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 specializes in litigation and trains other attorneys across California. When you have a legal problem, you need an experienced, zealous advocate to fight for you, your family, and your loved ones.

Experienced Trial Attorney, Litigator and Co-Founder of Saldaña, Bollinger & Gonzalez PLC (“SBG”), André Ríos Bollinger is one of the most talented trial attorneys in California. Recognized by his peers at the state and local level, he was the chair of the Criminal Law Section of the San Diego County Bar Association, where he led local attorneys with his expertise and passion. He has trained attorneys across the state in criminal law and trial skills since 2015. If you have a problem André will help find the best solution for you and your family.

After graduating from the University of California, San Diego, André taught middle school English and History for three years and rose to be a school administrator. But André wanted to do more, so he returned to school. He attended Loyola Law School, one of the premier law schools for trial lawyers. His passion to help people led him to work for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) suing the government and fighting for the community’s rights. After that, André joined the Center for Juvenile Law and Policy defending juveniles charged with crimes. Later, André tried being a prosecutor, but after winning his first case, decided he wanted to fight for people not the government.

In 2011 he joined the San Diego County Office of the Public Defender, handling thousands of cases, and completing 60 trials. After handling all manner of cases from special circumstances murder to fishing without a license, André co-founded SBG to help people regain control of their lives and find justice. As a husband, father, teacher, and advocate, André believes that justice in the court system only happens when your story is told by a great attorney.

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 labor law and education law with Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin and previously served two terms as EBGBA Secretary. Prior to legal practice, 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.

 John C. Allen, IV, is on contract as an Administrative Law Judge with Cook County, Illinois, and is a Partner with Grant Austin, LLC.  Previously, he served as the Director of the Cook County Department of Administrative Hearings, a central panel agency that hears ordinance violations for the county.  As Director, John was able to increase utilization of the county’s administrative hearing process and allow citizens a fair and impartial opportunity to be heard when contesting citations, including establishing an online hearing process to allow a party to protest over the internet without appearing in person.  For his efforts, he was recognized with the William R. McMahon Award from the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association.  Currently, he is the Chair of the Executive Committee of the National Conference of Administrative Law Judges for the American Bar Association and the chair of the Judicial Division’s Judicial Security Committee for the ABA.

For seven years, John served as the Inspector General for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.  He led a staff of close to 200 in maintaining the program integrity of Illinois’ Medicaid and Child Support Services programs.  While serving the State of Illinois, his team found novel and inventive methods that resulted in savings of over $450 million.

John began his legal career in Virginia for eleven years, first as a prosecutor and later as a private practice attorney.  He is a graduate from the Wake Forest University School of Law and Hampton University.  Mr. Allen has enjoyed serving on the Boards of Directors for several educational and charitable organizations over the years, including the Oak Park and River Forest High School and the Peninsula Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.