NLD Spotlight: Jake Zindulka

Jake Zindulka is the immediate past chair of the NLD. He has called San Diego home since 2015 and does not see himself returning to the Northeast. Jake is a great example of what one can accomplish if they take the initial step into the unknown of a new adventure.

Moving to San Diego

Jake attended the University of San Diego School of Law after deciding to try something new in his life. He had a full scholarship to attend Rutgers Law School, which was near his home, and intended to enroll there. But he visited San Diego in 2015 with his now-wife and decided to relocate here for law school.

After finishing school, finding a job, and realizing his wife loved it here, the couple decided to stay. Jake takes the occasional red-eye flight back there over a weekend to enjoy the seasons and food, but he (currently) plans to stay in San Diego.

The Working Lawyer

Jake’s first post-bar job was with the County of San Diego as a graduate law clerk. He applied while studying for the bar exam and got a call to interview in September after the exam. He was hired as a Deputy County Counsel a few months after he got admitted to the bar. He primarily defended social workers and Child Welfare Services in civil rights cases. He loved the job, including his esteemed colleagues, and enjoyed representing his county. Jake stayed at the County Counsel’s Office for more than two years.

From there, Jake went to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California to clerk for U.S. District Judge M. James Lorenz for whom he had externed for during law school. When he was an extern, Jake asked the then-term clerk how he could increase his chances of securing a clerkship. The advice: become a known commodity to the Judge. Jake did this by working hard and completing the tasks he was asked to do by Judge Lorenz and his law clerks. Jake also kept in contact with everyone from chambers after the externship ended.

After staying on as a clerk for almost two years, Jake decided it was time to return to practice. The clerkship was an amazing experience that he was extremely fortunate to have and will always value, but he missed advocating for clients. He now works for the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, Inc. (SDVLP). While he has only been there six months, Jake enjoys the meaningful work. He is assigned to domestic violence restraining order cases. In this role, he assists low-income survivors of domestic violence and abuse secure vital legal representation at permanent restraining order hearings. SDVLP has direct representation cases where a lawyer in their office will handle the case, and they also refer cases to attorneys looking to help in a pro-bono matter. If you’re interested or able to help, reach out to Jake and he will get you started. Per Jake, attorneys who volunteer to represent clients at restraining order hearings gain significant, substantive experience, including working with/managing clients, interacting with opposing counsel, presenting arguments in court, conducting direct/cross-examination/learning when not to cross, and one of the hardest, making judgment calls when there’s so much on the line, like losing child custody. Things you cannot learn from a book.

Outside of the Law

While he may be a lawyer at work, Jake does enjoy traveling. He likes to fly from Tijuana’s airport, which is cost effective and a great way to visit many Mexican cities and regions on direct flights. One travel tip from Jake is to take the CBX bridge directly into Tijuana Airport to save time and complete the immigration process prior to the flight. Jake’s recent adventures include trips to Mexico City and Guadalajara, and he hopes to get to Europe soon.

Advice for NLD Members

Jake, as the immediate past chair of the NLD, helped organize many of our division’s events. It was a great opportunity for him to network and build relationships in the legal community. Initially, while at the County Counsel’s Office, he had an automatic membership with the SDCBA. He continues to maintain his membership due to its immense value (the Bar center is a great place to take a break after appearing at hearings across the street).

The NLD helped Jake grow as a lawyer and committee member. Jake found his role with the SDVLP through one of the summer social events hosted by the SDCBA and NLD. Jake also got involved in the California Lawyers Association and their New Lawyers Section through his time with the NLD.

Jake’s advice for law students and new attorneys is to take risks and keep an open mind. If he did not join the NLD or self-nominate for a leadership position, he may not have been able to get where he is now. While it may be scary or unfamiliar at first, trying something new can help take you to new places both in your career and personal life. Jake’s other advice: do not feel pressure to engage in bar related activities. It has advantages, but it is OK to wear your lawyer hat during the day and keep any free hours for personal time.