University of California, Davis, School of Law; J.D.; 1994

College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia; B.A., English; 1990

Brooks School, North Andover, Massachusets; 1986

California, 1994

United States District Court, Eastern District of California

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Law Office of Stephanie J. Finelli, Sacramento, CA
August 2003 to present.

In August of 2003, after working for Freidberg Law Corporation for over 7 years, Stephanie J. Finelli opened her own law practice. During her first year as a solo practitioner Stephanie J. Finelli handled numerous appeals; negotiated many favorable settlements, including a six-figure settlement in a slip-and-fall case; and even tried a few cases. Currently Ms. Finelli maintains a strong focus on appellate work, but also handles many cases at the trial level. Clients include individuals, small businesses, and corporations. Stephanie J Finelli represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of legal matters. While she believes that in some instances settlement is the best option, she is a zealous advocate for the rights of her clients, and knows that court is often the only place where true justice can be achieved.

Freidberg Law Corporation (Now Freidberg & Parker), Sacramento, CA
Associate attorney from 1996 to 2003.

Stephanie J. Finellis's seven years working for Edward Freidberg provided her with the basis for her legal education experience. While at Freidberg Law Corporation Stephanie J Finelli wrote and argued countless pretrial motions, including motions for summary judgment and oppositions thereto, SLAPP motions, and other potentially dispositive motions on a variety of civil cases. She also took and defended numerous depositions, including those of perties and expert witnesses.But the highlight of her career at Freidberg Law Corporation was preparing appellate briefs on over a dozen separate appeals, including Zaxis v. Motorshound (2001) 89 Cal.App.4th 577 and First Interstate Bank v. Murphy, Weir & Butler (2000) 210 F.3d 983. She also had the opportunity to argue numerous times before the First District Court of Appeal and Third District Court of Appeal, as well as before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, Sacramento, CA
Fellowship 1994 - 1995

Wrote amicus curiae briefs to California and United States Supreme Courts on various constitutional issues in criminal matters. Filed amicus brief supporting the state’s right to obtain injunctions against gang members in Gallo v. Acuna (1997) 14 Cal.4th 1090, which paved the way for city counsel to enjoin gang members from conducting gang activity in their communities.