Andy Dugan

Executive Director

Andy Dugan (he/him/él) is an attorney and the Executive Director for Skagit Legal Aid. His career includes substantial post conviction and housing related experiences and direct representation to historically underrepresented individuals. He feels fortunate to bring his years of legal experience and passion for expanding justice to the Skagit Valley.   

Prior to moving to Washington, he was privileged to be one of the first staff attorneys at a legal clinic dedicated to representing LGBTQ community members across southern Ohio and previously served as a compliance and housing attorney for an innovative multistate law firm. He obtained his BSBA from The Ohio State University and his JD from Capital University Law School.  Andy joined Skagit Legal Aid in July of 2020.

Andy is an active Ex Officio Member of the Skagit County Bar Association, a current Co-Chair of the Washington State Bar Association Pro Bono & Public Service Committee, and a past Co-Chair of the Washington Pro Bono Council (2023-2025). Andy is also licensed to practice before the Swinomish Tribal Court, the Makah Tribal Court, and the Lummi Tribal Court.

Andy is a current board member with Civil Survival.

Adilene Calderon

Community Paralegal

Adilene Calderon (she/her/ella) is a committed Paralegal with Skagit Legal Aid's Housing Justice Project, where she works to protect the rights of tenants and ensure housing stability for the most vulnerable members of the community.

Originally from Delano, a small rural town nestled in California’s central valley, Adilene’s journey led her to Mount Vernon, Washington, where she now calls home. Her extensive experience working within the criminal justice system has solidified her belief that everyone deserves second chances and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. This perspective fuels her dedication to housing justice and her advocacy for those facing challenges in finding and maintaining secure housing.

Adilene is eager to continue her educational journey at Skagit Valley College, where she plans to deepen her knowledge and expand her impact in the legal field. In her personal life, she cherishes spending quality time with her young family, finding joy and balance in their company.

Adilene joined Skagit Legal Aid in March 2024.

Lizneyda Lucero

Community Outreach & Language Justice Advocate

Lizneyda Lucero is the Administrative Assistant at Skagit Legal Aid. She is currently a Business Administration student at Western Washington University and previously studied at Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics. She is on track to graduate in 2027.

As a trilingual speaker, Lizneyda is passionate about serving the Mount Vernon community, especially Mixteco speaking families who often face language barriers when accessing services. Her language skills and cultural insight allow her to support clients in meaningful, inclusive ways.

Lizneyda is also deeply interested in how business principles can be used to uplift communities. She is exploring ways to help small businesses navigate the challenges of networking and growth—particularly when language and cultural differences stand in the way. She is committed to continuous learning and believes there is always room to grow and improve.

With a strong sense of compassion and a drive to serve others, Lizneyda hopes to one day start her own business that reflects her values. She also aims to be a role model for younger generations, encouraging them to pursue education and not give up, even when the path feels difficult or overwhelming.

Lizneyda joined Skagit Legal Aid in February 2025.

Ana Mendoza

Language Access Coordinator

Ana Mendoza is the Language Access Coordinator at Skagit Legal Aid, where she works to support meaningful and equitable access to services for individuals and families from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. She is a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Education, Communities and Organizations.

As a fluent Spanish and Mixteco speaker, Ana brings a strong appreciation for the role that language, culture, and connection play in helping people feel welcomed, understood, and supported. Her background in education, community support, and multilingual services has shaped her commitment to making resources more accessible and inclusive.

Ana is excited to bring her experience, language skills, and passion for advocacy to Skagit Legal Aid and to support the communities she serves.

Ana re-joined Skagit Legal Aid in July 2026.

Oscar Medina-Perez (he/him/él) is the Director of Community Paralegals for Skagit Legal Aid. A lifelong resident of Skagit County, Oscar is deeply committed to bridging the gaps in legal assistance for historically underrepresented and underserved communities in the Valley. His dedication to access to justice and his deep ties to the community make him an invaluable asset to Skagit Legal Aid and the broader region.

Oscar’s career spans substantial paralegal experience in family law, housing, and debt collection matters. His expertise and compassion enable him to provide vital support to clients navigating complex legal challenges.

Oscar received his education in Paralegal Studies from Whatcom Community College and completed the Core Family Law Curriculum through the Washington State Bar Association in partnership with Whatcom Community College. As a student, he proudly volunteered at the Street Law Clinics through Law Advocates in Bellingham, where he honed his commitment to community service. Oscar joined Skagit Legal Aid in March 2021.

In addition to his legal work, Oscar is dedicated to mentoring paralegal student interns, helping them gain practical skills and experience while fostering their professional growth. Oscar’s unwavering support for his community and dedication to nurturing the next generation of legal advocates continue to make a lasting impact in the Skagit Valley and beyond.

