Meet Your New CCCBA Board Members

Alison Chandler

Alison Chandler graduated from the University of San Francisco, School of Law in 2004. She attended the University of Texas in Austin and received a Bachelors degree in history and philosophy and minored in Spanish. Alison moved to California for law school and married her husband, Zack Chandler. The two settled in Contra Costa County and she became a practicing prosecutor in Contra Costa County in December 2004. She has worked at the District Attorney’s Office since 2004. During her career at the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, Alison has worked in the misdemeanor unit, juvenile unit, general felony trial team, domestic violence, and the special operations unit.

During Alison’s time in the domestic violence unit, she became close with STAND advocates and worked to aid victims of domestic violence escape the cycle of violence. Starting in 2010, Alison began prosecuting auto insurance fraud cases. She has worked closely with the Department of Insurance, DMV  and the California Highway Patrol to combat organized stage collision rings, medical provider fraud, chop shop and organized auto theft rings.

Alison Chandler is a member of the CCCBA, Inns of Court, California District Attorney’s Association, STAND, and the Contra Costa County Prosecutor’s Association.

Janet Holmes

Janet Holmes has proudly served the citizens of Contra Costa County for nearly fifteen years in the County Counsel’s Office. During her tenure there, she has handled juvenile dependency matters, “general law” duties for various County departments, and tort litigation. For the past 12 years, Jan’s efforts have been primarily focused on defending the County and its employees in lawsuits involving allegations of discrimination, wrongful police practices, medical malpractice and dangerous conditions of public property.

Previously, Jan worked for a large insurance company, defending its insureds in various lawsuits.She also practiced general litigation for a private Southern California firm, after a brief stint in entertainment law. Jan’s first work as a lawyer was with the U.S. Department of Justice, where she served as a litigator in the Lands and Natural Resources Division.

Jan claims she was forced to become a lawyer when she “flunked photocopying” while working as a legal assistant during college at UCLA. Jan has practiced law in both State and federal courts through California, but has always insisted her favorite courts are Contra Costa County’s. While Jan was born and raised in Southern California, she had the good sense to settle in the Bay Area. Jan is an avid fan of college sports, especially those involving the Cal Bears and UCLA Bruins, but her spare time is dominated by her troop of bichon frises. She volunteers for the high school moot court program, also serving as a guest lecturer at various high schools, and routinely assists with various County functions. She served for three years on the CCCBA’s Judicial Nomination Evaluation Committee.

James Y. Wu

James Wu has been practicing primarily employment and labor law since 1996. He helps businesses comply with employment laws, provides training, and defends employers when they are sued. James was born and raised in Colorado. He attended Stanford University and earned a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and also a Masters of Arts in Higher Education Administration. James was very involved in various organizations and events at Stanford, and was awarded the James Lyon’s Dean’s Award for Public Service as an undergraduate student.

After Stanford, James went across the country to attend law school at Boston College Law School. During law school, James was a Teaching Assistant for two years in classes for first year law students. James also worked for the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, and as a third-year law student, James was in a clinical program where he was able to serve as an Assistant District Attorney. Following law school, James started his law career practicing in Chicago, Illinois. In 2001, James moved to Walnut Creek and has enjoyed the Contra Costa community ever since. He has practiced at Crosby Heafey, Littler Mendelson, and most recently, James has been a Partner at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith.

James is now pursuing new and exciting opportunities. While practicing law full time, James has also been highly active in the CCCBA. For example, James has served on the Board of the Employment Law Section since 2007, and was the President in 2008. James has also served as an Associate Professor in the Paralegal Program at CSU-Eastbay. He is also involved with the Asian American Bar Association of the Bay Area, the National Employment Law Council, and is on the Board of the Northern California Employer Roundtable (sponsored by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing).

James enjoys non-work time with his wife and two elementary school aged sons. He is involved in their sports activities by helping to coach their teams, and has been training them to become fans of the Denver Broncos and Stanford Cardinal.

Visit our website at www.cccba.org/attorney/about/board-members.php to meet all 2012 CCCBA Board Members.