For over two decades, Ed Dudensing has been at the forefront of advocating for victims of elder neglect and abuse through his dedicated law practice. As the founder and lead counsel of Dudensing Law, Ed has exclusively represented these vulnerable individuals since 2003, achieving unprecedented jury verdicts in elder abuse cases.

By prioritizing both accountability and client-centered care, Ed exemplifies the kind of leadership that transforms a legal practice into a force for real-world change. His advocacy has resulted in new precedents, system reform, and four of the largest elder abuse and neglect verdicts in California history. This includes a $110 million verdict in 2026, a $30.9 million verdict in 2023, a $42.5 million verdict in 2019 and a $29.1 million verdict in 2010. He is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most successful and knowledgeable elder abuse attorneys.

His firm serves clients across the state, including Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles.

His impact extends beyond trial work. In 2025, Ed was named to the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) Board of Directors, where he is helping shape policy, guide advocacy efforts, and advance CAOC’s mission to protect the rights of consumers and vulnerable communities. Ed is the sole author of The Rutter Group’s Elder Abuse Litigation treatise, published in 2025, which is a defining contribution to the legal field and the first comprehensive legal guide of its kind. He is expected to publish a subsequent edition. He teaches Elder Abuse Litigation as an Adjunct Professor at UC Law San Francisco and is frequently invited to speak before organizations, including the American Association for Justice Nursing Home Litigation Group, Consumer Attorneys of California, and California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.

Ed is a vocal advocate for policy reform and better enforcement of elder care regulations. In 2010, he collaborated with The Sacramento Bee to explain the labyrinthine corporate structure of nursing homes that has led to an increase in elder abuse and neglect cases. His expertise has also made him a trusted source for state and national media, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, LA Times, ABC7, The Sacramento Bee, The Mercury News, The Hill, Associated Press, Fierce Healthcare, CalMatters, and the Daily Journal, where his commentary and op-eds have helped elevate public understanding of long-term care accountability and the consequences of deregulation.

Ed has received numerous honors recognizing his legal work and leadership. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer every year from 2011 through 2026 and was named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America list in 2026. In 2025, he was ranked by Chambers USA in the Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs category for California and was also recognized as a Top 100 Lawyer by the Daily Journal. That same year, he received the William F. Taylor Memorial Award from the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform and the Mentorship Award from the Law.com/ALM California Legal Awards. Additionally, he was a finalist for SFGate’s Best Attorneys and Best Personal Injury Attorney in the Bay Area, as well as for “Sacramento’s Favorites” by The Sacramento Bee.

Before founding his firm, Ed clerked for the Honorable Robert C. Broomfield, Chief Judge of the Federal District Court in Arizona for two years, followed by three years at the international law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. Transitioning to public service, Ed spent four years as Deputy District Attorney in Sacramento County, where he prosecuted over 50 trials to verdict, including cases involving charges of murder, attempted murder, gang offenses, child molest, and rape.

Ed graduated in the top 3% of his class at the University of California, Davis School of Law in 1994, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif for academic excellence and the Order of the Barrister for his prowess in oral advocacy. During this time, Ed served as the Executive Editor of the UC Davis Law Review. Prior to law school, he earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Notable Jury Verdicts in Which Ed Was the Lead Trial Attorney

• Hernandez v. Colony Capital, Inc., et al.: Jury Verdict of $110.2 million (2026)
• Sam Rios, Jr., et al. v. Pine Creek Care Center, Plum Healthcare Group LLC, et al.: Jury verdict of $30.9 million (2023)
• Barbara Lovenstein, et al. v. Eskaton Fountainwood Lodge, et al.: Jury verdict of $42.5 million (2019)
• Frances Tanner, et al. v. Colonial Healthcare, Inc., Horizon West Healthcare, Inc., et al.: Jury verdict of $29.1 million (2010)

