Attorney licensed in New York and Brazil, focused on cross-border corporate and capital markets work.

Aline Pacheco Pelucio built her career in the room where the hard conversations happen — the board meeting where two founders who no longer trust each other still have to agree on something, the negotiation where a leak to the press could unravel months of work, the night before disclosure when everyone is exhausted and someone still has to keep the deal moving. For nearly twenty years, that has been her place: not just drafting the documents, but holding the room together long enough to reach a result everyone can support.

She started young and in a hurry. While still in law school in São Paulo, she worked mornings in class and nights at a law firm, building the discipline she says a medical residency teaches: long hours, high stakes, no room for error. She went on to teach civil law at the University of São Paulo while she practiced, and eventually earned a full scholarship from the Swiss government to pursue a Ph.D. in Law and Economics in St. Gallen — a program built around the idea that capital could be deployed for financial return and social impact at once, a way of thinking that now underpins how startups and impact-driven companies raise capital today. After Switzerland, she served as Chief of Staff to the Chairman of São Paulo's state environmental agency before spending close to a decade leading corporate governance and M&A for Grupo Pão de Açúcar and Groupe Casino's Latin America holding — one of the largest retail groups in the region — reporting directly to the Chairman of the Board and serving as the connective tissue between a French parent company under financial pressure and the Brazilian, Colombian, Uruguayan, and Argentine businesses it needed to restructure and, in many cases, sell.

That decade included some of the region's most complex public transactions: the IPO and listing of Almacenes Éxito, Colombia's largest retailer, on the Brazilian and U.S. markets, followed by the sale of Casino's stake for US$400 million; the spin-off and IPO of Assaí; the listing of Via Varejo; a roughly US$1 billion sale of 71 hypermarket stores negotiated between two former sister companies; and GPA's own IPO and capital restructuring, which shifted the company from a controlled subsidiary to a widely held public company overnight.

She holds a Ph.D. in Law and Economics from the University of St. Gallen, an LL.M. in Business Law from Georgetown University Law Center, and a law degree from the University of São Paulo. She is admitted to the New York State Bar and the Brazilian Bar Association, and speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish fluently, with conversational French and German.

Upasana Pandey is an attorney licensed to practice in India. She earned a B.A.,LL.B. (Hons.), a five-year integrated law degree equivalent to a J.D., from National Law University Odisha, one of India’s top law schools, before working for a year as an Associate at the chamber of an Indian attorney in Kolkata, India. She went on to earn her Master of Laws in International Business and Economic Law from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., where she received a merit scholarship.

The daughter of two retired police officers, Upasana was raised with a strong belief in justice and service to others, values that continue to guide how she approaches her work today. She is passionate about contributing to matters involving entrepreneurs and business owners as they navigate the legal complexities of starting, growing, and scaling their businesses.

Shannon earned her Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in May and is currently awaiting admission to the Arizona Bar. Prior to attending law school, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University and began her legal career as a paralegal at an intellectual property law firm in New York, where she spent three years gaining valuable experience in transactional law.

While attending law school, Shannon broadened her legal experience by working in a variety of practice areas, including corporate law, criminal defense, estate planning, and insurance litigation. This diverse experience allowed her to develop a well-rounded understanding of the legal profession and exposure to a wide range of legal issues, clients, and matters.

Shannon brings to her practice a combination of academic training, prior professional experience, and a broad perspective gained from working across multiple areas of law. Her background as both a paralegal and law student has given her a practical understanding of the legal process and the importance of providing thorough, thoughtful, and professional legal support to each client.

Isabella Tovar was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Arizona at the age of five, growing up with a front-row seat to the Valley’s rapid transformation into a hub for innovation. That early curiosity followed her to Arizona State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a minor in Justice Studies, graduating on the Dean’s List. Her academic training in logic, ethics, and argumentation gave her a natural affinity for the law.

Before joining Zecca Ross Law Firm, she built a strong foundation in judicial administration as a Court Operations Specialist with the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court, where she managed sensitive Grand Jury records, coordinated empanelment proceedings, and worked closely with law enforcement and government agencies to ensure accuracy and confidentiality. She also served as a Nonprofit Consulting Extern with PwC, a Career Consultant at ASU, and an intern with the Arizona Foundation for Legal Education & Services, where she developed youth-focused legal education programs across the state.

It was a forward-looking mindset that drew Isabella to Zecca Ross Law Firm. Rather than practicing law in the traditional sense alone, the firm builds its practice around the industries shaping tomorrow, including artificial intelligence and biotechnology. She wanted to work where legal service and technological progress intersect, helping founders and innovators turn bold ideas into properly formed, well-protected companies.

Today, as a Legal Assistant with the firm, she leads much of the client onboarding experience, guiding prospective clients from their first inquiry through intake and setup, and helping ensure every new client in the AI, biotech, SaaS, and B2B space starts off on the right foot. Looking ahead, Isabella intends to attend law school and become an attorney, so she can continue advancing the legal side of the industries shaping the future.

Maria Sarmadi is a Certified Public Accountant with a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of accounting. Since May 2024, she has been providing her services to Zecca Ross Law Firm P.C. as an independent contractor, where she plays a pivotal role in assisting clients with tax solutions.

In her role at Zecca Ross Law Firm P.C., Maria is involved in calculating various tax credits, including the Employee Retention Tax Credit, to help clients optimize their tax positions and maximize their refunds. Her keen attention to detail, in-depth knowledge of tax regulations, and strategic approach to tax planning make her an invaluable asset to clients seeking effective tax solutions.

With her background as a Certified Public Accountant and her commitment to delivering high-quality services, Maria Sarmadi ensures that clients receive accurate, comprehensive, and personalized tax advice tailored to their specific needs. Her contributions to Zecca Ross Law Firm P.C. play a vital role in providing clients with the financial guidance and support necessary to navigate complex tax matters successfully.

Collin Fifer leads business development at the firm, bringing a strong foundation in business and accounting to the role. He earned his B.A. in Business (Law) from Arizona State University, graduating with honors from the W. P. Carey School of Business and recognition on the Dean’s List.

At ASU, Collin served as both a Teacher Assistant and Supplemental Instruction Leader, helping over 750 students succeed in accounting courses and earning multiple SUN Awards for his dedication to student success.

Before joining the firm, Collin gained research and analytical experience as an intern at Platinum Bridge M&A Advisors, conducting market research and data analysis for mergers and acquisitions.

With a background in financial analysis, public speaking, and leadership, Collin supports the firm’s growth with professionalism and initiative.

Alex Waters is a business and operations executive with over 15 years of experience helping business owners and organizations build the structures that allow them to grow. His background spans innovation consulting, tech startup operations, and managing multimillion dollar government funded business accelerators.

At Zecca Ross Law Firm, Alex works alongside firm leadership to strengthen operations and create the workflows and structures that support the firm’s continued growth. His experience helping hundreds of founders navigate the operational side of building a company makes him well suited to support a firm whose clients are doing exactly that.

Alex serves on the boards of the SDSU Research Foundation and San Diego Neighborhood House Association, and on the Impact Investment and Audit Committee for the Alliance Healthcare Foundation. He is also the Executive Director of The Program Labs, a nonprofit focused on building entrepreneurship and workforce training programs.

Leticia Zecca Ross is an attorney licensed in California and in Brazil. Graduated from PUC-RJ, Leticia also holds a postgraduate degree from UERJ, and a Master of Laws from Georgetown Law University (Washington, DC). Passionate about the law and access to justice, Leticia is a servant leader who puts people first. She has built her career through hard work and study. Leticia is fluent in Portuguese, English, and knowledgeable in Italian and Spanish.

As a lawyer and former public defender, Leticia understands the importance of access to justice and the role it plays in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to have their rights protected and their voices heard.

She says she has been lucky to have had many opportunities to work on complex cases throughout her career and has been able to deliver results even in the most challenging circumstances.

Leticia believes that the key to success in any negotiation is the ability to understand the other party’s position and find common ground. She is a great listener and is always willing to go above and beyond to find a solution that works for everyone. Patient, tolerant, and maintaining a positive attitude even in the most difficult situations, Leticia presents well-researched information and realistic options so that Zecca Ross law firm’s clients can make informed decisions.

Born in Brazil, and part of a second generation Italian immigrants, Leticia is proud of her heritage, passionate about Brazilian and Italian culture, and is committed to promoting the positive aspects of these cultures, both in her professional and personal life.