WLALA Newsletter: May 2021 |
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Thank You To Our Annual Sponsors |
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President's Message
By Jessica Kronstadt
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Margaret Cho said, “The power of visibility can never be underestimated.” May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to commemorate and reflect on remarkable Asian Pacific American (APA) trailblazers who have left enduring legacies. In the 1970s, Jeanie Jew, a former congressional staffer, approached Representative Frank Horton with the idea of designating a month to recognize Asian Pacific Americans. In June 1977, Representatives Horton, and Norman Y. Mineta introduced a United States House of Representatives resolution to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. A month later, Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both resolutions designated May for two reasons: (1) On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrant arrived in the United States; and (2) On May 10, 1869, Chinese laborers drove the golden spike into the First Transcontinental Railroad. On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution for the celebration. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a bill passed by Congress to extend Asian Pacific American Heritage Week to a month. In 1992, May was officially designated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. In May 2009, the name “Asian Pacific American Heritage Month” officially changed to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month when President Barack Obama signed Proclamation 8369.
To read the rest of Jessica's President Message, please CLICK HERE.
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SAVE THE DATE!
WLALApalooza
June 3, 2021
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Legislation 10: Understanding the Legislative Process and How You Can Get Involved
On April 15th, Sabrina Ashjian spoke about the anatomy, life cycle and tracking of a bill.
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WLALA Postcard Designed by Polk Paper |
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WLALA President Jessica Kronstadt has donated these beautiful postcards, which were specially designed for WLALA by Schuyler Polk of Polk Paper and Grace Cope. Only a limited number of sets of these postcards are available and the sets may be purchased HERE.
All proceeds will benefit the WLALA Foundation.
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Applications for 2021-2022 WLALA Board Members
are Now Open!
WLALA is accepting board applications for the 2021-2022 year. If you are interested in applying, please CLICK HERE. Applications are due May 31, 2021.
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5 Reasons to Volunteer at the Sojourn
WLALA Domestic Violence Legal Clinic
By Jill Piano, WLALA Chair of WLALA Sojourn Legal Clinic
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“Whatever the community organization, whether it’s a women’s organization, or fighting for racial justice, you will get satisfaction out of doing something to give back to the community that you never get in any other way.”
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Have you ever thought about volunteering at the Sojourn WLALA Legal Clinic for victims of domestic violence a few hours a month? If so, it’s now easier than ever, as we are conducting the clinic using Zoom; this makes it possible for you to volunteer for the clinic from your home or office. Most volunteers are not family law attorneys, the questions vary from issues related to domestic violence, landlord tenant, immigration, bankruptcy, employment, criminal, and other areas as well as simple procedural questions. The answers are often just common sense and don’t require specialization. There is staff present to offer backup and support. IT IS ONLY A 90-MINUTE COMMITMENT AND WE GIVE GENERAL ADVICE AND REFERRALS.
5 Reasons Why I Love Volunteering at the Sojourn WLALA Clinic
I have been a volunteer for over ten years and I want to share the five top reasons why I love the experience:
1. Time Commitment
Volunteering at the Sojourn Clinic could not be easier to fit into your schedule. The clinic only requires a maximum ninety-minute time commitment per month and a pinch hit when needed. You are not expected to take on cases for representation, as this is an advice only clinic. There is NO homework involved outside the time of the scheduled clinic. As the Clinic is now being held on ZOOM, you can volunteer from the comfort from your home or office.
To read the rest of this article, please CLICK HERE
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Food from the Bar Goes BIG in 2021 |
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Spurred by the unprecedented need created by a year of the Covid-19 pandemic, Food from the Bar is going bigger and better this year. Food from the Bar is an annual campaign in which members of the legal community support the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank by raising funds, donating food, and volunteering. WLALA has been a proud supporter of FFTB since its beginning more than a decade ago. This year’s campaign will run from April 15 through May 31.
The easiest way for WLALA members to support the campaign is by making a monetary donation HERE. News coverage has shown how the coronavirus is disproportionately affecting lower-income communities, and putting an extra burden on families with children. You have probably seen the long lines of cars waiting to receive a food package that these families hope will get them through the week. One in five people faces food insecurity in Los Angeles County. Every dollar raised results in four meals going out into the community. This year, more than ever, your help is needed to feed hungry children in our own neighborhoods.
To read the rest of this article, please CLICK HERE.
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Wonderfully funny, WLALA attorney Sharen Ghatan will take us through a night of virtual laughter with comedy giants while Shaker&Spoon covers the bar. All proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank where every $1 donated provides enough food for 4 meals to feed hungry children, seniors and families throughout Los Angeles county.
