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WLALA Awards & Installation Dinner
September 13, 2024
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WLALA Awards & Installation Dinner - September 13, 2024
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President's Message by Noelle Natoli
- WLALA Foundation 2023-2024 Report
- WLALA 2024 Fall Golf League
- WLALA Hike - October 26, 2024
- Photos: Conversations in Community: Meet-and-Greet Series Featuring LGBTQIA+ Leaders
- Photos: MCBA Summer Mixer
- Photos: Judge Hong’s Investiture
- All the Things You Can Do to Get out the Vote
- Announcement: WLALA Board Member Jessica Walker
- Welcome New Members!
- Local Bar Calendar
- NCWBA September Member Program - September 10-11, 2024
- POWER Act Panel & Tribal Leaders and Tribal Judges Reception
- IWIRC Can You Hear Me? An Intimate Conversation on the Importance of Owning Your Voice
- APAWLA's Annual Reception - September 19, 2024
- CAALA's Women in Law Summit - September 20-21, 2024
- BWL's Annual Installation and Awards Gala - September 28, 2024
- LLBA's Annual Awards and Scholarship Dinner - October 4, 2024
- LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of LA: Emotional Intelligence for Attorneys - October 6, 2024
- Community Lawyers, Inc.'s Justice Jam - October 18, 2024
- Judicate West's D&I Scholarship Program
- Power Lunch Program Sponsorships Available
- Contribute to the WLALA Newsletter
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Noelle Natoli
WLALA President 2024-2025
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As I ascend into the role of President of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, I am both honored and humbled. As I accept this role, I reflect on the journey that has brought me here — 25 years of advocating for justice as a litigator, and a lifetime of striving to be the light for others, as so many have been for me.
I am forever grateful to the mentors and trailblazers who have shaped my path. Reverend Charles Rhodes, Reverend Cecil Williams, and Dr. Maya Angelou, whose words and actions have been a compass for me. Dr. Cornel West has reminded us that “justice is what love looks like in public,” and this conviction has guided my work, especially in advocating for those whose voices are often unheard. To Hilary Clinton and Michelle Obama — your strength, grace, and unwavering commitment to equality have been beacons of light in my own journey.
The theme for our gala, “Lights! Camera! Action!” is not just a call to action but a way of living. It is a reminder that we are responsible for guiding, inspiring, and uplifting others in all that we do. Being the light means setting an example, showing others that it is possible to do better, to lead with empathy and compassion, and to champion justice for all. We must guide those around us, especially the next generation of women in law, to be fearless, to be the light in their own right, and to use that light to dismantle the darkness of inequality.
As I take on this presidency, my focus will be on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for individuals who are differently-abled and neurodiverse. Too often, these voices have been overlooked in our profession, but that must change. Our legal system is at its best when it is truly representative of the people it serves. This association will work to ensure that the doors of opportunity are wide open for all, no matter their abilities or challenges. We will actively foster a culture of inclusivity and belonging, not just in word but in action, because as Dr. Maya Angelou so beautifully said, “When you know better, you do better.”
This is not a task for one person. It is a collective effort, one that I invite each of you to join. Together, we will be the light that ignites real change in our legal system. We will break down barriers and ensure that everyone, regardless of who they are, feels seen, heard, and valued. We will challenge the status quo and build a future where the legal profession reflects the diversity of the world around us. I believe in our power to do this. I believe in us. And I know that together, we will leave a lasting legacy of progress.
In closing, I want to leave you with the words of Dr. Cornel West: “You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you don't serve the people.” I am ready to serve, to lead, and to be the light. Let us shine together.
