16 <strong>Santa</strong> <strong><strong>Bar</strong>bara</strong> <strong>Lawyer</strong>
Kimberley E. Montanaro Kimberley E. Montanaro, a partner in the firm of Anticouni & Associates, LLP, passed away on January 3, 2010. Kimberley spent her formative years in Malibu, California, graduating from Palisades Charter High School. She obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder in May 1995, and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver, College of Law, in May 2002. During her too-short life, Kimberley held a variety of truly interesting jobs ranging from Los Angeles <strong>County</strong> lifeguard to publicity assistant for the television show Baywatch. Following her admission to the California <strong>Bar</strong>, Kimberley worked as a civil litigation attorney with the <strong>Santa</strong> <strong><strong>Bar</strong>bara</strong> firms of Hill & Trager; Minehan, McFaul & Fitch; and Anticouni & Associates. At Anticouni & Associates, she was primarily responsible for the firm’s class action practice. In addition to her work as an attorney, Kimberley stayed true to her lifelong commitment to help disadvantaged children. Over the course of the last decade, she worked as the director of a non-profit foundation for homeless and disadvantaged youth, interned for the National <strong>Association</strong> of Counsel for Children, provided pro bono legal services at the Alliance for Children’s Rights, and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (“CASA”) in <strong>Santa</strong> <strong><strong>Bar</strong>bara</strong>. Kimberley is survived by her parents, John and Susan Montanaro, her brother Jon, and her dog Casey. She is missed by a multitude of friends, colleagues and coworkers. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations February 2010 17 In Memoriam be made in Kimberley’s name to CASA <strong>Santa</strong> <strong><strong>Bar</strong>bara</strong>, 118 East Figueroa Street, <strong>Santa</strong> <strong><strong>Bar</strong>bara</strong>, CA 93101. – Jennifer Raphael. In the words of her colleagues: “During her two years with Anticouni & Associates, Kimberley oversaw the complex class action litigation on behalf of California employees. She was incredibly organized, which allowed her to keep track of thousands of class members and tens of thousands of individual documents with ease and grace. While the loss of Kimberley the attorney is difficult, the loss of Kimberley the person is devastating; she will be missed every day. There are thousands of people who come and go in our lifetimes; Kimberley is one of the few individuals who will always be a part of our fondest memories. I believe she loved each of us at the firm. I know that we all loved her.” - Bruce Anticouni, Anticouni & Associates. “Working for Kim over the last two years has been nothing short of amazing. She was a brilliant attorney and one of the best writers I have ever known. She had an aura about her that just made everyone smile. I feel blessed to have worked for, and been friends with, such a beautiful person. She has undoubtedly made me a better person.” - Nichole Ricotta, Anticouni & Associates. “Kimberley was a kind, giving and generous person, almost to a fault. She also had an excellent sense of humor, uncanny timing, and a brilliant legal mind. I feel lucky to have memories to cherish that include random moments of pure enjoyment such as iPod Kimberley E. Montanaro music wars, as well as simple moments of camaraderie while working through cases. Her passing leaves me with a heavy heart, and yet I still feel the smile coming through that memories of time spent with her will always invoke.” - Kristi Rothschild, Anticouni & Associates. “Kimberley was a kind and generous soul. She always found time to help others, sometimes putting them before