The team concentrates on the goals of the client and results. Everything else is, secondary. As a result, clients have made longstanding commitments to Pacheco & Neach pc.
Two Park Plaza
Suite 1000
Irvine, CA 92614
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3649 Mission Inn Avenue
Second Floor Rotunda
Riverside, CA 92501
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CEO
Rod Pacheco is a litigator of extraordinary skills and experience in all forms of litigation. His reputation is well known in Southern California where he has been practicing for some time. Throughout his trial career, he has focused on the results of his client’s litigation1 a career that has encompassed over 100 trials, commercial and criminal.
Whether it be by jury trial, court trial, arbitration or administrative trials Rod has succeeded for his clients, oftentimes in the most challenging and dire litigation circumstances, what some call “Bet the Company Litigation”.
As a former preeminent statewide death penalty prosecutor, Rod has also handled the most significant type of case a lawyer could try before a Jury.
In addition to litigation skills and experience, Rod has also been sought out by California corporations for outside general counsel services, providing strategic guidance and advice in a variety of corporate matters, whether it be pre-litigation, Internal Investigations, or business Issues. A number of government entities, including municipalities, have also secured outside counsel representation by Rod for the many issues that they confront.
Prior to starting his own firm, Pacheco & Neach, Rod was a partner-level attorney at the litigation firm of Theodora Oringher PC. At Theodora Rod served as the Chair of the White Collar
Practice Group. Before that Rod served as a Partner with the Dentons law firm in Los Angeles. Dentons is a notable “Big Law” firm and is the largest law firm in the world currently.
Prior to private practice, Rod served as the elected District Attorney of Riverside County in California. That prosecutorial office was the third largest prosecutorial agency in the State of California with over nine hundred (900) employees and two hundred and seventy-five (275) prosecutors, and the tenth largest in the United States, including federal prosecutorial offices. During his tenure as District Attorney the office enjoyed the second highest conviction rate in the state of California and was well known for its many innovative crime solutions, including gang Injunctions, the multiagency task force combatting sexual predators (Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (S.A.F.E.) teams), and the incredibly effective Countywide Gang Task Force.
The latter gang task force was the first of its kind in California in terms of its size, mission, and collaboration across local, state, and federal law enforcement lines.
Rod’s public policy career includes public service as a State Legislator. Rod served six years as a California Assemblyman for the State’s 64th District representing Western Riverside County. There he built numerous relationships with California’s leaders, including several U.S. Presidents and California Governors. His service is notable for the many accomplishments he secured during his tenure, the leadership positions he held with distinction, and the honors he received as a result.
Representative Cases
Commercial Litigation
White Collar
Public Policy
Speaking Engagements
Practice Areas
Professional Distinctions
Teaching
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
Education
Memberships & Associations
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614
Attorney
A legal powerhouse with an impressive educational pedigree, Irasema Rocha is a force with which to be reckoned. At Pacheco & Neach pc Irasema focuses on business litigation and all tax related issues.
After graduating with honors from the University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in political science and a minor in legal reasoning, Ms. Rocha set her sights on San Diego, where she pursued a law degree with a laser focus on business litigation and tax law. Not one to rest on her laurels, she went on to earn a Master of Laws in Tax, equipping herself with an intricate understanding of the complex world of taxation.
While excelling in her studies, Ms. Rocha received national recognition for her adept handling of business tax planning matters. She further honed her skills working for the San Diego County Treasury Tax Collector and California State Board of Equalization.
Combining her educational depth with her specialties of business litigation and taxation, Irasema served over five (5) years as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) managing all financial operations for a significant Texas corporation. She experienced first-hand the challenges of operating a large business and working with other top managers to achieve productive financial results.
Ms. Rocha leveraged her background to become a formidable force in business litigation. With her intellectual prowess, diverse experience, and passion for the law, Ms. Rocha enters the courtroom prepared to aggressively defend her clients’ interests.
She continues to pay it forward by mentoring high school students with legal aspirations through the Crawford Academy of Law.
