Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 04/19/06

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

TALENTED GROUP OF PROSECUTORS
JOIN DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today the hiring of ten new prosecutors . After conducting a statewide recruitment, the following individuals were recently hired: Tania Partida, Quan Nguyen, Pezhman Pakneshan, Karina Kowler, Barbara Nanney, Ross Pytlik, Wendy Skillman, Thomas Gotshall, Keith Shaw, and Michael Li.

"We are fortunate to have such a talented group of attorneys join our office and fill the positions of career prosecutors who have retired," said District Attorney Passalacqua. "This new group brings new energy and experience to assist us in addressing the public safety challenges in our community."

Tania Partida received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Society from University of California Santa Barbara and her law degree from Santa Barbara College of Law. Prior to becoming an attorney, she was a domestic violence crisis counselor in Santa Barbara County.

Michael Li received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from University of California at Los Angeles and earned his law degree from Georgetown University. His previous employment as an associate attorney was with the law firm of Carroll Burdick & McDonough in San Francisco. Mr. Li will join the office later this Sprng after he concludes a complex litigation trial.

Keith Shaw received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Religious Studies from University of California at Riverside and earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. Prior to joining our office, he was an associate attorney with the Brayton Purcell Law Firm in Novato.

Karina Kowler received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Sonoma State University and her law degree from University of California Hastings College of the Law.

Quan Nguyen received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

Pezhman Pakneshan received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Development Studies/Near Eastern Languages and Cultures from UCLA and his law degree from University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Barbara Nanney received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from San Francisco State University and her law degree from University of San Francisco School of Law.

Ross Pytlik received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Economy from the University of California at Berkeley and earned his law degree from UC Hastings College of Law in San Francisco.

Wendy Skillman received her Bachelor of Arts degree in French Literature from University of California Santa Cruz and her law degree from New England School of Law.

Thomas Gotshall received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History at the University of Washington and earned his law degree from Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa, California.