Joanne Franciscus has been appointed chief executive officer and executive director of the Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD), the organization announced in a news release.

During her 11 years with LASSD, Franciscus has served as a staff attorney, lead attorney, senior attorney, managing attorney, and, most recently, as the firm’s first chief operating officer. In that role, Franciscus was responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and helping to shape the organization’s culture and vision.

Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD) is the largest poverty law firm in San Diego County and has been serving residents here for 100 years.

Franciscus came to LASSD after eight years at a Carlsbad law firm, where, as partner, she represented plaintiffs in personal injury, workplace sexual harassment and medical malpractice cases.

In 2011, she was selected for a competitive legal and policy fellowship at Polaris Project, a nonprofit dedicated to ending human trafficking. From 2011 to 2019, she was also the volunteer regional director of Not for Sale, a global anti-human trafficking nonprofit organization.

Franciscus earned her bachelor of arts in political science and criminal justice from the University of Richmond and her juris doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law.

CBRE expands its golf and resort group

CBRE has expanded its golf and resort group with the addition of Billy Knight, Brandon Schempp and Jeff Rice.

Knight joins CBRE as vice president, bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in corporate development, according to a news release. Schempp, as first vice president, brings 15 years of experience in sales management and Rice is rejoining CBRE as an investment sales analyst after working for Integra Realty Resources for the past eight years, the news release said.

Led by Jeff Woolson, the CBRE Golf & Resort Group specializes in providing real estate services for golf clubs, ski resorts, marinas and developable land associated with these properties.

In 2023, the group advised on the sale of seven golf and resort properties across the country totaling over $282 million, according to the news release.

More career news

Brent Panas is starting a new position as deputy director at County of San Diego.

Samantha Ditzenberger is the new program director at Plunge San Diego.

Jenny Metz is starting a new position as associate director of sales at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

Trisha Wierl is the new assistant director of outreach and recruitment at University of San Diego – Knauss School of Business.

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