• WLALA President's Message by Farah Tabibkhoei 
• WLALA Foundation President's Message
• WLALA Foundation - WLALA Foundation’s Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship
• WLALA Sponsor Spotlight for Husch Blackwell and Karen Luong
• WLALA Offers Complimentary Membership to Affinity Bar Members
• Volunteer with the WLALA Foundation Sojourn Clinic
• California’s IVF Coverage Mandate: A New Era of Equitable Fertility Care
• Advancements in Fertility & IVF: Family Building Options - February 11, 2026
• WLALA & Friends at SIX: The Musical - February 26, 2026
• WLALA Spring Golf League
• Photos: Mentor Jet program at Pepperdine Law School - January 21, 2026
• Photos: 2026 Past Presidents’ Dinner - January 29, 2026
• Photos: Women In Blue – Changing the Face of Law Enforcement - January 27, 2026
• Congratulations to WLALA First Vice President Brigit Greeson Alvarez!
• Photo: Carpenter & Zuckerman at SoHo House with WLALA Board Members Disha Bhagwat and Carson Dudick
• Photo: WLALA and WLALA Foundation Board Member and WLALA Past President Stacy Horth-Neubert on the Public Interest, Pro Bono, and Current Priorities Panel Hosted by the Chancery Club
• WLALA Board Member Neda Saghafi Published in Daily Journal’s New Laws Supplement
• Local Bar Calendar
• APAWLA/JABA/WLALA’s Speaking with Purpose: Voice, Power, and Practice for Emerging Lawyers, on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
• The Mediation Center of Los Angeles's 2nd Annual Dinner - Feb. 26, 2026 
• Harmony for Hope: A Benefit Concert for IILA’s Refugee and Immigrant Emergency Fund - March 8, 2026
• Williams Institute Annual Moot Court Competition: Judge Sign-Up
• SCCLA 51st Annual Installation & Awards Banquet Save The Date (04/09)
• Law Student Applications Being Accepted Now - WLALA Foundation’s Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship - Feb. 20, 2026
• 2026 Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship – Deadline April 30, 2026
• Hon. Ruth Bader Ginsburg Scholarship - April 30, 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

This past month has been marked by many firsts and meaningful milestones. We recently saw Bad Bunny make history at the Grammys when his Spanish-language album won Album of the Year and he became the first solo Latin artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show celebrating Latin culture and music on the world stage.  Major congratulations are also in order for Elizabeth Hernandez, the first Latina to be President of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA).  

Last week, I had the privilege of attending an inspiring Fireside Chat featuring Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Chief Judge Mary Murguia, and Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero– the first Latinas to serve in their roles on the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the California Supreme Court, respectively. The discussion was moderated by Associate Justice Kelli Evans, the first openly lesbian woman to serve on the California Supreme Court. 

In reflecting on her trailblazing path and immigrant roots, Justice Sonia Sotomayor explained that it is not about assimilation, but about integration—reaching outside of our own affinity groups to integrate more broadly across communities because we need one another to succeed.  The panelists also discussed the responsibility that comes with breaking barriers: once doors are opened, we must hold them open for others and ensure that if we are the first to reach the summit, we are not the last.

Each speaker emphasized the importance of “familia,” crediting their achievements to their family’s support, the values they instilled, and the work ethic their parents exemplified.  Family, of course, can mean many things. For some, it is the family we are born into.  For others, it is the family we choose, build, and/or grow along the way.   

In the spirit of family building, I am thrilled to moderate a webinar hosted by WLALA in partnership with HRC Fertility titled “Advancements in Fertility & IVF: Family Building Options,” on February 11, 2026 between 12:00pm to 1:00pm via Zoom. Whether you are personally exploring fertility options or are interested in the evolving legal and medical landscape, I invite you to join this important conversation. The program will cover recent legislative advancements affecting healthcare, including SB 600 and SB 729, innovations in fertility medicine, and LGBTQI+ family-building options, followed by a Q&A with experts in the field.  

In closing, although there are many inspiring “firsts” to celebrate, the broader news can, at times, create feelings of fear and uncertainty as hard-fought rights appear to be slipping away. However, hope must remain our anchor. As Justice Sotomayor so aptly stated, “What other choice do we have?” As she reminded us, change takes time but progress comes from continuing to push forward. 

“It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States, but we've made it! We've made it — all of us.” - Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

Farah Tabibkhoei

President

Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

WLALA Foundation President's Message

The WLALA Foundation offers many different fellowships and scholarships to students each year. One of the available fellowships is the Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship. Applications are being accepted now through February 20, 2026, for two Kandel Public Interest Fellowships available to first- and second-year law students for this summer.

The Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship was founded in 1985 by Fran Kandel, a former WLALA President and appellate attorney who was deeply committed to pro bono work and public interest law. In past years, first- and second-year law students applied for Kandel Public Interest Fellowships and proposed social justice–oriented projects to complete during the summer while working under the supervision of a public interest law organization.

In the past year, and with the support of Ms. Kandel’s family, the WLALA Foundation’s Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship Committee revamped the application process. Now, public interest law organizations apply to have their projects funded by the Kandel Fellowship, and the committee then accepts applications from first- and second-year law students to work on the selected projects.

The Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship Committee is pleased to announce that it is partnering this year with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) and the Survivor Justice Center (SJC) to offer two summer externships funded by Kandel Fellowships. Each Fellow will spend approximately 10 weeks during the summer of 2026 working full-time with NLSLA or SJC.

Each Fellow will receive a $7,500 Kandel Fellowship. (NLSLA will pay its Fellow an additional amount to ensure the Fellow receives the same total amount ($9,010) as its other summer interns.) Each organization will also receive $2,500 as part of the fellowship.

The NLSLA Fellow will work with staff attorneys to develop an internal guide for volunteers and legal service providers to use when providing advice at Disaster Recovery Centers and legal clinics. The guide will be particularly valuable to local and statewide partners given recent updates to FEMA, the recent codification of landlords’ habitability responsibilities after disaster, and other legal developments that have not yet been summarized in one place.

To produce the guide, the Fellow will research legal issues, summarize advice, and help gather helpful resources. Following a two-week training period, the Fellow will begin drafting the internal guide and will also participate in NLSLA’s longstanding summer internship program training and cohort activities.

The SJC Fellow will work with staff attorneys to create a trauma-informed guide titled “A Survivor’s Guide: From Police Report to Criminal Court.” It is estimated that only about one-third of violent victimizations are reported, as the current climate—marked by fear, mistrust, and uncertainty about police involvement—has discouraged survivors from reporting.

The goal of the guide is to create a plain-language, trauma-informed, step-by-step resource to bridge this gap. The guide will walk survivors through each stage of interacting with the criminal justice system in Los Angeles County, including reporting violence to police; understanding that reporting does not automatically lead to charges; navigating the investigative process; following up with detectives; distinguishing the roles of the City Attorney and District Attorney; attending criminal court hearings; and understanding rights under California law, including Marsy’s Law.

The final resource will be distributed through the SJC website and social media, shelters, self-help centers, and community organizations.

Interested law students may apply for one or both fellowships by sending a résumé, cover letter, and contact information for up to three references to wlalapublicinterestfellowship@gmail.com by Friday, February 20, 2026. The email subject line should include “NLSLA Fellowship Application,” “SJC Fellowship Application,” or both. Fellowships will be awarded in March 2026.

For more information about the externships and the fellowship application requirements and process, please visit the Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship page on the WLALA website:

https://wlala.org/fellowships/#kandal

WLALA Foundation’s Fran Kandel

Public Interest Fellowship

Law Student Applications Being Accepted Now

Through 2/20/26 for Summer Externships with

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

and the Survivor Justice Center and Sponsored by the

WLALA Foundation’s Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship

The WLALA Foundation is partnering with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) and the Survivor Justice Center (SJC) to offer two summer law student externships. The externships will be funded by the WLALA Foundation’s Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship, which is available to first or second year law students and funds social justice-oriented projects with a tangible outcome.

Each Fellow will spend approximately 10 weeks during the summer of 2026 working full-time with the NLSLA or the SJC. Each Fellow will receive a $7,500 fellowship through the WLALA Foundation’s Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship. (The NLSLA will pay its Fellow an additional amount to ensure the Fellow will receive the same amount ($9,010) as its other summer interns.) Each organization also will receive $2,500 as part of the fellowship.

The NLSLA Fellow will work with staff attorneys to develop an internal guide for volunteers and legal service providers to use when providing advice at Disaster Recovery Centers and legal clinics. The guide will be particularly valuable to local and state-wide partners given recent updates to FEMA, a recent codification of landlords’ habitability responsibilities after disaster, and other legal developments that have not yet been summarized in one place. To produce the guide, the Fellow will research legal issues, summarize advice, and help gather helpful resources. Following a two-week training period, the Fellow will begin drafting the internal guide. The intern will also participate in NLSALA’s longstanding summer internship program training and cohort activities.

