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WLALA President's Message by Farah Tabibkhoei
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WLALA Foundation Message by Anabel Sanchez
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Spill the Tea: Egg Freezing - August 27, 2026
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WLALA Awards and Installation Dinner - September 18, 2026
- The last 2025-2026 WLALA and WLALA Foundation Board of Governors Meeting at the Grace E. Simon Lodge
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WLALA Congratulates Nina Marino
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Volunteer with the WLALA Foundation Sojourn Clinic
- Welcome New WLALA Members!
- Local Bar Calendar
- MCBA 2026 Summer Reception - August 27, 2026
- 5th Annual Tee Up for Survivors Topgolf - August 20, 2026
- CAALA VEGAS - September 2026
- Power Lunch Program Sponsorships Available
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WLALA Needs Mentors for Law Students
- Career Center
- WLALA Webinar Recordings
- Contribute to the WLALA Newsletter
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Farah Tabibkhoei
WLALA President 2025-2026
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It has been a tremendous honor to serve as the 106th President of WLALA and I am so proud of all that WLALA has accomplished this past year. We started with the theme “Opening Doors of Opportunity” and manifested it whether it be supporting the endorsement of more than 40 candidates to the judicial bench, collaborating with Sister Bar organizations to fundraise for organizations to support and uplift survivors of domestic violence, or raising awareness to support efforts to protect reproductive rights and maintain the integrity and independence of the judiciary. This summer, we are delighted to present a free in-person program courtesy of HRC Fertility, on August 27, 2026, where physicians will spill the tea on egg freezing and answer your burning questions. Whether you’re thinking about starting a family some day or are simply curious about your options, we encourage you to attend.
Of course, none of WLALA’s programs would be possible without our members and the generous donations of our sponsors throughout the year. If you would like to support WLALA, I urge you to consider becoming an Annual Sponsor and, if you’re inclined, attend and/or become a sponsor of WLALA’s upcoming Installation and Awards Gala taking place on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood. Tickets and sponsorships are available here: 2026 WLALA Awards and Installation Dinner - WLALA. It promises to be an inspiring and enchanting evening as we honor The Women of Signature Resolution, Genie Harrison Law Firm, and Professor Catherine Lhamon, and install Jennie Wang VonCannon as WLALA’s 107th President as she takes the reins and leads WLALA to new heights. I hope to see you there.
With Gratitude,
Farah Tabibkhoei
WLALA President
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WLALA Foundation President
Anabel Sanchez
2025-2027
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WLALA Members,
I want to take this opportunity to thank each person who supported Foundation this year. Together, we were able to:
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Host a series of fundraisers to benefit the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law, Downtown Women’s Center, and Food from the Bar.
- Be the recipient of the LA Regional Food Bank’s “Creativity Award” for this year’s Dareoke Fundraiser.
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Charitable Fund gave the Board a strong start to our board year and collaborated with Kendra Scott during the holidays to meet its fundraising goal.
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Power Lunch met its fundraising goal and secured funding for its 2026–2027 events.
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WLALAPalooza surpassed its fundraising goal, making it one of the most profitable events of recent years.
- Our Fellowships introduced an organization stipend that provides funding to the host organization alongside the stipends provided to each fellow.
- Our Scholarship committees saw record-breaking submissions this year, showing that our financial support is desperately needed for scholars.
It was an amazing year, and it was successful because of our supporters who attended our events and donated to our causes. I want to send a special thank you to Amy Brantly and Sarah Quist, who moved out of state but continued to support Foundation from afar to ensure that our year was a success. Amy has been a part of the Board since 2010 and Sarah since 2013. Thank you, Amy and Sarah, for the years of dedication, support, and love for the next generation of attorneys.
I can’t wait to share the surprises we have in store for 2026–2027. See you at Installation!
Sincerely,
Anabel Sanchez
WLALA Foundation President
| | WLALA Sponsor Spotlight: JAMS | | THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS | WLALA Awards Dinner Sponsors | McDermott Will & Schulte LLP | The Last 2025-2026 WLALA and WLALA Foundation Board of Governors Meeting at the Grace E. Simon Lodge | | WLALA Congratulates Nina Marino | |
WLALA Member Nina Marino was appointed as the 76th Chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section for the 2026–2027 bar year.
Congratulations, Nina!
