After 25 years of public service, including the past 11 years as Chief Counsel to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary, Alison recently retired from state service. Alison began her legal career practicing criminal law, including five years as a deputy public defender. She then transitioned to policy work at the State Capitol, working as personal staff to Members of the California State Senate and State Assembly. She staffed landmark legislation addressing a number of important public policy topics, including elder financial abuse, firearm design and sale requirements, and the state’s original Gun Violence Restraining Order legislation. She also had a five-year stint as Chief Counsel to the Firearms Division at the California Department of Justice. During her tenure on the Judiciary Committee, she worked for three Chairs and helped them negotiate, amend, and hear public testimony on some of the most complex and controversial legislation considered by the Legislature. She now enjoys rowing on a masters rowing team, running with shelter dogs, volunteering to defend immigrants and refugees facing deportation proceedings, gardening, and spending time with her family and her own four rescue pets.