Notable Appellate Cases in Which Ed Was Lead Appellate Counsel

• Valentine v. Plum Healthcare Group, LLC, 37 Cal. App. 5^th 1076 (2019)
• Hutcheson v. Eskaton Fountainwood Lodge, 17 Cal. App. 5^th 937 (2017)
• Goldman v. Sunbridge Healthcare, LLC, 220 Cal. App. 4^th 1160 (2013)

Ed in the News Recently

• Asset manager, private equity firm must pay $110M in assisted living wrongful death judgment – McKnights Senior Living – 3/9/2026
• Family awarded $110M after dementia patient died outside Sacramento care home– The Sacramento Bee – 3/6/2026
• Litigator of the Week Runners-Up and Shout-Outs – Law.com – 3/6/2026
• Jury Delivers $110M Verdict Over Death of 100-Year-Old Resident at Sacramento Facility– Law.com/The Recorder – 3/6/2026

• Jury awards $110M in death of 100-year-old at Sacramento assisted living facility – ABC10 – 3/5/2026
• Family Gets $110 Million After 100-Year-Old Grandma Dies from Hypothermia At Care Facility– Little Things – 3/5/2026
• Former owners of Sacramento senior living facility Greenhaven Estates hit with $110M verdict – Sacramento Business Journal – 3/5/2026
• Family awarded $110M following death of 100-year-old grandmother left wandering outside her senior care facility– California Post – 3/4/2026
• Jury hits private equity, REIT owners with $110 M verdict in assisted living death – Daily Journal – 3/4/2026
• Family of 100-year-old woman who died of hypothermia outside Sacramento assisted living facility is awarded $110 million– KCRA – 3/3/2026
• How I Founded a Law Firm: ‘Take Your Time to Build Foundational Skills,’ Says Edward Dudensing of Dudensing Law – Law.com – 1/30/2026
• Sacramento Centenarian Dies of Hypothermia After Walking Out of Memory Care, Family Says – Hoodline – 1/22/26
• Cold to the touch’: 100-year-old woman froze to death after ‘wandering’ outside of nursing home through unmanned exit door that ‘automatically locked’ behind her, lawsuit says – Law & Crime – 1/22/2026
• Family says 100-year-old woman with dementia wandered out, died from hypothermia in Sacramento – ABC10 – 1/21/2026
• En Vivo | Familia demanda hogar de ancianos por negligencia mortal | 6 AM | 01.20.26– Univision – 1/20/2026
• Family gets $15 million for 2019 nursing home death– Daily Republic – 1/15/2026
• Jury orders Vallejo care facility to pay $15M in lawsuit over 96-year-old woman’s death– Vallejo Sun – 1/15/2026
• Solano County jury awards $15.75M to family of senior who died in care center– Fox40 – 1/13/2026
• The promise and peril of private equity– McKnights Long-Term Care News – 12/20/2025
• Elder abuse attorney: PE, REITs driving decline in SNF quality – McKnights Long-Term Care News– 12/16/2025
• He built a nursing home empire despite California state investigations. Now, lawsuits are piling up– AP News – 11/21/2025
• Multimillion-dollar judgments hit nursing home chain with troubled record – CalMatters – 11/21/2025
• He built a nursing home empire despite state investigations. Now, lawsuits are piling up– CalMatters – 11/20/2025
• Preparing for C-TAPP Phase 2: What California lawyers need to know– Daily Journal – 10/9/2025
• Top 100 Lawyers– Daily Journal – 9/17/2025
• Fall River fire fuels calls for federal assisted living legislation – The Hill – 7/17/2025

