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Our October Odyssey begins —
a journey through vision, progress, and imagination.
Take a look at our latest work:
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Christine Pham has been named Partner at Hoover Krepelka, LLP.
For over 15 years, Christine has provided exceptional education and advocacy for her clients in and out of the family courtroom. As a Certified Family Law Specialist, she excels not only in legal expertise but also in offering pragmatic, common-sense guidance on domestic violence, child custody and timeshare, and complex financial matters. She has represented Fortune 500 clients and consulted at a Big Four firm on complex fraud and anti-money laundering cases, bringing a rare combination of strategic insight and client-focused advocacy.
Ms. Pham’s dedication to her clients is reflected in their testimonials. As one client wrote, “I am very grateful to have had Christine as my attorney in this difficult time. She is always reliable and knows exactly what she is doing. Her calm assertiveness was exactly what I needed in helping my case. I would recommend her to anyone—I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney.”
Ms. Pham enjoys spending time with her children, baking, and traveling. She is also a green belt in full-contact karate and aspires to earn her black belt.
We're excited to embark on this journey with Christine as fourth partner of HK.
| | Darice Palomino, Legal Assistant | | |
A devoted mom of six, Darice Palomino brings incredible dedication, patience, and heart to everything she does. Though she describes herself as “just a simple mom,” her story reflects strength, balance, and a deep passion for the legal field. Before joining us, she trained and worked as a chef, even cooking for TV personalities! Darice’s values are rooted in faith, family, and food—three things that inspire her daily both inside and outside of work.
Outside of the office, Darice is an active member of her church choir at Redemption Church, where her love for music and community shines. When she’s not singing or spending time with her family, you can find her cheering on her favorite team as a diehard Las Vegas Raiders fan. Her warmth, humility, and genuine passion for helping others make her a wonderful addition to our team, and we’re excited to welcome her to the firm!
| | Katherine Hernandez, Legal Intern | | |
Katherine Hernandez is a proud University of California, Santa Cruz alumna with a B.A. in Political Science and a strong commitment to advocacy, equity, and community leadership. Her background includes political canvassing, mentoring marginalized students, and volunteering at San José State University’s Citizenship Day to support immigrant families.
Katherine had the unique opportunity to work alongside civil rights icon Dolores Huerta on the Why Voting Matters Initiative, an experience that deepened her passion for civic engagement and social impact. As a Karl S. Pister Leadership Award recipient and first-generation Latina graduate, she believes lasting change begins with belonging and visionary leadership.
Her recent affiliations include El Centro Community and the STARRS Mentorship Program. Katherine shares that her work with Hoover Krepelka, LLP, a mission-driven family law firm, has strengthened her skills in client advocacy, justice, and service with passion.
| | | Domestic Violence Awareness Month | |
We are dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence by providing compassionate legal guidance during divorce and family law matters. Whether addressing emotional abuse, financial control, or the complexities of property division, our team strives to protect survivors’ rights, safety, and dignity at every step of the process
Explore our resources to learn more:
Emotional Abuse and Financial Control: Addressing Coercive Control in Divorce Proceedings
Dividing Property in a Divorce Involving Domestic Abuse
How Domestic Violence Could Affect Your Divorce in California
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please know that help is available. You are not alone.
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HK wishes you a safe and happy Diwali! As we celebrate the Festival of Lights, we wish all our clients, colleagues, and community members a joyous and prosperous Diwali. May this season bring warmth, happiness, and new beginnings to you and your loved ones.
We’re grateful for the trust you place in us, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community with care and dedication.
Happy Diwali!
| People on the Move: Christine A. Pham Recognized by SVBJ |
| Click below to read our latest articles: "Changing Homes, Changing Custody: Children Contesting Custody Due to Changes at Home," "Digital Discipline for Kids: Co-Parenting Rules for Screen Time by Age," and "Creating a Unified Family Media Plan Across Multiple Households." | | Bosses' Day & Annual HK Pumpkin Patch Day | | |
Our firm took a day’s break from the office to celebrate Bosses’ Day for James Hoover, Travis I. Krepelka, Julia McDowell, and Michelle Casillas at beautiful Arata Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay. Surrounded by fall fog, hay bales, and great company, our team shared heartfelt speeches expressing appreciation for our incredible partners and all that they do to lead, mentor, and inspire us.
We also had heartfelt joy of wishing Partner James Hoover a very happy birthday, adding all the more reason to celebrate! It was a wonderful moment to honor not only his leadership and dedication but also the positive energy and encouragement he brings to our firm every day.
This year was special because it marked Christine Pham’s first Boss’ Day as Partner — congratulations, Christine!
