• WLALA President's Message by Farah Tabibkhoei 
• WLALA Foundation President's Message - Anabel Sanchez
• WLALA Offers Complimentary Membership to Affinity Bar Members
• Volunteer with the WLALA Foundation Sojourn Clinic
• Stanley Mosk Power Lunch - June 16, 2026
• What You Want to Know About Mental Health Diversion in Domestic Violence and Family Law Cases - June 23, 2026
• Swearing-In Ceremony for New Members of the Bar - June 25, 2026
• Fuego Vista al Mar - June 26, 2026
• Save the Date: WLALA Awards and Installation Dinner - September 18, 2026
• Missed the Town Hall? Watch the Recording!
• Photos: New Member & Judiciary Mixer
• Photos: Survivor Justice Center: Bridge to Justice Gala 2026
• Photos: Dareaoke 
• Photos: ICLC Luncheon
• Photos: BWL Brunch
• Photos: Strategic Business Development: What Clients Actually Value – Insights from In-House Counsel and Industry Leaders.
• Photos: APAWLA Annual Dinner 
• WLALA Leaders Nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal's Women’s Leadership Award
• Local Bar Calendar
• 9th Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representative - Deadline June 15, 2026
• LLBA's The Future of the Court: Celebrating the Historic Leadership of the Judicial Bench - June 17, 2026
• Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law - Remote Volunteer Training Opportunity for Attorneys and Law Students
• CAALA VEGAS - September 2026
• Power Lunch Program Sponsorships Available
• WLALA Needs Mentors for Law Students
• Career Center
• WLALA Webinar Recordings
• Contribute to the WLALA Newsletter

Farah Tabibkhoei

WLALA President 2025-2026

WLALA celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month and proudly salutes trailblazer, Mia Yamamoto, who served as the Grand Marshall of the LA Pride Parade this past weekend!  We continue to celebrate Pride Month with a networking Mixer & Fundraiser on June 26, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., with proceeds benefitting the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. 

This week, WLALA Is proud to partner with LLBA on a table talk with an all-star panel of the women of color leading the Criminal Judicial Bench in Los Angeles, Celebrating the Historic Leadership of the Judicial Bench taking place on June 17, 2026 at Reed Smith (DTLA) at 5:45pm. 

Next week, WLALA’s Sojourn Domestic Violence Clinic and Family Law Committee will host a fantastic program, What You Want to Know About Mental Health Diversion in Domestic Violence and Family Law Cases set for June 23, 2026 at 12pm. The lunch program will cover the diversion process and how mental health diversion may impact family law proceedings and victims of domestic violence.

If you are a law graduate who recently passed the Bar exam, we invite you to join us on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at the Pasadena Courthouse beginning at 3:00 p.m. for a special Swearing-In Ceremony officiated by Honorable Rupa S. Goswami. Please bring your Attorney’s Oath Card to be sworn in. We thank the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County, Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, and Latina Lawyers Bar Association for co-sponsoring this event. 

Finally, we want to give a special thanks to everyone who donated, sponsored and attended WLALAPalooza, and for supporting WLALA Foundation and the opportunities it creates to strength the pipeline of legal professionals! WLALA warmly congratulates the awardees, Associate Justice Helen I. Bendix, Teri Pham, and Cindy Lopez.

“No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” – Marsha P. Johnson.

With Gratitude,

Farah Tabibkhoei

WLALA President

WLALA Foundation President

Anabel Sanchez

2025-2027

As this year comes to an end, I want to take the opportunity to thank each one of you for your support of Foundation. With your help we were able to:  

• Successfully launched our Charitable Fund Campaign during our Installation Dinner

• Organized a fundraiser with the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) by hosting a Candle Making Event 

• Linked Inner City Law Center with DWC to conduct a training for DWC staff regarding landlord tenant issues 

• Organized a fundraiser with Kendra Scott to benefit the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law

• Organized a “Dareoke” Fundraiser to benefit the Los Angeles Food Bank through our collaboration with Food from the Bar

• Organized two volunteer events at the Los Angeles Food Bank 

• Our Power Lunch Committee surpassed their fundraising goal, and by doing so they confirmed sufficient funding to continue our collaboration with the Los Angeles Superior Court next year  

• We awarded two Fran Kandel Fellowships benefiting Survivor Justice Center and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County 

• We awarded two Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law Fellowships

• We awarded three Inner City Law Center Fellowships

• We awarded five Ruth Bader Ginsburg Scholarships to Law Students

• We awarded two Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarships to Graduating High School Seniors

• Just this month, our fundraising event, WLALAPalooza, met their fundraising goal and honored three phenomenal women for their contributions to the legal profession – Justice Helen I. Bendix, Cindy Lopez, and Teri Pham

Foundation President Elect, Jessica Walker, adequately describes Foundation as the “heart” of WLALA. Foundation’s goal each year is to support the next generation of female attorneys and local non-profit organizations that are dedicated to helping the most vulnerable members of our community. This is not my success. This is OUR success. WLALA Foundation’s programs are a success because of supporters like you. Thank you.

