Valerie obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 2004 with high distinction in general scholarship with a double major in Political Science and Rhetoric. She is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honors Society, and was a national medalist in mock trial and parliamentary debate. 
 
Valerie attended law school at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), earning her J.D. in 2010.  At Boalt Hall, Valerie co-chaired the Board of Advocates, overseeing the school’s appellate, ADR, and trial competition teams.  Valerie successfully competed in several advocacy competitions as a student, and she remains active with the school’s trial program as a coach.  Valerie also clerked at the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, and served as a judicial extern for Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker in the Northern District of California. 

Upon graduation from law school Valerie was hired as an assoicate at the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP where she worked on a variety of complex class and collective actions. While at Orrick, Valerie also used her prior experience as a registered California lobbyist to assist clients with legislative and regulatory issues.
 
Valerie came to Walkup, Melodia,Kelly & Schoenberger in 2011 in order to pursue her passion for trial advocacy and a strong desire to find just compensation for injured individuals.  She proudly represents clients in all types of personal injury litigation.