Grateful for the team that works so hard to keep this engine running like a well-oiled machine and for the leadership that drives us forward every day.
| San Jose Symphony's Gala Masquerade | |
Firm members had the pleasure of attending the Symphony San Jose Gala Masquerade — a breathtaking night filled with live orchestral performances and inspiring community spirit.
A heartfelt thank you to the San Jose Symphony’s Robert Massey and Beck Engwerda (Muir) for hosting such a spectacular event once again.
The evening celebrated distinguished conductor Nathan Aspinall and renowned pianist Jon Nakamatsu, whose artistry captivated the audience. The Gala also supported the Symphony’s community enrichment programs, including Music In The Schools and Music Without Borders, LLC™ — initiatives that make classical music accessible to all.
For information on sponsoring, attending, or supporting future events, please reach out to Board of Directors, Partner James Hoover or visit: https://lnkd.in/grSYn3eE
Patricia Zerbini
Constance Carpenter
Michelle Casillas
Gabby Benitez
Aryanna Gregoire
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Boys and Girls Club of Silicon Valley's
International Day of the Girl
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This year’s International Day of the Girl hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley was held at San José State University. This special event empowers and uplifts the next generation of girls to dream big and reach for the stars.
In attendance were Director of Community Relations and Board of Directors member Michelle Hoover, Senior Counsel Patricia Zerbini, and Community Outreach Specialist and IDG Executive Committee Member Vivian Tran.
A heartfelt shout-out to the incredible speakers — Laura Garcia, Alma Cooper, Ashley Gidel, Danielle Slaton, Krista Snelling, and Zenia Zaveri — for inspiring and igniting confidence in our youth.
Thank you to Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, Machelle Locsin, Kristi Cole, Ana Paula Grasel, Erika Coll and Evelyn Logan for having us!
| San Jose Symphony's 'Symphonic Spooktacular' | |
Symphony San Jose's Symphonic Spooktacular, led by conductor Peter Jaffe, delivered a thrilling evening of Broadway favorites. The performance featured hits from Wicked, Jekyll & Hyde, The Little Mermaid, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, Thriller, Cats, and Little Shop of Horrors featuring talent from Jessica Hendy, Alex Getlin, Scott Coulter, and John Boswell.
Guests were invited to join the Halloween-themed costume contest on stage. This year, Operations Specialist Gabby Benitez served as a costume judge, following her win last year, adding a special touch to the festivities.
Vivian Tran
Kavan Sabahi
Christine Le
Robert Massey
Beck Engwerda (Muir)
Jacquie Meyers
| | 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: Nov 14, Dec 6 at Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, San Jose.
Learn more about Peninsula College Fund
| | The Armenian International Women's Association (AIWA) | |
The Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) is a global nonprofit dedicated to empowering Armenian women through education, leadership, and community engagement. With chapters across major U.S. cities and an international presence, AIWA supports initiatives that uplift women’s voices, talents, and contributions.
As of 2025, AIWA has awarded more than $880,000 in scholarships to women worldwide and provided over $165,000 in support for women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. The organization has also contributed $48,000 in Laurel Karabian Fund for the Arts (LKFA) lifetime grants and over $278,000 to support the Women’s Support Center and initiatives addressing domestic violence. Additionally, AIWA has published 12 books and participated in 12 sessions annually at the UN NGO Commission on the Status of Women since 2007.
AIWA’s work focuses on three key areas: health and wellbeing, education, and economic empowerment. In health and wellbeing, AIWA hosts educational events, both virtual and in-person, on critical physical and mental health topics, strengthens domestic violence prevention efforts, including safe house funding, and participates in advocacy for women’s rights through expert-led panels at the UN CSW Parallel Events in NYC. In education, AIWA awards scholarships to Armenian female students globally and provides webinars and mentorship programs to support career development. In economic empowerment, AIWA supports Armenian women founders through grants and startup resources. In addition, through its Empower Path initiative, AIWA continues to advance skills building, career development, and access to business resources, helping women from disadvantaged communities in both Armenia and Lebanon, as well as displaced women from Artsakh achieve economic independence.
AIWA continues to make a lasting impact by combining advocacy, education, and empowerment to foster leadership, resilience, and opportunity for Armenian women worldwide.
Upcoming event: Armenian Women Trailblazers: The Legacy of Diana & Lucille Apcar will take place on November 8, 2025, at the Four Seasons Hotel, 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto, CA 94303. This event offers an opportunity to attend or sponsor and celebrate the achievements and legacy of pioneering Armenian women. This special night will introduce and raise vital support for FoundHer, AIWA's transformative initiative providing Armenian female founders and entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and guidance to launch businesses and transform communities.
Learn more about The Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA)
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