The Balanced Millionaire with Eileen Mendel

Guest, Laura E Akers, Attorney, Keynote Speaker, Coach

Proven talent for navigating complex legal and delivering award winning presentations and leadership trainings. Growth-focused educator and advocate in team leadership and jury selection with expertise spanning criminal litigation, trial preparation, communications, public presentations and speeches, individual education sessions, immigration law, criminal defense, legal research and analysis, team training, client advocacy, and civil law. Exceptionally dedicated professional with keen interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

Professional Experience

Laura E. Akers, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, November 1997 to Present

Founder ● Speaker ● Author

• Keynote Speaker and Workshop Instructor around Connection, Communication, Confidence Skills

• Reading Body Language for Business workshops

• Coach for Public Speaking/Presentation Skills for Executives, Managers & Individuals of all levels to improve one-on-one connection and communication

• Author of the Forthcoming Book: “Create Your Own Star Power”

• Serves as a top-rated National MCLE Instructor for Attorney Credits online webinar and Certified California MCLE private instructor on the subject of jury selection (Provider #18926 valid 2018-2020.)

San Diego District Attorney’s Office, San Diego, CA, August 1985 to November 1997

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

• Prosecuted criminal activity for both felonies and misdemeanors, including high-profile homicide, rape, gang and domestic violence cases.

• Attained invaluable trial experience, serving as lead counsel for more than 100 jury trials.

• Regulated hundreds of criminal prosecutions from investigation to disposition.

• Appeared in various courts for arraignments, pre-trial conferences, motions, jury selection, trial and sentencing, as well as violations of probation hearings.

• Prepared for and conducted a wide array of motions hearings.

• Conducted legal research and interpreted statutory and case law to adequately prepare for hearings, negotiate with attorneys, and draft motions and accompanying memoranda.

• Communicated with victims of crime and witnesses to explain the court process, prepare them for trial, and advocate on their behalf.

• Liaised with members of law enforcement, from local to federal level, on routine basis and advised on a variety of legal issues.

• Designed and delivered training on domestic violence issues to local and state law enforcement agencies, as well as battered women service organizations.

• Acted as a consultant to Georgia State Attorney General on Domestic Violence policy.

• Became first female prosecutor assigned to prosecute gangs with JUDGE (Juvenile Gang Prosecution) unit with early intervention outreach to juveniles affiliated with gangs and their families.

• Lead Prosecutor: People v. Iniguez (1994) 7 Cal.4th 847; California State Supreme Court opinion defining “reasonable fear” in rape cases, established new California law.

Education and Credentials

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) in LAW, December 1984

Western State University School of Law, San Diego, CA

Law Review- Note Author

American Jurisprudence Awards for Highest Grade in Class: Civil Procedure, Wills, Trusts, Agency/Partnership, Civil Procedure Practice and Community Property

Benton Moot Court Competition- Best Speaker, Best Team, Best Brief

Admissions and Licensures

• California State Bar, Member # 118507

Awards and Professional involvement

• Toastmasters International Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) 2018

• Keynote Speaker, District 5 Toastmasters Spring Conference “Skyrocket Your Likability”

• Workshop Presenter on Self-Confidence for UC San Diego Faculty/Staff 2016 and Toastmasters Leadership Institute, 2018

• District 5 Toastmasters International Speech Contest, 2016, Top 5

• Keynote Speaker North County Bar Association "How to Pick a Winning Jury," 2015

• San Diego County Bar Association Workshop Presenter “Fundamentals of Misdemeanor Defense” 2010

• San Diego Family Law Bar Association Member

Volunteerism

• Toastmasters International Pathways Ambassador 2017-2018

• Cal State San Marcos Pre-Law Society Speaker 2017-2018

• Toastmasters International Advanced Speech Evaluation Workshop San Diego 2017

• Toastmasters International, Keynote Speaker, Trainer on Reading Body Language, 2016

• Operation Underground Railroad, Attorney, November 2016, researched various projects related to human trafficking prevention in Mexico

• Rancho Santa Fe Toastmasters President 2019-2020

• Girl Scout Leader 2001-2014