Lecturer Bios
Lita Abella
Lita Abella, a native of Southern California, holds a Juris Doctor degree from Western State University College of Law and has experience as a law clerk for prosecutorial agencies. This legal foundation equips her with a deep understanding of conflict resolution and the complexities of the legal field.
As the founder of Lita Abella Coaching, Consulting and Mediation Services, she specializes in coaching and strategic consulting, guiding individuals and organizations to unlock their full potential. As a mediator, she is dedicated to helping parties reach amicable resolutions. Her approach to mediation is client-centered, focusing on empathy, neutrality, and facilitating open dialogue to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
With over a decade of service at the State Bar of California in various investigative and leadership roles, including her tenure on the union executive board, Lita has demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills and a strong commitment to fairness. Her experience in the Office of Chief Trial Counsel, where she assisted in investigating and prosecuting attorney misconduct, provides her with unique insights into the pressures that legal professionals face, including the risks of disciplinary actions and malpractice lawsuits.
Lita is also a seasoned public speaker, delivering educational presentations to professionals in high-stress careers on critical topics such as substance use disorders, mental health, and work-life balance. Her diverse background with the Los Angeles Police Department highlights her resilience, adaptability, and leadership under pressure. She understands the emotional toll that high-stress careers can take, particularly regarding post-traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue. She published her first book on these topics, The ABELLA Model: Leading High-Stress Professionals with Trauma-Informed Practices.
Lita is a licensed private investigator and an entrepreneur with 25 years of experience. Her long-standing involvement in the fitness, health, and wellness industry, complemented by national certifications as a fitness instructor, underscores her commitment to personal well-being and holistic growth. Lastly, she is a professor of business law and paralegal studies, sharing her expertise with the next generation of legal professionals.
Paul J. Cambio
Paul J. Cambio, is the current Co-Chair of the California Lawyers Association’s Health and Wellness Committee with primary areas of practice in Litigation, Family Law, and Business for over 30 years. He is admitted to Supreme Court of the State of California, United States District Court for the Central District of California, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
A longtime resident of Orange County, California, his philosophy is to diligently pursue the rights of his clients with a pragmatic approach to ever changing legal community and the exploding costs of litigation.
