Monique Berlanga (Farris)

As Executive Director, Monique brings years of experience to lead Centro Legal into the next chapter of its storied history. Monique has already dedicated several years of service to Centro Legal and is committed to Centro Legal‘s mission and vision. Monique previously served as Interim Co-Executive Director and Directing Attorney of the Tenants’ Rights Practice, leading a dedicated team of attorneys and advocates working to prevent evictions of low-income tenants in the East Bay

Monique has represented low-income tenants in the East Bay for ten years. Monique worked as a housing staff attorney with Bay Area Legal Aid where her practice focused on eviction defense in the context of subsidized housing and representation of tenants in fair housing matters. Prior to that, Monique spent five years as the managing attorney of the Eviction Defense Center in Oakland. While at the Eviction Defense Center, Monique litigated over a thousand cases on behalf of low-income tenants facing eviction from their homes in Alameda County and parts of Contra Costa County. While at the Eviction Defense Center, Monique gained extensive experience in unlawful detainer jury trials.

Monique holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall). While in law school, Monique was the recipient of the Hon. Cruz Reynoso Social Justice Fellowship. She also served as co-chair of the La Raza Law Students’ Association. A first-generation college student, Monique holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Hayward. Monique is from Hayward, CA.

Monique is a member of the East Bay La Raza Lawyer’s Association and the Alameda County Bar Association. She serves on the Alameda County Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Nomination Committee.