Austin Hellman

Reentry & Pro Bono Attorney

Austin Hellman (he/him/él) is an Attorney at Skagit Legal Aid, where he supports individuals facing post-conviction legal barriers—including vacating criminal convictions, addressing Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs), and reinstating or retaining driver's licenses.

Since joining Skagit Legal Aid, Austin has personally helped hundreds of people waive hundreds of thousands of dollars in court-imposed debt, vacate hundreds of convictions, and regain the ability to drive. He has also been integral in Skagit Legal Aid’s partnership with Underground Ministries, working alongside reentry navigators to walk with individuals coming out of incarceration and provide holistic legal support.

A Washington native, Austin earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Florida Southern College and his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. Before law school, he worked as a claims adjuster assisting individuals involved in serious motor vehicle accidents—an experience that sparked his passion for helping others and led him to pursue a legal career.

While in law school, Austin volunteered with several initiatives aimed at expanding access to justice, including Alternative Dispute Resolution programs and a public interest externship supporting historically underrepresented communities.

He first joined Skagit Legal Aid as a law student extern in January 2022 and returned to Skagit County after graduation to join the team full-time. Austin remains committed to walking alongside those impacted by the criminal legal system and creating pathways to a better future.

Austin is also licensed to practice before the Swinomish Tribal Court

Austin is also the current President of the Skagit County Bar Association.

Amelya May

Housing Justice Project Law Clerk

Amelya (she/her/ella) is currently working as a law clerk for the Housing Justice Project. She is originally from the United Kingdom where she holds her first law degree and started her career as a lawyer. She moved to Washington in 2025 to study a Masters in Laws at the University of Washington.

She plans to sit for the Washington Bar Exam in in February 2027.

Leanne Canonizado

Community Paralegal

Leanne Canonizado (she/her/ella) serves as a Paralegal with Skagit Legal Aid, where she supports clients in a variety of civil legal matters and works to advance access to justice for marginalized members of the community.

Originally from Oak Harbor, Washington, Leanne earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Communication from Western Washington University. She later obtained an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Whatcom Community College.

During her time at Western Washington University, Leanne interned with LAW Advocates, providing free civil legal assistance to low-income residents in Whatcom County. As a student, she also volunteered at legal clinics and community education events, gaining hands-on experience supporting community members navigating the legal system. She later interned with Skagit Legal Aid, where she further developed her skills as a community paralegal and deepened her commitment to public interest work.

Through her education and professional experience, Leanne has developed a strong understanding of how systemic inequities and institutional discrimination impact marginalized communities. She is committed to promoting equity and expanding access to justice and is proud to bring this passion to her work at Skagit Legal Aid.

Leanne joined Skagit Legal Aid in January 2026.

Vanessa De La Cruz

Community Paralegal

Vanessa De La Cruz (she/her/ella) is a committed Community Paralegal where she works to protect the rights of tenants and ensure housing stability for the most vulnerable members of the community.

Born in Mount Vernon, Washington raised in Dodge City, Kansas. Vanessa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies from Southwestern College in Kansas.

Prior to joining Skagit Legal Aid she worked in customer service. In Kansas, she worked for a local school district. In each of her professional roles, whether assisting customers, or supporting students she has consistently brought compassion, and values to the needs of the people she has worked with to ensure their best interests are met.

In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her family, running, and sporting events.

Vanessa joined Skagit Legal Aid in July 2026.

Marcelina Mendoza

Director of Community Engagement & Outreach

Marcelina Mendoza (she/her/ella) serves as the Director of Community Engagement and Outreach for Skagit Legal Aid. A proud long time resident of Skagit County, Marcelina feels a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to support her community by providing essential legal assistance and outreach services.

Since arriving in the United States in 2004, Marcelina has devoted herself to advocating for historically underrepresented and underserved communities. Her prior work in healthcare as an interpreter and promotora for the Hispanic, Latino, and Indigenous communities—specifically supporting Mixteco-speaking families—allowed her to connect directly with individuals often excluded from mainstream services. This experience laid the foundation for her current role, where she continues to empower Hispanic, Latino, and Indigenous communities by improving access to justice.

Marcelina joined Skagit Legal Aid in March 2022.

Frazier Willard

Housing Justice Project Attorney

Frazier Willard (he/him/él) serves as a Housing Justice Attorney with Skagit Legal Aid. In this role, he represents tenants in unlawful detainer cases, assists clients with a variety of housing-related issues, and occasionally supports clients with estate planning matters.

Frazier grew up on Camano Island. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Financial Economics from BYU–Idaho and later received his J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law. During law school, he worked with the Tulalip Tribes to provide estate planning services and with a small firm that helped disabled individuals obtain Social Security benefits.

Frazier is committed to uplifting his community through legal advocacy and ongoing involvement in volunteer and civic organizations. He is a member of the Mount Vernon Lions Club, the Celtic Arts Foundation, and the Cantabile Choir.