• Biden administration’s nursing home staffing requirements vacated by federal judge – Fierce Healthcare – 4/8/2025
• Dr. Oz questioned over Medicaid cuts, promises Medicare Advantage scrutiny – Fierce Healthcare – 3/14/2025
• Elder care during the Trump Administration: What’s at Stake? (op-ed) – Daily Journal – 2/18/2025
• Why litigation is necessary to hold private equity accountable for elder abuse (op-ed) – Daily Journal – 9/19/2024
• The Senate can protect the elderly by supporting nursing home staffing regulations — not overturning them – Healthcare Dive – 7/29/2024
• Oakland man dies from ‘reckless overmedication’ after escaping from nursing home, complaint alleges – ABC San Francisco – 7/26/2024
• Nursing home ‘drugged up’ 64-year-old so he couldn’t wander, CA suit says. He died – The Sacramento Bee, et. al. – 7/11/2024
• As some nursing homes cry poverty, what can be done about increased staffing requirements? – Los Angeles Times – 4/28/24
• California needs to take ‘walkaway deaths’ and senior care oversight more seriously (op-ed) – CalMatters – 3/25/24
• Oakland nursing home faces lawsuit alleging rape, neglect and fraud after ‘hiding problems’ – ABC 7 San Francisco – 3/12/24
• Roseville’s Pine Creek Care Center ordered to pay $30.9 million in wrongful death, elder neglect suit – Sacramento Business Journal – 1/27/2024
• Keys to a $30M, $29.1M, and $42.5M Elder Care Verdict w/ Ed Dudensing – Lawyer Minds – 9/1/2023

Memberships

• Board of Directors, Consumer Attorneys of California
• Member, State Bar of California
• Member, Sacramento County Bar Association
• Member, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
• Member, American Association of Justice Nursing Home Litigation Group
• Member, The National Consumer Voice for Long-Term Care

Awards and Professional Engagement

• 500 Leading Lawyers in America, Lawdragon, 2026
• Northern California, Super Lawyers, 2011-2012, 2014-2026
• William F. Taylor Memorial Award, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, 2025
• Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs (Band 3) in California, USA Chambers Guide, 2025
• Top 100 Lawyers, Daily Journal, 2025
• California Legal Awards 2025 Mentorship Award Winner, ALM/Law.com, 2025
• Best Attorney and Best Personal Injury Attorney in the Bay Area Finalist, SFGate, 2025
• “Sacramento’s Favorites” Finalist, The Sacramento Bee, 2025
• Top Boutique Law Firms, Daily Journal, 2024
• Top Lawyers in Sacramento, Sactown Magazine, 2024
• Distinguished Leader Award, The Recorder, Law.com, 2024
• Advocate of the Year, Capitol City Trial Lawyers Association, 2023
• Order of the Barrister for Excellence in Oral Advocacy, University of California Davis Law School
• Order of Coif for Academic Excellence, University of California Davis Law School

Bar and Court Admissions

• California

Education

• University of California Davis School of Law – Juris Doctorate
• University of California Berkeley – Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

Recent Professional Engagements, Published Works, and Speaking Engagements

• Adjunct Professor, UC Law San Francisco, Elder Abuse Litigation – 2024-2025
• Author, Elder Abuse Litigation, The Rutter Group Civil Litigation Series – 2025
• California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) Conclave – “Hidden Games And Scary Pitfalls” – 2025-03-06
• CANHR Conclave – “CC 3345 & Punitive Damage Denominator Issues” – 2024-03-06
• CANHR Annual Conference – “Post-Mortem On Rios Trial” – 2023-11-17
• CANHR Annual Conference – “Limitations On Punitive Damages” – 2023-10-29
• Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) Annual Conference – “Securing Punitive Damages” – 2023-10-29
• Capitol City Trial Lawyers Association (CCTLA) – “Document Requests & Methods to Combat Defense Concealment Tactics” – 2023-08-16
• CANHR – “LRS Training Series” – 2022-03-25

Experience

Matt Chisholm brings more than two decades of courtroom experience — and a lifelong commitment to justice — to Dudensing Law.

Before joining the firm, Matt spent 20 years as a Principal Attorney with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, where he handled some of the county’s most serious criminal cases. Over the course of his career, he successfully took more than 70 jury trials to verdict, ranging from domestic violence to elder abuse, and 16 of which were homicide cases.

