June was about growth and success: welcoming new law clerks to the team and celebrating the milestones we’ve achieved together. Take a look at what we’ve been working on: | | Danny Thompson, Law Clerk | |
Danny Thompson is now pursuing his Juris Doctor at Santa Clara University School of Law as a Dean’s Fellowship Recipient. Most recently, he supported Dean Michael Kaufman as a Research Assistant, contributing to the Illinois Practice Series on Civil Procedure, where he will be credited as a researcher.
After moving to the Bay Area in 2018, Danny earned his B.S. in Psychology and Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude, from Santa Clara University. His undergraduate thesis explored adolescent development, showcasing his dedication to understanding human behavior.
Danny brings compassion, curiosity, and a deep sense of community. He is the second oldest of five siblings and has a lifelong connection to the special needs community, inspired by his youngest sister who has Down Syndrome.
In his free time, Danny enjoys running, cycling, hiking, and adventuring with his one-year-old toy poodle, Penny, who—like Danny—is a big fan of long walks and parmesan cheese.
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Jackson Zou is currently pursuing his J.D. at Santa Clara University School of Law being treasurer of the Santa Clara Law's Student Bar Association. Jackson brings not only legal insight but also a deep commitment to growth, adaptability, and excellence. He believes in making the most of every situation—no matter how challenging—and values collaboration, curiosity, and continuous self-improvement.
Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the University of California, Berkeley, where he first developed a strong interest in law, public policy, and systems of governance. Jackson most recently interned with the Honorable Judge D. Pennypacker at the Superior Court, County of Santa Clara, where he strengthened his legal research and writing skills while gaining firsthand exposure to courtroom proceedings.
Before entering the legal field, Jackson worked in operational management within the shipping and handling department at Link Future Inc., a business affiliate of Amazon and Alibaba.com. His role included researching warehouse partners, evaluating logistics contracts, and optimizing services for cost-efficiency and scalability—all while navigating fast-moving market demands.
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Rachel White is a law student at University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), where she is actively involved in the UC Law SF Moot Court Team, UC Hastings Family Law Society, and Hastings Business Law Society.
Her impressive professional background includes interning with the County of San Mateo District Attorney's Office and insurance consulting, showcasing her blend of strategic thinking, leadership, and service. Her experience as a California Ambassador for the Hugh O’Bryan Youth Foundation’s World Leadership Congress, along with her roles with Morgan Hill Connect and Business Networking International, further reflect her dedication to community and growth.
Outside of law, Rachel enjoys hiking, cooking, road trips, and snowboarding. She’s also a lover of all things theater—including plays, symphonies, operas, and musicals—and a regular at Monroe’s Decade’s Night. A former high school athlete in cross country, soccer, and track, Rachel now stays active at the gym. She grew up with two dogs—Ampelo, a Doberman Shepherd, and Chelsea, a Maltese Poodle. Rachel lovingly tends to her collection of house plants in San Francisco.
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| 2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars | |
Though we typically let our results convey our dedication, we are pleased to recognize that 11 Hoover Krepelka, LLP attorneys have been included on the 2025 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list!
Thank you to FindLaw and Super Lawyers for recognizing nearly half of our talented team of family law attorneys in this year’s program.
Super Lawyers:
James Hoover – Partner, CFLS
Travis I. Krepelka – Partner, CFLS
Julia McDowell – Partner, CFLS
Patricia Zerbini – Senior Counsel, CFLS
Constance Carpenter – Of Counsel
Rising Stars:
Jaymi Salisbury – Senior Associate
Wenjia Ma – Senior Associate
Katherine Moinpour – Senior Associate
Joy Antonette B. Diaz – Senior Associate
Stephanie Huang – Senior Associate
Kelly Wynne – Associate
Congratulations to all the outstanding attorneys recognized this year!
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| Michelle Hoover Recognized with Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence Award | |
Michelle Hoover, Director of Community Relations at Hoover Krepelka, LLP, has been named a 2025 Woman of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal!
Michelle has redefined what it means to be a leader in legal and community spaces. Since joining the firm in 2014, she has created and grown a role that blends strategic marketing, professional relationship-building, and significant community engagement. From cultivating a robust network of trusted advisors to leading our digital and PR presence, Michelle ensures professionalism and integrity are reflected in every facet of our brand.
Her passion for giving back is equally inspiring. Michelle spearheads our philanthropic partnerships and corporate social responsibility efforts, and this year, her impact was further recognized with appointments to the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley and the Santa Clara County Estate Planning Council.
Read 'Silicon Valley Business Journal's Women of Influence 2025' Article
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At Hoover Krepelka, LLP, we proudly stand with the LGBTQ+ community in celebrating love, identity, and family in all its forms.
This Pride Month, we reaffirm our belief that everyone deserves dignity, respect, and equal access to justice. Love is love—and families are diverse, strong, and worthy of protection.
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This important day commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in 1865, marking a fundamental and significant milestone in our journey toward freedom and equality.
