• President's Message by Jeannine Taylor
• WLALA Foundation’s Charitable Fund Campaign
• Power Lunch Program Sponsorships Available
• WLALA video available: Gender Bias in the Courtroom
• Deadline Extended to Join BUILD by WLALA - February 12, 2024
• Event: Power Lunch Program - February 15, 2024
• Event: Women Supporting Women in Law: Advocates Note Adversaries - February 15, 2024
• Event: Mentor Jet program at Southwestern Law School - February 21, 2024
• Event: A Conversation with Black Women Bar Leaders - February 29, 2024
• Event: Paint and Sip For In-House Counsel - March 21, 2024
• Event: Celebrate Women's HerStory Month - March 28, 2024
• Event: Food From The Bar - Women's Bar Associations Volunteer Day - April 27, 2024
• Photo: LACBA Special Meeting of Bar Associations
• Photo: MCBA Unity Breakfast 2024 
• Photo: Power Lunch Program with Green Design STEAM Academy
• WLALA First Vice President Farah Tabibkhoei
• WLALA Foundation Board of Governors Member - Cristina Legaspi
• Welcome New Members!
• Local Bar Calendar
• WLALA Resources
• WLALA Foundation Scholarship/Fellowship Applications for Public Interest Law Students
• 2024 Judge Beverly Reid O'Connell Scholarship for High School Women - Applications due April 30, 2024
• Contribute to the WLALA Newsletter - Deadline is February 28, 2024

"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid."

-- Audre Lourde

As we enter Black History Month, WLALA is honored to pay tribute to our members who dare to be powerful, including Consumers Association of Los Angeles (“CAALA”) President Ibiere Seck and LMU Loyola Law School (“LLS”) Dean Brietta Clark (currently serving as Interim Dean, with the permanent appointment as the next Fritz B. Burns Dean to take effect June 2024).

For many women, our ascension to leadership is plagued with self-doubt. Internal questioning of “will I fit in” and “can I do a good job” is frequently exacerbated for women of color, especially in corporate workplaces that may cultivate systemic racism, classism, xenophobia, and other biases. These feelings, often labeled as “Imposter Syndrome”, are loosely identified by doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud.

Greer Bosworth, WLALA’s first Black president, encourages our members to recognize that they are never less than and that moments of discomfort, uncertainty and second-guessing do not create an imposter. Dominique Shelton-Leipzig, who followed in Greer’s footsteps as WLALA’s second Black president advises that “imposter syndrome is a debilitating and terrible label imposed on real-life accomplished professionals and we need to reject it. If you are reading this newsletter you have already surpassed numerous hurdles, making you stronger and more qualified than if your talents were just embraced. Own your value and know you belong. You are an imposter of nothing.” In this same vein, President Seck reinforced the significance of the role model she sets as the first Black woman to lead CAALA and calls on us all to, “Be who you are, show who you are, so others can be who, what and where you are.”

Although Dean Clark did not have the benefit of seeing herself in LLS leadership, she is cognizant of the impact she has on future students as the first Black woman to lead LLS in the University’s 103-year history. In a recent CBS interview she remarked, “I do hope the fact of my existence will help show someone, ‘Oh, actually. I can get that far. That looks like me. I can see myself there.’”  

The courage of these women to rise to leadership despite the absence of role models who look like them, is an act of service that brings life to the timeless words of Audre Lorde. As we honor our members who are the “first” of many, we encourage you to acknowledge your worth, applaud your accomplishments, and move forward with swagger.  

In your service,

Jeannine Taylor



WLALA President

WLALA Foundation Charitable Fund Campaign

The WLALA Foundation Charitable Fund Campaign concluded January 31st having raised $38,000 to support public interest law student scholarships and fellowships and our community affiliate organizations. Thank you for your contributions and generosity!

WLALA Foundation’s support of public interest minded students impacts not only these promising students but also the Los Angeles community. What an incredible impact we have together. Hear but one example of what a difference you make in the video below from 2023 WLALA RBG Scholarship Recipient Jacqueline Mejia-Cuellar. 

Although the Charitable Fund Campaign has concluded, additional contributions are always welcome. Donate below to increase our scholarship and fellowship awards forthcoming this spring. 

With gratitude,

Neelu Khanuja and Sungina J. Vachhani

WLALA Foundation Charitable Fund Co-Chairs

WLALA Foundation proudly announces Glaser Weil as Champion Sponsor of the Honorable Beverly Reid O’Connell Power Lunch. The Power Lunch Program provides civic education, judicial mentorship and exposure to the judicial branch to local high school students. 

