Amanda Santiago-Lucero
Amanda Santiago-Lucero is Director of Finance & Controller at Arias Sanguinetti Trial Lawyers, based in the firm’s Southern California office. She oversees the firm’s accounting, billing, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and broader financial operations, helping ensure the systems supporting the firm are accurate, organized, and positioned to meet the needs of attorneys, staff, and firm leadership.
With nearly two decades of experience in law firm accounting and finance, Amanda brings a practical understanding of the financial infrastructure required to support a busy legal organization. Her experience spans financial reporting, budgeting, payroll administration, billing and collections, accounts receivable, compliance, process development, and operational planning.
Amanda’s path into accounting began unexpectedly. While working as a receptionist for a general contracting company, an opening developed and the owner asked whether she wanted to learn accounting, and she agreed. Amanda discovered that she enjoyed the work and continued developing her accounting experience in other industries before ultimately entering legal finance. After joining her first law firm, Amanda found a professional environment that fit both her financial skill set and her working style. She has developed a deep understanding of the pressures unique to legal organizations and how finance teams can support attorneys while still maintaining strong financial processes and appropriate priorities.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of La Verne. She began pursuing the degree after she had already established herself professionally in accounting, and completing the degree reflected a personal belief in following through on commitments and setting that example for her children. Outside of work, Amanda prioritizes time with family and longtime friends. She enjoys relaxed weekends at home, road trips to reconnect with a close-knit group of friends she has known for decades, and games and movie nights.