From:
Karyn Sinunu, Assistant District Attorney
(408) 792-2702 For Release on January 27, 2003 DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN 2002 Deputy District Attorney James Gibbons-Shapiro received the Napoleon J. Menard Trial Advocacy Award. Mr. Gibbons-Shapiro successfully prosecuted complex felony sexual assault cases in 2002. Many of his cases involved child victims including the case of a two-year-old kidnapped from a department store. In addition to trial work, he also handled government integrity cases. Mr. Gibbons-Shapiro was graduated from Yale University summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1991 and UCLA School of Law, Order of the Coif in 1994. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Downtown College Prep School. Deputy District Attorney Laura Aizpuru-Sutton received the Robert L. Webb Award for Misdemeanor Trial Advocacy. In 2002, Ms. Aizpuru-Sutton tried the most difficult misdemeanor cases. She is known to the court and co-workers for her work ethic and commitment to justice. She was graduated from Stanford University in 1993 and Stanford Law School in 1998. She is also a member of La Raza Lawyers Association. Deputy District Attorney Frank Carruba won the Clayton L. Haupert Excellence Award for his community prosecution work with Gilroy Police Department, Gilroy City Attorney and City Council in the southern district of the county. In 2002, Mr. Carrubba was a moving force in Operation Spotlight which addressed excessive blight and indecent living conditions. He was graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1988 and California Western School of Law in 1991. In 1995 he was recognized a California Narcotics Officer’s Association Prosecutor of the Year. Senior Paralegal Vincent Reyna received the 2002 Paralegal Excellence Award. Mr. Reyna assisted homicide deputies on a daily basis and provided invaluable assistance in the separate and complex murder trials of David Leon and Richard Carrasco. He has his paralegal degree and is a graduate of University of San Francisco. He is admired for his professionalism and work ethic. Mr. Reyna is fluent in Spanish. Legal Clerk Jennifer McQuillan received the 2002 Award of Excellence. Ms. McQuillan is a floater because of her outstanding technical skills and flexible attitude. She has been with the office for 8 years. Her loyalty and dedication to the District Attorney’s mission made her the outstanding clerk for 2002.
Karyn Sinunu, Assistant District Attorney
(408) 792-2702 For Release on January 27, 2003 DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN 2002 Deputy District Attorney James Gibbons-Shapiro received the Napoleon J. Menard Trial Advocacy Award. Mr. Gibbons-Shapiro successfully prosecuted complex felony sexual assault cases in 2002. Many of his cases involved child victims including the case of a two-year-old kidnapped from a department store. In addition to trial work, he also handled government integrity cases. Mr. Gibbons-Shapiro was graduated from Yale University summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1991 and UCLA School of Law, Order of the Coif in 1994. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Downtown College Prep School. Deputy District Attorney Laura Aizpuru-Sutton received the Robert L. Webb Award for Misdemeanor Trial Advocacy. In 2002, Ms. Aizpuru-Sutton tried the most difficult misdemeanor cases. She is known to the court and co-workers for her work ethic and commitment to justice. She was graduated from Stanford University in 1993 and Stanford Law School in 1998. She is also a member of La Raza Lawyers Association. Deputy District Attorney Frank Carruba won the Clayton L. Haupert Excellence Award for his community prosecution work with Gilroy Police Department, Gilroy City Attorney and City Council in the southern district of the county. In 2002, Mr. Carrubba was a moving force in Operation Spotlight which addressed excessive blight and indecent living conditions. He was graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1988 and California Western School of Law in 1991. In 1995 he was recognized a California Narcotics Officer’s Association Prosecutor of the Year. Senior Paralegal Vincent Reyna received the 2002 Paralegal Excellence Award. Mr. Reyna assisted homicide deputies on a daily basis and provided invaluable assistance in the separate and complex murder trials of David Leon and Richard Carrasco. He has his paralegal degree and is a graduate of University of San Francisco. He is admired for his professionalism and work ethic. Mr. Reyna is fluent in Spanish. Legal Clerk Jennifer McQuillan received the 2002 Award of Excellence. Ms. McQuillan is a floater because of her outstanding technical skills and flexible attitude. She has been with the office for 8 years. Her loyalty and dedication to the District Attorney’s mission made her the outstanding clerk for 2002.