Matt’s deep trial experience, strategic approach, and relentless advocacy for victims earned him widespread recognition. In 2013, he received the Outstanding Victim Service Award for his work protecting vulnerable seniors in the Elder Abuse division. For the last seven years of his tenure with the District Attorney’s Office, Matt’s focus was prosecuting homicide cases — work that earned him the prestigious Prosecutor of the Year award in 2022. Matt was also featured on CBS’s 48 Hours for his extensive work on the Ray Wright abduction and murder case — the first successful “no body” homicide jury trial in Sacramento County in over 20 years.

This experience has also helped Matt excel beyond the courtroom, as shown through his active involvement in the legal community. Matt served on the Board and as President of the Sacramento County Attorneys Association from 2015-2025, where he led and settled the first labor action in Union history since 2006 and negotiated labor contracts on behalf of over 300 county lawyers. Additionally, he is a Barrister for the Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court. Matt shared his expertise with others as an Adjunct Professor at the Sacramento Public Safety Training Center in the Los Rios Community College District, where he taught criminal law concepts to law enforcement cadets enrolled in the academy.

Matt received his law degree in 2005 from the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific and received his undergraduate degree at Cornell University.

Matt and his wife have three children together. Outside of work, Matt coaches youth basketball and enjoys participating in outdoor activities such as snow skiing and backpacking with his family.

Memberships

• Board Member and President, Sacramento County Attorney’s Association (2015 – 2025)
• Adjunct Professor, Sacramento Public Safety Training Center, Los Rios Community College District (2015 – 2025)
• Barrister, Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court (2022 – Present)
• Cornell Student Responsibility Committee, Member (1996 – 1997)
• Sigma Nu Fraternity

Awards and Professional Engagement

• Sacramento Prosecutor of the Year (2022)
• Outstanding Victim Service Award (2013)

Education

• University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law – Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Trial Advocacy, 2005
• Cornell University – Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Certificate in International Business, 1998

Matt in the News

• Who Took Our Dad? The Abduction of Ray Wright – CBS 48 Hours. 2.9.24
• Sacramento County lawyers pause strike in hope of new contract – Sacramento Bee. Sharon Bernstein. 9.6.24
• Sacramento County deputy DAs, public defenders strike over fair compensation – Courthouse News Service. Alan Riquelmy. 9.26.24
• The Plot: A years-long revenge gambit involving a meth dealer, a burglar and a member of the Aryan Brotherhood comes to light – Medium. Scott Thomas Anderson. 11.17.24

An aggressive litigator with a passion for protecting our elderly, Jay P. Renneisen has successfully handled scores of elder abuse and neglect cases, particularly against nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as well as numerous catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims.  Mr. Renneisen has obtained a multitude of seven figure results for his clients over the years and acted as trial co-counsel on the largest assisted living facility elder abuse verdict in the United States and the largest nursing home elder abuse verdict in the history of Sacramento County. 

Mr. Renneisen graduated magna cum laude from St. Mary’s College with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and English in 1991 and he received his JD from the University of California Davis Law School in 1994. Thereafter, Mr. Renneisen started his legal career as an attorney with a premier San Francisco Bay Area litigation firm, Bowles & Verna, LLP, and continued with that firm for over seven years primarily representing Fortune 500 companies, local municipalities and large insurance companies. 

After leaving Bowles & Verna, Mr. Renneisen started his own practice in 2001 and soon found his passion in representing victims of elder abuse.  In 2004, he co-founded the Nursing Home & Elder Abuse Law Center (www.NoElderAbuse.com) where he developed a particular expertise in plaintiff’s nursing home and assisted living cases.  

Mr. Renneisen currently is a member of the Nursing Home Litigation Group of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Elder Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. Mr. Renneisen has also previously served as a board member of multiple non-profits, including Contra Costa Senior Legal Services, which is a California State Bar funded non-profit organization that serves the legal needs of elderly persons.  From 2015 to the present, Mr. Renneisen has been recognized as a top-rated attorney as evaluated by other lawyers and published on www.SuperLawyers.com.

Experience

Stephanie Johnson is an attorney based in Central California who brings a decade of dedicated legal experience to Dudensing Law. Throughout her career, Stephanie has been committed to seeking justice for vulnerable individuals and their families, handling cases with skill, empathy, and determination.

