As Director of the Externship Program at Golden Gate University, and now at University of San Francisco School of Law, Allison helps teach the next generation of lawyers the practice skills they need to get hired.

Over the past six years, she has developed her skills as a seasoned professor, program director and collaborative administrator, with an emphasis on experiential learning programming, training, and coaching. She has significant experience in program building, relationship development, and public interest work – especially in the judicial system. As an attorney and an empathetic leader, she is able to engage and develop teams to tackle complex matters.

Allison is passionate about helping law students get the experience, skills, and confidence they need to get hired and thrive in legal practice. She teaches relationship-building, lawyering skills, salary negotiation, digital marketing, professional development planning, and growth mindset skills. She has also directed the university’s Office of Accessible Education, where she focused on building a strong community of inclusion and accessibility.

Jon Heredia is the founding partner of Eight Bridges Law Firm, specializing in corporate/business, cannabis, compliance, contract, and immigration law. His cannabis industry experience includes serving as Director of Business Development and Chief Legal Officer for California cannabis retailers, and providing strategic consulting on investments, partnerships, and regulatory compliance. He previously owned cannabis businesses and creative agencies in California and New York.

A Bay Area native and long-time cannabis advocate, Atty. Heredia returned to the region with his family after legalization. He has since taught cannabis, business, and contract law at Golden Gate University School of Law.

Atty. Heredia holds a JD from New York University Law School and a cum laude BA in Political Science (with Legal Studies and Asian American Studies minors) from the University of San Francisco. He is admitted to practice in New York and belongs to the New York State Bar Association, International Cannabis Bar Association, Asian Cannabis Round Table Board, National Filipino American Lawyers Association, and SOMA Pilipinas Business Advisory Board. His diverse background makes him a uniquely qualified legal and business strategist.

Alejandro helped launch the Cannabis Law Clinic at Golden Gate University following positions on the Board of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and time working with La Raza Centro Legal.

Alejandro currently assists clients in business-to-business transactional matters, regulatory compliance, and municipal permitting and state licensing related to ongoing operations and corporate transactions.

Always at the forefront of emerging issues, Alejandro is actively engaged in the federal legalization of cannabis, de-scheduling cannabis at the national level, and expunging records of those disproportionally impacted by the war on drugs.