WLALA Newsletter: April 2021
Volume 26, No. 08
Thank You To Our Annual Sponsors
IN THIS ISSUE
President's Message
By Jessica Kronstadt
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, a research fellow at the National Institute of Health who played a crucial role in creating Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine said, “Many of the things that you do in life should have some level of concern about somebody else.  Even if it’s just that you have to pick one person.  I would hope that everybody would have a concern for just the world, I think that it will make the entire world a better place.”  While we are starting to see some light shine through over a year of darkness, the recent attacks against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community across the nation is a constant reminder that we have a responsibility to stand up as allies in speaking out against anti-Asian hate and racism in all forms.  We stand with WLALA members and members of our Sister Bars and particularly acknowledge our sister members of the Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance (APAWLA) in this fight.

To read the rest of Jessica's President Message, please CLICK HERE.
Upcoming WLALA Events
Beverly Reid O’Connell
Upcoming Power Lunch Programs
The Power Lunches are a unique opportunity for students, lawyers, judges, and court staff members to come together to discuss career choices and the legal system. Students are broken down into small groups where volunteer attorneys and judges discuss their career paths and help prepare them for a fun game of Legal Jeopardy!

These Power Lunches will be held virtually through Zoom.

Volunteer Opportunities
Friday, April 19, 2021
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Hosting Judge: Alexander Giza
High School: Culver City High School
Friday, April 23, 2021
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Hosting Judge: Lynn Hobb
High School: LACES
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
12:38 p.m. to 1:38 p.m.
Hosting Judge: Maria Puente-Porras
High School: Roosevelt High School
26th Annual Litigators Forum
Race in the Courtroom: A Look at How Race and Racial Justice Are Influencing Litigation Across the Legal Spectrum

On March 11th, our distinguished and diverse panel of powerhouse speakers discussed ways in which litigation has been used to fight racism across multiple practice areas.
To purchase the recording, please CLICK HERE.
Sister Bar Networking Night
On March 30th, WLALA, LLBA, BWL and APAWLA had a night of virtual networking. The Sister Bars participated in fun mini breakout room ice breakers.
WLALA Postcard Designed by Polk Paper
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. 
5 Reasons to Volunteer at the Sojourn
WLALA Domestic Violence Legal Clinic
By Jill Piano, WLALA Chair of WLALA Sojourn Legal Clinic
“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
Koreatown Rally Against Anti-Asian Violence
by Janet Hong
“Stop Asian Hate!” my 79-year-old mother, Sally Hong, chanted as she punched the air with her first.   On Saturday, March 27, 2021, I, along with several of my friends, family, and supporters of The KW Lee Center for Leadership, attended a rally and march in Koreatown to protest anti-Asian violence. 
 
At the march, I saw hundreds of people from all different racial and ethnic backgrounds, of all different ages.  Parents brought their kids in strollers, which bore signs like “No More Silent Minority.”
 
While there have been over 3,800 attacks against Asians over the past year, anti-Asian hate, racism, and violence are deeply imbedded in our country’s history, even before the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act.  

To read the rest of the article, please CLICK HERE
Food from the Bar Goes BIG in 2021
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.
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.
 
WLALA Foundation's
2021 Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship
Application Deadline: June 30, 2021
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.
WLALA Foundation’s 2021 RBG Equality Scholarships
Application Deadline: April 30, 2021
“[I]f you want to be a true professional, you will do something outside yourself… something to make life a little better for people less fortunate than you." RBG

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. WLALA is an active bar association that seeks to promote the interests of women, and to promote equality and equal opportunity of all people. The WLALA Foundation’s special projects include the Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law, which assists low income individuals in preparing and handling pro per family law matters; the Downtown Women's Center, which is the only organization in Los Angeles exclusively dedicated to addressing the needs of women overcoming poverty and homelessness in Skid Row; and the Fran Kandel Public Interest Grant, which provides financial assistance for special projects undertaken by law students working in the public interest. WLALA's numerous committees include a group that provides pro bono legal advice to victims of domestic violence.

 For more information and to apply, please CLICK HERE.
Local Bar Scholarships

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.
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. 

For more information, please CLICK HERE
Deadline: April 12, 2021
Get to Know the Board: Nicole Ramirez
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.
Nicole Ramirez is in WLALA’s Young Lawyers Section and is an associate at Kiesel Law LLP. Ms. Ramirez has been recognized as a Southern California Rising Star in 2020 by Super Lawyers. Her practice focuses on consumer class actions, mass tort litigation, catastrophic personal injury, and other complex litigation in federal and state court. Of note, Ms. Ramirez has represented various artists in class actions seeking payment of home video royalties from major movies studios including Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, and Sony Pictures. Settlements in those cases resulted in payments to class members exceeding $51 million. Ms. Ramirez has also represented consumers in class actions against major automobile manufacturers, and against various hospital systems for privacy violations.

