About the Unity Bar of Yolo County
Our Mission
The Unity Bar of Yolo County is in the early stages of building a network of diverse organizations, associations, and legal professionals dedicated to working together in a unified manner to advance the cause of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. This includes improvements to the administration of justice, supporting education and pipeline programs that promote diversity in the law, promoting diversity on the bench, and supporting communities underrepresented in the legal profession.
Who We Are
We are diverse lawyers who work, live, or practice law in Yolo County. We promote, uplift, empower, and support individuals and communities underrepresented in legal systems. Many of us belong to a number of specialty bar associations, and we all share the understanding that our differences make us stronger as a profession and as a community.
We are dedicated to advancing the cause of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. In the words of Governor Gavin Newsom, “Our state doesn't succeed in spite of our diversity. Our state succeeds because of it.”
Meet Yolo Unity Bar's Leadership Team
Monica Cavazos Brushia
Monica Cavazos Brushia
Monica Cavazos Brushia
President,
Cofounder
Monica Cavazos Brushia started working at the Yolo County Public Defender’s Office in February 1997. For over 26 years, she has represented indigent clients in our community. In December 2007, she became a Supervising Attorney. To date, she is the only female Latina attorney and only Supervising Attorney of color in t
President,
Cofounder
Monica Cavazos Brushia started working at the Yolo County Public Defender’s Office in February 1997. For over 26 years, she has represented indigent clients in our community. In December 2007, she became a Supervising Attorney. To date, she is the only female Latina attorney and only Supervising Attorney of color in the office. She is dedicated to helping promote the advancement of the law for future generations of attorneys to reflect our state’s diversity.
Apurva Behal
Monica Cavazos Brushia
Monica Cavazos Brushia
Vice-President of Operations,
Cofounder
Apurva Behal is an attorney with the California State Lands Commission, where she advises on matters related to sustainable public land management and balanced resource protection. Prior to joining the Commission in early 2026, Apurva served as the Padilla Attorney at the Yolo County Public Defender
Vice-President of Operations,
Cofounder
Apurva Behal is an attorney with the California State Lands Commission, where she advises on matters related to sustainable public land management and balanced resource protection. Prior to joining the Commission in early 2026, Apurva served as the Padilla Attorney at the Yolo County Public Defender’s Office, where she specialized in the intersection of immigration and criminal law and represented noncitizen clients.
A proud “double Aggie,” Apurva earned both her undergraduate degree in Economics and her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis. She is committed to supporting the professional growth of attorneys from diverse backgrounds and contributing to a more inclusive legal profession.
Alberto T. Rosas
Judge Danette Castillo Brown
Judge Danette Castillo Brown
Vice-President of Communications,
Cofounder
Alberto T. Rosas is an Administrative Law Judge with the State of California. He is a visiting lecturer at UC Davis School of Law and an adjunct professor at McGeorge School of Law. In December 2024, he launched the Cal Unity Bar Newsletter and serves as its editor-in-chief; and in 2026 he joine
Vice-President of Communications,
Cofounder
Alberto T. Rosas is an Administrative Law Judge with the State of California. He is a visiting lecturer at UC Davis School of Law and an adjunct professor at McGeorge School of Law. In December 2024, he launched the Cal Unity Bar Newsletter and serves as its editor-in-chief; and in 2026 he joined the Cal Unity Bar's inaugural board of directors. He is currently working on a memoir.
Judge Danette Castillo Brown
Judge Danette Castillo Brown
Judge Danette Castillo Brown
Judicial Liaison
Judge Brown was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the Yolo County Superior Court and sworn in on November 27, 2023. She received her J.D. from the University of Northern CA, Lorenzo Patiño School of Law. As an engineering major at UC Davis, she co-founded the Filipino Society of Engineers. She also co-founded a volunte
Judicial Liaison
Judge Brown was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the Yolo County Superior Court and sworn in on November 27, 2023. She received her J.D. from the University of Northern CA, Lorenzo Patiño School of Law. As an engineering major at UC Davis, she co-founded the Filipino Society of Engineers. She also co-founded a volunteer legal clinic for My Sister’s House, has performed humanitarian work in the Philippines, and is a NAPABA and UC Davis Filipinx Law Students Association Trailblazer Award recipient.