Hanna Chan

Hanna was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. They have a B.A. in Women and Gender Studies from Georgetown University and graduated from UC Davis School of Law in 2022. They interned with the Solano County Alternate Public Defender for 1 year while in law school, and returned to Solano County in 2023 as a barred attorney with the office. Hanna has also served as a mentor at the Jesse Bethel Law Academy since being installed as APABA president in 2024.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Glicel Sumagaysay

As the owner of her Employment Law Firm, Glicel Sumagaysay (She/Her) represents private and public workers in pre-litigation and litigation. Specifically, Glicel files claims for wrongful termination; retaliation; disability, race, gender and other discrimination; harassment; CFRA interference and retaliation; wage theft; failure to pay commissions, and other Labor Code claims. Additionally, Glicel helps small businesses prevent employment law violations by advising them in all stages of a worker engagement. As a member of the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA), Glicel is active in CELA’s Worker Outreach committee, which collaborates with worker groups and creates Know Your Rights and other programs to educate workers about their employment rights. Glicel is a cochair of the APAWLA’s Civic Engagement Committee and a member of the Alameda and Contra Costa County Bar Associations.

Glicel also serves as a NAPABA Regional Governor for Eastern California and Nevada as well as a Professional Development director of FBANC. Finally, Glicel serves as Secretary of APABA Solano County, which hosts a backpack fundraiser at a multi-bar organization picnic in the Summer and an annual dinner at which it awards pre-law high school students scholarships and recognizes certain individuals for their contributions to Solano County in the Fall.

Melanie Yabut Violan

Melanie Yabut Violan is an Attorney at Candelaria LLP and assists both the Family Law Practice and the Trusts and Estates Practice. In each practice area, Melanie seeks to provide our clients with thorough and thoughtful legal advice as they navigate through the process.

Melanie graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies and earned her Juris Doctorate from John F. Kennedy University College of Law, with Dean's List and Honors recognition. She is a first-generation lawyer. In law school, Melanie was involved in the Law School Association, received Witkin Awards for Professional Responsibility, Criminal Law, and Constitutional Law, and earned a Public Interest Certificate. The Contra Costa County Bar Association (CCCBA) Women’s Section awarded her with the Honorable Patricia Herron and the Honorable Ellen James Scholarship for her outstanding community work and academic excellence.

Prior to law school, Melanie worked as a Paralegal in several areas of law including employment law, immigration law, and labor law. Since passing the bar, Melanie has gained experience in family law, estate planning, trust administration, conservatorships, guardianships, and probate matters.

Melanie is actively involved in local and affinity bar associations. Melanie is a member of the CCCBA, the Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA), the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC), and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Solano County (APABA).

Melanie served on the 2024-2025 FBANC Board as Legal Clinics Co-Director and Women’s Committee Co-Chair. In the Legal Clinics role, Melanie facilitated the partnership between FBANC and other organizations to provide legal clinics to serve the needs of the community. Melanie is now serving as a Membership Director and Women’s Committee Co-Chair on the current FBANC Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 year. Melanie also serves on the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Solano County as a Board Member.

Melanie has had speaking engagements through the CCCBA and FBANC and avidly participates in panels which assist pre-law and current law students in learning about the law school process and experience as an AAPI attorney. As a prior Mock Trial member, Melanie also enjoys being a judge for Contra Costa County high school mock trial students to encourage more students to join the legal profession. Melanie is also an active Volunteer Attorney for the ACBA Shriver Project which assists low-income individuals in child custody and visitation matters.

Melanie has been consistently recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Family Law and Estate Planning, a recognition received by only the top 2.5% of attorneys in California.