WLALA video available:

Gender Bias in the Courtroom

Judges and litigators came together on January 19, 2024 to discuss gender bias in the courtroom. What followed was a frank discussion about how these women experienced and responded to instances of bias in their career. The panelists covered a lot of ground and they modeled how they successfully talked to attorneys and court staff about addressing these incidents. It was a moving discussion, and a wonderful opportunity to get to know these local leaders in our field. WLALA has decided to post this video for free viewing during the month of February. If you are a young attorney, we hope this discussion will help prepare you and let you know these women and WLALA are here to support you when you struggle with gender bias. If you are a seasoned attorney, you will feel a sense of recognition and validation watching these women bravely share their stories. Please watch, share with your network, and unite with WLALA in our efforts to address gender bias. Thank you to WLALA Membership Committee Co-Chairs Hon. Laura Siegle and Susan Yu (moderator) for organizing this event, Hon. Michelle Kazadi (moderator), Hon. Holly Fujie, Hon. Yvette Verastegui, Andrea Schoor and Vicky Ourfalian.

Deadline Extended to Join Build with WLALA

Did you miss the deadline to join WLALA’s business development accountability and networking group? Now’s your chance as we have a second sign up window for the next week. Build with WLALA is free to WLALA members. Attorneys will be matched in small groups from different practice areas, firm sizes, and experience levels. Events will also be hosted throughout the year (which may have fees associated with them). If interested, please fill out the survey by February 12, 2024. We hope you will join us.

If you are interested in sponsoring this upcoming or future Mentor Jet events, please contact us at info@wlala.org.

WLALA invites members to attend the upcoming event, "A Conversation with Black Women Bar Leaders." The event is open to members of BWL, CAALA and WLALA. Registration is required for those interested in attending.

This volunteer event is open to friends and family. The minimum age requirement is five (5) years old. No exceptions to the minimum age requirement, thank you.

LACBA Special Meeting of Bar Associations -January 25, 2024 

MCBA Unity Breakfast 2024 

Power Lunch Program with Green Design STEAM Academy on January 17, 2024

Congratulations

WLALA's First Vice President Farah Tabibkhoei 2024 Southern California Rising Stars List

Congratulations WLALA Foundation Board of Governors Member Cristina Legaspi for her appointment as a Judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court

Cristina Legaspi, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Legaspi has been Senior Deputy County Counsel in the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Office since 1999 and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law since 2022. She was an Associate at Weissman and Associates from 1998 to 1999 and at Ivie, McNeil and Wyatt in 1998. Legaspi earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Monica Bachner. Legaspi is registered without party preference.

National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) Training Video, Identifying Human Trafficking Victims in Justice Systems

January was the National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and this brief but information-packed video will allow judges and legal professionals to gain awareness that can have a profound impact on justice for human trafficking victims and survivors. 

Victims of human trafficking are hiding in plain sight – both in the world and in the cases that judges and the legal community may see in a courtroom. The 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report from the United States Department of State focused on the “grave and urgent concern, including the inequitable impact of human trafficking on vulnerable and marginalized populations.” The International Labour Organization estimates human trafficking to be a $150 billion global industry.

In under 40 minutes, this training will provide a primer on what human trafficking is and give important information on how to identify potential victims of human trafficking in administrative, criminal or civil cases. Speakers include federal and state criminal and civil judges, a juvenile/dependency judge, a prosecutor, a public defender, a Human Trafficking Task Force officer, a service provider, and victims/survivors. This training is a project of the National Association of Women Judges Human Trafficking Committee and aligns with the mission and priorities of NAWJ.

