KCBA Board of Directors

James Harvey practices civil litigation at Clifford & Brown, focusing on business, commercial, and employment matters.

Mr. Nilsson received degrees in English and Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, with minors in Spanish and Organizational Psychology, from a private university in Hawaii.

Born and raised in Bakersfield, I am proud to assist my hometown community. I graduated from Foothill High School and then attended Bakersfield College.

Devin has been an active member of our legal community since moving to Bakersfield in 2007.

Mr. Anthony P. Azemika was admitted to the California State Bar in 1992. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, Cum Laude, from California State University, San Francisco, in 1988.

Alex graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law in May of 2020. During his first year of law school, Alex was one of a handful of students selected to join the Trial Advocacy Board.

Amanda Lucas Thelen is a partner in the firm’s estate planning and transactional law practice group. Her practice focuses on estate planning and trust administration, as well as business and real estate matters. Before transitioning to a transactional practice, Ms. Thelen was a civil litigator and trial attorney with the firm, representing physicians and other healthcare providers in complex civil litigation throughout California. Her litigation experience informs her transactional practice and provides practical insight into identifying potential issues, managing risk, and structuring matters to help avoid future disputes.

Born and raised in Bakersfield, BreAnne is proud to serve the community that has always been home. Her work is driven by a commitment to fairness, integrity, and advocacy for those facing the most challenging moments of their lives.

Donald C. Oldaker was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia where he attended St. Georges School before obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of British Columbia in 1980.

Jared Clemence is an Estate and Probate attorney who provides representation to clients in probate litigation, estate planning, unlawful detainer, and real estate litigation. After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering at Drexel University, he went on to earn his J.D. and MLS at the Monterrey College of Law.

Kurt Van Sciver is a trust and estate attorney practicing in Bakersfield, CA. After receiving his JD at Ave Maria School of Law, he started his own practice, Van Sciver Law.

Mai Shawwa is a criminal defense attorney serving in Kern County, California. Mai obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Sacramento State University and a Juris Doctorate from McGeorge School of Law.

Sam Van Eerden is a practicing Civil, Business Administration, and Administrative Law attorney. Mr. Van Eerden was admitted to the CA State Bar in 2012.

Vanessa Franco Chavez earned her Juris Doctor from University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law in 2009 and was admitted to the California State Bar that same year.