Ralph J Shapira graduated from Oberlin College (1968) and U.C Berkeley Law School (Boalt Hall 1975), and practiced law as a business litigator and partner at O’Melveny & Myers LLP for 27 years, retiring in 2004. He then served as outside general counsel for the San Diego Chargers NFL team and counseled other corporate clients in crisis management. He was a Board member and Chairman of Shoes that Fit, a nonprofit in the business of providing free shoes to needy schoolchildren, before joining the Board of the Children’s Advocacy Center. He also currently sits on the Board of MEND poverty (Meet Each Need With Dignity) in the northeast San Fernando Valley.