Prior to joining Dudensing Law, Stephanie was a partner at Johnson Moore Trial Attorneys, where she focused on cases involving elder abuse, neglect, and violations of resident rights. Her comprehensive legal approach covers every stage of litigation, from initial investigation through resolution, whether by settlement or trial. Stephanie is known for her excellent communication skills, which help her connect with clients, opposing counsel, and members of the judiciary.

Stephanie’s passion for the law is reflected in her active role within the legal community. She is the Immediate Past President of the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association, and has held leadership positions since 2018. She also served as a Board Member of the Ventura County Bar Association and has volunteered her legal services with the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara.

Stephanie earned her Juris Doctorate from Santa Barbara College of Law, where she was awarded the Witkin Highest Honors in Professional Responsibility. Stephanie takes pride in being a local attorney dedicated to serving her longtime community and delivering justice to those around her. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Paralegal Certificate from the same institution.

In her free time, Stephanie enjoys traveling, watching sports, cooking, and spending time with her dog.

Memberships

• Member, State Bar of California
• President, Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association (2023 – 2024)
• Board Member, Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association (2018 – Present)
• Board Member, Ventura County Bar Association (2019 – 2023)
• Volunteer Attorney, Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara (2014 – 2015)
• Board Member, Santa Barbara County Bar Foundation (2014 – 2015)
• Member, Santa Barbara County Bar Association, SB Women Lawyers (2014)
• Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity

Awards and Professional Engagement

• Witkin Highest Honors in Professional Responsibility (2014)
• Santa Barbara Inns of Court Participant (2013)

Education

• Santa Barbara College of Law – Juris Doctorate, 2014
• University of California, Santa Barbara – Paralegal Certificate, 2010
• University of California, Santa Barbara – Bachelor of Arts, Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations, 2007

Kari joined Dudensing Law in 2011 and brings more than three decades of high-level litigation and office management experience to the firm.

With deep expertise in civil procedure, calendaring and docketing, and the procedural rules governing all levels of court, Kari has handled every phase of case development—from intake through trial and post-trial motions. Her early work with renowned civil rights attorney Mark Merin instilled a deep-rooted sense of advocacy that continues to fuel her dedication to defending the rights of elders and their families with compassion and rigor.

Kari is a California Certified Legal Secretary (CCLS) and an active member of both NALS and Legal Secretaries, Inc. (LSI). Her leadership contributions include serving on the CCLS Certifying Board and holding multiple executive board roles—President, Vice President, Governor, and Secretary—within the Capitol City Legal Professionals Association, a former LSI chapter.

A strong believer in professional development, Kari maintains her certification through regular participation in legal education seminars, study groups, and industry events. The CCLS credential reflects proficiency in core areas of California legal practice including civil litigation, real estate, family law, probate and estate planning, and corporate law—as well as legal ethics, office administration, and effective communication.

Kari is known not just for her technical expertise, but also for her ability to build and lead high-performing teams. She plays an integral role in driving the operational efficiency of the firm and is committed to mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.

Margaret Mallough joined the Dudensing Law Team in March 2020. Margaret’s job at the firm is to assist in managing the cases, from opening new cases to being sure documents are correctly saved and reviewed, to filing documents with the court and assisting in trial preparation. She has been a litigation secretary for over 30 years, with the last 20 years related to nursing home litigation. Margaret is happy to be part of a great team doing good for our clients, and helping them during the process. In her free time, Margaret enjoys spending time with family, and loves camping and traveling.

Shane joined Dudensing Law in 2018.  He has over 15 years of experience as a litigation secretary and paralegal in federal, state and appellate courts.  After receiving his AA Degree in Paralegal Studies in 2004 from MTI College of Business and Technology, he has worked for both plaintiff and defense firms in all aspects of complex civil litigation matters including medical malpractice, elder abuse and general civil litigation fields.  Shane takes special pride in helping families who have been victims of elder abuse. 