Juneteenth represents the resilience and strength of individuals and families who have endured and overcome systemic oppression. It is a day of recognition, restoration, and celebration. We honor the progress made, acknowledge the work still to be done, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage and enduring spirit of the African American community.
| | Constance Carpenter's 75th Birthday | | |
Staff gathered to celebrate Constance Carpenter on her 75th birthday, marking not only a life well-lived but an extraordinary 50-year legal career. Born in Nebraska and raised in Bakersfield, Constance has dedicated decades to serving the Santa Clara County legal community. She has litigated and settled nearly 1,700 cases across marital dissolution, guardianship, probate, and adoption, and is routinely appointed as Minor’s Counsel in the most complex family law matters. Her work has profoundly impacted countless children, parents, and families. We are grateful for Constance's advocacy and leadership.
Learn more about Constance Carpenter
| | Gabby Benitez’s U.S. Citizenship Celebration | | The firm hosted a celebratory lunch at The Golf Club at Boulder Ridge in honor of Operations Specialist Gabby Benitez, who recently earned her U.S. citizenship. This incredible milestone is a reflection of Gabby’s strength and perseverance. Gabby pours so much love, care, and dedication into the firm—her impact is felt by all. We were truly happy to return a bit of that love and celebrate her incredible achievement as a team. Congratulations, Gabby! | | Click below to read our latest articles, including the topics of "Financial Infidelity: The Impact of a Spouse's Secret Spending on Divorce Outcomes," "What is Digital Harassment? Understanding Technology Abuse in Relationships," and "Post-Divorce Identity Theft: Preventative Measures and Legal Recourse" | | |
Financial infidelity—when one spouse hides debts, assets, or spending—can severely harm trust and finances in a marriage, especially during divorce, and in California’s community property system, courts may impose legal consequences and adjust property division to protect the deceived spouse, who often must rely on forensic accountants and legal tools to uncover hidden financial misconduct.
Read 'Financial Infidelity: The Impact of a Spouse's Secret Spending on Divorce Outcomes' Article
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Technology makes staying connected easier than ever, but in the context of divorce or dysfunctional relationships, it can be weaponized for harassment and control—through cyberstalking, online defamation, GPS tracking, and revenge porn—leading to serious emotional and legal consequences, with California law offering protections to help victims safeguard their digital privacy and reclaim safety.
Read 'What is Digital Harassment? Understanding Technology Abuse in Relationships' Article
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After a divorce, identity theft becomes a serious risk due to shared financial history and access to personal information, making it essential to secure all accounts by updating passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, resetting security questions, and freezing credit with all three major bureaus. If theft occurs, promptly notify affected companies, place a fraud alert, review credit reports, report the incident to the FTC and local police, and consult an attorney to leverage federal and California protections that help dispute fraudulent charges, stop debt collection, and pursue legal action.
Read 'Post-Divorce Identity Theft: Preventative Measures and Legal Recourse' Article
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| Summit League's 'A Day in the Garden with Friends' | | |
On May 28th, Summit League hosted an enchanting luncheon at Villa Montalvo featuring Chef Tyler Florence, alfresco dining, and curated shopping to support Loaves and Fishes. All proceeds supported Loaves & Fishes, an organization that has grown over 40 years from serving 10,000 meals a year to nearly 2 million meals annually providing critical nourishment to families, children, and seniors facing food insecurity. David Hott took the stage during the event, adding to an inspiring program that highlighted the urgent need to combat food insecurity.
Food insecurity is a growing challenge, and collective efforts like this help meet it head-on. Support Loaves and Fishes by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word. Every dollar helps provide a meal—and every effort helps build a stronger, more nourished community.
Learn about Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen
Michelle Hoover
Dori Yob Kilmer
Liz Ferrari
Azadeh Riaz
| | Joseph George Wines' 85th Anniversary Celebration | | Symphony San Jose's 'España' | | YWCA Golden Gate's 'Walk a Mile in Her Shoes' | | 100 Charitable Women's Blind Tasting Event | | |
We are proud to shine this month’s Community Spotlight on Partner Julia P. McDowell, whose passion for service extends far beyond the legal profession. Julia is the founder of Demonstrate Love, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering communities in Malawi, one of the world’s most impoverished nations. She demonstrates love as a purpose-driven change maker.
Through Demonstrate Love, Julia and her team work hand in hand with local leaders to meet basic needs and foster sustainable change. Their initiatives focus on providing clean water, access to healthcare, nutrition support, and education for children who would otherwise go without.
Malawi, often referred to as “the Warm Heart of Africa,” is a country of extraordinary spirit and resilience. Despite its beauty and rich cultural heritage, many Malawians face severe challenges: limited infrastructure, high rates of child malnutrition, and widespread poverty. Demonstrate Love responds with compassion in action—helping build wells, supporting orphan care, and investing in small-scale economic development projects that uplift entire villages.
To learn more or get involved
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