Meet the people behind the practice

Patrick A. Hormillosa is Senior Counsel at Lepera + Associates, PC, where he represents clients in the firm's employment, business, real estate, and personal injury practice groups. Licensed to practice law in California since 2013, Patrick has more than a decade of experience handling complex civil litigation matters from inception through resolution.

Patrick has successfully represented individuals and businesses in a wide range of high-stakes disputes, including matters involving employment claims, business and partnership disputes, real estate controversies, and significant personal injury claims. His experience includes numerous trials, dispositive motions, complex discovery, mediation, arbitration, and appellate work.

A skilled advocate in both the trial and appellate courts, Patrick approaches each matter with careful preparation, strong legal analysis, and a practical understanding of litigation strategy. Over the course of his career, he has achieved numerous favorable outcomes for clients in difficult and heavily contested matters.

Patrick earned his Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law, with a Certificate of Specialization in Litigation

Vanessa A. Corsetti is an Associate Attorney at Lepera + Associates, PC, where she represents clients in the firm’s employment, business, real estate, and personal injury practice groups. She brings more than a decade of experience in complex civil litigation, having worked extensively as a paralegal on high-stakes matters before becoming an attorney.

Throughout her career, Vanessa has worked on a wide range of civil litigation matters involving business disputes, fraud claims, breach of contract, and fiduciary duty litigation. Her experience includes investigation, complex discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation. Having worked on matters involving both plaintiffs and defendants, she brings a broad perspective to evaluating disputes, developing litigation strategies, and protecting her clients’ interests.

Vanessa approaches each matter with careful preparation, strong analytical skills, and a practical understanding of the litigation process. Her extensive background allows her to identify key legal and factual issues, develop effective strategies, and pursue solutions tailored to each client’s objectives.

Vanessa earned her Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, with a Certificate of Concentration in Trial and Appellate Advocacy. During law school, she earned honors for her externship as a Certified Law Student at the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office and participated in a federal mediation clinic, assisting in the resolution of prisoner civil rights disputes.

Larry Cardamone oversees operational and technology initiatives that support the firm’s efficiency, client service, and continued growth. He works across the firm to improve internal systems, strengthen technology platforms, streamline processes, and support the firm’s digital infrastructure.

He brings extensive experience in analytical problem-solving, risk management, process development, and technology implementation. Throughout his career, Lawrence has worked with organizations to evaluate complex systems, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop practical, data-driven solutions.

At Lepera + Associates, Lawrence provides strategic and analytical support across a wide range of firm initiatives, helping ensure the firm operates efficiently, adapts to evolving technology, and maintains a high level of service to its clients.

Larry earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado.

Francois Muse serves as Director of Strategic Analysis at Lepera + Associates, PC, where he provides analytical and strategic support on complex matters involving businesses, financial records, valuations, damages, and other issues requiring detailed review and analysis.

He brings decades of experience evaluating businesses and complex financial information across a broad range of industries. Earlier in his career, Francois was a manager with Deloitte, working in its San Francisco, Sacramento, and Paris offices. While in Paris, he worked with French companies entering the U.S. public markets and with American companies conducting business internationally. He later served as Chief Financial Officer of the publicly traded Chalone Wine Group.

At Lepera + Associates, Francois applies this extensive business and analytical experience to help attorneys evaluate complex information, identify significant issues, test assumptions, and develop a clearer understanding of the economic and financial components of a matter. His background in due diligence, valuation, financial modeling, internal controls, and business analysis provides an additional perspective in cases involving complicated records or business issues.

Francois earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Stacy Thal oversees the firm's marketing, communications, and client relations initiatives, helping ensure that Lepera + Associates maintains a strong professional presence and provides a consistent, positive experience for prospective and existing clients.

She brings more than 20 years of experience in communications, brand strategy, and creative development. Throughout her career, Stacy has worked with leading companies, including Google, Walmart, and Yahoo, as well as professional services firms and growing organizations. Her experience includes developing effective communication strategies, strengthening client relationships, and making complex information clear and accessible.

At Lepera + Associates, Stacy works across the firm to enhance client communications, strengthen its digital presence, and support initiatives that reflect the firm's professionalism, responsiveness, and commitment to client service.

Stacy earned her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Mariealy E. Espinoza-Cortes serves as Litigation Manager at Lepera + Associates, PC, helping oversee the day-to-day administration and coordination of the firm's active litigation matters. Working closely with the firm's attorneys, she plays an integral role in keeping cases organized, deadlines on track, and the litigation process moving efficiently from intake through resolution.

Her responsibilities span a broad range of litigation and law firm operations, including court filings, calendaring and deadline management, document organization, discovery coordination, trial and hearing preparation, billing administration, client communications, and coordination with courts, vendors, and other professionals. She also provides Spanish-language assistance and translation when needed and helps ensure that clients remain informed throughout the course of their matters.

As Litigation Manager, Mariealy serves as an important point of coordination among the firm's attorneys, clients, and administrative team. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage the many moving parts of complex litigation make her an essential part of the firm's case-management process.

Mariealy earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science, with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Sociology, from the University of California, San Diego.

Ricardo Reyes-Mejia serves as a Case Manager at Lepera + Associates, PC, where he works closely with the firm's attorneys and clients throughout the life of a matter. He helps coordinate client intake, case administration, document collection, communications, and the many day-to-day details necessary to keep matters organized and moving forward.

Ricardo is often one of the firm's first points of contact with new and existing clients. He assists with gathering information and records, coordinating communications, tracking case-related needs, and supporting the attorneys with administrative and case-management responsibilities across the firm's practice areas. He also plays an important role in assisting Spanish-speaking clients, helping ensure clear communication and a more accessible experience throughout the legal process.

His combination of strong communication skills, attention to detail, and client-focused approach makes him an important link between the firm's attorneys and the people they represent.

Ricardo earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science, with a specialization in American Politics and a minor in Ethnic Studies, from the University of California, Berkeley.

Euclides Depina serves as Litigation Strategy Manager at Lepera + Associates, PC, where he works closely with the firm’s attorneys to support the development and execution of strategy across the firm’s active litigation matters. He helps organize case information, identify key factual issues, coordinate priorities, and ensure that strategic decisions are translated into action.

Euclides brings a strong background in operations and management to his role with the firm. Before joining Lepera + Associates, he held an operations leadership position with 24 Hour Fitness, where he developed extensive experience managing people, processes, competing priorities, and day-to-day operations in a fast-paced environment.

At Lepera + Associates, Euclides applies that operational perspective to litigation, helping attorneys keep matters focused, organized, and moving forward. His ability to evaluate information, coordinate the many moving parts of a case, and maintain accountability makes him an important part of the firm’s litigation team.

Euclides earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mount Ida College.