Kai Hermann joined Dudensing Law in 2016, bringing more than 20 years of experience as a litigation paralegal. Based in Sacramento, Kai has worked for both plaintiff and defense firms, handling matters ranging from product liability to medical malpractice. He now focuses exclusively on advocating for victims of elder neglect and abuse, work he finds deeply meaningful, engaging, and rewarding.

At Dudensing Law, Kai leads the firm’s discovery practice. He manages written discovery from start to finish, drafting and responding to requests, preparing meet-and-confer letters, and drafting motions to compel when facilities fail to comply. He plays an active role in trial preparation, ensuring that discovery responses align with trial strategy to hold nursing homes and corporate operators accountable. Kai is also helping the firm integrate AI tools into discovery review to improve efficiency and accuracy.

One case that was especially powerful for Kai was a case against Eskaton Fountainwood Lodge, which achieved a jury verdict of $42.5 million, the largest elder abuse verdict against an assisted living facility in the history of Sacramento County. Kai took a hands-on role in the litigation and used the experience he gained as a foundation to mentor others at the firm.

Kai is a Sacramento native with a strong commitment to his community. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, served as a Parks Commissioner for Sacramento, and is a past President of the Land Park Pacific Little League. Outside the office, he enjoys coaching his daughter’s softball team, traveling, attending live shows, and golfing with colleagues and friends.

Mona joined Dudensing Law in July 2021. She has over 29 years of experience as a paralegal in legal practices ranging from Trust and Estate Planning to family law to plaintiff personal injury and insurance defense. At Dudensing Law, Mona is the first person a new client tells their story to, and she requests the necessary records to evaluate the case. Mona has worked in various types of legal firms from boutique, to Biglaw, to the legal department for the State of California, and was an adjunct professor at MTI College. However, the most rewarding legal practice has been assisting those harmed in skilled nursing facilities. Mona enjoys hiking, traveling, watching the Las Vegas Golden Knights and spending time with her grandchildren in person and video chats.

Jasmine Isaac joined Dudensing Law in 2022. She is a discovery paralegal and some of her responsibilities include drafting all initial discovery, reviewing all objections and responses, preparing meet and confers, and preparing motions to compel, etc. Jasmine entered the legal field in 2015 as a non-paid intern, and over the years she advanced in the legal field by assisting both plaintiff and defense firms as a legal receptionist and calendar clerk. Jasmine enjoys advocating for the voiceless and putting smiles on clients faces.

Allie joined Dudensing Law in July of 2024 as a Legal Assistant. Her roles are to assist with reviewing medical records, document productions, identifying witnesses, noticing depositions, issuing subpoenas, trial preparations, and assisting in all aspects of the discovery process. Allie started in the legal field 3 years ago working at an estate planning firm where she gained experience in practice of estate litigation. She then transitioned to a civil litigation firm specializing in medical malpractice where she worked as a law clerk handling court filings, document filings and client intakes. With a solid foundation in these areas, Allie has shifted her focus to advocating for the victims of elder abuse and ensuring the voices the victims’ families and loved ones are heard. Outside of her professional life, Allie enjoys expressing herself through painting and golfing with her father.

Kelan joined Dudensing Law in August of 2021, as a front desk records clerk processing incoming mail, files and records.  He has since advanced to a litigation assistant who aids with preparing exhibits for depositions, requesting records, processing subpoenas, organizing document productions, preparing court filings/pleadings and performing various clerical/administrative duties.  Kelan has been working in the legal field for about four years and hopes to continue with the fight for justice for our clients and those who have become victims of elder abuse. In his free time, Kelan enjoys spending time with his family, reading and writing poetry.

Teri Bartram is an Executive Assistant who joined The Law Office in December 2013, to provide administrative support and assistance to the office. Teri has been an Executive Assistant for over seven years, and previously worked with Clement & Associates since 2007. Teri provides excellent personal and business support to the firm and its staff. As a member of the team, Teri assists in the execution of administrative responsibilities throughout the office. Teri is known for his outstanding customer service skills, his professional demeanor, and his exceptional ability to work well with the office team, as well as with clients and vendors.