Outside of work, Frazier enjoys hiking, playing volleyball, and maintaining vehicles.

Frazier joined Skagit Legal Aid in February 2026.

Raquel Enriquez

Immigration Law Clerk

Raquel Enriquez (she/her/ella) is the Immigration Law Clerk at Skagit Legal Aid. She has been serving low-income immigrant communities and advocating for immigrant rights since 2014.

A Washington native and first-generation Mexican American, Raquel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Washington Tacoma with a minor in Human Rights and earned her Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law.

Prior to law school, Raquel was a legal assistant for a private personal injury, criminal, and traffic defense law office. During law school, Raquel interned with the Domestic Violence Protection Order clinic assistingpro se petitioners with their domestic violence protection order petitions. She externed with the Marysville City Prosecutor's Office assisting City Prosecutors in contested infraction hearings, and she externed with Northwest Immigrant Rights Project preparing family-based petitions. She later joined the City of Marysville as a Rule 9 representing the City in court arraignments, bail hearings, and preparing no contact and surrender of firearms and dangerous weapons petitions. After graduation, Raquel returned to Northwest Immigrant Rights Project before joining the Tulalip Office of Civil Legal Aid as a Child Law Fellow to learn about youth advocacy.

In her free time, Raquel enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, dancing, and traveling.

Raquel joined Skagit Legal Aid in March of 2025.

Hermelinda Lucero

Community Paralegal

Hermelinda Lucero (she/her/ella) is a passionate Housing Advocate with Skagit Legal Aid, dedicated to empowering limited English-speaking tenants and farmworker families in their pursuit of housing stability. With a focus on supporting communities that often face language and cultural barriers, Hermelinda plays a critical role in ensuring these families have access to the legal resources they need to safeguard their homes.

Born and raised in Mount Vernon, Hermelinda draws inspiration from her Indigenous roots, which fuel her commitment to sharing vital legal information and resources with the local indigenous community. Her work is grounded in a deep understanding of the unique challenges these communities face. She takes pride in providing culturally informed support that helps bridge gaps in access to justice.

Currently, Hermelinda is pursuing her studies at Skagit Valley College with plans to transfer to a university to further her legal education. Her long-term goal is to continue advocating for Indigenous communities and to expand her role in ensuring equitable access to legal services.

Hermelinda joined Skagit Legal Aid in January of 2023.

Marcos Gonzales

Community Paralegal Intern

Coming Soon!

Auston Jimmicum

Tribal Court Spokesperson

Auston Jimmicum (he/him/él) serves as the Tribal Court Spokesperson for Skagit Legal Aid. He assists tribal members in the Skagit Valley area—primarily on the Swinomish Reservation—with a variety of civil legal matters. Auston also works with law students participating in Skagit Legal Aid’s Coast Salish Tribal Practice Clinic in partnership with Seattle University School of Law, helping guide and supervise students as they gain practical experience representing clients in tribal courts.

Auston is an enrolled member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and grew up on the Makah Reservation in Neah Bay, Washington.

He earned his B.A. in Law, Societies & Justice with a minor in American Indian Studies from the University of Washington and his J.D., with an Emphasis in Native American Law, from the University of Idaho. During law school, Auston assisted tribal members with estate planning and family law matters. He also worked on projects addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis, tribal economic development, and Tribal “Treatment as State” applications.

Auston’s passion for advocating on behalf of Native American communities and addressing the unique legal challenges tribal members face inspired him to pursue a career in law. At Skagit Legal Aid, he is committed to strengthening access to justice in tribal communities and expanding the reach of Tribal Law Clinics so that more tribes in Skagit County can benefit from these services.

Auston is a licensed spokesperson eligible to practice before the Swinomish Tribal Court and the Makah Tribal Court.

He joined Skagit Legal Aid in April 2023.

Marcela Mendoza

Community Outreach & Language Justice Advocate

Marcela Mendoza (she/her/ella) was born in Fresno, California, and grew up in Mount Vernon, Washington, where her family and community have always been at the center of her life. She is currently pursuing a degree in Human Development with a specialization in Human Services at Washington State University, with plans to continue her education and earn a master’s degree in social work.

Her passion for serving others—especially within her Mixteco community—emerged at a young age. As a middle school student, she joined the Migrant Leaders Club, where she and her peers shared their experiences as children of migrant farmworkers through writing. Their stories were later published in When the Dust Rises, a collection that gave voice to the struggles and resilience of migrant families. Through her poetry, Marcela expressed the pain of field work and the determination of her community, helping to ensure that those voices were heard.

Marcela aspires to serve the community where she grew up as a human services professional or social worker, helping families overcome barriers and achieve their goals. Her work is guided by a deep commitment to ensuring that all people—especially those from underrepresented communities—feel seen, heard, and supported.