Janet Wallace is a founding partner of O'Leary Wallace LLP. In addition to her legal work, Janet teaches legal courses at Cuesta Community College and California State University East Bay.

Janet previously practiced at the local law firms Duggan Smith & Heath LLP and Adamski, Moroski Madden Cumberland & Green LLP.  As a law student at UC Davis School of Law, Janet interned with the Office of General Counsel for the University of California and with California’s Legislative Counsel, and was co-teacher in the University Honors Program.  

Janet had a varied career before attending law school including teaching high school photography and Advanced Placement Studio Art, advising an award-winning robotics team, working for the President of the United States in White House Management and Operations, and serving constituents as a field representative for the California State Assembly. 

Janet lives in Atascadero with her husband, Will, a school administrator, and their son. Janet and Will are licensed foster parents. They enjoy traveling to new cities, visiting art museums, and crafting the perfect vodka basil gimlet. 

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts, History of Art and Architecture, University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Juris Doctor, University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall)

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association

  • American Bar Association’s Woman Advocate Committee

  • State Bar of California

  • San Luis Obispo Bar Association

  • San Luis Obispo Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Division, Board of Directors

  • Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo, Past Member of the Board of Directors

  • Ms. JD, Board Emerita

  • Hospice SLO County; Planned Giving Committee Member & Advisory Counsel

  • Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, Past Member of the Board of Directors

  • Studios on the Park, Board of Directors, Past Chairperson of the Board

  • San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, Past President and Past Member of the Board of Directors

  • Cuesta College Book of the Year Committee, Member

  • Cuesta College Peace and Justice Committee, Member

  • Leadership San Luis Obispo Class XXII

  • San Luis Obispo Library Foundation, Past Member of the Board of Directors

  • American Association of University Women (Former)

  • $tart $mart, Trained Facilitator

Awards & Recognition

  • Women of Distinction, Progress for Women, Cuesta College and The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County’s Women’s Legacy Fund 

  • Hands on Hero, First 5 San Luis Obispo County

  • Top Ten Real Property Cases of 2013, California Real Property Journal

  • Frank J. Pentangelo Award, SLO County Bar Association

  • Top 20 Under 40, San Luis Obispo Tribune

  • Inaugural “Rising Star” Award, Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo

  • Person Who Makes a Difference, Antelope Valley Press

  • Special Service Award, Antelope Valley Union High School District

  • Witkin Award for Academic Excellence, UC Davis School of Law

  • Outstanding Writing Award, UC Santa Barbara

Speaking Engagements

  • Implicit Bias in Business; Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Coffee Talks; 2020

  • Implicit Bias in Education; Atascadero School Middle School; presenter; 2020

  • Bias in the Legal Profession; San Luis Obispo County Bar Association; presenter; 2019

  • Disruptive Innovation; Women Lawyers Association, San Luis Obispo; presenter; 2018

  • Estate Planning Faux Pas of the Rich and Famous, Lifelong Learners of the Central Coast

  • Business Succession Planning; Good Morning San Luis Obispo; presenter

  • Estate Planning Faux Pas of the Rich and Famous, Central Coast Paralegal Association and Young Lawyers Association; presenter

  • Gender Bias Against Women in the Law; National Association of Women Lawyers Foundation; panelist 

  • Grit and Growth Mindset; Women Lawyers Association, San Luis Obispo; presenter and moderator

  • How to Succeed as a New Associate; Ms. JD Conference on Women in the Law; San Francisco, panelist

  • Display Your Passion: Getting Involved; Ms. JD Conference on Women in the Law; Austin, Texas, moderator

  • Lean In: Women Lawyers Leaning In; Women Lawyers Association, San Luis Obispo; panelist

  • Status of Women in the Legal Profession; Women Lawyers Association, San Luis Obispo; presenter

  • Motherhood: Reclaiming our Past, Transforming our Future; University of Denver, Sturm College of Law; panelist

Writing