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.
- Kareen Ignacio
- Mariaeva Elena
- Jonathan Blaisdell
- Taylor Alcantara
- Sharon Purchase
- John Joseph Ignacio
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.
Mariaeva Elena
Office Manager
a. Prior to working at Mark Ignacio Law APC, Mariaeva interned at the Public Defender's office as an investigative assistant. This experience further sparked her interest in law 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 shifts her focus in the transactional legal field, serving as the Office Manager for Mark Ignacio Law APC. At Mark Ignacio Law APC, Mariaeva assists in the Estate Planning department, spearheads the monthly seminars, and helps with management duties and implementation of systems within the firm. She hopes to 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 kitten.
Jonathan Blaisdell
Trust and Estates Paralegal
Jonathan Blaisdell attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and graduated with three majors and a minor in his short tenure there. During his time at UCLA, Jonathan was a cadet in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, Area X Colonel of Arnold Air Society, Leader of Color Guard and Drill Team, a Community Service Officer for the UCLA Police Department, President of the Theta Rho chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon, Vice President of Russian Club, member of various honors societies, a tambura player in the Balkan ensemble, and a singer for the Bulgarian Women’s Choir for a short time.
After obtaining his master’s degree from California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) as a scholar of one of the Intelligence Community’s Centers of Academic Excellence (IC CAE) and living in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan riding horses and drinking fermented mare’s milk, Jonathan returned to San Diego and completed his teaching and paralegal educations at San Diego State University (SDSU) and San Diego Miramar College (SDMC) respectively. Jonathan wrote and produced briefly as a news writer and associate producer at a national broadcast news network, taught at various San Diego schools, and worked at several local law firms.
At Mark Ignacio Law APC, Jonathan assists with both the Estate Planning and Estate Settlement departments by drafting estate plans; coordinates with successor trustees, administrators, and executors; and providing any general support for the Principal Attorney.
Jonathan is a proud and native San Diegan (Junipero Serra High School). In his spare time, Jonathan loves spending time with his wife Rachael and two daughters Eleanor and Helen. Jonathan is skilled in playing pool and some musical instruments.
Taylor Alcantara
Temporary Receptionist
Taylor is currently attending Southwestern College where she is majoring in Biology. She hopes to continue her passion for the anatomical sciences by pursuing a career in Physical Therapy.
In her free time, she enjoys frequenting the beach and concerts with friends, consuming all things true crime, and spending time with her family, especially all of her nieces and nephews.
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.
John Joseph Ignacio
CCO - Chief Cuteness Officer
John Joseph is the youngest member of Mark Ignacio Law APC and unofficially serves as the firm's mascot. Occaisionally visiting the office and popping in to meet with clients, John Joseph's joyful personality brightens the mood of everyone he encounters.