The SJC Fellow will work with staff attorneys to create a trauma-informed guide titled “A Survivor’s Guide: From Police Report to Criminal Court.” It is estimated that only about one-third of violent victimizations are reported as the current climate, marked with fear, mistrust, and uncertainty about police involvement, has discouraged survivors from reporting. The goal in creating a plain-language, trauma-informed, step-by-step resource is to bridge this gap. The guide will walk survivors through each stage of interacting with the criminal justice system in Los Angeles County – reporting violence to police, understanding that reporting does not automatically lead to charges, navigating the investigative process, following up with detectives, distinguishing the roles of the City Attorney and District Attorney, attending criminal court hearings, and understanding rights under California law, including Marsy’s Law. The final resource will be distributed

through the SJC website and social media, shelters, self-help centers, and community organizations.



Interested law students may apply for one or both fellowships by sending a resume, cover letter, and contact information for up to three references to wlalapublicinterestfellowship@gmail.com by Friday, February 20, 2026. The email should include “NLSA Fellowship Application,” “SJC Fellowship Application,” or both in the subject line. The fellowships will be awarded in March 2026.

For more information about the externships and the fellowship application requirements and process, please see the Fran Kandel Public Interest Fellowship page on the WLALA website: https://wlala.org/fellowships/#kandal.

WLALA Sponsor Spotlight

A different kind of law firm

Husch Blackwell is an Am Law 100 firm that puts people first, built on long-term partnerships, mutual trust, unmatched client service, and a commitment to giving back to the communities we serve.

Unlike other national firms, we are structured around client industries, empowering our attorneys to draw on each other’s diverse knowledge and experience across practice areas. We collaborate on developing legal strategies and creative solutions to clients’ complex challenges, achieving positive results that drive their success.

Since opening our Los Angeles office in 2021, Husch Blackwell has established a strong presence in Southern California and is a proud sponsor of WLALA. The firm continues to blaze new trails in legal leadership in practice areas ranging from Technology, Manufacturing, and Transportation to Food Systems to Healthcare, Life Sciences, and Education.

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.

California’s IVF Coverage Mandate:

A New Era of Equitable Fertility Care

By Kerry Ayazi, President & Chief Legal Officer at HRC Fertility and Pacific Council Member

Introduction

California is on the cusp of a historic shift in reproductive health policy. Building on previous targeted reforms such as Senate Bill 600 (SB 600), which clarified coverage of fertility‑preserving services under certain health plans, Senate Bill 729 (SB 729) will require fully insured, large‑group health plans to cover infertility diagnosis and in vitro fertilization (IVF), effective January 2026 after a budget‑related delay. According to Governor Newsom’s SB 729 signing message, the law expands access to fertility care and addresses long‑standing inequities in family‑building services.

In a San Francisco Chronicle story published on June 17, 2025, Sara Kwon reports on the historic move and shares insights from the public, “You think you finally have a helping hand,” said Ana Rios, a California resident, after learning the law would be delayed, describing the emotional toll of waiting.



Policy Background: Senate Bill 600

Signed into law in 2019, SB 600 clarified California’s approach to fertility coverage by specifying that when medically necessary treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, may cause iatrogenic infertility, standard fertility preservation services are considered a basic health care benefit under state-regulated plans. These services, consistent with professional medical guidelines, include procedures such as egg, sperm, or embryo freezing. The law does not apply to Medi‑Cal managed care contracts and is declaratory of existing law, ensuring patients facing medically induced infertility have coverage for fertility preservation.

Policy Background: Senate Bill 729

Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2024, SB 729 requires fully insured health policies issued, amended, or renewed after July 2025 to cover infertility services, including IVF. It broadens definitions of infertility to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals, single parents, and same-sex couples are included. By doing so, California positions itself as a leader in reproductive equity. Coverage applies to large group plans, with a maximum of three egg retrievals and unlimited embryo transfers. Some smaller employer and public-employee plans may have different timelines or optional coverage, so not all Californians will automatically receive IVF benefits under SB 729.

By mandating coverage, the law reduces financial barriers that historically forced patients to pay tens of thousands out-of-pocket. According to Forbes Health, a single IVF cycle in the U.S. typically costs tens of thousands of dollars, sometimes not including certain medications, illustrating why insurance coverage is critical for many patients. Led by State Senator Caroline Menjivar, California’s initiative sets a precedent other states may follow, demonstrating how legislation can expand reproductive access while also promoting inclusion.

Case Study: HRC Fertility’s Preparation

HRC Fertility, one of California’s largest fertility networks, is proactively preparing for SB 729. The organization has expanded access points across the state, bolstered its physician teams, and curated financial counseling programs to help patients navigate insurance coverage questions. Outreach focuses on communities underserved in fertility care, including Californians long needing the support to start their families, LGBTQ+ families, and individuals who previously lacked any coverage options.

