Our Team

Cristi Michelon Vasquez, Attorney

Cristi specializes in the areas of probate, trust and conservatorship litigation as well as landlord-tenant litigation. 

Known for her strong client service skills, the clarity of her advice and her straightforward legal approach, Cristi guides her clients so they can easily understand and work through the legal process.

Cristi is a former president of Santa Barbara Women Lawyers, former vice president of the Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Foundation, former affiliate governor to the Board of California Women Lawyers, and former board member of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association. She is a past president and former board member of the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center.

Cristi received her law degree from Santa Barbara College of Law in 2001 and was admitted to practice law in the state of California. She also was admitted to practice before the United States District Court, the U.S. Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of the United States.

During law school, Cristi worked as an intern for Santa Barbara County Counsel, Small Claims. After law school, she worked at a general civil litigation practice handling civil transactions and disputes. She continued her career with a firm handling business, real estate and trust disputes before starting her own firm.

Cristi is a member of the State Bar of California, the Santa Barbara County Bar Association, Santa Barbara Women Lawyers and California Women Lawyers.

Risa Marie Gaddis, Paralegal

Risa brings a genuine commitment to service, case management and communication to her work. She has developed a reputation for her unique ability to guide clients through what can at times seem like an overwhelming legal process.

With an extensive background as a civil litigation trial paralegal, Risa brings more than 30 years of law office experience to bear, having assisted at trial in many complex business litigation cases and prepared numerous actions for trial during her career, in a variety of venues, including state and federal courts.

Risa received her Paralegal Degree from UC Santa Barbara. She is former president of the Santa Barbara Paralegal Association, former vice president of the Santa Barbara Paralegal Association, former newsletter editor of the Santa Barbara Paralegal Association, and former liaison to the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations.