Ms. Elidia Dostal

Vanst Law LLP
SDCBF Director

Elidia C. Dostal has two decades of experience as a trusted legal advisor to corporations and entrepreneurs at all stages of their business. From business formations to employment matters to commercial leases and environmental compliance, Elidia guides her clients through business operations and transactions with an eye toward mitigating the risk of litigation, compliance issues, and regulatory fines. A graduate of Yale Law School and a veteran of Latham & Watkins LLP, Elidia has served clients from a wide array of industries, from retail and real estate to biotech and professional sports. Elidia serves business clients who understand the importance of involving an attorney at the front end of business transactions and compliance issues to avoid the high cost of litigation or regulatory fines. Elidia brings an expert understanding of the importance of thinking ahead to avoid potential future liabilities. Elidia provides outside general counsel services — helping clients large and small who need a trusted counselor to advise on business legal matters. She drafts contracts, negotiates commercial leases, helps with mergers and exit planning, and strives to ensure the businesses and entrepreneurs she represents have exceptional legal counsel so they are able to focus on their bottom line. Prior to joining Vanst Law LLP, Elidia practiced for seven years as a transactional and litigation associate at Latham & Watkins LLP, one of the world’s international law firms, and served as Associate General Counsel Secondment for the San Diego Padres. Elidia successfully ran a solo firm for eight years, advising clients on compliance with Federal and California law, including environmental compliance, employment law, and real estate matters. A graduate of Yale Law School, Elidia was an editor of the Yale Journal of Law and Feminism and co-host of Law Talk Community Radio. Prior to law school, she served as a tax auditor for the Franchise Tax Board. Her career as an accountant and tax auditor provides a valuable perspective that informs her legal analysis and enables her to understand the demands of business while mitigating risk. Active in civic engagement, Elidia’s public service includes having served on the board of KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy and as a mentor to high school students from the Crawford Academy of Law and Justice. After an extensive vetting process, Elidia was selected in 2020 to serve on both the County of Diego Independent Redistricting Commission, and the City of Chula Vista Redistricting Commission where she was elected Vice Chair. The Commissions are responsible for drawing equitable district lines for San Diego County Supervisors and Chula Vista City Councilmembers in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.