"The law is reason, free from passion". - ARISTOTELE
About Olivia
Olivia Garibay Pettenó emigrated from Mexico with her family as a child. She personally knows the struggles families go through to try and achieve the American dream. Olivia has never forgotten her roots and is dedicated to providing quality and effective representation to under-served communities at low prices. She prides herself on honesty and integrity, which is apparent after your first encounter with her.
Olivia graduated with honors from the California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2007. While obtaining her Bachelor degree, Olivia worked at Long Beach School for Adults for several years where she taught Literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) to immigrants from all over world. Later, Olivia volunteered with Legal Aid in Long Beach helping low income litigants with family law, civil harassment and evictions.
In 2012, Olivia received her Juris Doctorate from Chapman University School of Law where she was awarded a scholarship for all three years of attendance. During her time at Chapman, Olivia interned for the Honorable Theodor C. Albert at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and at the Public Law Center in the areas of immigration and homelessness prevention.
In 2013, Olivia received the State Bar of California’s prestigious Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services. Created by the State Bar of California in 1989, and named for Justice Wiley W. Manuel who dedicated his career to serving the public, this award recognizes the contributions of those in the legal community who volunteer their time and expertise to provide legal assistance to low income residents.
Prior to opening her own law practice, Attorney Olivia Garibay Pettenó, worked as an associate attorney for a private law firm in Los Angeles County where she gained litigation experience in the areas criminal law and immigration. During her time at the firm, Olivia drafted several successful post-conviction relief motions, including the re-sentencing and release of a three-strike inmate under proposition 36.
Olivia left her position there to continue her volunteer work for non-profit organizations, including immigrants rights and animal rights groups.
Currently, Olivia is enthusiastic to serve Los Angeles and Orange counties in the areas of Criminal law, Immigration and Naturalization law, Family law, Employment law and more. Olivia is Currently Licensed by the California State Bar and Admitted to the Central District Court of California.
Aside from her law career, Olivia is an avid art lover. She lived in Florence, Italy for two years where she studied Art history and learned to speak Italian. Olivia met her husband, Damiano Pettenó, in Venice, Italy. They are both vegetarians and in their spare time, they volunteer for animal rights organizations.
