gratitude, capped off by the playful reveal of the 2026 Gala theme: "Lights, Camera, Impact." We're so excited for the next chapter of service and inclusion with the Rotary Club of San Jose and can't wait to see the impact we'll make together. A big congratulations to co-chairs Chelsey Piasentin Souza, CFRE and Leah Schnoor!
Bert George
| | Peninsula College Fund's Career Confidence Event | | |
The Peninsula College Fund is hosting a Career Confidence Event on December 15, 2025, to help scholars build skills in interviewing, networking, and professional presentation. You can support them by donating new or gently used professional clothing at designated drop-off dates. PCF empowers first-generation, low-income students in the Mid-Peninsula and San Mateo/Santa Clara Counties with scholarships, mentoring, and career support, helping them graduate career-ready and debt-free.
Drop-offs: Oct 7 & 25, Nov 14, Dec 6 at Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, San Jose.
Learn more about Peninsula College Fund
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“Be Here Now.”
This month, we’d like to feature 1440 Multiversity as our community spotlight. is a philanthropic learning destination in the California Redwoods where every booking serves the community—creating hope for living well. Through immersive workshops, conferences, and grants, 1440 fosters opportunities for people and organizations to reconnect, reflect, and grow.
Their impact extends far beyond campus. The Helping Hands program provides staff with paid volunteer time, contributing nearly 5,000 hours annually to Santa Cruz nonprofits. Rooted in community, 1440 partners with local farms and businesses, strengthening the regional economy while cultivating meaningful connections. Additional initiatives such as Opportunity Bridge Programs, advocacy workshops, and program grants help mission-driven organizations expand their reach and create sustainable change.
This fall, 1440 invites the community to experience a season of immersive learning and connection. October highlights include a hands-on Pinsa Workshop in the Teaching Kitchen (Oct. 4), Acu-Yoga (Oct. 4), the five-day True North Leadership intensive (Oct. 13–17) and the Food as Medicine Health Conference (Oct. 17). After November, the year concludes with the 2025 Teaching Kitchen Symposium (Dec. 9–11), celebrating 10 years of impact in nutrition and education.
Learn more about how to get involved with their philanthropic programs or host a learning-based event at 1440.org.
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