Admitted to Practice by the State Bar of California: 2021
Number of years in Worker's Compensation: 2026
Juris Doctorate from University of West Los Angeles in 2019
Bachelor of European Languages, cum laude, from University of the Philippines in 1998
Master of Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, cum laude, from Universidad de Salamanca, Spain in 2007
Career Basics
Charmaine is an Associate Attorney in Mullen & Filippi’s Van Nuys office. Before joining Mullen & Filippi, Charmaine developed a broad legal and professional background spanning insurance services, government administration, criminal law support, and Social Security disability advocacy. Her experience includes handling insurance compliance and claims matters, assisting with trial preparation and case management for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and managing large felony and misdemeanor caseloads as a paralegal. Charmaine also represented claimants in SSI/SSDI proceedings and served as an attorney for the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), advocating on behalf of the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations in workers’ compensation fund matters. Most recently, she managed Social Security disability cases from intake through hearing and appeal, developing litigation strategies and representing claimants before Administrative Law Judges.
Education
Charmaine earned her Juris Doctor from the University of West Los Angeles. Prior to attending law school, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in European Languages, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, cum laude, from the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain.
Professional Membership
Charmaine is an active member in good standing with the State Bar of California and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Personal Note
I believe that the true strength of a person is shown by confronting hardships. I believe that we cannot control everything, but we can control the way we respond. Practicing law allows me to confront hardships and take control over the way I respond to matters to bring forward a positive outcome.
In my personal time, I enjoy traveling to new destinations, bonding with my family, and cheering on my favorite sports teams. I speak five languages and have lived on various different continents.