Admissions
Education
Publications
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614 E. irocha@pncounsel.com P. (949) 557-9704
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614
E. irocha@pncounsel.com
P. (949) 557-9704
Attorney
In the tradition of Pacheco & Neach pc the firm looks for talent worldwide. Previously the firm employed an excellent lawyer from Egypt who graduated from the Sorbonne school of law and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in its Master of Laws (L.L.M.) program.
Gokce Karadan was born in Turkey and earned Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) degree at Istanbul University School of Law, which is the top ranked law school in Turkey. Before Ms. Karadan became licensed as an attorney in Turkey she sought out and held a variety of legal administrative and internship positions. This prepared Gokce not only for law school but also the practice of law by providing an early perspective.
Her practice began when she was retained by a US based technology company in Turkey. Her work entailed contracts and blockchain law and was an excellent foundation for her subsequent work as a lawyer. Her next experience involved one of Turkey’s most prestigious law firms where she was hired as a Junior attorney. Due to her work ethic and quick intellect, she was promoted quickly to a Senior attorney. During her tenure she represented leading construction and technology companies. In total she represented these companies in one hundred and seventy-six (176) active cases, including business, trademark and employment disputes.
Seeking a larger impact and even more litigation experience that only America can offer, Gokce moved to the United States and applied to the University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law’s L.L.M. program. Her previous academic career coupled with her rapid deep experience as counsel in Turkey motivated USC to award Gokce a Global Impact Scholarship to attend. Gokce did not disappoint, garnering a 3.7 grade point average at USC and being named to the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She also finished in the top 10% of her graduating class.
Aside from her strong academic background and litigation experience, she has also contributed to pro bono activities by volunteering in disaster law and electoral integrity initiatives.
Gokce Karadan represents a new generation of globally aware, dual-trained legal professionals with expertise in both civil and common law systems ready to succeed in high-stakes international legal environments. Given Pacheco & Neach’s clientele and national and international matters Ms. Karadan is a perfect fit.
Education
Honors: Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Global Impact Scholar
GPA 3.70
Publications
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614 E. gkaradan@pncounsel.com P. (949)557-9711
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614
E. mstepteau@pncounsel.com
P. (949) 557-9713
Attorney
Richard Dongell has a rich and varied history as a topflight litigator, handling high profile cases that have been covered by the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Forbes, CNN, ABC, TMZ and Billboard Magazine. He has also been recognized by his peers as a Southern California Super Lawyer for six consecutive years.
Richard began his education at Pennsylvania State University, home of the Nittany Lions. He then was accepted into Temple University School of Law, a top fifty law school. While in law school he was selected to serve on the Temple Law Review, and in that capacity, he was selected as the Comment Editor.
As a practitioner Richard was drawn to highly complex litigation involving multiple litigants at enormous stakes (e.g. $650 million plus damages claim). The litigations included numerous extremely large corporations and claims of hazardous waste contamination. These litigations spanned years and included state and federal actions and often multiple jurisdictions. Many of his matters also encompassed toxic tort claims and Superfund actions.
Some of the litigants included but were not limited to the United States government, the Orange County Water District, the City of Berkeley, the United States Department of Defense, State Water Resources Control Board, Port of Los Angeles, Burlington National Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad, and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, to name a few. These were high stakes litigations against formidable adversaries staffed by highly capable lawyers.
Despite the level of action, the high stakes, and extreme risks for his clients, Richard’s skills of patience and organization combined with his strategic thinking resulted in many successful outcomes.
Richard’s notable cases also included a libel trial involving rock star Courtney Love, and contract claims by singer Rod Stewart in another matter.
Lastly, Richard’s expertise includes building extensive relationships across the political field, in which he served in a variety of capacities on various political campaigns, including Mayor of Los Angeles (Campaign Co-Chair for Kathleen Connell), Davis for Governor (Legal Policy Advisor), Finney for Controller (General Counsel), Garamendi for Insurance Commissioner (Campaign Advisor) and Chief Legal Counsel for California Democrat Party Business and Finance Council.
At Pacheco & Neach p.c. Richard will be involved in complex litigation matters including but not limited to civil litigation, class actions, and provide expertise in federal courts throughout California.