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Please join us at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
on
Saturday, May 15th
9 am to 12 pm
You will be assembling produce bags for our children's program.
The minimum age requirement to participate is 18 (sorry, no exceptions)
Please click on the link below to register:
Thank you for your support!
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Do You Follow WLALA on Social Media?
Take a moment now to add us so that you can keep up to date on the latest, and please tag us when you post about WLALA events!
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WLALA Foundation's
2021 Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship
Application Deadline: June 30, 2021
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The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) Foundation is pleased to offer the 2021 Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a woman high school senior, who is interested in the field of law or public service, and who was inspired in this career choice by the WLALA Foundation’s Power Lunch Program, the WLALA organization, or by a WLALA leader. Judge O’Connell, who was long-time board member of WLALA, created the Power Lunch Program to provide civic education, judicial mentorship and exposure to the judicial branch to local high school students. As part of the Power Lunch Program, students come to courthouses to have lunch with judges, lawyers, courtroom staff and members of law enforcement. The recipient of the 2021 Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship will receive up to $5,000 and be announced publicly at the WLALA Installation Dinner in September 2021, which recipients are required to attend.
For more information and to apply, please CLICK HERE.
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Local Bar Scholarships, Grants and Fellowships |
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LGBT Public Interest Scholarship Program
This scholarship is aimed at recent law students and/or law school graduates studying for the Bar who are either LGBTQ+ or who will be working in the LGBTQ+ space doing public interest work which may include, but not be limited to, working for Community Based Organizations (“CBO’s”); Non-Governmental Organizations (“NGO’s); policy work in a governmental and/or non-governmental setting; doing academic research, teaching or the like; or any other type of program that helps to promote and protect the Rule of Law and the civil and human rights of LGBTQ+ persons.
The Scholarship will provide financial support to a first, second or third year law student, or recent law graduate to enable the student or recent law graduate to work in the LGBTQ+ public interest arena.
For more information and to apply, please CLICK HERE.
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LAFLA Equity & Inclusion Fellowship
The LAFLA Equity and Inclusion Fellowship program is designed to empower law students who have been traditionally underrepresented in law schools, and who are culturally, ethnically, or racially diverse. Through an application process, LAFLA will award up to five $7,500 Fellowships to law school students who choose to spend their summer at LAFLA.
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Get to Know the Board: Cat Zhang
Each month, WLALA will feature a 2020-2021 WLALA Board Member so you can get to know more about her role within WLALA, her professional experience and her personal interests.
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CAT ZHANG is an associate in Sidley Austin LLP’s Century City office and is a member of the M&A and Private Equity practices. Prior to joining Sidley, Cat served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Christina A. Snyder of the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and was a pro bono fellow at Public Counsel, where she worked on impact litigation. Cat also participated in Sidley’s summer associate program in 2016.Cat earned her J.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law, where she was chief managing editor of the UCLA Law Review and editor-in-chief of the Dukeminier Awards Journal of Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Law. While in law school, she was a Masin Family Academic Excellence Award scholar. She received a B.A., magna cum laude, in psychology and political science from Wellesley College.
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Member News
WLALA USC Student Liaison Mirelle Raza was selected to the California Attorney Generals Honors Program. Congratulations, Mirelle!
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Complimentary WLALA Membership for WLALA's Local Sister Bar Organizations
WLALA is offering one complimentary year of membership to WLALA's local sister bar organization members at APAWLA, BWL and LLBA. Offer is good until December 31, 2021. Membership will be good for one year after you register.
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WLALA Membership for New Admittees and Law Students is FREE
WLALA offers free memberships to New Admittees (those who passed the bar less than a year ago) and Law Students. Don't forget to pass the word along and join today and see what WLALA has to offer!
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WLALA-LACBA's Podcast: 19th Amendment Speaker Series
There are a few ways to access the podcasts:
The Apple Podcasts page - If you have an iPhone/iPad you can open the show in the Podcasts app – you can subscribe so you’ll be alerted when each episode is released
This page will be updated by Tuesday each week with a player that allows you to listen to each episode from the webpage.
Spotify – you can listen in the Spotify App and website as well:
You can also find it listed on these other sites and may find a more convenient way to listen by checking them out.
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WLALA Webinar Recording's
WLALA webinars have been recorded and are available for purchase. To view all recordings, please CLICK HERE. Following the purchase, the recording will be sent via email. If MCLE credit applies, the materials will be sent after we receive zoom confirmation that the video has been viewed.
