Meet the CCCBA Staff

Chances are you know Lisa Reep, our Executive Director Extraordinaire, who has been leading the CCCBA for the past 17 years with infectious enthusiasm and style. But do you know the staff who answers the Lawyer Referral calls? Who coordinates Fee Arbitrations and who handles your membership questions? Who do you contact if your section wants to plan an event and who can help you with your advertising needs? Look no further – meet the staff!

Jennifer Comages – Membership Coordinator

Jenny Comages

How long have you been with the CCCBA?

I started working for the CCCBA July 1, 1979.

What do you like best about your job?

I have enjoyed working with some of the best Executive Directors, and have learned a lot from them, as well as others in the Legal Community. The best part of my job is having a great relationship with my co-workers and a fantastic boss and the opportunity to help the Members of the Association as well as the public.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I don’t have much spare time as I help care for my extended family that lives with my husband and me, but I do enjoy bowling, reading and taking walks with my black lab.

Emily Day – Fee Arbitration Program Coordinator / Systems Administrator

Emily Day

How long have you been with the CCCBA?

23 years

What do you like best about your job?

I like the technical challenges attendant with my various duties the best. It has been a constant learning experience, from the time when cut & paste meant scissors and glue to today. From the electric typewriter and mimeograph machine to the computer, fax, copier and printer. From White-Out and boxes of cards that were used to make the referrals to ARP attorneys to the delete key and programs in the Cloud. Snail mail to email. Books in bookcases to the Internet. These advances have helped us improve the services we, the staff, provide to CCCBA members, and to the community that the Lawyer Referral & Information Service supports.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to go home. My husband and I watch old movies and TV shows on Netflix. I also like to read mysteries on my Kindle.

Kerstin Firmin – Communications Coordinator

Kerstin Firmin

How long have you been with the CCCBA?

18 months

What do you like best about your job?

I love working on the Contra Costa Lawyer magazine – print and online. Editorial design challenges my creative and analytical skills and the online magazine allows me to play with new media and multimedia. I also handle advertising, so – call me!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Explore cities on foot, frequent small performance venues, drink Bloody Rudys at the Can’t Fail Cafe, and amass books and magazines against all reason. I love anything new, creative, and vibrant – if it involves art or science, count me in.

Manny Gutierrez – Administrative Assistant / LRIS Interviewer

Manny Gutierrez

How long have you been with the CCCBA?

4 years

What do you like best about your job?

I like the fact that we help so many people find help and different alternatives to helping solve their issues. And that every day you can make a difference in someone’s life. And the fact that I’ve made some great relationships while working at the CCCBA is one the best things about my job.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and take family trips. I’m also an assistant coach on my son’s basketball and soccer teams.

Theresa Hurley -  Education & Programs Coordinator /Section Liaison

Theresa Hurley

How long have you been with the CCCBA?

10 months

What do you like best about your job?

All the great people I work with – CCCBA staff, attorneys, other legal professionals, court staff, community members. I also enjoy the wide variety of things I do in my position, every day is different! I love that I am continually learning in this job – about the legal field, community resources, event management and more.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love spending time with my kids, though now that they are almost all teenagers I don’t see them as much as I would like to! I spend as much time as I can outdoors – camping, hiking, running, attending outdoor concerts or theater. My ‘indoor’ passions include knitting and reading. I’m also an active volunteer at my children’s schools, Girl Scouts, Girls on the Run, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and the Child Abuse Prevention Council.

Barbara Tillson – Lawyer Referral & Information Service Coordinator

Barbara Tillson

How long have you been with the CCCBA?

Almost 4 years

What do you like best about your job?

The daily contact with the public and possibly being able to help refer them to the best attorney for their situation. I especially like working with the Moderate Means clients, most particularly the Elder Law clients.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spending time with my family and my dogs, fixing up our new home, visiting flea markets, street fairs and farmer’s markets.