• President's Message by Janet Hong
• Photos: WLALA's Public Interest & Government Mixer
• Photos: WLALA Golf League 2.0
• Photos: Annual Fundraiser for WLALA Foundation -- WLALAPalooza!
• Photos: Executive Committee Awakens Their Inner Chefs
• Limited Spots Still Available for WLALA Golf League 2.0
• SAVE THE DATE! WLALA Awards Gala, Justice|Faith|Power, September 29, 2023
• WLALA Mentoring Program for Lawyers x Law Students
• Post-Roe Resources: Pro Choice and Reproductive Rights Committee of WLALA
• Julie Gerchik Recognized Among LABJ’s 2023 Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys
• Welcome New Members!
• Harriett Buhai Center Seeking Executive Director -- Apply Now!
• Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Seeking Applicants for United Leaders Project
• Local Bar Calendar
• WLALA Resources

My last message emphasized the importance of feeding the soul. Speaking of which, I just got back from surfing in Morocco. 

On my last morning in Imsouane - one of the longest breaks in Africa - there was a thick fog covering the water. Once we paddled out, we could see the swell. The first wave I caught I rode for almost a minute. It was truly magical.  As soon as I got back home I put on Point Break. I was shocked to hear one of the surfers say to Keanu, “Lawyers don’t surf.” Yes we do!

My trip was the perfect way to end such a wonderful, busy, and often intense, year as President. It was the greatest learning experience for me in leadership.

Thank you to the Board of Governors for putting on such amazing programs this year. Thank you to the Board of Governors and our membership for voting to pass the bylaws, which institutionalized our Equity, Belonging, and Anti-Racism ("EBAR") committee. Thank you to our EBAR chairs Ariella Simonds and Meena Patel, and Mindy Gulati for your invaluable insight and advice throughout the year. I learned so much from all of you. I think we all learned so much from all of you! And also thank you and congratulations to WLALA Foundation President Jennifer Leland for doing an amazing job leading Foundation the last couple of years.

And a very special thank you to each member of the WLALA Executive Committee: Jeannine, Noelle, Farah, Jennie, and Brigit. I always address us as a team; this year above all was truly a team effort. We could not have made any meaningful progress without all your hard work and dedication. You all inspire me and I am so humbled and grateful that I could share time and space with each of you this year.

And finally, to my law school bestie, 911 emergency contact, ultimate wing woman and roll dawg for life, Ms. President-Elect Jeannine Taylor: thank you for always supporting me in everything that I do. You will lead this organization like the woman warrior you are and I cannot wait to see all the amazing things you will accomplish next year!

WLALA's Public Interest & Government Mixer

Forty-five attendees gathered to share resources and support in Mid-City at All Season Brewing for the WLALA Public Interest & Government Summer Mixer. All were grateful to the event organizer, Board of Governors Member Shelby King, for holding space for non-profit attorney members of WLALA and also for bringing homemade cookies. Shelby is pictured below, second from right.

Relaunching of WLALA Golf League 2.0

Forty-five participants celebrated the return of the WLALA Golf League, and enjoyed an afternoon of sisterhood and skills building on the fairway at The Lakes at El Segundo. Pictured above (from left to right): Team Fore! included Candace Zee, Communications Officer Brigit Greeson Alvarez, Elan Levey, and Board of Governors Member Hon. Cathy Ostiller (Captain) and their sweet golf bags. Pictured below: the half of the group that welcomed a refresher lesson before starting the round!

Annual Fundraiser for WLALA Foundation: WLALAPalooza!

(Above) United for future members of WLALA at the premiere annual fundraiser to benefit law school, college and high school students at Sorry Not Sorry! in West Los Angeles (from left to right): WLALA Foundation President Sarah Quist, President Janet Hong, President Elect Jeannine Taylor, Past President Hon. Jessica Kronstadt. (Below) The Board of Governors gathered to celebrate outgoing President Janet Hong at its last board meeting for the 2022-2023 year before the night's festivities.

Happy to have purchased raffle tickets just before the rush (from left to right): Board of Governors Member Hon. Maria Byrum, Board of Governors Member Hon. Holly Fujie, Joshua Villanueva and John Choi. Background right: Board of Governors Member Hon. Ashley Price, Board of Governors Member Hon. Michelle De Casas.

Executive Committee Awakens Their Inner Chefs

The WLALA Executive Committee, Board of Governors Members and invited guests gathered for a retreat in downtown Los Angeles where they enjoyed a cooking class conducted by Chef Cori of Eatz LA (from left to right): (front row) President of Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Association Esther Ro, Communications Officer Brigit Greeson Alvarez, First Vice President Noelle Natoli, Chef Cori of Eatz LA, Board of Governors Member Kimberly Kamkar; (back row) Foundation President Sarah Quist, President Janet Hong, Board of Governors Member Merete Rietveld, Board of Governors Member Leana Taing, Board of Governors Member Ariella Simonds, President Elect Jeannine Taylor, Board of Governors Member Meena Patel, and Second Vice President/ Treasurer Farah Tabibkhoei.

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsor

WLALA Needs YOU to Mentor a Law Student

WLALA needs attorney mentor volunteers like YOU 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.

Julie Gerchik Recognized Among LABJ’s 2023 Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys

Glaser Weil is proud to announce partner Julie Gerchik has been named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys 2023 list. The feature highlights top litigators and trial attorneys in the region.

Julie is a highly sought-after complex commercial litigator who represents an enviable roster of investment firms, business, entertainment and media companies, financial services entities, as well as high-net-worth individuals. In litigation and investigations, she brings the exacting skill required to both effectively navigate high-profile public disputes with significant PR implications and, likewise, handle highly confidential personal matters.

Please join us in congratulating Julie!

Welcome to Our New Members

Tracey Blount

Daria Clecicov

Pokuaa Enin

Karina Grobman

Nicole Hernandez

Marisa Harris

Patricia Herrera

Haneen Islam

Ella Kimbell

Capri Krug

Phyllis Kupferstein

Elan Levey

Puja Makerechi

Jaqueline Mejia-Cuellar

Jennifer Pak

Lilly Pan

Kalena Tano 

Evgenia Terenova

Joshua Villanueva

Mia Villegas

Yufei Wang

Yuyi Wang

NOW HIRING:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Make an impact. Lead our team.

The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law is poised for a new phase of growth and change, emerging stronger from the pandemic with knowledgeable, trained, compassionate, and team-oriented staff. The Board is seeking a well-rounded Executive Director to lead the Center in delivering free family legal services to underrepresented communities in Los Angeles. This individual will support the sustainability and growth of this highly respected and vitally important organization as it meets the ever-increasing demand for its services.

Jewish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles Seeking Applicants for United Leaders Project

We Need YOU!

For Committees, Sections and Liaisons

Did you know that WLALA is run almost entirely by volunteers? If you're interested in participating in WLALA Committees, Sections or acting as a Liaison, visit our website to find out more and sign up now!

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.