Rena McNeil

I have over 20 years of experience as a social worker for children and adults of all ages. My expertise is in such vast fields as forensics, mental health, and complex traumas, including abuse and neglect, physical disability, poverty, and substance abuse.  

I have worked in the mental health field for over 10 years in correctional, therapeutic (in-person as well as online platforms), and group home settings. Other past employment includes working as a correctional officer in the county jail and in the federal prison system. As an army veteran and former Psychiatric Social Worker in a local county jail, I assisted in piloting a Veterans Mental Health program for incarcerated veterans. In addition, I was employed as a Social Worker III for the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office with the Post-Conviction Intentional Reentry Unit. In this role, I assisted with cases such as Prison Sentence Recalls and resentencing, Youth Offender Parole (YOP), and Prosecution Initiative Recalls (PIR). During this time, I contracted as a Forensic Social Worker and Mitigation Specialist for the San Mateo County Private Defender Office, where I assisted attorneys with mental health diversions for key clients involved in the criminal justice system. In addition, I was employed as a Staff Social Worker at Stanford University Law School, where I assisted law professors and student legal teams with linkage to community resources while providing psychoeducation regarding clients struggling with mental health and addiction issues

My  most relevant education includes:

(c/o 29) Juris Doctor                                     Monterey College of Law

2015 MSW, Social Work                              San Jose State University

2012 BA, Sociology                                       San Jose State University

2010 AA, General Studies                            Evergreen Valley College

1998 AS, Paralegal                                       Metro College of Legal Studies