Innovations in Fertility Care

To complement SB 729, HRC Fertility is expanding programs designed to make IVF more accessible and less stressful:

●      Needle-Free IVF: Replacing daily injections with alternative delivery methods to reduce stress and treatment drop-out.

●      Gift Voucher Program: Allows friends and family to contribute directly to treatment costs, helping patients offset remaining financial barriers.

These efforts illustrate ways providers can support patients as new coverage requirements take effect.

Public Health Lens: Why Equity Matters

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that infertility affects roughly 1 in 6 people of reproductive age worldwide, yet access to treatment is often inequitable and costly. Equitable access is critical for mental health, family stability, and demographic diversity. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends integrating fertility services into health systems and reducing financial barriers to ensure reproductive care is treated as a public health priority.



California Senate Bill 729 embeds these principles into California’s insurance framework. When combined with provider innovations like HRC Fertility’s needle-free IVF and gift programs, the state moves toward a model in which IVF and fertility care are accessible to more families than ever before.

Conclusion

While we have a way to go for even greater access, SB 729 is a start; and it is more than a legislative milestone; it is a declaration that IVF care is a matter of equity and public health. By requiring insurance coverage for IVF and expanding definitions of infertility, SB 729 dismantles several barriers that long excluded many families.

HRC Fertility’s proactive response, from affordability initiatives to pioneering programs, illustrates how policy and innovation can work together to transform the fertility landscape. According to Governor Newsom’s SB 729 signing message, as the law takes effect in 2026, California may serve as a national model for more equitable, accessible fertility care.

Author Bio

Kerry Ayazi is Administrative President & Chief Legal Officer of HRC Fertility and a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy. She has been recognized among the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women of Influence in Health Care (2024), won numerous awards, and was also featured in Authority Magazine for her insights on women’s leadership. Under her leadership, HRC Fertility has advanced reproductive health and IVF health equity and innovation, including initiatives like needle-free IVF, fertility gift vouchers, and patient education programs. Kerry also contributes globally through mentorship and volunteer work supporting education and access for children, especially girls, in challenging environments.

“We’re queens, and we’re fierce.” 👑✨

📅 Thursday, February 26, 2026

🕢 7:30 PM

Step into a night of power, sisterhood, and unapologetic royalty as WLALA & Friends head to SIX: The Musical — where the queens reclaim the narrative and rewrite herstory.

Want to sit with other WLALA members?

We recommend choosing seats in Orchestra Center, Rows RR–WW, but feel free to select any seats you prefer.

Can’t join us on February 26?

No problem! Use our special link to see the show on another night that fits your schedule.

🎟 Buy Tickets:

https://am.ticketmaster.com/ndr/promotional-page?id=NTgz

📝 RSVP to let us know you’re coming:

https://forms.gle/4UafD4ysMaky7npq5

Mentor Jet program at Pepperdine Law School - January 21, 2026

2026 Past Presidents’ Dinner

January 29, 2026

We extend our sincere thanks to Mary McKelvey and Dominiun Law, APC for their support as WALA Past Presidents Dinner sponsors.

Women In Blue – Changing the Face of Law Enforcement

January 27, 2026

California Unity Bar, Los Angeles

County Unity Bar and Occidental

College Fireside Chat Featuring

Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Congratulations to WLALA First Vice President Brigit Greeson Alvarez!

WLALA is proud to congratulate our First Vice President, Brigit Greeson Alvarez, on being named a 2026 U. Serve L.A. Honoree by UCLA Law.

U. Serve L.A. is UCLA Law’s annual celebration of public interest and pro bono service, recognizing outstanding contributions from students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Proceeds from the event support public interest and pro bono initiatives that empower UCLA Law students to serve underserved communities and create lasting change in Los Angeles and beyond.

The 2026 U. Serve L.A. Celebration will take place on April 17, 2026, bringing together alumni of the Epstein Program and members of UCLA Law’s public interest community to honor this year’s distinguished recipients.

Carpenter & Zuckerman at SoHo House with WLALA Board Members Disha Bhagwat and Carson Dudick

WLALA and WLALA Foundation Board Member and WLALA Past President Stacy Horth-Neubert (in the middle) on the Public Interest, Pro Bono, and Current Priorities Panel Hosted by the Chancery Club

WLALA Board Member Neda Saghafi Published in Daily Journal’s New Laws Supplement

We’re proud to share that WLALA board member Neda Saghafi co-authored an article published on January 2, 2026 in the Daily Journal’s New Laws Supplement.