With gratitude,

Anabel Sanchez

Foundation President

Food from the Bar

Thank you for volunteering at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. It was a pleasure hosting WLALA on May 2, 2026.

We are delighted to share the impact of your group's recent volunteer efforts at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Your dedication has truly made a difference in our community, and we are grateful for your commitment. 

Here are the key outcomes of your group's participation

By the Numbers

21 individuals from your group volunteered at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. 

Volunteer Hours

Collectively, your team contributed 84 hours of volunteer service.

Community Impact

With your help, we were able to assemble a total of 15,400 lbs of produce while helping families and individuals have access to nutritious food and will be eating better because of you! 

These numbers reflect the meaningful impact of your team's efforts in addressing food insecurity in our region.

Thank you once again for your generosity and commitment to making a positive difference. Your support is invaluable to us and the communities we serve. We hope you enjoyed your volunteer experience and look forward to continuing our partnership for future initiatives. Whenever you're ready, feel free to contact me to schedule future volunteer dates or to learn more about other ways you can get involved.

Tammy Nguyen 

Corporate Volunteer Engagement Manager 

tnguyen@lafoodbank.org

Please take a moment to sign up for additional volunteer events here

Our mission is to mobilize resources to fight hunger in our community. Learn more at LAFoodBank.org.

WLALA Offers Complimentary Memberships to Affinity Bar Members

WLALA is pleased to announce the continuation to offer complimentary membership to those who are members of any local affinity bar association this year. Some examples of affinity bars are BWL, CWL, LLBA, MABA and SCCLA just to name a few. We are so grateful to the many relationships WLALA has developed between other organizations and to continue to grow and learn from each other, and, most importantly, advocate for each other. Please pass this offer on to anyone you think may qualify.

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.

Must RSVP by June 18.

All Attendees must bring a government ID to gain entry.

Missed the Town Hall? Watch the Recording!

If you weren’t able to join us for last month’s Town Hall, don’t worry—you can catch all the updates and discussions on YouTube. Watch the full recording here: Town Hall Recording

New Member & Judiciary Mixer

Survivor Justice Center: Bridge to Justice Gala 2026

Dareaoke

ICLC Luncheon

BWL Brunch

Strategic Business Development:

What Clients Actually Value – Insights from In-House Counsel and Industry Leaders.

APAWLA Annual Dinner 

WLALA Leaders Nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal's Women’s Leadership Award

Three of our outstanding WLALA leaders have been recognized! Jennie VonCannon (WLALA President-Elect), Jennifer Lieser (WLALA Board of Governors), and Nina Marino (former WLALA Board of Governors and current WLALA member) have been nominated by the Los Angeles Business Journal for the 2026 Women’s Leadership Award.

Join us in celebrating their achievements and leadership in the Los Angeles business community!

Jennie VonCannon (WLALA President-Elect)

Jennifer Lieser

(WLALA Board of Governors)

Nina Marino

(former WLALA Board of Governors and current WLALA member)

Welcome to Our New Members

Cory Batza

Amy Becerra

Hon. Jenny Cheung Marino

Sophia Flippin

Jessica Dabiri

Sarah Gerst

Lindsey Greer Dotson

Madison Khorrami

Jamie Lang

Fatemeh Mashouf

Sunita Popal

Betzy Portillo

Alice Qin

Natalia Rodriguez

Sofia Rossi

Kathryn Swain

Diane Trunk

Jimena Vasquez

Jamila Zheng

Local Bar Calendar

9th Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representative - Deadline June 15, 2026

The United States District Court, Central District of California, is currently accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representatives. The selected Lawyer Representatives will be representative of the entire district and reflect the diversity of lawyers practicing before the Court. Interested persons should complete the application, which can be found on the Court’s website under the Lawyer Representatives section located in the “Attorneys” tab of the Court’s homepage. Additional information about serving as a Lawyer Representative can be found on the 9th Circuit’s website at: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/lawyer-representatives/

Please send completed applications no later than June 15, 2026, to: LawyerReps_CACD@cacd.uscourts.gov

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.

Career Center

WLALA Webinar Recordings

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.

Instagram: @Womenlawyersla

Facebook: Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

LinkedIn: Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

X: @WLALAtweets @WLALAFoundation

2025 WLALA and WLALA Foundation Board Retreat