Nalani Portillo is a highly dependable and mission-driven Legal Assistant at DCD LAW, bringing with her a strong foundation in Criminal Law and Personal Injury law and a deep academic background in the criminal justice system. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Nalani has a personal connection to the community DCD LAW is proud to serve, and she brings that local insight into every aspect of her work.
At DCD LAW, Nalani plays a critical role in supporting both attorneys and clients throughout each phase of the legal process. From preparing case files and managing deadlines to coordinating court appearances and ensuring clear, consistent communication, she helps keep every case on track. Nalani is committed to creating a client experience that is organized, informed, and always grounded in compassion. Her daily mission is to show up with full dedication—to her team, her clients, and the pursuit of justice.
Nalani earned dual Bachelor’s degrees from the University of California, Irvine in Psychological Science and Criminology, Law and Society. While at UCI, she led research in behavioral science and served as a campus tour guide, experiences that sharpened her attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to communicate with clarity and empathy.
Fluent in Spanish, Nalani is passionate about serving DCD LAW’s Spanish-speaking clients and ensuring that language is never a barrier to justice. She believes that every client deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, and understanding—especially when navigating the challenges of the legal system.
Outside the office, Nalani enjoys long-distance running, exploring new coffee shops, and getting lost in a great book. She understands how intimidating the legal process can feel and strives to be a steady, supportive point of contact for every client she works with.