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WLALA Foundation 2023-2024 Report | |
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WLALA Foundation celebrates the end of an impactful board year with the publication of the 2023-2024 Annual Report. Foundation contributed nearly $100,000 to improve the status of women in the legal profession and community. Thank you to everyone who contributed to and sponsored WLALA Foundation programs and to the talented Executive Committee and Foundation Board. Together we advance WLALA’s mission. Here’s how:
WLALA Foundation advances WLALA’s mission of the full participation of women lawyers in the legal profession by awarding pipeline scholarships and fellowships. Congratulations to this year’s 11 recipients:
- Gisell Del Carmen, Chiamaka Ezeagbor, Rebekah Hong, Rachel Morrow, Maryam Samimi – RBG Scholarship Recipients
- Nicole Fleming & Natalie Marroquin – Beverly Reid O’Connell Power Lunch Scholarship Recipients
- Stephanie Diaz – Harriett Buhai Fellow (new program in 2024!)
- Holly Reynolds – Fran Kandel Fellow at Planned Parenthood of Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley
- Megan Halavi & Lydia Prislovsky – Inner City Law Center Fellows
Read the biographies of WLALA Foundation Scholarship and Fellowship recipients on the WLALA webpage or in the WLALAPalooza Event Book here. WLALA Foundation also mentored hundreds of students through Power Lunch programs, filmed notable Los Angeles women attorneys for the History Project, and hosted an incredible WLALApalooza fundraiser and summer social.
WLALA Foundation advances WLALA’s mission to improve the status of women by their exercise of equal rights, equal representation and reproductive choice through contributions of time and money to community organizations. In the 2023-2024 board year, WLALA Foundation made significant monetary contributions to the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law and Downtown Women’s Center. WLALA Foundation also offered public service opportunities through the LA Food Bank during Food from the Bar, Downtown Women’s Center cooking club, Inner City Law Center’s eviction defense pro bono clinic, and the domestic violence project.
Thank you for using your power of time and money through WLALA Foundation to advance women in the community and women in the legal profession.
Sarah Quist
WLALA Foundation President 2023-2025
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WLALA 2024 Fall Golf League | |
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Conversations in Community
A Meet-and-Greet Series Featuring LGBTQIA+ Leaders
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THE LOS ANGELES SISTER BAR'S WEBINAR "ALL THE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO GET OUT THE VOTE" HOSTED BY SABRINA ASHJIAN, PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S POLITICAL CAUCUS | |
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"All the Things You Can Do to Get Out the Vote" webinar, hosted by the Los Angeles Sister Bars on August 23, 2024, educated and reminded us on actions we can take to get out the vote. Below is a list of the organizations that the speakers referenced, and a link to the recording if you'd like to share or view.
The November 6 elections will be historic from the presidential level down to your city council. More women than ever are poised to be elected, reducing the gender gap in U.S. politics -- women make up only 28% of the U.S. Congress and 32.7% of State Legislatures. As WLALA's recent speakers from National Women Political Caucus and Register Her explained, there are many ways you can register and activate voters to participate in elections:
1. Write postcards: Vote Forward (https://votefwd.org) will connect you with a campaign and provide detailed instructions.
2. Phone banking: Go to www.mobilize.us and find out the upcoming dates for events in your area where you can call voters.
3. Canvassing: Connect with local groups organizing door-to-door outreach! www.mobilize.us will allow you to identify canvassing events in your neighborhood.
4. Days of action: Celebrate National Voter Registration Day on September 17! Go to https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/ for resources for planning your own event.
5. Social media strategies: The American Association of University Women has tips and a video on how to craft a successful social media campaign that gets women registered to vote: https://www.aauwaction.org/voter-registration/get-out-the-vote-using-social-media/
6. Support voting rights organizations: Register Her is focuses on registering women voters and boosting women’s participation in the electoral process (www.registerher.org). And find local organizations like Mi Familia Vota (https://www.mifamiliavota.org/es/).
7. Join up with your local chapter empowering women to vote: Join your local National Women Political Caucus chapter with locations all throughout California including San Fernando Valley, LA Westside, LA Metro, Pasadena, San Gabriel Valley, and Orange County. They'll be hosting get out the vote canvassing and phone-banking events throughout the election season with their pro-choice endorsed candidates at the local, state, and congressional level. To join or connect, reach out to Sabrina Ashjian, president of the CA chapter at president@nwpcca.org or go to www.nwpcca.org.
Recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/_R7ykG0iwiWbi-IxuhUCnVUTlPPnBMCeOKmstxCDDCERnS8HjOL2d-4TRmzRMYtz.EDbrIVI4IgynIphY
Passcode: @Kca+a!3
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WLALA Foundation Board Member
Jessica Walker Recognized in
2025 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
|  |  | WLALA is pleased to announce that WLALA Foundation Board Member JESSICA WALKER, who joined THEODORA ORINGHER PC on May 8, 2024, has been recognized as an honoree in 2025 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, in Commercial Litigation. Jessica represents individuals and organizations large and small across a variety of industries and focuses on helping her clients crystalize the key issues they are facing and craft strategies to accomplish their goals, in and out of litigation. Prior to joining Theodora Oringher, Jessica was an associate with Foley and Lardner LLP where she represented clients in unfair competition, copyright infringement, breach of contract, business tort, product liability, warranty, consumer protection, false advertising, and other litigation matters before federal and state courts and arbitral bodies. Jessica was previously an associate at Nixon Peabody LLP, where she represented museums in art ownership disputes, after beginning her career at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. She is experienced in running cases start to finish and advising clients on high level strategy to ensure litigation meets their business needs while also providing counseling on means to avoid litigation. Jessica is a graduate of the University of Southern California Gould School of Law where she was the 2007 Frank Rothman Scholar, recipient of the three-year, full tuition scholarship granted to one student each year, selected through a competitive essay submission and interview. Jessica also served as a judicial extern for Judge Gary R. Klausner in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Jessica serves on the Board of Governors for the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. |  | |
Welcome to Our New Members | |
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Jackie Abellada
Aareen Armani
Marcia Augburger
Danyelle Baldwin
Sharon Bautista
Eshu Bhambra
Destini Blunt
Cori Bratby-Rudd
Zoey Brown
Camille Burg
Nicole Allyson Cremat
Destinee Dickson
Julianne Feuchter
Lola Forbes-Black
Madeleine Hart
Katherine Henrikson
Chloe Jasper
Alexandra Jernigan
Shadi Kardan
Svetlana Klavdienko
Nicolette Malinoff
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Kamilah McMillon
Elisha Meehan
Marni Merritt
Renee Moulton
Erika Perez
Vitoria Philips
Madelaine Pisani
Ioana R Raducu
Nakiima Reid
Jacqueline Rivas
Ayah Sarsour
Manal Shaikh
Jennifer Smith
Morgan Smith
Linda Sun
Tina Toonian
Irina Trasovan
Amanda Wilbur
Pasqualle Yamakawa
Veronica Zuniga Lopez
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We are excited to invite all NCWBA Member Associations to join us on September 10th and 11th for NCWBA's quarterly membership program: "How to Accomplish Officer and Director Best Practices"
Whether you're new to a leadership role or a seasoned officer, this program is designed to provide you with essential tools and strategies to effectively guide your organization.
Our esteemed speakers, Sheila Abron, NCWBA Immediate Past President, and Brett Callahan, VWAA Past President, will share their extensive experience and insights on best practices for officers and directors. You'll gain actionable advice that can help you navigate the challenges of leading a bar association.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from two accomplished women bar leaders and to connect with other NCWBA members who share your commitment to advancing women in the legal profession. We encourage you to attend and take advantage of the valuable knowledge and networking this program offers.
Don't miss this chance to connect with fellow women bar leaders in a dynamic virtual meeting. Reserve your spot today for either September 10, 2024, at 12:00 PM ET or September 11, 2024, at 4:00 PM ET.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Please click below to reserve your spot in either the September 10, 2024 meeting
at 12:00pm ET or the September 11, 2024 meeting at 4:00pmET.
