Attorney
Wana Lee Bernales
Attorney Wana Bernales was born in Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in San Diego, California for most of her life. She graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Biology, where she was on the Dean’s List. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Wana began to realize that her interests aligned more with real estate and business. In 2007, she obtained her California Real Estate Salesperson License and began to delve into real estate. Since then, Wana has also obtained her California Broker’s license.
Wana obtained her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law, where she received an Academic Excellence Award and was Finalist for the First Year Oral Argument Competition. As a law student, she also served as a marketing director and 2L representative. Wana was sworn into the California State Bar in 2013.
During law school, Wana externed for the Honorable Michael Villani, Eighth Judicial District Court in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also gained trial court experience during her internship with the San Diego District Attorney’s Office as a certified legal intern.
As a practicing business and real estate attorney, Wana has worked on a wide range of cases related to business, including business formation, business dispute, and business contracts. She has also worked on cases related to real estate, including both residential and commercial, HOA matters, and landlord/tenant.
Currently, Wana resides in San Diego with her husband RJ Bernales and their four children. They enjoy spending time together playing basketball, playing instruments, traveling, and trying new restaurants.
Education
CALIFORNIA WESTERN SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctorate, 2012
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelors of Arts, 2005
Activities & Affiliations
• Past Vice President, Korean American Bar Association of San Diego
• Past Board Member, California Western School of Law Alumni Association
• Member, San Diego County Bar Association
• Member, Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego
• Member, American Bar Association
Bar Admissions
• California
• United Stated District Court for the Southern District California
• United State Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California
Honors/Awards
• 2023 “Rising Star” Recipient - Super Lawyers
• 2018 “San Diego’s Most Inspiring Stories” - SD Voyager
• 2017 “Best of the Bar” - The San Diego Business Journal
• Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition - Scott Peters, Member of Congress, 52nd District, CA
• 2014 “Top Young Attorney” - The San Diego Daily Transcript
• Rated 10 on Avvo’s rating system