Her piece provides timely analysis on Assembly Bill 621, a new California law strengthening protections against deepfake pornography and expanding legal remedies for victims.



Read the full article here:

👉 https://www.panish.law/attorney-articles/assembly-bill-621-strengthening-protections-against-deepfake-pornography/

Congratulations to Neda on this important contribution!

Welcome to Our New Members

Aeysha Baig

Nicole Brachetti

Sulma Carbajal

Shaelyn Carroll

Nika Chegenizadeh

Dalixa Chuquillanqui

Kathleen DeRose

Awesta Elfar

Carla Espinoza

Clara Faucher

Anna Gyori

Alice Kaing

Florencia Lee

Alexandra Lopez

Valerie Makarewicz

Caroline Radi

Melissa Rios

Parinita Sandhu

Jordana Siracusa

Setareh Soroush

Christine Taghizadeh

Local Bar Calendar

The Mediation Center of Los Angeles proudly invites you to its 2nd Annual Dinner on Feb. 26, an evening dedicated to building a culture of peace and community through Alternative Dispute Resolution. With special keynote speaker Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II, and honorees Hon. Judge Huey P. Cotton, Nancy Bullock, and Kerry Bigornia.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities available at 2nd Annual MCLA Dinner - MCLA

Email Crystal@MediationLA.org for more information about the event.

 Attorneys and judges needed to preside over our moot court competition

Saturday, March 14, 2026  

The Williams Institute hosts the premier national moot court competition dedicated exclusively to sexual orientation and gender identity law. This year marks our 20th anniversary!

THE PROBLEM

Competitors write an appellate brief on a current legal topic and argue the case before a panel of judges. This year’s problem will address whether the federal government can lawfully ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military.

YOUR ROLE

Judges can preside over preliminary rounds in the morning, quarterfinals and semifinals in the afternoon, or both. Because most teams participate in the morning rounds, we encourage you to please sign up for a morning shift if you are available. We will provide judges with a bench brief, a summary of issues, and sample questions in advance of the competition. An optional educational session prior to the competition will summarize the legal issues raised by the problem. Judges are not required to grade competitors' briefs.

MCLE CREDIT

Attorneys barred in California may receive up to 3 hours of MCLE credit for participating in the competition.

LOGISTICS

The competition will take place at UCLA School of Law on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Breakfast, lunch, and parking will be provided for participating judges.

Morning session: 9:00 AM to noon

Afternoon session: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

THE FINE PRINT

UCLA School of Law is a State Bar of California-approved MCLE provider. This session has requested MCLE credit and is currently pending approval. 

Sign up to judge

Apply Now:

2026 Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship – Deadline April 30, 2026

The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) Foundation is proud to offer the 2026 Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship, awarding up to $5,000 to a high school senior who identifies as a woman and is passionate about law or public service.

Applicants must have been inspired to pursue this path through WLALA’s Power Lunch Program, the WLALA organization, or a WLALA leader. This scholarship honors Judge O’Connell’s legacy of mentorship and civic education.

To apply, submit your contact info, a personal statement, and at least one reference letter by April 30, 2026.

For full details or questions, contact Kay Burt at info@wlala.org.

Hon. Ruth Bader Ginsburg Scholarship - April 30, 2026

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 30, 2026

AWARD: $7,500



The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) Foundation is pleased to offer tuition scholarships to law students who plan to follow in the footsteps of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by fighting for social justice, equality and inclusion, and have a demonstrated commitment to issues affecting women, children, minorities, or other historically marginalized groups. 

To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be currently enrolled in an accredited law school, and plan to be so enrolled in the 2026-2027 academic year;
• Upon graduation from law school, plan to practice law in Los Angeles County or engage in legal work that affects Los Angeles County; and
• Be in the top fifty percent of their class. 

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• Personal statement (typed, double-spaced, and no longer than 2 pages) addressing at least the following:
• Your commitment to issues affecting women, children, minorities, and/or marginalized groups, 
• How your commitment to public service will continue after law school graduation in the practice of law in or relating to Los Angeles County,
• Why you need the scholarship and how it will benefit you. 
• Resume;
• Law school transcript, including grades for fall semester 2025 (an unofficial transcript is acceptable); and
• A minimum of one reference letter (no more than three). 

Questions about the WLALA Foundation’s Tuition Scholarships can be directed to either of the WLALA Scholarship Co-Chairs Carmela Pagay, ctp@lnbyg.com and Meehan Rasch, Meehan.rasch@gmail.com.

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