Andy Dugan

Executive Director

Andy Dugan (he/him/él) is an attorney and the Executive Director for Skagit Legal Aid. His career includes substantial post conviction and housing related experiences and direct representation to historically underrepresented individuals. He feels fortunate to bring his years of legal experience and passion for expanding justice to the Skagit Valley.   

Prior to moving to Washington, he was privileged to be one of the first staff attorneys at a legal clinic dedicated to representing LGBTQ community members across southern Ohio and previously served as a compliance and housing attorney for an innovative multistate law firm. He obtained his BSBA from The Ohio State University and his JD from Capital University Law School.  Andy joined Skagit Legal Aid in July of 2020.

Andy is an active Ex Officio Member of the Skagit County Bar Association, the current Chair of the Washington State Bar Association Pro Bono & Public Service Committee, and a current Co-Chair of the Washington Pro Bono Council. He is a member of the King County Bar Association, American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Washington Defender Association, and the American Bar Association. Andy is also licensed to practice before the Swinomish Tribal Court and the Makah Tribal Court.

Lizneyda Lucero

Administrative Assistant

Lizneyda Lucero is the Administrative Assistant at Skagit Legal Aid. She is currently a Business Administration student at Western Washington University and previously studied at Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics. She is on track to graduate in 2027.

As a trilingual speaker, Lizneyda is passionate about serving the Mount Vernon community, especially Mixteco speaking families who often face language barriers when accessing services. Her language skills and cultural insight allow her to support clients in meaningful, inclusive ways.

Lizneyda is also deeply interested in how business principles can be used to uplift communities. She is exploring ways to help small businesses navigate the challenges of networking and growth—particularly when language and cultural differences stand in the way. She is committed to continuous learning and believes there is always room to grow and improve.

With a strong sense of compassion and a drive to serve others, Lizneyda hopes to one day start her own business that reflects her values. She also aims to be a role model for younger generations, encouraging them to pursue education and not give up, even when the path feels difficult or overwhelming.

Lizneyda joined Skagit Legal Aid in February 2025.

Oscar Medina-Perez (he/him/él) is the Paralegal for Skagit Legal Aid. A lifelong resident of Skagit County, Oscar is deeply committed to bridging the gaps in legal assistance for historically underrepresented and underserved communities in the Valley. His dedication to access to justice and his deep ties to the community make him an invaluable asset to Skagit Legal Aid and the broader region.

Oscar’s career spans substantial paralegal experience in family law, housing, and debt collection matters. His expertise and compassion enable him to provide vital support to clients navigating complex legal challenges.

Oscar received his education in Paralegal Studies from Whatcom Community College and completed the Core Family Law Curriculum through the Washington State Bar Association in partnership with Whatcom Community College. As a student, he proudly volunteered at the Street Law Clinics through Law Advocates in Bellingham, where he honed his commitment to community service. Oscar joined Skagit Legal Aid in March 2021.

In addition to his legal work, Oscar is dedicated to mentoring paralegal student interns, helping them gain practical skills and experience while fostering their professional growth. Oscar’s unwavering support for his community and dedication to nurturing the next generation of legal advocates continue to make a lasting impact in Skagit County and beyond.

Austin Hellman

Reentry & Pro Bono Attorney

Austin Hellman (he/him/él) is an Attorney at Skagit Legal Aid, where he supports individuals facing post-conviction legal barriers—including vacating criminal convictions, addressing Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs), and reinstating or retaining driver's licenses.

Since joining Skagit Legal Aid, Austin has personally helped hundreds of people waive hundreds of thousands of dollars in court-imposed debt, vacate hundreds of convictions, and regain the ability to drive. He has also been integral in Skagit Legal Aid’s partnership with Underground Ministries, working alongside reentry navigators to walk with individuals coming out of incarceration and provide holistic legal support.

A Washington native, Austin earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Florida Southern College and his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. Before law school, he worked as a claims adjuster assisting individuals involved in serious motor vehicle accidents—an experience that sparked his passion for helping others and led him to pursue a legal career.

While in law school, Austin volunteered with several initiatives aimed at expanding access to justice, including Alternative Dispute Resolution programs and a public interest externship supporting historically underrepresented communities.

He first joined Skagit Legal Aid as a law student extern in January 2022 and returned to Skagit County after graduation to join the team full-time. Austin remains committed to walking alongside those impacted by the criminal legal system and creating pathways to a better future.

Austin is also the current President of the Skagit County Bar Association.

Adilene Calderon

Housing Justice Project Paralegal

Adilene Calderon (she/her/ella) is a committed Paralegal with Skagit Legal Aid's Housing Justice Project, where she works to protect the rights of tenants and ensure housing stability for the most vulnerable members of the community.

