Your Personal Attorney Serving San Diego And California
Mark John M. Ignacio Esq.
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.
Mark returned to San Diego and enrolled at California Western School of Law (CWSL) to complete his law school career. While at CWSL, he served as a legal intern for the Legal Aid Society where he assisted clients with unlawful detainer issues and helped domestic violence victims acquire restraining orders against their aggressors. For his service, the State Bar of California awarded Mark with the Wiley B. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Services. Ultimately, Mark graduated from CWSL in the top 25 percent of his class, along with earning an academic excellence award.
As his legal career approaches ten years, Mark has had the privilege of assisting hundreds of clients in carefully drafting customized estate plans, appropriately funding and aligning trust assets, and settling estates after a loved one has passed away. Further, Mark is a regular estate planning presenter and speaker with the Catholic Community Foundation and is a contributing author in the upcoming second edition of WealthCounsel's Estate Planning Strategies: Collective Wisdom, Proven Techniques. In addition to his legal career, Mark has served his community by volunteering with Legal Aid Society, CWSL's Community Law Project, and the Wills for Heroes Program as a volunteer attorney; he also serves as a mentor with the Crawford High School Academy of Law Program.
Mark is a proud and native San Diegan (St. Augustine High School alumnus). In his spare time, Mark loves spending time with his wife as he considers the vocation of marriage his life's greatest blessing. Mark also enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, playing sports and games, and keeping up with his favorite sports team, the San Diego Padres.
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To start a conversation about your legal needs, email us or call 619-810-4644 and schedule a strategy session at our office in La Mesa, California.
Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
- California
Education
California Western School of Law, San Diego, California
- J.D.
- Honors: Graduated Top 25%
- Honors: Academic Excellence Award
- Honors: Wiley B. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Services
- Honors: Legal Internship Program at SPAWAR Office of Counsel
- Honors: Legal Aid Society, Legal Intern
University Of San Diego, San Diego, California
- B.A. magna cum laude
- Honors: Program Graduate
- Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
- Honors: Writing Center Tutor and Coordinator
- Honors: Mortar Board (National College Senior Honors Society)
- Honors: Psi Chi (Psychology Honors Society)
- Honors: Sigma Tau Delta (English Honors Society)
- Major: Psychology
- Minor: English
- Minor: Philosophy
Honors and Awards
- Avvo Clients’ Choice Award
- Lawyers of Distinction
- The Expert Network – Distinguished Member
- Lawyers of Distinction – Distinguished Member for Estate Planning
- Rue Ratings’ Best Attorney of America Member
- Lead Counsel Distinction
Professional Associations and Memberships
- San Diego County Bar Association, Trust and Estates Section, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego, Member
- San Diego County Bar Association, Real Property Section, Member
- San Diego County Bar Association, Business Section, Member
Pro Bono Activities
- Wills and Heroes Volunteer Attorney
- Community Law Project Volunteer Attorney
- Crawford High School Academy of Law Mentor
- Saints-OLP Alumni Networking Group, Community Service Coordinator
- Father’s Joe’s Village
Our Staff
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.
Keeley Farrell
Legal Secretary/Receptionist
Keeley is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky where she double majored in Political Science and Sociology as well as minored in Criminology. Whilst at the University of Kentucky, she was a member and chapter officer of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Keeley has been working in the legal field for over a year during her stay in Lexington and has returned home to San Diego to continue her passion for law.
In her free time, Keeley enjoys listening to true crime podcast, reading murder mystery fiction novels, and watching Parks and Recreation. She also enjoys going for hikes, listening to music, and eating tacos. Keeley is looking forward to growing her legal knowledge at Mark Ignacio law and assisting in generating success for the attorneys.
Benjamin Bentley
Staff Paralegal
Benjamin graduated from San Diego State University in 2007 where he majored in Social Science with the goal of becoming a history teacher. After college he helped manage his family's boutique floral and event business during which he continued his education at San Diego City College with courses in graphic design. Following several years of working in the event industry, as a substitute teacher, and a caregiver, Benjamin was accepted to Thomas Jefferson School of Law and graduated in 2020 with a focus on mediation.
Benjamin grew up in a Navy family, spending time in the Pacific Northwest as well as the East Coast before moving to San Diego where he has lived since 2000. A longtime fan of tabletop games and movies, he now enjoys his weekends sampling the many great local breweries and trying to find the best pizza in town.
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While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to obtain guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a strategy session with an attorney in our office, please email us or call 619-810-4644