WLALA Newsletter: June 2020
Volume 25, No. 10
President's Message
by Jennifer Leland
Last week I was thinking about what I would say in my President’s Message. I mused about writing about week 11 of quarantine, but then Amy Cooper called the police on Christian Cooper for being Black and George Floyd died at the hands of police in broad daylight– just  weeks after the killings of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery made headlines – and our nation erupted with sadness and anger at the injustices that still exist. And, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic that has hit people of color harder than others. I realized that anything I was planning on saying would be trivial and inconsequential.

To view the rest of the President's Message, please CLICK HERE .
  WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES -
STATEMENT ON THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD

“ There comes a time when silence is betrayal .” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
​
The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) is deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and the many black individuals before them. WLALA expresses its sincere condolences to their families, friends and loved ones and hope that they can find strength, comfort and peace in this time of deep grief.

Last week, in Minneapolis, a video circulated showing the murder of George Floyd. WLALA stands with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who stated that the entire video is “wrong on every level…Being Black in America should not be a death sentence.”

WLALA cares deeply about fighting social injustice and racism in America. We are outraged and heartbroken at the senseless deaths and daily race-based harassment our members and others suffer, both in Los Angeles and across our country. We are committed to being part of the solution.
In the fight for an anti-racist world, we all have a responsibility to educate ourselves and to combat hate, discrimination and injustice done to our fellow humans. As an ongoing commitment, WLALA is creating and committing to an anti-racism plan. We may never be perfect, but we can, and we will do better every day.

We stand with our members and members of our Sister Bars against racism, because we know that we are stronger together. Today, we particularly acknowledge and stand in solidarity with our sister members of Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc. (BWL), the John M. Langston Bar Association, and other black bar associations. We are guided by the words of Michelle Obama:  “But if we ever hope to move past it [racism], it can’t just be on people of color to deal with it. It’s up to all of us—Black, white, everyone…to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own. It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy.” We accept the invitation.
Upcoming WLALA Events
COVID-19 News Updates

WLALA has created a COVID-19 page to inform our members of current news related to COVID-19. To view the page, please CLICK HERE .
COVID-19 Pro Bono Bank
Pro Bono Opportunities Needed! 

As our communities are experiencing significant impacts of the spread of COVID-19, we have a unique opportunity to support urgent legal needs and provide remote access to appropriate legal services. 

Please share any pro bono opportunities you’re aware of so WLALA can help with enlisting interested attorneys who are willing to donate their time and provide free legal services.

COVID Good News!
How about some good news for a change?

There have been A LOT of facts going around regarding COVID-19, and it would be great to hear “positive news” items to lift our spirits. If you know of any victories, good deeds, or items to celebrate, please share them with us to help spread the word throughout the WLALA membership. WLALA wishes you all the best and wants to remind everyone that our most important tool during times of panic and crisis is our mindset.
WLALA 2020-2021 Officer Ballot

Don't forget to vote for the 2020-2021 WLALA Officers. All ballots must be received by June 30, 2020.

  1. TO VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE, MARK AN “X” BY THE CANDIDATE’S NAME
  2. AFTER VOTING, PLEASE PLACE YOUR BALLOT IN A SEALED ENVELOPE, SIGN THE BACK OF THE ENVELOPE (IF YOUR SIGNATURE IS NOT LEGIBLE, PLEASE WRITE OUT YOUR NAME AS WELL) AND MAIL IT TO WLALA, 634 SOUTH SPRING STREET, SUITE 617, LOS ANGELES, CA 90014
  3. BALLOT MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 30, 2020 
  4. MUST BE A CURRENT WLALA ATTORNEY MEMBER TO VOTE.

To view the officer ballot, please CLICK HERE .
RECORDING: WLALA Webinar
Employment Law - Client Management for Both Plaintiff and Defense Attorneys - Stories of Success, Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned
WLALA webinar ' Employment Law – Client Management for Both Plaintiff and Defense Attorneys - Stories of Success, Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned ' on 5/8/2020 was recorded and is available for purchase. A link to the webinar will be emailed .  MCLE materials will be emailed once the video is viewed . For more details and to purchase, please CLICK HERE .
Recording WLALA Webinar
APPLYING FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRO & PERMANENT ORDER During the COVID Pandemic: An Attorney's and Judge's Perspective
WLALA webinar ' APPLYING FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRO & PERMANENT ORDER During the COVID Pandemic: An Attorney's and Judge's Perspectiv e ' on 5/26/2020 was recorded and is available for purchase. A link to the webinar will be emailed .  MCLE materials will be emailed once the video is viewed . For more details and to purchase, please CLICK HERE .
Recording WLALA Webinar
Coping in a Pandemic: A Conversation with Marisa Faynsod, LCSW
WLALA webinar ' Coping in a Pandemic: A Conversation with Marisa Faynsod, LCSW ' on 5/29/2020 was recorded and is available for purchase. A link to the webinar will be emailed . For more details and to purchase, please CLICK HERE .
Member News
LA Superior Court Commissioner and WLALA Board Member Maria Rivas Byrum (previously Maria Hamar) received with other court commissioners in the Valley and Pasadena area a special recognition from the San Fernando Valley Bar Association at is Annual Judges' Night Dinner held at the Warner Center Marriot on Feb. 27, 2020.  

