Message from the NLD Chair — January 2026

Greetings New Lawyer Division! 

I’m Lilly Glenister, your 2026 Chair for the New Lawyer Division (“NLD”).  Born and raised in San Diego, I graduated from San Diego State University and California Western School of Law—a true local girl!  Now, I am an associate at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in its Business Trial Practice Group at the firm’s downtown San Diego office. This is my third year as an Executive Committee member of NLD and I am stoked to help my team bring you more events and CLE content this year. It can feel isolating being a new attorney, which is why we encourage you to reach out to us.  Whether it is just attending our events throughout the year or getting involved with various volunteer opportunities, NLD is where you can start to build your community here in San Diego.

Meet Your 2026 NLD Executive Committee

Each of our team members is within their first seven years of practice:

• Vice Chair Robert Shawhan: Robert is an associate at Klinedinst, PC, focusing on general and professional liability matters. Robert returns to NLD as its new Vice Chair and will focus on spearheading many of NLD’s events again this year, including more bonfires and our speed-mentoring event (see more below). 
• Member-at-Large and CLE Subdivision Chair, Varun Sabharwal: A returning member-at-large, Varun is an associate of counsel at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. Varun will work to bring you more engaging CLE programs this year.
• Member-at-Large and Marketing Subdivision Chair, Ryan Stygar: Employment law attorney at Centurion Trial Attorneys and TikTok sensation (@AttorneyRyan), Ryan will work to keep you “in the know” about all of NLD’s events this year.
• Member-at-Large and Co-Editor of For the Record, Stephanie S. Germani: Stephanie is a dedicated landlord-tenant attorney in Vista, as well as a new professor at her alma mater Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Stephanie is back as co-editor of NLD’s newsletter, For the Record, and encourages NLD members to reach out to get involved. If you’re interested in contributing to FTR, please email attorneygermani@gmail.com. 
• Member-at-Large and Social Events Subdivision Chair, Zach Brooks: Zach is the managing partner at Zach Brooks Law and is one of our new members-at-large this year. Zach joined the NLD Executive Committee because he knows that becoming a new lawyer can feel like a like a shell shock and he wants to work to bring the NLD community together through more social events.
• Member-at-Large and Community Service Subdivision Chair, Riley Minkoff: Riley is a litigation associate at Schwartz, Semerdjian, Cauley, Schena & Bush LLP. Riley joined the NLD Executive Committee this year to get more involved and is excited to connect with more new lawyers in San Diego. 
• Member-at-Large and Co-Editor of For the Record, Stephanie Hannosh: Stephanie is an attorney at Aminpour & Associates and is another new NLD member-at-large. She will be the new co-editor of For the Record, training under Stephanie Germani.

Save the Date: “Find Your Pot of Gold” Speed-Mentoring Event – March 26, 2026

NLD is starting off the year strong with this speed-mentoring event. From 5:30pm to 7:30pm at SDCBA Headquarters (330 A Street), NLD will host this event where mentees will be able to consult with several different experienced attorneys in a single session. If you are interested in being a mentor, please contact jim@eischenlawoffice.com and if you’re interested in being a mentee, please contact rshawhan@klinedinstlaw.com.  

Looking Ahead

NLD had an amazing year in 2025, led by our past Chair, Claudia Salinas.  Together with our powerhouse NLD team this year, we will be working hard to bring you even more networking, community, and social events!

Hope to meet you soon,
Lilly Glenister
Chair, New Lawyer Division
San Diego County Bar Association