Meet the Board: Gabe Waddell

For the next couple of weeks, we'll be introducing (or re-introducing) the members of the OBCLAA's 2012-2013 Board. We're hoping that this will give you some insight into who's leading the OBCLAA and where we hope to take the Association over the next year. As always, if one of these bios gives you an idea for how YOU can get involved, don't hesitate to post a reply or contact individual Board members. Enjoy!

Today we'll be meeting Gabe Waddell, past President of the OBCLAA and now our returning College Liaison. In addition to his record as an excellent leader of the Alumni Association, Gabe and his wife Katie are best known in OBCLAA circles for ensuring that our annual Tahoe retreat boasts the best. food. ever. Thank you, Gabe and Katie, for making our meetings fun and for sharing your servants' hearts with us.

Gabe Waddell was admitted as an attorney in 2008 after graduating with class 03A.  Shortly after being admitted, he moved to Fresno and joined the Law Offices of Peter Fear. Most of his work consists of representing debtors in chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcies and related litigation, but he has been known to represent trustees and the occasional creditor's committee, as well.  Prior to beginning practice, Gabe worked with a wide variety of non-profit organizations, doing public policy, humanitarian, and legal advocacy work. Most recently, Gabe led an international humanitarian organization providing relief to widows and orphans in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. He has traveled widely, and continues to be active in humanitarian work.

Gabe and his wife Katie (also an OBCL grad!) met while working at Home School Legal Defense Association during law school. When he’s not at the office, you might find him searching for scenic views to photograph, reading a wide variety of literature, or cooking for friends.

Gabe is quick to admit that he tries to spread the word about OBCL at every opportunity.  His work in bankruptcy has given him a clear picture of the dangers of student debt, and he is constantly grateful for the fact that he could study law with OBCL, debt-free and with the opportunity to pursue his passion for ministry at the same time.  Gabe has served on the OBCLAA board in various capacities for the last four years, and is looking forward to being the link between school administration and the OBCLAA in the upcoming year.

Gabe's practice website: http://fresnobklaw.com/index.php/attorney-profiles

Meet the Board: Joanna Turnbull

For the next couple of weeks, we'll be introducing (or re-introducing) the members of the OBCLAA's 2012-2013 Board. We're hoping that this will give you some insight into who's leading the OBCLAA and where we hope to take the Association over the next year. As always, if one of these bios gives you an idea for how YOU can get involved, don't hesitate to post a reply or contact individual Board members. Enjoy!

Today we'll be meeting Joanna Turnbull, our Student Affairs Committee Chairman, and one of the newest additions to the California Bar (and to the Board). Welcome, Joanna!

My name is Joanna Turnbull, and I’m from a little town called Feilding in New Zealand (yes, LOTR was filmed here and no, we don’t have kangaroos)! I had always hoped to study law, and Oak Brook gave me the opportunity to begin my law degree with an international flavor after graduating early from high school. Oak Brook provided me with a solid legal education, grounded a Christian worldview, which prepared and enabled me to sit and pass the California Bar Exam—one of the toughest bar exams in the USA, if not the world. Through the juris doctor program, I was blessed with Godly faculty and friends and had so many amazing experiences and opportunities that I would not otherwise have had at other law schools.

I am honored and excited to be serving on the OBCL Alumni Association Board this year as Chairman of the Student Affairs Committee. I hope to use this position, in conjunction with my role as an OBCL teaching assistant, to promote various projects beneficial to current Oak Brook students, ensuring they receive the relevant support, assistance, encouragement and resources they need to succeed well in their studious endeavors.

Meet the Board: Jessica Mulder

For the next couple of weeks, we'll be introducing (or re-introducing) the members of the OBCLAA's 2012-2013 Board. We're hoping that this will give you some insight into who's leading the OBCLAA and where we hope to take the Association over the next year. As always, if one of these bios gives you an idea for how YOU can get involved, don't hesitate to post a reply or contact individual Board members. Enjoy!

Today we'll be meeting Jessica Mulder, our Paralegal Liaison and one of the new additions to the Board. Welcome, Jessica!

Jessica is a third generation Connecticut resident and is a home school graduate.  Passionate about singing, travel and volunteering with children, she also enjoys photography and being involved in missions.  She operated Mulder Home Services, organizing homes and offices, for seven years.  Jessica also worked as an administrative assistant from 2001 to 2007 at a church and private school.  She earned her undergrad from Excelsior College (Albany, NY) in 2006, graduating cum laud with a General Business degree.

Jessica’s life-long fascination with law and justice led her to change direction and get involved in the legal field.  In 2007 she enrolled in Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy to take its intense one year paralegal program.  The effective and thorough training enabled her to sit for and pass the national Certified Legal Assistant exam in 2008.  Jessica was hired in 2009 by Perlstein, Sandler & McCracken, LLC as the paralegal to the senior partner.  This Farmington, CT based firm services the legal needs of over 350 condominium and homeowner associations throughout the state.  Among other duties, Jessica assists in preparing governing documents for associations, performs legal research pertaining to association governance, maintenance and finances, and reviews service contracts.