Staff
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.
Felicity Chamberlain
Housing Justice Project Attorney
Felicity (she/her/ella) is a Housing Justice Attorney with Skagit Legal Aid. Felicity assists clients in unlawful detainer cases, helps guide tenants through their various housing issues and assists in resolving pre-filing eviction matters through negotiations, counsel and advice, rent assistance.
A Washington Native, Felicity earned her B.A. in Business Administration from University of Washington - Bothell and her J.D. from University of Oregon. Prior to working at Skagit Legal Aid, Felicity practiced as deputy prosecutor in Adams County, Washington and Island County, Washington. She also spent some time working as a Deputy Attorney General in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia, a remote island near Guam, where she learned to scuba dive. Felicity is also licensed to practice before the Swinomish Tribal Court
In her free time, Felicity enjoys hiking and other outdoor activities like skiing and kayaking.
Austin Hellman
Reentry & Pro Bono Attorney
Austin Hellman (he/him/él) is a Law Clerk for Skagit Legal Aid. He is currently assisting individuals with post-conviction issues such as Legal Financial Obligations and Vacating Criminal Convictions.
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 attending law school, Austin worked as a claims adjuster helping individuals who had been involved in serious motor vehicle accidents. During his time there, Austin discovered a passion for helping others and decided to further pursue this passion by attending law school. While in school, Austin volunteered for numerous programs to help expand access to the civil justice system such as Alternative Dispute Resolution and an Externship focused on assisting historically underrepresented communities.
Austin initially joined Skagit Legal Aid as an extern in January of 2022. After graduation, Austin moved back to Skagit County and joined Skagit Legal Aid full time shortly after.
Nathan Cathersal
Housing Justice Project Attorney
Nathan Cathersal (he/him/él) serves as a dedicated Housing Justice Attorney with Skagit Legal Aid, where he advocates for tenants facing eviction throughout northwest Washington. In addition to his eviction defense work, Nathan assists tenants in resolving a range of disputes with landlords, ensuring their rights are protected and helping them maintain housing stability.
A Washington native, Nathan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Western Washington University and earned his Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law. Nathan is also licensed to practice before the Swinomish Tribal Court His academic background combined with a deep commitment to social justice has shaped his passion for ensuring equitable access to legal services.
Before pursuing law, Nathan gained invaluable experience working with hospice programs, where he witnessed the profound effects that comprehensive, universal care can have on individuals and communities. This experience inspired his dedication to legal advocacy, particularly for vulnerable populations. During law school, Nathan volunteered with several organizations focused on alleviating poverty and expanding access to free legal aid, further solidifying his commitment to using the law as a tool for social change.
Nathan joined Skagit Legal Aid in April 2024.
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.
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.
Marceline joined Skagit Legal Aid in March 2022.
Oscar Medina-Perez
Paralegal
Oscar Medina-Perez (he/him/él) is the Paralegal/Assistant for Skagit Legal Aid. As a lifelong resident of Skagit County, he is grateful to be able to assist in filling the gaps to legal assistance for historically underrepresented and underserved communities in the Valley.
Oscar career includes substantial paralegal experience in family law, housing, and debt collection matters.
Oscar received his education at the Whatcom Community College in the Paralegal Studies course. He has also attended the Core Family Law Curriculum through the Washington State Bar Association in connection with Whatcom Community College. Oscar is proud to have volunteered at the Street Law clinics through Law Advocates in Bellingham prior to joining Skagit Legal Aid in March of 2021.
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.