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5 Reasons to Volunteer at the Sojourn WLALA Legal Clinic
Have you ever thought about volunteering a few hours a month at the Sojourn WLALA Legal Clinic? The WLALA Sojourn Clinic takes place on Mondays from 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m and now it’s easier than ever – the clinic is conducted via Zoom, allowing you to volunteer from home or your office.
Volunteer lawyers are the backbone of the Sojourn WLALA Sojourn Legal Clinic. At the WLALA Sojourn Legal Clinic, volunteers help women navigate disputes related to domestic violence, landlord / tenant disputes, immigration, bankruptcy, employment, and criminal matters. Through their work, volunteers empower women experiencing hardship, offer hope during difficult moments, and work to reverse systemic injustices.
Clinic sessions are only a 90-minute commitment, and staff are always present to offer backup and support. While volunteering alongside a full-time job and family can feel daunting, the rewards are well worth it.
I’ve volunteered for many years, and here are a few reasons why I continue to do so:
- Broaden your experience. Volunteering allows you to practice in areas of law you may not encounter in your day-to-day work, offering fresh perspectives and professional growth.
- Build meaningful connections. The clinic is a great way to collaborate with other lawyers, expand your network, and form lasting professional and personal relationships.
- Grow your skills. Exposure to new fact patterns and real-life issues strengthens your legal judgment and broadens your knowledge.
- Find true fulfillment. Representing women who otherwise could not afford legal help is deeply rewarding and reminds us why we became lawyers.
- Support the next generation. For law students and newer attorneys, the clinic provides invaluable hands-on experience and can help shape future career paths.
At the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Sojourn Legal Clinic, we believe every woman affected by domestic violence deserves access to legal advice. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Jill Piano, Chair of the WLALA Sojourn Legal Clinic, at jillpianoesq@gmail.com or 310-954-9377. We would love to hear from you.
| | Welcome to Our New Members | | |
Leslie Abbott
Natalie Alvarado
Annie Banks
Paige Barella
Bria Blankumsee
Kayla Campbell
Jennifer Chen
Yinghua Chen
Jennier Contreras
Tonya Cox
Laurie DeYoung
Mary Esser
Stacey Garrett
Selina Gonzalez
Irina Hovhannisyan
Daphne Hsu
Lynette Jones
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Luwana Klarstrom
Sharlene Lee
Alexandra Markus
Natalie Muk
Emily Pincin
Angelina Prieto
Carmen Quineros
Robin Reikes
Sofia Rivera
Taylor Schulz
Diane Seong Hoo
Sharde Skahan
Holly Summers
Morgan Sylvia
Vera Zhao
Carol Zheng
| | Join us Labor Day weekend at Fontainebleau. Register now to secure your spot and get access to the hotel room block through your confirmation. | | |
WLALA Needs Mentors for Law Students
WLALA needs attorney mentor volunteers since our increased presence in the legal community has led to increased participation among local law schools. WLALA's Law Student Mentoring Program pairs law student members with lawyer members to encourage and facilitate the development of women law students. Mentors and mentees are matched based on interests and background where possible. The program is flexible; mentors and mentees choose when and how to stay connected with one another, whether through e-mail, telephone, in-person meet ups, or a combination. Many participants find that the one-on-one mentoring relationship becomes a long-term friendship.
| | Did you know that your WLALA membership allows you to access our exclusive Career Center? The Career Center has employment opportunities ranging from non-profit organizations to government employers to law firms. | | WLALA webinars have been recorded and are available for purchase. Following your purchase, access to the recording will be sent via email. If MCLE credit applies, the materials will be sent after we receive confirmation that the video has been viewed. | | Contribute to the WLALA Newsletter | | If you are interested in contributing an article or sharing member news, please reach out to WLALA Communications Chair, Kimberly Kamkar, at kkamkar@nossaman.com. Everyone loves to read about accomplishments, appointments, and promotions! Also, please do not forget to share photos or videos taken at WLALA events. We would love to share them in the newsletter and on our social media! | | The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles ("WLALA") promotes the full participation in the legal profession of women lawyers and judges from diverse perspectives and racial and ethnic backgrounds, maintains the integrity of our legal system by advocating principles of fairness and equality, and improves the status of women by supporting their exercise of equal rights, equal representation, and reproductive choice. | |
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| | 2025 WLALA and WLALA Foundation Board Retreat | | | | |