Eva joined Dudensing Law in March of 2022, as a part-time bookkeeper, and recently joined the firm full-time as both the bookkeeper and front desk records clerk processing incoming mail, electronic files, filing and records.  She also assists with other various clerical/administrative duties as needed.  Eva has been working in the administrative field for 20 years, and as a bookkeeper for 12. In her free time, Eva enjoys music, reading and spending time outdoors.

Monica Azmi is a Discovery Law Clerk at Dudensing Law, based out of the firm’s Sacramento office. Her work focuses on drafting discovery responses and supporting complex litigation matters. She is currently a rising third-year law student at McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific, working on concentrations in Elder and Health Law and Business Law. As a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Egypt, Monica brings a unique perspective to her legal studies and advocacy work.

Monica’s passion for justice stems from her commitment to helping victims and survivors of abuse hold those in positions of power accountable. Before joining Dudensing Law, Monica worked as a legal assistant, where she gained valuable experience in elder abuse cases, particularly those involving financial exploitation.

Monica earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Sacramento State University and has built a varied professional background with experience in the tech startup and television news production sectors.

Connor James is an Associate Attorney at Dudensing Law, based out of the firm’s Sacramento office. His work includes supporting the firm’s trial teams through legal research, drafting complaints and motions, and aiding in all phases of trial preparation.

Connor earned his J.D. from UC Law San Francisco in 2025, where he developed an interest in elder abuse litigation while taking Elder Abuse Litigation, a course taught by Ed Dudensing. His curiosity and commitment to understanding the nuances of elder neglect law led to an invitation from Ed to interview and ultimately join the firm. During law school, Connor served as a Staff Editor for the UC Law Constitutional Quarterly Law Journal. In 2025, Connor passed the bar exam and was officially sworn in as an attorney.

Before joining Dudensing Law, Connor gained hands-on experience in complex plaintiff litigation while working for a Philadelphia-based injury firm. There, he assisted with large-scale product liability, medical malpractice, and mass tort cases, including work on national litigation involving the Roundup weed killer.

Connor is originally from Lake Elsinore, California, and he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Nicole Nevares is a Paralegal at Dudensing Law, supporting the firm’s Sacramento office. Her work includes issuing subpoenas, organizing medical records, coordinating depositions and witness interviews, and assisting the firm’s attorneys throughout case development and litigation.

Nicole joined Dudensing Law in June 2025 after working as a paralegal in estate planning and trust administration, where she gained experience drafting court filings, preparing legal documentation, conducting client intake, and supporting attorneys through complex casework. Prior to that, she developed a passion for public safety and compliance through her roles in the transportation and security sector, experience that strengthened her attention to detail, communication skills, and commitment to protecting others.

Nicole holds an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies and she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies from Sonoma State University.

Outside of work, Nicole enjoys cooking, scary movies, and spending time with her two cats and turtle.

Rainey Mills is a Legal Secretary at Dudensing Law, based in the firm’s Sacramento office. Rainey joined the firm in 2025, bringing a diverse background in both legal and medical support. In her role, she drafts briefs, motions, and other documents as needed, manages attorneys’ calendars, and handles filing with the courts. Rainey works closely with the rest of the secretarial team to ensure smooth operations across the firm.

Prior to joining Dudensing Law, Rainey worked as an administrative and legal assistant at a law firm in Folsom, California, gaining experience in drafting and revising court documents, managing case calendars, and coordinating communications with clients and attorneys to support firm operations. She also spent 16 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) 2 and a hospital Unit Secretary, where she gained experience managing medical records, coordinating communications, and supporting healthcare teams.

She is passionate about her work in civil litigation, where she finds fulfillment in helping families navigate the legal process and achieve justice, especially in cases where the criminal justice system may not provide a remedy.

Rainey is from West Sacramento, California, and when she is not at Dudensing Law, Rainey can be found listening to true crime/survivor podcasts. She is also fluent in American Sign Language.