Faith Thompson
Faith was born and raised in the Central Valley before settling to the Coachella Valley which has been her home for the past 5 years. The daughter of a retired Fire Captain, she was raised to help others, she believes that by working in the field of law she will meet that need. Faith is currently attending San Diego Miramar College to continue her education to earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science with an emphasis in Paralegal Studies and becoming a certified A.B.A. Paralegal.
Faith loves to spend time with her two daughters, family, friends and travel.
Ira Liss
Ira Liss has been practicing law in the Coachella Valley since 1994. Early on in his career he developed a passion for family law, especially cases involving child custody. Having been raised in a divorced family, Mr. Liss understands the devastating impact that divorce and other family law proceedings can have on families.
Mr. Liss was born and raised in Los Angeles. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History at the University of California, San Diego in 1989. He then attended the University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University School of Law) and graduated in 1993. While in law school, Mr. Liss worked for the Civil Torts Division of the State of Washington Attorney General's Office. After law school, Mr. Liss returned to California and settled in the Coachella Valley to start his own law practice, deciding early in his legal career to focus his practice on family law.
Mr. Liss is a devoted husband who loves to help his wife with her passion for baking and gardening. He is also a proud father of his incredible son, who is a graduate of Desert Christian Academy in Bermuda Dunes. Mr. Liss is encouraged by his faith and leads a local recovery ministry.
Mr. Liss now brings his extensive experience in family law to Hughes & Hughes adding his expertise to an already existing team of dedicated professionals.
April Chriss
April Chriss grew up in various parts of the country but when arrived in San Diego to attend Miramar College, she became a confirmed Southern Californian. April received an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from San Diego Miramar College. While at Miramar, April simultaneously received her Paralegal Certificate and graduated with honors from the ABA approved program.
April then transferred to Palomar College where she received an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Communication. April continued her studies at California State University San Marcos working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication.
April has been working as a Family Law Paralegal since 2017 and is very passionate about her job and her clients. Her work experience assisting attorneys in family law has ranged from dissolution, pre and post- marital agreements, child custody as well as adoption and guardianship issues. April is a passionate animal lover and a yoga, body boarding and volleyball enthusiast. She makes her home in the Palm Springs area with her husband.
Sharla Harris
Sharla Harris was raised in the Coachella Valley and received her Bachelor of Art’s Degree from California State University Stanislaus in 2017 where she majored in Legal Studies with a minor in Psychology.
While at CSUS, Sharla was awarded an internship by the Criminal Justice Department with CRLA, a non-profit law firm that provides free legal services to the indigent community. She also became a member of Phi Mu, a female fraternal organization that empowers women to discover their full potential by having the opportunity to get involved in leadership, educational and philanthropic events.
Before joining Hughes and Hughes, Sharla worked as a Legal Administrative Assistant for a civil litigation law firm in Palm Springs in a practice covering areas such as personal injury, motor vehicle accidents and construction defect matters. Her work there consisted of managing client intakes, and assisting the attorney with all aspects of client representation, including trial preparation.
She is passionate and takes pride in aiding those individuals in need of a helping hand. Her enthusiasm, faith and passion in family law encourages to pursue her career within the legal field in hopes to practice law in the future.
In her personal life, Sharla enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys being an unofficial food critic whenever she has the time to travel or explore new places. Sharla is also fluent in Spanish and frequently acts as the firm’s translator when needed.
Thomas Saltarelli
Thomas R. Saltarelli, a highly rated lawyer, holding a very high ethical standard, in the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, was born in Pennsylvania in 1947. Mr. Saltarelli is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, having been conferred a Bachelor of Science degree in finance in 1969. Following his graduation from Penn State, Mr. Saltarelli attended the Naval Officer Candidate School. Thereafter he was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and during his four-year tenure, served two active tours of duty in Vietnam. Mr. Saltarelli left the United States Navy as a Lieutenant in 1972 and went to work for American Hospital Supply Company in Irvine, California. Thereafter, Mr. Saltarelli became the president of Dacion Corporation, a business marketing and financial services consulting group. Simultaneously, Mr. Saltarelli attended business school at the University of Southern California, earning his Master of Business Administration in 1974. He commenced his legal career following his graduation from Western State University College of Law and became a member of the State Bar of California in 1981 and the Bar of the District of Columbia in 1992.
Mr. Saltarelli has memberships in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Judicial Circuit and the United States District Courts of the State of California (Central and Southern). Mr. Saltarelli is also a member of the American Bar Association, previously in the California Trial Lawyers Association, and the Orange County and Desert Bar Associations. Mr. Saltarelli is recognized as a real estate specialist and he has developed an expertise in general business, business and real estate litigation, as well as real estate development, real estate and corporate transactional matters, and governmental relations. He has governmental and public service experience serving twice as Mayor of the City of Tustin, California during his eight years on its City Council, as a Director of the Orange County Sanitation District, and as the Vice-Chairman of the Orange County Fire Authority. While serving on the Tustin City Council, he directed the governmental closure aspects of the Marine Corps Air Station, Tustin. Mr. Saltarelli serves on numerous corporate boards of director, and was previously the Chairman of the Board and President of Veterans Park Conservancy, a non-profit based in West Los Angeles, California. Mr. Saltarelli was elected to the Board of Directors of Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation in Washington D.C. (Now known as Veterans for America) and served in that capacity for several years.
