Laura Mascheroni

This is really hard!  I am so impressed by everyone and so many accomplishments!  I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s bio, and, Reunion Committee – You guys are awesome!!  Thank you so much for your hard work.

So, after high school I left Los Alamos and went to San Diego where I got a B.A. in political science.  (yeah – a really valuable degree).  During that time I also waited tables (for a living) and worked for the Governor of California (for “experience”).  I did not know what I wanted to do after graduation but ultimately got selected to do a year long fellowship in California with the Governor.  Sacramento was a bit of a change – and since it was a fellowship – we were paid pennies and got used to finding the best happy hours about to eat, and drink 25 cent beers.  (true dive bars believe me). But I learned a lot – both good and bad – about politics.  After the fellowship, I took a job with the Mayor of Los Angeles and was a “liaison” to the entertainment industry on behalf of the Mayor.  This meant that I did the permitting for on-location filming and got calls 24 hours a day from residents screaming at me about the “loud movie people.”  The better part of the job was that I got to do a few cool things like – go to the Academy Awards, and meet people that I thought were funny and nice (Adam Sandler) – and ultimately be a key person in privatizing the City Film Office into what is now known as the Entertainment Industry Development Corporation.  But after that was done – I was done with Los Angeles and politics.

I got accepted to Georgetown Law School and headed off to D.C. for the next three years.  While there I worked for the Federal Judicial Center and the National Association of Attorneys General.  I spent my summers in Los Angeles working for the South Coast Air Quality Management District and Federal Judges and once I graduated I went back to San Diego to begin practicing law.  San Diego was great, but I was not.  I had a fairly decent bout with depression and came home to Los Alamos for about 6 months in 2001.  I really missed my mountains – and still do.  Finally, I headed back to California – and this time to Newport Beach – and back to my job (which had a branch in Orange County).  I met a guy (unfortunately thought we were going to get married, but not so) and had a wonderful son. 

I am now at a different law firm and practice business litigation.  Most recently my boss and I attained a $35 million verdict for one of our clients, so that is something I am proud of – but mostly I am proud of my incredible child.  His name is Luke and he is a handful, but of course, I think he is the cutest kid ever.  And for the fact that Denielle Fisher and Tonya (Neal) Grace still love me!  And of course, I am proud of my brother Andre and his wife, Shealynn (Los Alamos High School sweethearts) who had their first baby Jacob) in January.  Andre is a smokejumper in McCall Idaho and Shea is the head of the math department at the high school.  It is wonderful every time I get a chance to visit them.  My parents are still living in Los Alamos so I am looking forward to seeing them and all of you at the reunion!

p.s. Rocky – Your baby is a CUTIE!!!!  CONGRATS!