Peters & Freedman Attorneys at Law : Meet the Associates

Laurie F. Masotto
Laurie F. Masotto attended the University of California at Irvine where she received her undergraduate degree with a specialization in criminal law. Laurie then attended California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. Laurie is a member of the Community Associations Institute for the San Diego and Coachella Valley Chapters. Laurie is also a member of the San Diego County Bar Association.

Laurie S. Poole
Laurie S. Poole is a senior associate with Peters & Freedman, L.L.P. and has been a member of the firm since 1993. Laurie graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a double major in English and Sociology. Laurie then attended the University of San Diego, School of Law where she was a member of the Law Review. Experienced in all aspects of community association representation, Laurie’s practice emphasizes governing document amendments and restatements. Laurie was trial court counsel in the Superior Court proceedings which were the subject of Fourth La Costa v. Seith (2008) 159 Cal. App. 4th 563. She was also trial and appellate court counsel in the case of Mission Shores v. Phiel (2008) 166 Cal. App. 4th 789. Laurie prepared and recorded the extension of restrictions which was the subject of Costa Serena Owners Coalition v. Costa Serena Architectural Committee (2009) 175 Cal. App. 4th 1175.

Laurie currently is the chairperson of the magazine committee for the Community Associations Institute, San Diego Chapter. Her publications include: “Determination, Perserverence, Hard Work - Ingredients for Rewriting Governing Documents,” Common Assessment, March/April, 2006; “From the Front Lines: Association Legal Myths,” Common Assessment, November/December, 2007; “Taking a Look Back at the Davis-Stirling Act,” Common Assessment, Spring, 2008; “Association Prevails in Court of Appeal,” Common Assessment, Summer 2008; “A Smoldering Issue,” Common Assessment, Spring 2010; “Order & Protection: Exploring Protective Mechanisms for HOAs Regarding Registered Sex Offenders,” Common Assessment, Fall, 2010.

Christina Baine DeJardin
Christina Baine DeJardin attended the University of California, San Diego, where she received her undergraduate degree in English Literature. Chris then attended law school at the University of San Diego where she received Excellence for the Future Awards in Professional Responsibility and International Environmental Law. Chris also published various family law related articles in the Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues. Chris is a member of the State Bar of California.

Johanna R. Deleissegues
Johanna Deleissegues is an associate with the law firm of Peters & Freedman, L.L.P. Johanna earned her undergraduate degree from Boston College. She then attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida where she completed a joint degree program and concurrently obtained a Master of Arts in Mass Communication and a Juris Doctorate. While at the University of Florida, she was a member of the Journal of Law and Public Policy.

Mickey Jew
Mickey Jew attended California State University of Fresno and earned his undergraduate degree in Philosophy with a minor in English. Mickey obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from California Western School of Law. Mickey currently handles litigation matters and is a member of the California Bar and San Diego County Bar Association.

Tracy Fuller Linkowski
Tracy Fuller Linkowski earned her undergraduate degree in Literature & Writing from California State University, San Marcos. Tracy then attended California Western School of Law in San Diego, where she received the Academic Achievement Award in Problem Solving and Preventive Law, was named to the Dean's Honor List and earned her Juris Doctorate in 2006. Tracy joined Peters & Freedman, L.L.P., in 1996, working first as the executive assistant to Mr. Peters and then as a law clerk before becoming an attorney. Tracy is a member of the State Bar of California.

Kyle E. Lakin
Kyle E. Lakin graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Riverside with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. Kyle attended the University of San Diego School of Law where he graduated cum laude and a member of the Order of the Coif. During law school Kyle was formally trained as a mediator through the San Diego Mediation Center (now National Conflict Resolution Center) and the USD Pro Bono Program. Prior to joining Peters & Freedman, L.L.P., Kyle practiced in general civil litigation. In 2007, Kyle was named a Rising Star by Southern California Super Lawyers. Kyle is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and the Bar Association of North San Diego County.

Zachary R. Smith
Zachary R. Smith received his B.A. in Public Administration from San Diego State University in 1996. In college, Mr. Smith was a four-year letter winner and team captain for the San Diego State University Aztec football team, starting 27 games as a tight-end. Mr. Smith earned his J.D. from California Western School of Law in San Diego in 2002, where he was awarded Dean's Honors. In law school, Mr. Smith served as a Certified Law Clerk for the Los Angeles City Attorney, Civil Liabilities Division. Mr. Smith is admitted to practice in all courts of the State of California and in the United States District Courts for the Southern, Central and Eastern Districts of California. Mr. Smith has a diverse business litigation background and has extensively litigated construction disputes.

OF COUNSEL - Simon J. Freedman
Simon J. Freedman is a founding partner of the Law Firm of Peters & Freedman, L.L.P.. Simon attended the University of Illinois where he received his undergraduate degree in Economics. From there, Simon pursued his law degree at DePaul University College of Law where he was a member of Law Review and graduated with honors in 1981. Simon is an experienced trial attorney, specializing in civil and commercial litigation. He is a member of the San Diego Trial Lawyers Association, the San Diego County Bar Association, and the Bar Association of North San Diego County. Simon is also admitted as a member of the Bar in Colorado. Simon has made the decision to go of counsel, but remains active in the affairs of the firm and consults on a regular basis with the members of the Firm.