PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PRIVATE PRACTICE

Attorney, 1993–Present: J.L. Minnella & Assocs.. International Migration matters.

Legal Consultant/Of Counsel, 1995-Present: Minnella Romano & Assocs.. Consultant to attorneys worldwide on the laws and legal procedures of Nicaragua, Cambodia, Jamaica, California and USA, especially regarding asylum and refugee matters, migration, deportation, business and investment, litigation strategy and tactics, and election law. 

Mediator, 2005-Present: Minnella Romano & Assocs. Private Mediator for legal and other disputes. 

Board Chairman/President/CEO/Dean, 1989-1999: ILA Polytechnic Institute, Orange & Anaheim, CA. Developed and oversaw all aspects and operations of private, post-secondary vocational educational institution. Developed curricula, secured licenses, negotiated contracts with government and insurers, managed faculty and staff, supervised finances.

Partner, 1995-99: Minnella, Mendieta & Assocs., Managua & Diriamba, Nicaragua.

Immigration Law Clerk, 1980-82: Manulkin & Glasser, Los Angeles & Fountain Valley, CA. Under attorney supervision, interviewed clients, prepared complex litigation and legal documents, performed complex legal research. 
 
Law Clerk, 1975-80, 82-89: Niven Law Corp., Orange, CA. Under attorney supervision, interviewed clients, prepared complex litigation and legal documents, performed complex legal research.

TEACHING

Instructor, 1996-1999: ILA Polytechnic Institute, Orange, CA. Developed and taught program for Immigration, Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation, Criminal and Divorce law paralegal students.

Instructor, 1987-89: Extension Division, University of California at Irvine, CA.  Developed and taught Immigration Law and Legal Research programs.

Teacher (Substitute), 1972-73: Los Angeles Unified School District. Taught public high school & junior high school classes at such schools as Manual Arts, Belmont, Venice, Crenshaw, Hollywood, and Berendo.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Election Supervisor, Los Angeles & Orange Counties, CA, 2002-Present. Appointed/served as precinct/ election board supervisor of elections staff & polling places for primary and general elections.

Candidate, Area 7 Trustee, So. Orange County Community College District Governing Bd., Nov. 2000 election. Placed third. 

Founder & Managing Director, 1974-80:  Immigration Law Project of The Gary Center, La Habra, CA. Founded and directed non-profit community clinic program. Reported to Center’s Board of Directors and implemented policies adopted.

Military Service, 1964-70. US Army/NJ Army Reserve National Guard. Officer Candidate/Non-Commissioned Officer/CBR Specialist/Tank Crewman.

OTHER

Special Advisor, 1994-97. Consulate General of Nicaragua, Los Angeles. Provided professional advice and services to Consul General Luis Mauricio Chamorro.

President, 1985-89. Minnella Specialty Books. Organized & developed small specialty mail order book distribution company.

Law Librarian, 1971-72:  Western State University College of Law, Fullerton, CA. Organized & developed university’s first real law library.  

Editor, 1972-75: Western State University Newspaper, “Dictum”. Overall management of weekly university legal newspaper. Assigned staff positions & news coverage reporting. Supervised headlines & article composition. Operated within budget. Supervised printing & distribution.

Editor, 1973-74 Western State University “Campus Directory”. Overall development & production of first free, 32-page, annual university campus directory publication done entirely within very limited budget.

Publisher & Editor, 1969-70: Fairleigh Dickinson University Campus Handbook, “Campus Key, 1969-70”. Overall development & production of extensive, free, 76-page university campus handbook publication within very limited budget.

News Editor, 1967-70: Fairleigh Dickinson University Newspaper, “The Bulletin”. Managed news gathering & writing of weekly university newspaper. Assigned staff positions & news coverage reporting. Supervised headlines & article composition. Operated within budget. Worked under direct faculty supervision of the late, distinguished & esteemed New York Times editor and journalist, Martin Gansberg.

Associate Editor, 1968-69: Fairleigh Dickinson University Rutherford Campus “Student Handbook”.
Assisted editor-in-chief with overall development & production of extensive, free, 48-page university campus handbook publication within very limited budget.