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NEWSLETTER

September 2025

Dear Members and Friends,

I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued dedication to our mission of service, advocacy, and excellence within the legal community. This month, I’m reaching out with two critical initiatives that exemplify the Langston spirit of sowing seeds.

1. Urgent Need for Volunteer Attorneys – Sow. Sign. Secure Tour for Free Wills

The Sow. Sign. Secure. Tour has been extraordinary. We are experiencing an overwhelming number of individuals signing up to obtain a free will, power of attorney, who are in need of other essential estate planning services. The outpouring of need is both humbling and urgent.

This demand is a testament to the trust our community places in us and the vital role Langston continues to play in protecting and empowering families.

If you’re available to volunteer, please sign up below. Even an hour of your time can go a long way:

→Click Here

2. Wildfire Relief Gift Card to Members

The victims of the wildfires remain in our thoughts and prayers. We stand with all those affected during this difficult time. Langston will be donating $100 gift cards to current Langston members and Lifetime Members impacted by the devastation. This program is part of our continued commitment to addressing urgent needs where we can.

If you or someone you know has been affected and meets the eligibility criteria, please apply using the link below (see the below Newsletter for further details):

→Click Here

Also, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in our first Members Retreat. It was a resounding success and nothing short of amazing! The energy, the connections, and the experiences were truly unforgettable. If you missed this year’s retreat, start gearing up for next year, where there will be even more top notch experiences, deep connections, and opportunities to build longstanding relationships.

Lastly, on October 11, 2025, we are proud to induct an extraordinary group of honorees into the Langston Hall of Fame. Tickets are going fast and we look forward to celebrating our inductees with you.

Let’s continue to show up for one another—both in our professional commitments and in our compassion.

With solidarity,

Tatianna Y. Metters Scurlock, Esq.

President, John M. Langston Bar Association

Sowing Seeds

Board Member Spotlight

This month's Board Member Spotlight:

— Almuhtada Smith, Esq. —

Almuhtada Smith is currently the principal attorney with ARS Counsel, P.C. With over a decade of legal experience, Almuhtada handles complex transactional matters providing counsel to various start-up enterprises, entertainment professionals, venture-backed companies, and family-owned businesses. His service areas of expertise include managing intellectual property, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, e-commerce, and corporate governance.

(Read More)

Congratulations to

Charlene Usher for receiving the President's Award and to Shumika T. R. Sookdeo for receiving the Outstanding Attorney Award at the Richard T. Fields Bar Association Installation Gala.

Langston Bar Association – Wild Fire Relief Gift Card Donation

The Langston Bar Association is donating a $100 gift card to support current members who have experienced the complete loss of their primary residence due to fire.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a current 2025 member of the Langston Bar Association.
• Only one gift card per residence/household.
• The home must have been completely destroyed resulting in a complete structure of the home being lost to fire that requires a full rebuild.
• The home must have been the member's primary residence.
• Partial damage (e.g., smoke or water damage) does not qualify.
• Deadline to Apply: October 15, 2025.

Applications must be submitted by October 15, 2025.

Gift cards will be mailed directly to the address provided.

Note: Funds are limited and gift cards will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

1st Annual Members Retreat

— SAVE THE DATE —

Co-Sponsored Event

The Passing of Former Judge Albert D. Matthews

Passed at 102 years of age

We remember and honor Judge Albert Matthews, a distinguished 1995 Langston Hall of Fame Inductee. A memorial service celebrating his life and legacy will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Second Baptist Church of Los Angeles (2412 Griffith Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011).

CalCareers - The California Secretary of State

• Attorney III

Natural Resources Defense Council

• Attorney

Lionsgate Careers

• Music Attorney, Business & Legal Affairs

Law Offices of Rosetta E. Broomfield

• Inhouse Landlord/Tenant Attorney in Los Angeles Area

Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI)

• Senior Staff Counsel for CEQA and Land Use Attorney IV

ABA Commission on Disability Rights

• Law and Undergraduate Internship

Counts Law Firm

• Associate Attorney – Los Angeles, CA

Please visit our Job Posting page to view further!

To empower leadership, advance the professional development of its membership, and promote the administration of justice in the Black community and the community at large.

John M. Langston Bar Association

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