Congratulations to WLALA Second Vice President/Treasurer and WLALA Foundation Treasurer Janet Hong who just accepted a position at Cheong Denove Rowell Bennett & Hapuarachy doing personal injury, medical malpractice, and civil rights cases.
Opinion: What's A Feminist to Do (about the Tara Reade-Biden Accusation)?

By: Former federal prosecuter & sex crimes prosecuter, ​ Julie A. Werner-Simon
​
(The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of WLALA or its members)

Enough with the glee, by some, suggesting that feminists are being “hoisted on their own petard” with respect to the Tara Reade-Biden accusation. There’s a cascade of commentary claiming that those who support women’s empowerment and the “Me Too movement” are being hypocritical, and that “woke” women are treating the sexual misconduct allegation against Biden differently than they have allegations against the president and other public figures. They are not. 
 
As a former federal prosecutor and an Alaska sex crimes prosecutor, I can attest that those urging Biden to lay low on the topic (even though he has emerged from his basement and denied the charge) recognize that these one-on-one sexual misconduct cases involving adult participants are rarely charged and are tough to prosecute. To further riff on Hamlet, here’s “the rub.” Women who care about each other, their communities, and the greater world, cannot ignore the fact that such “accusations” have not precluded others from securing either the presidency or Supreme Court appointments. With this as a backdrop, they also know the accusation against Biden is not disqualifying.

What’s a feminist to do?

To read the rest of this article, please CLICK HERE .
Loyola Law School Student Body Fundraiser
The Loyola Law School student body is raising money for its campus cafeteria workers. The fundraiser aims to raise $33,600 in hopes of providing the compensation they are missing due to the closure of campus. Donations may be made at this link:
Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and
WLALA Foundation Survey

We want to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to complete a survey to share what you care about and hope to see from your involvement in WLALA and the WLALA Foundation. All feedback is welcomed & is anonymous.

It can be completed on your phone or desktop via  https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/BUybSK.
 
Thank you.
Recipes of the Month

Most of us are doing a lot more cooking these days and we thought it’d be nice to bring you some of our members favorite recipes.  WLALA Board Member Hon. Sandra Klein is sharing some of her delicious recipes this month . Enjoy!
Upcoming Local Bar Events and News 

Womxn of Color Collective is having their 10th Anniversary Gala ' Bridge to the Stars ' on Friday, August 28, 2020. To register, please CLICK HERE . To view their sponsorship packet, please CLICK HERE .

To view the rest of the local bar events and news, please  CLICK HERE .
Request for Attorney Mentors for WLALA Law Student Mentor Program

Over 100 mentorship opportunities now available! Has a mentor impacted your career? 
 
Now is the time to pay it forward! WLALA has over 100 women law students seeking a mentor like you. 
 
CLICK HERE to show your interest and share how much time you’d be willing to commit, no amount is too small and the rewards are unlimited!
WLALA Networking Facebook Page
 
We are excited to announce that WLALA has created a Facebook page for members called WLALA Networking where you can connect with other members of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. You can join HERE . Please note that you must be a member to join. Before posting, please be sure to read the Rules and Guidelines here:
New Members

Alexandra Achamallah, Shayla Chavez, Nancy Y. Chen, Margo Sheri Estrada, Selene Estrada-Villela, Felicia Forman, Cassandra Franklin, Julianna Gesiotto, Chloe Graham, Caroline I. Gutierrez, Elizabeth Harrier, Amira Hasenbush, Tammy Hong, Tanling Nancy Hsu, Cyndi Huynh, Ava Issary, Alexandra Kennedy-Breit, Candice Klein, Delores Leal, Sara Levine, Silvia Luna, Arpeni Mael, Maria Markova Kaitlin Martinez, Bridget McCabe (Merritt), Dana Merluza, Kathleen Messinger, Tiana Murillo, Flora Mweseli, Erica M. Navarro, Jennifer Pesce, Elle Reed, Claire Sears, Victoria Spencer, Diane M. Tan, Ki Lin Tay, Gicel Tomimbang, Ngoc Vo, Samantha Zurcher.
WLALA Job Bank

Did you know that your WLALA membership allows you to access the WLALA Job Bank? The Job Bank has employment opportunities from different non-profit organizations and law firms. 

A prestigious law firm is looking to hire an experienced Bankruptcy/Restructuring Associate Attorney with AmLaw 100 law firm (bankruptcy) associate experience for their LA offices.  For more information, please CLICK HERE .

Jenesse Center, Inc. has an immediate opening for a Staff Attorney to provide direct legal services, including limited scope representation, to low income, un-served and underserved victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes, accessing Jenesse Center’s emergency shelter, transitional living, and drop-in programs. For more information, please CLICK HERE .

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California seeks to hire exceptionally talented attorneys from diverse backgrounds who wish to serve the public and the cause of justice by becoming Assistant United States Attorneys. For more information, please CLICK HERE .

 You must be a current member and logged into the website to view job postings. If you need help obtaining your username and password, please email   [email protected] . To view the WLALA Job Bank, please   CLICK HERE   and click on the Search Openings link in the upper left corner of the page. 
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.
 - WLALA Mission Statement
The WLALA newsletter is a publication of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. Contents do not necessarily reflect the views of WLALA. To advertise and for rates, contact the WLALA Office at (213) 892-8982. The newsletter welcomes articles, submissions and information about our members’ activities. For information about submissions to the WLALA newsletter, please contact Jeannine Taylor at [email protected] .