Andi Mazingo Attorney

First Admitted: 2014, California

Professional Webpage: https://www.lumenlawcenter.com/

Bar/Professional Activity:

American Bar Association Criminal Litigation Committee, Articles Editor, 2020

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

Successfully defended multiple clients in inquiries conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office or the Securities and Exchange Commission, avoiding indictment and Wells notices, respectively.
Independently managed the representation of a credit reporting agency in dozens of consumer lawsuits filed in district courts, acting as lead counsel in multiple hearings and settlement conferences, managing offensive and defensive discovery, engaging in motion practice, and ultimately favorably settling all lawsuits., 2018

Pro bono/Community Service:

Served as a member of the Public Law Center Advocates and as Fundraising Chair for that organization.
Provided pro bono or legal aid representation to formerly incarcerated individuals seeking to restore their civil rights, assisting dozens of parents in obtaining custody and/or visitation of their children or terminating other caretakers' probate court guardianships to reunite formerly incarcerated parents with their children. Assisted formerly incarcerated individuals in obtaining expungements to bolster their employment prospects., 2025
Successfully defended a low income family in an unlawful detainer action, negotiating a settlement that waived all owed rent, provided an additional six weeks to live in the property at issue, and required the plaintiff to provide a favorable recommendation letter., 2017
Obtained United States asylum for multiple refugees fleeing domestic violence in Central America., 2017

Honors/Awards:

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America (Litigation - Securities), Best Lawyers, 2024

Educational Background:

B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies from University of California, Berkeley, 2011

White Papers:

The white paper advocates for amending the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) to prioritize family reunification over adoption. It critiques ASFA's "15/22 Rule," which pushes for terminating parental rights if a child spends 15 of 22 months in foster care, disproportionately affecting families of color and impoverished communities. The paper proposes reforms to extend timelines, reduce biases, and provide funding for services like legal aid, mental health support, and family reunification programs to ensure equitable outcomes and prevent unnecessary family separations., White Paper on Amending The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, Civil Rights, 2021

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

The Note uses the analytical framework of Dominance Feminism to analyze legislative constructions that limit effective responses to stalking., Author, Andrea Mazingo, The Intersection of Dominance Feminism and Stalking Laws, 9 Nw. J. L. & Soc. Pol'y. 335 (2014)., Northwestern Journal of Law and Social Policy, Criminal Law, 2014
A political summit sounding the alarm on laws that were designed to promote adoptive permanency planning at the expense of parents’ civil rights; on systemic bias against Black and Latinx parents; on the deeply troubling practice of routinely separating justice-involved families without adequate support for reunification and with the all-too-likely consequence of permanently losing parental rights. , Speaker, Peace & Justice Summit on Family Wellness, Event Hosted by Senator Sydney Kamlager and A New Way of Life Reentry Project, Civil Rights, 2022
The article discusses trends in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) litigation and enforcement. It highlights the growing scrutiny on ESG policies by regulators like the SEC, which focuses on climate risks and corporate disclosures. Key topics include "greenwashing" claims, challenges to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, and the rising volume of shareholder actions on ESG issues. The document emphasizes the importance of robust governance, proactive risk management, and regulatory compliance to mitigate litigation risks in the evolving ESG landscape., Co-Author, Expert Q&A: Trends in ESG Litigation and Enforcement, Thomson Reuters Practical Law, Civil Litigation, Clean Energy, Corporate, 2023
The amicus brief focuses on the impact of systemic racism and misinformation in the criminal justice system, particularly around crack cocaine offenses. It argues that punitive laws were fueled by racial stereotypes and myths, leading to disproportionate incarceration of Black individuals. The piece emphasizes the need for legal reforms, such as retroactive sentencing adjustments under the First Step Act, to address the injustices caused by racially biased policies and ensure a fairer justice system., Co-Author, Brief for Amici Curiae the Howard University School of Law Civil Rights Clinic and A New Way of Life Reentry Project in Support of Petitioner, Supreme Court Amicus Brief, Civil Rights, 2021
The article emphasizes the role of lawyers in addressing systemic racism and implicit bias in the criminal justice system. It discusses the pervasive impact of implicit biases on decisions made by police, prosecutors, and judges, which disproportionately affect people of color. The piece advocates for individual actions, such as humanizing clients and challenging biases during trials, as well as broader systemic reforms like implicit bias training for jurors and standardized prosecutorial decision-making tools. Ultimately, the article underscores the need for both immediate individual efforts and long-term systemic changes to promote equity and justice., Author, Challenging Systemic Racism with Human Connection, American Bar Association, Civil Rights, 2021
The article discusses the challenges formerly incarcerated women face in keeping custody of their children, particularly newborns. It highlights systemic issues in Los Angeles County, where hospitals frequently report mothers with past involvement with child welfare services to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). This often leads to investigations and sometimes unjustified removal of newborns from their mothers. , Author, What We Can Do To Help Formerly Incarcerated Women Keep Their Children, The Imprint, Civil Rights, 2022

Other Outstanding Achievements:

Testified as an expert witness before California state legislative committees to support the amendment of California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 300 to prohibit a child from being separated from their family solely due to conditions of financial difficulty., 2022

Industry Groups:

Artificial Intelligence
Banking
Clean Energy
Healthcare
Nonprofit
SaaS
Semiconductors
Sustainable Products
Tech

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