CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY ELECTED 2026-2027 BOARD!

Elika S. Morris, Esq. is an associate attorney in the San Diego office ot Koeller Nebeker Carlson & Haluck LLP (KNCH), where she focuses her practice on construction-defect and civil litigation. Before joining KNCH, she specialized in complex business litigation and retail defense, representing major corporations in premises liability, product liability, and personal injury matters. She previously served as in-house counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in the Primary Litigation Unit. A graduate of California Western School of Law, Elika's commitment to justice began as a clinical intern with the California Innocence Project, where her advocacy contributed to the release of a wrongfully convicted client. As President of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, Elika is dedicated to advancing justice, innovation, and professional growth within San Diego's legal community.

Commander RoDeece Dean, U.S. Navy (retired), is a Deputy District Attorney with the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. He joined the office in July 2021, as a Graduate Law Clerk with the Special Operations Division, and worked on sentencing and conviction review, as well as assisting in a high-profile police officer prosecution case. During his 24 years in the United States Navy, he served in a variety of leadership roles. A native of San Diego, California, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He later earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California, San Diego in 2013. He graduated from Georgetown University Law Center with a Juris Doctor degree in 2021 and is licensed to practice law in California and the District of Columbia. As Vice President, RoDeece is focused on supporting the President's agenda, overseeing the Volunteer Corps, implementing the Association's Legal Directory, and community outreach.

André Ríos Bollinger was born and raised in Venice, California to Afro-Peruvian parents.  He attended the University of California, San Diego where he majored in Ethnic Studies and worked on various student movements. Mr. Bollinger's work in social justice led him to become an elementary and middle school teacher. While teaching, Mr. Bollinger completed his Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at Loyola Marymount University. After seeing the education system fail his students repeatedly, Mr. Bollinger left teaching and attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. While in law school, Mr. Bollinger helped sue school districts, such as the Los Angeles Unified School District, through the ACLU, and defend juveniles charged with crimes through the Center for Juvenile Law and Policy. After graduating law school, Mr. Bollinger joined the San Diego County Office of the Public Defender, where he handled all manner of cases, from misdemeanors and homicides, in both the adult and juvenile systems, and led the rollout of the Racial Justice Act. Mr. Bollinger was appointed by the California State Bar Board of Directors as a Commissioner on the prestigious Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation (JNE) where he served for three years. He elected to the California Public Defender Association (CPDA), chairing both the Diversity and Racial Justice Committees, and is a past chair of the San Diego County Bar Associations (SDCBA) Criminal Law Section. Mr. Bollinger is a faculty member of the CPDA Basic Trial Skills Institute, and trains attorneys across the state through CPDA, SDCBA, and the California Lawyers Association. In 2022, Mr. Bollinger opened the boutique law firm, Rios Bollinger Law, APC, where he practices civil litigation and criminal defense across the state. His extensive trial experience is sought after by law firms who bring him to handle their high value trials. Mr. Bollinger is dedicated to ensuring that all of his clients receive personalized, authentic, and zealous representation so that they can achieve exceptional results.

Tariq is an Attorney of Berger & Williams, LLP, a civil litigation firm focusing on complex class action, labor standards enforcement,

trade secrets, USERRA, and retaliation, discrimination and harassment matters. Tariq has a strong passion for justice and equity for workers and small businesses.

Contact us if you are interested in an appointment for this critical role.

Susan Henderson practices employment defense law with Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP (WTK) and serves as EBGBA Secretary. Before joining WTK, Susan served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable John A. Houston of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. During her time at California Western School of Law, she was impressed by EBGBA's strong ties among members and dedicated service to the African-American community in San Diego. Susan's desire to give back and mirror the commitment and professionalism she observed as a law student inspires her to proudly serve on EBGBA's Board of Directors.