Welcome to Our New Members

Jeanette Alvarez

Alisha Ansari

Stacey Anthony

Dima Bazzi

Bairurth Borath

Tierra Boyd

Analuisa Bustamante

Darlene Cho

Vito Costanzo

Thomas Cotugno

Caitlyn Dillon 

Anna Dodge

Carson Dudick

Brian Fu

Liset Gonzalez

Erica Graves 

Vicki Greco

Linda Gross

Leslie Gutierrez

Isabel Hernandez

Lucy Hernandez

Esme Honan

Karyn Ihara

Glen Jonas

Abigail Jones

Cynthia Kao

Michaela Kemna

Michaela Kemna

Jeanette Laba

Anna Lee

Tiffany Li

Danielle K. Little

David Mannion

Nicole McLaughlin

Lindsey Miller

Joanne Osinoff

Jamie Otto

Heather Pickerell

Maria Possidente

Destiny Salcido

Laura Schwartz

Hon. Gabriela Shapiro

Nattalia Sinclaire

Carolyn Small

Samantha Sosa

Yutinng Su

Esther Ro

Thanh Ton

Hon. Yvette Verastegui

Jessica Wahl

Julie Waterstone

Chloe Wigul

Helen Yang

ABA Opportunity for Young Lawyers

The ABA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is looking for a young lawyer to serve as the YLD’s Liaison to the ABA Law Practice Division (LPD). This position is an amazing networking opportunity, where the Liaison will represent YLD’s interests at LPD’s meetings approximately three times yearly, presenting an opportunity to explore leadership and relationships in both ABA Divisions, and gaining exposure to national discussions about ongoing and emerging law practice issues. The Liaison is encouraged to attend LPD Fall, Midyear, and Spring meetings, and to serve on the LPD’s Council (though Liaison is also welcome and encouraged to attend other LPD committee meetings of interest). This position may also be appointed to serve as Chair of the YLD Law Practice Committee, leading YLD discussion and programming in the Law Practice Management area. The position is open to young lawyer ABA members (up to 10 years in practice or 36 years of age). Time commitment is approximately 5 hours per month on the LPD side.  

VOLUNTEER MOCK TRIAL JUDGES NEEDED!

UCLA’s Undergraduate Mock Trial Program seeks volunteer judges, attorneys, or law students to serve as Presiding Judges or Scoring Judges for the only two Los Angeles area collegiate mock trial tournaments of 2024. Both tournaments will be in person:

The 2024 Opening Round of the National Championship on March 9-10, 2024

Please read the information below and sign-up to volunteer one of two ways:

1. Register as a volunteer judge at the following link: 

                      Mock Trial Volunteer Judge Registration Link

1. Contact Tournament Director Addison Harms at uclainvite@gmail.com.

General Mock Trial Program Information

The UCLA Mock Trial Teams participate in the American Collegiate Mock Trial Association program. Over 700 teams from colleges around the nation compete by presenting the Plaintiff or Defense side of a civil or criminal case including Opening Statements, witness Direct & Cross Examinations and Closing Arguments. Students must follow the rules of evidence of the “State of Midlands” (an imaginary state that follows the Federal Rules of Evidence). Many California universities field teams at these tournaments, including UCLA, USC, Cal, Stanford, UCI, USCD, UCSB, Cal-Poly and the Claremont colleges. We will also have teams from around the United States.

2024 UCLA Tournaments Information

24 teams who won their Regional Championship Tournaments will compete at the March tournament. The students will present the Prosecution or Defense side in the criminal case of State v. ​Berkeley De La Porta/Poe Cameron. (a criminal case of aggravated robbery and assault at a high- society charity gala).

We seek attorneys, judges, and law students to volunteer as presiding and/or scoring judges at the trials. We try to accommodate your preference for serving as Presiding Judge (ruling on evidence & exhibits) or Scoring Judge. You may volunteer for more than one trial. Please share this flyer with other members of your firm or organization.

Volunteer Information

We strictly time the trials and trials will typically last 2.5 hours. We will provide volunteers with a link with case materials ahead of the trials. However, you need not prepare or read any documents in advance of the trials. One presiding judge (ideally should be an attorney or judge) will preside over each trial (as the bench officer overseeing the trial and making evidentiary rulings). Scoring judges evaluate and score the participants. The winning team is based on total points received from scores awarded for Openings, Closings, Examinations, and Witness Performances. We will outline these procedures at an online training session on the Thursday before each tournament (Mar. 7). There is no Pre-Trial hearing as in high school competitions.

If you volunteer, we will send you a confirmation e-mail and detailed tournament information about 2-3 weeks prior to the tournament. If you can serve as a volunteer for one or more sessions or rounds, please go to the registration link at Mock Trial Volunteer Judge Registration Link or contact Tournament Director Addison Harms at uclainvite@gmail.com. We appreciate your support!

Addison Harms - Tournament Director

Prof. Gonzalo Freixes - UCLA Mock Trial Faculty Advisor

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.

WLALA Needs Volunteers For Committees, Sections and Liaisons

Did you know that WLALA is run almost entirely by volunteers? If you're interested in participating in WLALA Committees, Sections or acting as a Liaison, visit our website to find out more and sign up now!

Contribute to the WLALA Newsletter

If you are interested in contributing an article or sharing member news, please reach out to Communications Officer Leana Taing at WLALA.communications@gmail.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 submission deadline for next month's newsletter is February 28, 2024.

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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