The digital November issue of the Advocate is here! Dive in to fascinating articles like "The prospective client had a previous lawyer. Red flag?
Instead of outright rejection, consider that the problem with the case may have been the lawyer" by Marina Kats Fraigun." Or  check out "A new era in arbitrating workplace sexual harassment; Even if an employee signed an arbitration agreement, all hope is not lost" by Samantha L. Ortiz.

December 2024 marks the end of my nine years of service as a member of CAALA’s Executive Committee. Like any long-term relationship, these nine years have been punctuated with ups and downs. But, overall, it has been a phenomenal experience working with the other leaders and staff of CAALA, the Los Angeles County Superior Court leadership, and the leadership of many other bar associations, and serving you, the members of CAALA.

Many people ask whether nine years of intensive volunteer service to CAALA has been “worth it.” My answer is, unequivocally yes. I have been educated, tested, nurtured, loved, probably hated, and have grown immeasurably throughout my years on the Executive Committee.

LATLC has invited all CAALA members to volunteer to help prepare for or attend LATLC’s BIGGEST Signature Event of the year – 500 families will receive groceries, household items and more than 2,000 toys!

Every CAALA Attorney Member received an electronic ballot on November 8th from "noreply@m.lo.membercentral.org" to your profile's primary email. Each member will have until December 8, 2024 to cast their vote. There will be instructions provided with the ballot. Please click here to see the 2025 Executive Committee and Board of Governors slate.

Please contact Kwedi Moore at (213) 487-1212 or kwedi@caala.org with your questions or concerns!

Sunday October 27th, 2024 the Wellness Committee and Secretary-Elect Steve Vartazarian hosted a pumpkin carving event for members and families to gather and celebrate Halloween! Check out the CAALA Universal Calendar for more events like this! Thank you Wellness Committee for bringing our members together! 

The United States General Election is this upcoming Tuesday! Cast your vote and ensure your voice is heard. If you are not currently registered or you registered to vote after the close of registration, please see our Same Day Voter Registration page. Same Day Voter Registration is available at county election offices and polling locations.

Last Friday, members of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and Board—Griselda Rodriguez, David Hoffman, Brenda Wong, and Past President Minh Nguyen—visited Torch Middle School to inspire young students to be bold with their dreams and consider a future in the legal profession. Minh Nguyen also generously donated school supplies to support the students, including DIY Drones! The program “If You Can See It, You Can Be It!” is designed to empower young minds, and the committee plans to schedule more events in the coming year. If you’re interested in volunteering as a speaker or have connections at a middle or elementary school, please fill out or share this interest form. 

The Judicial Pipeline and DEI Committees are excited to introduce a new member benefit aimed at fostering meaningful connections between our members and the judiciary. The committees have collaborated to host intimate Brown Bag Lunch with judges, providing a unique opportunity for informal dialogue and relationship-building. We’re thrilled to kick off this series with the Hon. Elaine Lu, who brings a wealth of experience from her diverse legal journey. Initially pursuing a career in medicine, Judge Lu transitioned to law school and has since served in various roles, including Criminal, IC Civil, and Complex Court. She is a current Assistant Supervising Judge of Civil. 

Event Details: 

Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Time: 12:15 PM - 1:30PM

Location: Downtown LA Courtroom; TBD

Whether you’re considering applying to the bench or simply want to engage in a candid conversation with Judge Lu, this lunch is for you! Interest in applying to the bench is not required. Bring your lunch, your curiosity, and join us for this special opportunity to connect with a judge in a friendly and informal atmosphere.