To read more, please CLICK HERE.
Meena's Microaggressions: Avoiding April Angst

Sometimes when people hear about DEI initiatives they think and/or say, wow, does that mean that you are going to fire all the white men and replace them with Black women?

This response might come from a place of worry or fear. DEI initiatives in general strive for inclusivity and community building. To achieve that, the metaphorical pie expands. Or, in other words, DEI done right is not a zero sum game. It is the opposite: win-win. Evidence based studies demonstrate that diverse teams are more innovative, win more, and guess what, diverse teams have fewer meetings!

On a more pragmatic level, a possible response to such a question could be: firing incumbents and replacing them with BIPOCs is not on the table. What is on the table is leadership development, sponsorship programs and other specific organizational development tactics to make sure that we have unbiased and transparent promotion practices. Ultimately the goal of DEI is building a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Questions or comments? Please emailmeenapatel88@yahoo.com. Thank you! 
Of Interest

Republished with permission from Advocate Magazine, March 2021, the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 Calendar@iDepoReporters.com or call at 323-393-3768. 

IDepo will send donations to WLALA within 90 days after receipt of payment of invoices.
Sister Bar Events
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 apawla.ylls@gmail.com. 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. 
Upcoming Local Bar Events and News 
The Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles is offering minimum continuing legal education bench conduct and demeanor training for temporary judges on April 14, 2021. The deadline to register is April 9th. For more information and to register, 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

Michelle Ahn, Andrea X. Ales, Helen Bendix, Simone G. Bishara, Liz Burnett, Dajana Buzo, Olivia Davis, Brittaney de la Torre, Maria G. Diaz, Sadie H. Diaz, Katie Dimas, Lorrina Duffy, Joanna Edstrom, Shayna Elian, Taylor E. Farias, Alexa Fifield, Brianna Figueroa, Jacquelyn P. Goldman, Zalondria Graham, Wendy Hale, Jessica M. Hammond, Sharon M. Hernandez-Lopez, Jade L. Husain, Kendall M. James, Soraya Kelly, Cindy Kemakolam, Karina Therese A. Laigo, Stacy Lee, Mindy LeMoine, Valerie Li, Elizabeth Little, Gemma Malki, Sharon Mayer, Patience McHenry, Nicholas McLaughlin, Mairin McQueen, Kristin Adbel Messih, Ayda Mirafshar, Kayla Murphy, Wendy On, Lisa Ow, Rena Patel, Jessica Pettit, Joshua Quaye, Meredith B. Rasmussen, Jillian Rosen, Susan Rosenthal, Emma S. Sholder, Kelsey Thayer, Amelia E. Tidwell, Iyaunna Towery, Linh Tran, Genovpetry Uyuni, Esmeralda Verdin, Andrea Vizzo, Josephine Von Schorlemer, Whitney Williams, Robert Winter, Saundra Wootton, Erica Yen, Karisa You, Veronica Zamago.
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. 

Public Council has a temporary position available for a member enrolled in the California State Bar Provisional Licensure Program. 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.

Frost Law Firm, A growing plaintiff firm focused on asbestos and toxic torts has an immediate need for an experienced (1 to 5+ years) litigation attorney to help manage their growing caseload. For more information, please CLICK HERE.

Parker Milliken seeks an associate attorney with at least three years of experience. For more information, please CLICK HERE.

LimNexus is seeking a litigation associate for our Los Angeles office. For more information, please CLICK HERE.

Department of Industrial Relations is hiring for an Attorney III. For more information, please CLICK HERE.

Agricultural Labor Relations Board is hiring for an Attorney III. For more information, please CLICK HERE.

Agricultural Labor Relations Board is hiring for a Deputy General Counsel IV. 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.

 The Office of the Attorney General is seeking to fill attorney positions throughout the State of California. For more information, please CLICK HERE.

Slaughter, Reagan & Cole, LLP is hiring for an Associate Attorney. 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 info@wlala.org. To view the WLALA Job Bank, please CLICK HERE and click on the Search Openings link in the upper left corner of the page. 
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.
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 info@wlala.org. The newsletter welcomes articles, submissions and information about our members’ activities. For information about submissions to the WLALA newsletter, please contact Farah Tabibkhoei at ftabibkhoei@reedsmith.com.