Originally from Delano, a small rural town nestled in California’s central valley, Adilene’s journey led her to Mount Vernon, Washington, where she now calls home. Her extensive experience working within the criminal justice system has solidified her belief that everyone deserves second chances and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. This perspective fuels her dedication to housing justice and her advocacy for those facing challenges in finding and maintaining secure housing.

Adilene is eager to continue her educational journey at Skagit Valley College, where she plans to deepen her knowledge and expand her impact in the legal field. In her personal life, she cherishes spending quality time with her young family, finding joy and balance in their company.

Adilene joined Skagit Legal Aid in March 2024.

Tiffany Turner

Housing Justice Project Law Clerk

Tiffany is the Housing Justice Project Law Clerk at Skagit Legal Aid, where she assists individuals navigating housing-related legal issues across multiple counties. She focuses on supporting clients who face significant barriers to accessing legal services and collaborates with community organizations to ensure that low-income renters receive fair and equitable treatment in the housing system.

Tiffany holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Law, Diversity, and Justice from Western Washington University. She earned her Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law, where she concentrated her studies on real estate law. During law school, Tiffany was honored with the Pro Bono Pledge Outstanding Service Award and the Law Community Service Scholarship, recognizing her dedication to public service and social justice.

Before entering the legal field, Tiffany spent over a decade in the banking industry. She held positions at leading American multinational financial institutions in areas such as Commercial Banking and Commercial Loan Documentation. Her work managing complex loan transactions and ensuring regulatory compliance provided her with a strong foundation in business and financial law.

Outside of her professional role, Tiffany enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and collecting timepieces—interests that reflect her curiosity, creativity, and appreciation for culture and detail. With a diverse background in both law and finance, Tiffany is deeply committed to advocating for housing justice and expanding access to legal support for underserved communities.

Tiffany joined Skagit Legal Aid in September 2024.

Marcelina Mendoza

Director of Community Engagement & Outreach

Marcelina Mendoza (she/her/ella) serves as the Director of Community Engagement and Outreach for Skagit Legal Aid. A proud long time resident of Skagit County, Marcelina feels a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to support her community by providing essential legal assistance and outreach services.

Since arriving in the United States in 2004, Marcelina has devoted herself to advocating for historically underrepresented and underserved communities. Her prior work in healthcare as an interpreter and promotora for the Hispanic, Latino, and Indigenous communities—specifically supporting Mixteco-speaking families—allowed her to connect directly with individuals often excluded from mainstream services. This experience laid the foundation for her current role, where she continues to empower Hispanic, Latino, and Indigenous communities by improving access to justice.

Marcelina joined Skagit Legal Aid in March 2022.

Auston Jimmicum

Tribal Law Clerk

Auston Jimmicum (he/him/él) is the Tribal Law Clerk for Skagit Legal Aid, and he is a Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern. He is currently assisting tribal members in the Skagit Valley Area, mainly on the Swinomish Reservation, with various civil legal matters.

Auston is an enrolled member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and he grew up on the Makah Reservation in Neah Bay, Washington.

He earned his B.A. in Law, Societies, & Justice with a minor in American Indian Studies from the University of Washington. He earned his J.D. with an Emphasis in Native American Law from the University of Idaho. During law school, Auston mainly assisted tribal members with Estate Planning, and other Family Law matters. He also has experience with work focused on addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples’ Crisis, Tribal Economic Development, and Tribal “Treatment as State” Applications. His passion for advocating for the unique issues and obstacles Native American people face is what inspired him to become a lawyer, and he hopes to apply this passion to his work at Skagit Legal Aid.

His goal is to expand the Tribal Law Clinics so that more tribes in Skagit County can take advantage of the services that Skagit Legal Aid provides. Auston is a licensed spokesperson eligible to practice before the Swinomish Tribal Court and the Makah Tribal Court.

Auston joined Skagit Legal Aid in April of 2023.

Hermelinda Lucero

Housing Advocate

Hermelinda Lucero (she/her/ella) is a passionate Housing Advocate with Skagit Legal Aid, dedicated to empowering limited English-speaking tenants and farmworker families in their pursuit of housing stability. With a focus on supporting communities that often face language and cultural barriers, Hermelinda plays a critical role in ensuring these families have access to the legal resources they need to safeguard their homes.

Born and raised in Mount Vernon, Hermelinda draws inspiration from her Indigenous roots, which fuel her commitment to sharing vital legal information and resources with the local indigenous community. Her work is grounded in a deep understanding of the unique challenges these communities face. She takes pride in providing culturally informed support that helps bridge gaps in access to justice.

Currently, Hermelinda is pursuing her studies at Skagit Valley College with plans to transfer to a university to further her legal education. Her long-term goal is to continue advocating for Indigenous communities and to expand her role in ensuring equitable access to legal services.

Hermelinda joined Skagit Legal Aid in January of 2023.

Marcela Mendoza

Outreach Advocate

Coming soon!