CHERON J. MCALEECE

Paralegal

(310) 475-5700
cmcaleece@sohagi.com
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Ms. McAleece is a seasoned legal and administrative professional with more than 20 years in the legal field. Her certification from the UCLA Extension program along with her vast professional experience qualifies her to use the title “paralegal”. (California Business & Professions Code §§ 6450- 6456.) She is experienced with maintaining litigation, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) related docketing and has prepared filings in California’s trial, appellate and supreme courts. Ms. McAleece is also charged with reviewing all correspondence, including legal opinion letters, memoranda, and land use documents prepared on behalf of The Sohagi Law Group, PLC’s strictly municipal and public agency clientele. Ms. McAleece has taken the lead in preparing both large and small administrative records related to complex CEQA litigation matters. Ms. McAleece also has experience in performing legal research tasks (both on Westlaw and via various internet databases) at the direction of the Firm’s attorneys. Ms. McAleece has also sat in the courtroom during trial and assisted attorneys by running Trial Director presentations and pulling up evidence on command.

ALLIANCE FOR A REGIONAL SOLUTION TO AIRPORT CONGESTION, ET AL. V. CITY OF LOS ANGELES (LAWA/SPAS)
(2013) Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 56-2014-00451038-CU-WM-OXN

The Firm successfully defended the City of Los Angeles and its proprietary Los Angeles World Airports at the superior court level in three consolidated cases, originally involving six petitioners, in CEQA challenges to the approval of the Specific Plan Amendment Study (SPAS) project at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Ms. McAleece assisted in trial preparation including the preparation of presentations in Trial Director to be used in the courtroom. She provided paralegal support to six attorneys and seven consultants before trial and in the courtroom over this two- and one-half day trial. Coordinate travel, food and lodgings for 14 people.

CITY OF MOORPARK V. COUNTY OF VENTURA/WAYNE J. SAND AND GRAVEL
(2016) Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. BS164626

Ms. McAleece prepared the Administrative Record in preparation for The Firm’s successful representation the City of Moorpark in its petition for writ of mandate directing the County of Ventura to vacate its decision to approve the Wayne J. Sand and Gravel Mine Expansion Project to certify an Environmental Impact Report for the Project. The Court found that the County’s approval of the Project violated the California Environmental Quality Act.

CITY OF GOLETA V. CALIFORNIA STATE LANDS COMMISSION; VENOCO, INC.
(2018) Santa Barbara County Superior Court Case No. 17CV03270

Ms. McAleece prepared the Administrative Record in preparation for The Firm’s successful representation the City of Moorpark in its petition for writ of mandate directing the County of Ventura to vacate its decision to approve the Wayne J. Sand and Gravel Mine Expansion Project to certify an Environmental Impact Report for the Project. The Court found that the County’s approval of the Project violated the California Environmental Quality Act.

  • Bachelor of Arts, Criminology, Law & Society, University of California, Irvine, School of Social Ecology, 2001
  • Paralegal Certification, University of California, Los Angeles Extension Program (ABA Approved), 2008

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

  • Trial Director Certified

  • Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) (2007-Present)
  • Beverly Hills Century City Legal Secretaries Association (BHCCLSA), Second Vice President and Programming Chair (2018-2019)
  • National Notary Association (1990-Present)

PRESENTATIONS

  • The California Environmental Quality Act: Litigation and the Administrative Record, Workshop for the Beverly Hills Century City Legal Secretaries Association, 2018
  • California Appellate Procedure, Workshop for Legal Secretaries Inc., Los Angeles County Forum of Legal Secretaries, 2019
  • The California Environmental Quality Act: Litigation and the Administrative Record, Workshop for the Legal Secretaries Inc.’s Annual Conference, 2019

PUBLICATIONS

Clean Streets Hero, City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s “Clean Streets Initiative”

  • Recognized by the City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and EmpowerLA (the City’s Department of Neighborhood Empowerment which supports the Neighborhood Council system) for work on the Monthly Neighborhood Clean-Ups and work with the homeless in East Hollywood.

Certificate of Appreciation, City of Los Angeles Police Department, Northeast Division and Councilman David Ryu, Council District 4

  • Recognized for work with LAPD and the community on issues of public safety, homelessness, and for my Monthly Neighborhood Clean-Ups through my work as Chair of the Public Safety Committee of the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Ms. McAleece was acknowledged at the National Night Out event sponsored by the Northeast Division of LAPD at The Greek Theater. Senior Lead Officer Nina Preciado, whom Ms. McAleece worked very closely with on public safety issues, nominated her for this award. Police Chief Charlie Beck and District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles, Jackie Lacey personally presented this Certificate of Appreciation. The Certificate, signed by Councilman David Ryu, Council District 4, reads: “Certificate of Appreciation is hereby presented to Cheron McAleece for your assistance to the Los Angeles Police Department Northeast Area. Thank you for the diligent work with the homeless, community clean-up programs, and leadership of the Public Safety Committee for the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Your Valuable efforts in crime prevention and crime awareness make you a true Angel in the City of Angels.”

Certificate of Appreciation, City of Los Angeles, Councilman Mitch O’Farrel, Council District 13

  • McAleece was acknowledged for the 1-year anniversary of the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council Monthly Neighborhood Clean-Ups which she implemented and organized. The Certificate reads: “On Behalf of the City of Los Angeles and the 13th Council District, we would like to congratulate you on the 1-year anniversary of the East Hollywood neighborhood cleanup and commend you for your dedication to keeping East Hollywood clean and beautiful. Your efforts help our common goal of making our city a better place in which to live, work and play. You are truly an angel in the City of Angels!”

Certificate of Appreciation, City of Los Angeles, City Attorney Mike Feuer

  • Recognized for work with the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program, LAPD and the community on issues of public safety and homelessness through my work as Chair of the Public Safety Committee of the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Ms. McAleece was presented with this Certificate of Appreciation at City Hall by Mike Feuer and Neighborhood Prosecutors Jacquelyn Lawson and Vanessa Alvarado, whom Ms. McAleece worked very closely with on public safety issues, and who nominated her for this award.

Certificate of Appreciation, City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works

  • McAleece was acknowledged by the Commissioners of the City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works for her East Hollywood Neighborhood Council Monthly Neighborhood Clean-Ups and to acknowledge her ability to rally neighborhood volunteers to address problems and volunteer in the neighborhoods they live in.

East Hollywood Neighborhood Council, District 1 Representative, Chair of the Public Safety Committee. (2012-2015)

  • Serving the East Hollywood community and it’s 51,000 residents in the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in Los Angeles. Responsibilities included liaising between community stakeholders, public and city officials (including Los Angeles City Council, LAPD, LAFD, LASD, etc.) and working on various safety, beautification, and education initiatives.

Downtown Women’s Center (DWC). (2010-2016)

  • Street Outreach Representative. Deliver hygiene products and establish rapport with homeless women on Skid Row. Inform them of the services provided by DWC and attempt to convince them to avail themselves of the services available to move them toward permanent, supportive yet independent housing.
  • Residence Host. Checked the residents in and out of their homes and helped residents with any issues they may be having with other residents or staff.

Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles in Partnership with Haven House Family Violence Project. (2010)

  • Completed 40 hours of Domestic Violence Counselor Training. Eligible for employment as a Domestic Violence Counselor per California Evidence Code § 1037.1.