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614 E. rdongell@pncounsel.com P. (949) 557-9713
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614
E. info@pncounsel.com
P. (714) 462-1700
Law Clerk
Eleuterio “Lute” Pacheco currently serves as a Law Clerk for Pacheco & Neach and has an extensive background for the position. His educational history is exceptional having attended one of the United States’ best universities, the University of Southern California (USC).
At USC Lute majored in and received a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy, an excellent precursor to law. He also served on the USC Men’s Crew Team and was voted by his peers as Captain his junior year.
During his college education he was accepted into the Riverside County District Attorney’s Internship program, a highly competitive clerkship program. During his time there he worked for one of the office’s top Homicide prosecutors, one with exceptional insight and talent. Mr. Pacheco had the good fortune to assist Mr. Zekster on a noted homicide case.
Subsequent to his internship Lute worked at Pacheco & Neach as a clerk handling document review on white collar and civil matters. His position required not only recognition of important documents and facts but an analysis of those factual dynamics. Fortunately, he has a keen mind for sorting through mountains of documents and finding the most salient pieces.
He now attends Western State College of Law, a private law school in Irvine California while working in his Law Clerk position.
In his off hours Lute spends time with his wife, a student at USC School of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy.
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614 E. epacheco@pncounsel.com P. (949) 557-9068
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614
E. epacheco@pncounsel.com
P. (949) 557-9068
Law Clerk
Aaron Cruise, a Legal Intern for Pacheco & Neach pc, brings diverse professional experiences and impressive credentials that make him a valuable asset to our firm. After establishing a successful career in the healthcare industry, Aaron was inspired to pursue a law degree when he served as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Catering Solutions Inc. for over 4 years. In this pivotal role, Aaron demonstrated exceptional leadership and business acumen, proving essential in maintaining the company’s profitability during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This exposure to the intricacies of business law ignited Aaron’s passion for advocating on behalf of companies facing various legal obstacles, prompting his decision to attend law school and hone his legal expertise. Complementing his notable business background, Aaron has also served with distinction in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class (HM3) and earning specialized designations as a Navy Corpsman, Field Medical Service Combat Medic, and Surgical Technologist.
Graduating with honors from California State University San Marcos, Aaron holds a Bachelor of Arts in History as well as a Pre-Med Post Baccalaureate Degree, further underscoring the breadth of his academic ability. Aaron’s commitment to service extends beyond the professional realm, as evidenced by his dedicated volunteer work at the Family Health Care Resources center in Los Angeles. We are excited to welcome him to our team as he embarks on his first year of law school at Willamette University College of Law in the fall of 2024.
Education
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614 E. acruise@pncounsel.com P. (714) 462-1288
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614
E. info@pncounsel.com
P. (714) 462-1700
Rebecca Pacheco
Managing all administrative aspects of a highly successful law firm requires a myriad of skills not ordinarily acquired in one place. Thankfully Pacheco & Neach can rely on Rebecca Pacheco to operate payroll, marketing, human resources, accounting issues, training, third party vendors, IT issues and legal compliance, just to name a few.
Mrs. Pacheco’s skills were first honed in the title industry during a time of rapid growth in real estate development in the region that was exploding, the Inland Empire. Her next foray, fortuitously, was in marketing and donor activity for the University of Redlands. Working closely with the Executive Director of Planned Giving for the university Rebecca gathered insights into the interaction between an organization and its supporters.
Later, during the great advent of advanced technology worked for the IT Department for the County of Riverside, an excellent precursor to the many and constant technological issues that confront law firms today.
But her greatest work was CEO of the family corporation, which included but was not limited to the development of the corporation’s most important assets. Cultivation of those assets and ensuring their successful outcome were her primary responsibilities, ahead of the numerous administrative duties she also handled for over a decade and a half, including but not limited to payment of third party vendors, tax issues, real estate development and income generation.
She now serves Pacheco & Neach as its Chief Operating Officer.
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614 E. rapacheco@pncounsel.com P. (949) 557-9708
Two Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine CA 92614
E. rapacheco@pncounsel.com
P. (949) 557-9708
