Myron Steeves
Founder
Myron Steeves is the founder and managing attorney of the California Center for Nonprofit Law and leads Church Law Center. He holds degrees from Biola University and Georgetown University Law Center and previously served as a Christian missionary in the Middle East. He is Dean Emeritus at Trinity Law School, a Christian law school with a biblical view of law and government. Myron speaks often on legal issues facing nonprofit and religious organizations and serves on nonprofit committees of the California Bar Association and the American Bar Association. His work helps ministries and charities pursue their missions within the law.
Lisa A. Runquist
Of Counsel
Lisa A. Runquist serves as of counsel with a practice devoted to nonprofit and business organizations. She graduated from Hamline University and the University of Minnesota Law School and has spent decades focused on nonprofit organization law. Lisa wrote The ABCs of Nonprofits for the American Bar Association and served as principal author and editor of the ABA Guide to Representing Religious Organizations. Her peers have honored her with major awards from the ABA Business Law Section, an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell for more than twenty five years, and repeated inclusion on the Southern California Super Lawyers list.
Theresa Sidebotham
Of Counsel
Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, of counsel, founded Telios Law PLLC in 2012 and advises religious and nonprofit organizations in the United States and abroad. Her work focuses on religious and nonprofit law, employment law, child safety, and investigations. Telios Law addresses legal and policy questions involving First Amendment protections, international law, child protection policies, employment practices, legal audits, and internal investigations. Theresa graduated first in her class from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law after earlier service overseas, including time in Indonesia and Sumatra. The name Telios reflects a goal of helping organizations pursue approaches that are complete, healthy, and aligned with their vision.
Anthony Gonzalez
Of Counsel
Anthony Gonzalez, of counsel, is a Miami native with a background in civil litigation and church law. He graduated from Florida International University and St. Thomas University School of Law, where he received the Book Award in Appellate Advocacy and joined the International Moot Court Honors Organization. Anthony is an ordained clergyman and co founded a non denominational Christian church in the Miami area. His legal work draws on both courtroom experience and pastoral service as he helps churches and other clients address disputes and structural questions.
Kelli Marsh
Associate Attorney
Kelli Marsh is an associate attorney who serves nonprofit clients through the California Center for Nonprofit Law. She graduated from Azusa Pacific University and Trinity Law School, where she finished second in her class with the Dean’s Scholarship, served as Lead Article Editor for Trinity Law Review, and joined the Christian Legal Society. Before law practice she worked in the financial services sector as a Senior Client Services Specialist in tax, risk analysis, and project management. Kelli provides general counsel on governance and tax exempt status, assists with teaching at Trinity Law School, and has volunteered in Mexico, India, and Tanzania.
Nathan Brecht
Associate Attorney
Nathan Brecht is an associate attorney and southern California native who focuses on forming and structuring nonprofit entities. He graduated from Vanguard University and Trinity Law School, where he took part in moot court, law review, and the student tutoring program. Nathan previously worked in dependency law and civil litigation, including service as Minor’s Counsel in Los Angeles County and representation of corporate clients in real estate and business matters. These roles strengthened his skills in negotiation, communication, and trial advocacy. He also has a history of serving his church in Cambodia, Mexico, and Belize.
Gabriella Atallah
Associate Attorney
Gabriella Atallah is an associate attorney with a background in civil litigation and a strong interest in nonprofit and church work. She earned an English degree from the University of California, Riverside and a Juris Doctor from Trinity Law School. During law school she served as an executive editor for Trinity Law Review and interned with Pacific Justice Institute. Gabriella has represented clients in personal injury, employment, and civil rights cases, building experience in research, writing, and client communication. She looks forward to applying these skills to nonprofit and church matters and to publishing legal writing in the future.
Jessica Frieberg
Paralegal
Jessica Frieberg serves as a paralegal and has worked with the California Center for Nonprofit Law since 2008. She graduated from Westmont College and completed a paralegal certificate at the University of California, San Diego. Most of her legal career involves nonprofit organizations, and clients often note her welcoming approach and attention to detail. Jessica assists with nonprofit formation, articles and bylaws, tax exemption applications, intellectual property licensing agreements, employment contracts, and dissolution matters, helping clients move complex paperwork forward in an orderly way.
Maria Gurule
Paralegal and Office Manager
Maria Gurule is a paralegal and office manager with training in both education and law. She holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Azusa Pacific University, along with a paralegal certificate from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Before joining the California Center for Nonprofit Law, Maria worked with K 12 students, students with disabilities, and graduate students, and at Trinity Law School she served as admissions counselor, assistant registrar, and director of academic services. She now assists nonprofit clients with formation, property tax welfare exemptions, dissolution, and day to day office operations.
Karrie Rodriguez
Office Administrator
Karrie Rodriguez serves as office administrator and often becomes the first point of contact for clients. She brings strong administrative and recordkeeping experience from her prior work in the Labor and Delivery ward at University of Colorado Hospital, where she handled admissions, transfers, discharges, and medical records. Karrie has long participated in church ministries and supports children and facilities worldwide through Christian nonprofit organizations such as Compassion International, World Vision, and Door of Faith Orphanage. At Church Law Center she oversees intake, billing, and other key administrative duties that keep the office running smoothly.
Tyler Choe
Intern
Tyler Choe grew up in Southern California and graduated from the University of California, Irvine in three years with a Bachelor’s degree in History, summa cum laude. During college he took part in community service and academic research. Tyler stays active in his local church, where he teaches upper elementary Bible study, helps with youth activities, and participates in music ministry. He plans to attend law school and is interning at Church Law Center to gain legal experience and explore a future in nonprofit and church law.
Joshua Wood
Law Clerk
Joshua Wood is a recent graduate of Trinity Law School in Santa Ana, California and a California Bar candidate who focuses on nonprofit corporate law and religious organizations. He received the Student of the Year award in 2025 and gained strong experience in research, writing, and oral advocacy through three national moot court competitions hosted by the New York State Bar Association, Fordham Law, and the University of San Diego. Joshua aims to use these skills to help churches and other nonprofits address corporate structure, governance, and charitable solicitation questions with clarity.