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If you have questions about any of the above events or programming, please email info@ncwba.org. | |
Emotional Intelligence for Attorneys | |
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1 hour Civility MCLE
October 9, 2024
Where: Zoom (instructions will be emailed to registrants before event)
Time: 12-1pm (presentation starts promptly at 12pm)
1 hour of Civility MCLE credit will be provided.
The LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of LA with the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Diversity in the Profession Section is proud to offer this highly-informative MCLE to our members & friends. Whether it’s building professional relationships with colleagues, co-counsel, or clients, adapting to changes in procedure, or working through difficult depositions, hearings, or client meetings, emotional intelligence can help you conduct yourself with civility in the legal profession . . . and be happier in it! This interactive class will not only explore the link between emotional intelligence and the skills needed for successfully performing as an attorney with civility but also help you gain insights into your impact on others and obstacles to an accurate self-perception. It will also identify techniques for applying emotional intelligence to everyday occurrences.
Attendance is FREE to active LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of LA and LACBA DIP Section members and members of sibling LGBTQ+ Lawyer organizations, and only $20 for non-members (it pays to be a member!).
Presented by David Alan Perkiss (he/him/his).
Online registration WITH BAR NUMBER is required to attend and obtain MCLE Credit. This class is eligible for 1.0 hour of MCLE civility credit. (Civility is a new subfield requirement, starting for the compliance period ending January 31, 2025.) The LGBTQ+ Bar Association of Los Angeles is State Bar of California MCLE provider. Zoom info & Materials will be emailed to registrants in advance for your printing/viewing needs.
If you need more information please contact the MCLE Committee at: MCLE.LGBTQPlusLawyersLA@gmail.com
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Apply for Judicate West's
D&I Scholarship Program
Judicate West’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee is excited to share an initiative we believe will make a significant impact on fostering diversity and inclusion within the legal profession broadly and the ADR sector specifically. We are offering a full scholarship for two individuals from underrepresented communities to attend the internationally top-ranked Mediation Training Program at Straus Institute at Straus Institute at Pepperdine University in Malibu.
Application deadline:
September 1, 2024
Selection notification:
October 30, 2024
Program participation:
Scholarship recipients can attend either of the biannual training dates, within three years of being selected.
Why Now?
In the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) community, there is an overall need to represent and reflect the people we serve. As a leading firm in this space, we want to positively impact this gap.
This scholarship award was created with the vision of fostering a more inclusive legal community of ADR practitioners. Our scholarship program aims to provide financial support to professionals who have demonstrated a passion for litigation, a dedication to inclusiveness, a strong interest in developing a career as an ADR practitioner, and a consistent commitment to excellence.
What's Covered?
The scholarship covers registration to the internationally top-ranked Mediation Training Program at the Straus Institute at Pepperdine University in Malibu, as well as lodging and meals for the duration of the five-day course. Recipients will receive world-class instruction and also gain access to invaluable mentorship and networking opportunities within their educational cohort as well as within our organization.
Who is Eligible?
Civil litigators who are active members of bar associations serving underrepresented communities, which include but are not limited to, individuals from minority racial and ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and others who have faced unique challenges in their pursuit of higher education. Please visit the scholarship web page, to view complete eligibility criteria.
Check Eligibility
Applications
Applicants should prepare a resume; a personal statement of up to 1,000 words that showcases their motivation for pursuing this scholarship, provides an overview of their career goals, and discusses how this scholarship will help them make a positive impact on society; and a letter of recommendation from an officer or board member in the bar group in which they serve.
Apply Now
Selection Process
A selection committee, comprised of accomplished ADR professionals from various backgrounds, will meticulously review applications and select the winning candidate. The 2024 scholarship awardee will be notified by October 30, 2024.
Questions?
Rosemarie Drohan
Executive Vice President of Business Development
Judicate West
rosemarie@judicatewest.com
800-488-8805
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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.
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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@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 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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