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iDepo will make a donation to WLALA if you schedule a court reporting or videotaped deposition with them as follows:
- $20 donation to WLALA for each court reporting services of at least 100 pages per day.
- $50 donation to WLALA for each videotaped deposition with at least 100 pages per day.
When scheduling, please email or call and mention Code WLALA. Email to [email protected] or call at 323-393-3768.
IDepo will send donations to WLALA within 90 days after receipt of payment of invoices.
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APAWLA Young Lawyers and Law Students (YLLS) is having an ongoing Resume Review Workshop. To participate you must be an active APAWLA member. Please send in a word copy of your resume and/or cover letter to [email protected]. You will be assigned an APAWLA board member who will review and suggest revisions in the document with track changes. The anticipated turnaround for feedback is one week. Please be sure to maintain prompt communication. This is an ongoing workshop open until the end of the pandemic.
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Upcoming Local Bar Events and News |
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CMPC Women of Color Conference + Counsel Connect |
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CMPC is having a virtual Women of Color Conference on May 20, 2021. The Counsel Connect program will feature 15 legal departments signed up to meet with WOC at law firms in multiple practice areas.
To register or learn how to get involved, please CLICK HERE.
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To view the rest of the local bar events and news, please CLICK HERE.
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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!
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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:
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New Members
Christine Park , Claire C. Weglarz, Kaitlyn O. O'Rinn, Jennie Woo, Jessica Bedol, Ariel Greenwood, Angela Izuel, Peggy Huang, Solange Fortenbach, Chantel Moreno, Jennifer A. Lobliner-Cortez (Lobliner), MaryBeth Heydt, Samantha M. Geraghty, Limei Yu, Kendra Thomas, KayCee Tessitore, Neda Khaja, Lucia J. Reuter, Shawnte Porchia, Darrelle M. Field, Aileen Kim, Stephanie Grimaldi, Kirra Jones (Jones), Melinda Sims (Porter), Lindsay Meisels, Bernadette M. Bolan, Dominique Quevedo, Ilina Bhor, Courtney Mendoza, Genevieve Leighton-Armah, Stefanie S. Robertson, Jennifer Karvunidis, Lilian G. Lopez-Zepeda, Raven McGuane, Rachel Enders, Adrienne L. Couraud, Danielle A. Wilkins, Dulce S, Rodas, M Prudence H. Hutton, Laura Moedano, Hayley M. Tharpe, Alexis Stroker, Grecia Perez, Hydee Feldstein Soto, Ysa Gomez-Gonzalez, Alexandria Ellison, Carina Miller, Nicole Matsuda, Ruth Burkhart, Alison M. Byrne, Mary Korkodian, Jamie Cooperman, Natashia Saunders (Harris), Olivia Dworkin, Marian Slocum, Kirsten Albrecht, Julia Bok, Michelle Groisman, Stephanie Dowds, Katelyn Marshall, Allison Hertog, Michele Weiss (Leichtman), Constance Chan, Beti Bergman, Jaden L. Zwick,
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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.
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz is hiring Full time associate for their litigation group in the firm’s Los Angeles office. For more information, please CLICK HERE.
Murchison & Cumming LLP has an opening for an Associate with a minimum of 3 years of experience in general liability and employment defense litigation in their Los Angeles office. For more information, please CLICK HERE.
Fox Rothschild LLP has an opening for a non-partnership track associate in the Labor & Employment Department in their Los Angeles office. For more information please, CLICK HERE.
Public Counsel seeks an experienced Senior Counsel to join the OUL team in litigating complex federal and state impact cases to promote civil rights and economic justice. For more information please, CLICK HERE.
Public Counsel is hiring a Supervising Staff Attorney (Shriver) in the Los Angeles area. For more information, please CLICK HERE.
Public Counsel is hiring a Supervising Staff Attorney in the Los Angeles area. For more information, please CLICK HERE.
Public Counsel is hiring a Staff Attorney in the Los Angeles county area. For more information please, CLICK HERE.
Fox Rothschild LLP has an opening for a trusts and estate planning associate in their Los Angeles Office. For more information please CLICK HERE.
Fragomen is hiring for a Business Immigration Associate. For more information, please CLICK HERE.
The IRS Office of Chief Counsel is hiring for GS12 to GS-14 attorneys. For more information, please CLICK HERE.
McGuireWoods is seeking junior-senior level Associates to join its Corporate & Private Equity department. For more information, please CLICK HERE.
Fragomen is hiring for a Business Immigration Associate. 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.
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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.
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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
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Do you follow WLALA on social media? |
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Take a moment now to add us so that you can keep up to date on the latest, and please tag us when you post about WLALA events!
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