Our Mission Statement
At Mark Ignacio Law, APC, our Mission is to provide our clients with excellent, empathetic, and committed legal representation in the areas of estate planning and trust administration and probate matters. In order to further this Mission, Mark Ignacio Law APC will be actively engaged in:
- Providing a welcoming, unique, and personalized experience for our clients;
- Understanding and responding to the needs of our clients, especially when the inevitability of change arises;
- Upholding the highest level of ethical duties to our clients, especially in terms of confidentiality, communication, and reliability;
- Professional growth of all attorneys and staff by keeping up-to-date on industry practices and new laws that will affect our client's well-being; and
- Working with other qualified professionals to comprehensively meet the goals our clients established
Mark John M. Ignacio Esq.
Principal Attorney
Mark Ignacio attended the University of San Diego (USD), and graduated Magna Cum Laude in just three years with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and with minors in English and Philosophy. During his time at USD, Mark served as the Undergraduate Writing Center Coordinator and tutor, in addition to leading various University Ministry activities. By the time he graduated, Mark earned several distinctions including: Honors Program Graduate, Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board (National College Senior Honors Society), Psi Chi (Psychology Honors Society), and Sigma Tau Delta (English Honors Society). Mark then enrolled at Hamline University School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, after receiving an academic scholarship.
Kareen Ignacio
Director of Operations
Kareen obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Law and Society from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She furthered her education with a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Theology from Loyola Marymount University (LMU), where she graduated with honors, and is now a Ph.D. candidate in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego (USD). At USD, Kareen is working towards obtaining her Coaching Certification with the International Coaching Federation. Prior to joining her husband’s firm, Kareen held several positions in Catholic ministry, primarily as the Director of Stewardship and Evangelization at Santa Sophia Parish where she established and facilitated numerous programs to train and empower parishioners to be their best selves. Further, at Santa Sophia, Kareen served on and led many councils, including serving in advisory roles, that contributed to the vibrancy of the parish, especially during the difficulties stemming from COVID-19.
With Kareen’s diverse education and experience, she possesses a unique perspective in her role as Director of Operations for Mark Ignacio Law APC. Such a position sees Kareen assist in several key functions to help the firm run efficiently such as establishing systems for quality control, refining methods of communication, engaging in macro-level decisions concerning the direction of the firm, and analyzing and assessing certain metrics to improve the firm’s efficacy.
As the newest member of the firm and also a native Arabic speaker, Kareen is excited to bring her wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. Personally, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband, playing board games, engaging in ministry, and preparing healthy food. Her burning desire is to live an authentic, faith-filled life and to leave the rest to God.
Sophia Gallardo
Associate Attorney
Sophia Gallardo is a graduate from Saint Joseph's University (SJU) located in Philadelphia, PA where she majored in Psychology and double minored in Sociology and Justice and Ethics in the Law. While at SJU, Sophia found her passion in the law and was committed to serving with and for others. She participated in the Appalachian Experience (APEX) where she volunteered in the Appalachian Region during her first semester. Sophia was also involved in Campus Ministry and joined Alpha Omicron Pi. During her last year at SJU, she was awarded the Justice and Ethics in the Law Award and inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honors Society.
Finally, in 2018, Sophia moved back home to San Diego and attended California Western School of Law. Sophia participated in the Community Law Project for two semesters and received the Wiley B Manuel Award for Pro Bono Services. In her final semester, Sophia externed for Mark Ignacio, which confirmed her passion for Estate Planning. Sophia was awarded the Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Externship Student Award. She was recognized for her leadership qualities and outstanding performance in her externship field placement.
Sophia is the newest attorney to the Mark Ignacio Law team, and is looking forward to growing her knowledge in Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration.
Sophia is a San Diego native and enjoys being a tourist in her own city. She enjoys many weekends at Coronado Beach and the Little Italy Farmers Market. A fun fact about Sophia is she is an identical twin. She attended SJU with her twin and younger sister.
Sharon Purchase
Receptionist
Sharon has been working in the legal field for over 20 years. She moved from San Diego to Las Vegas and worked for a law firm for several years before moving back home to San Diego to continue her legal career. She is a member of the San Diego Legal Secretaries Association which gives her an opportunity to enhance her legal skills.
She enjoys taking her Shih Tzu Bentley for walks at Liberty Station and she also enjoys Yoga and watching crime shows like “Forensic Files.” Her passion is peppermint ice cream.
Mariaeva Elena
Head of Estate Planning & Legal Assistant
Mariaeva is a current San Diego State University student, majoring in Criminal Justice. While at San Diego State, Mariaeva interned at the Public Defender's office as an investigative assistant. This experience further sparked her interest in law and the defense which led to an internship with The California Innocence Project as a legal case analyst. Mariaeva also volunteers with the American Civil Liberties Union, where she practices her activism in order to protect the civil rights of the public good. With a passion for fairness and liberty, Mariaeva continues her career in law as a Legal Assistant and Head of Estate Planning at Marc Ignacio's Law firm. She will further expand her horizons in the legal field by attending law school in the near future.
A fun fact about Mariaeva is that she actually has an associate degree in Fashion Merchandising and years of retail management experience. Although Mariaeva loves fashion and creativity she always wanted to help those in need. The career change did not come easy, but has definitely been a rewarding experience to help individuals through the law.
In her free time Mariaeva loves to attend live music concerts and festivals with friends. On the weekends, if she is not at the beach you can find Mariaeva at brunch enjoying San Diego's finest mimosas or at home watching scary movies with her kitty.
