Messages from LACBA Leadership
Year in Review by Kristin Adrian, 23/24 President
It has been such an honor to serve as the president of LACBA during the 2023-2024 bar year and to have been a part of LACBA’s rich history. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to work with members of LACBA’s dedicated and talented staff, the executive committee, and the members of the Board of Trustees.
LACBA is fortunate to have devoted professionals and staff focused on the interests of today’s attorneys. Through their dedication, LACBA’s sections hosted more than 230 incredible events and programs during the past bar year. In addition, the exciting new Animal Law Section was launched, the number of firms committing to the Diversity Pledge created by the Diversity in the Profession Section grew, and the International Law Section was reactivated.
There are a number of highlights from my tenure worth mentioning: the adoption of a new long-term strategic plan which should help guide LACBA over the next few years and focuses on increasing membership, benefits, and revenue; the adoption of a shared serves agreement that clearly allocates responsibilities between LACBA and its 501(c)(3) affiliate, the Counsel for Justice; the elimination of the outstanding balance due on LACBA’s line of credit; LACBA’s public comment on a portfolio bar exam proposal by the State Bar with the endorsement by another 61 bar associations from across the state; and LACBA hosted a virtual Town Hall with senior leadership from the State Bar that was attended by hundreds of registrants.
I was glad to oversee the adoption of new rules that eased the application process to become an affiliate and as a result LACBA welcomed more bar associations as affiliates. In addition, I was fortunate to join 30 LACBA members and spouses in LACBA organized travel for a Spring tour of beautiful Taiwan, which culminated in the execution of a formal Friendship Agreement with the Taipei Bar Association.
As I step aside and my highly qualified successor, Sarvenaz Bahar, takes over as our 2024-25 President, I want to thank the members of LACBA for their membership in and support of LACBA. I am confident that under Sarvenaz’ leadership LACBA will grow and continue to provide the important support that the Los Angeles legal community has come to expect from it.
Looking Forward by Sarvenaz Bahar, 24/25 President
I am honored to be LACBA’s President for the 2024-2025 term. I will focus my efforts on further strengthening LACBA’s financial position and taking steps to ensure that it remains a relevant and vibrant organization in fast-changing times, as it approaches its 150th anniversary.
LACBA will continue to support in old and new ways its 30 sections (including the newly revived International Law Section) which have been the lifeblood of the organization from its inception.
LACBA will continue to build on its important partnership with the Los Angeles Superior Court and actively advocate on issues that impact access to justice such as funding for our courts and the lack of court reporters.
LACBA—using its voice and influence as one of the largest bar associations in the state—will engage actively with and respond to proposals from the California State Bar and Legislature on issues that impact the practice of law and our legal system.
LACBA will use a recently revised and updated four-year Strategic Plan as a blueprint to increase its membership, improve its fundraising, and enhance its marketing and public relations activities.
LACBA will continue to support its valued partner Counsel for Justice which assists the most vulnerable members of our community who cannot afford counsel through its three projects focused on victims of domestic violence, military veterans and immigrants.
LACBA will host its popular Diversity Summit in the Spring 2025 and newly revived New Attorney Reception.
We are doing exciting and important work at LACBA. Join us.
Building a Better Bar by Stan Bissey, Executive Director & CEO
As we start this new bar year, I want to thank you for being part of LACBA, a leader within the Los Angeles legal community.
LACBA has gone through many changes in the past few years, such as resizing, streamlining, adopting technology, coping with the pandemic, transitioning to a hybrid work model, reducing costs, and paying off a long-standing debt. We have emerged stronger, more efficient, and more relevant than ever before.
I invite you to make the most of your LACBA membership this year by getting involved in our activities and programs. With membership you can join one or more of our 30 law practice sections and sign up for their listserv emails, which allow you to network with peers and experts in various fields. You can also volunteer to mentor high school students, organize or speak at a CLE event, or join one of our affiliated bar associations across Los Angeles. And, if you want to make a difference in the lives of many Angelenos in need, volunteer at LACBA’s Counsel for Justice (CFJ) and our three pro bono legal service projects – Immigration, Veterans, and Domestic Violence.
Renew your membership annually and invite others to become members of LACBA too. Our organization accommodates every level of the legal profession, from law students to retirees. Having a strong and diverse membership allows LACBA to better represent and serve Southern California. To renew your membership or refer a colleague, please visit our website or contact our membership team. Having a strong and diverse membership allows LACBA to better represent and serve Southern California.
To renew your membership or refer a colleague, please visit our website or contact our membership team.
Photos by Hector Islas
Photo from the 23/24 Installation Dinner and Awards event
LACBA Sections
With 30 sections to choose from, LACBA members can find their niche and grow their careers in the areas of practice and interest that suit them best. Each section offers listservs, networking events, topical CLE events at discounted rates, and other valuable resources.
LACBA Committees
The association’s many standing, advisory and ad hoc committees work to address specific laws and challenges facing today’s attorneys and their communities. Committees are run by current LACBA members who work collaboratively to make a difference in many facets of the legal profession. LACBA members can apply to committees each spring.
LACBA’s 23/24 Numbers
LACBA Events & Programs
In-person events continued to increase this past bar year and included LACBA’s popular Bench Meets Bar Luncheon, the Labor and Employment Symposium, the Federal Courts Symposium, the Family Law Dinner Dance, and the Real Property Installation and Awards Dinner. Most programs are established by LACBA Section leaders and made possible through Zoom’s online conferencing and webinar services.
Popular Programming Topics:
- The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Examinations of racial justice in the legal profession
International Travel to Taiwan
In late March, LACBA International Travel organized a memorable trip to Taiwan, a beacon of freedom and innovation in Asia. The itinerary was filled with visits to cultural and historical sites, government agencies, civil society organizations, and local bar associations. LACBA President Kristin Adrian signed a formal friendship agreement with the Taipei Bar Association.
"Our travel program is a unique opportunity for our members to connect both personally as well as professionally with each other and their international counterparts while gaining insights into the legal history and culture of the destinations,” describes Stan Bissey, LACBA Executive Director and CEO. In 2025 LACBA travels to South Africa to discover The Law, Culture, and Society in a Post-Mandela World.
LACBA’s lawyer referral service, SmartLaw, is a non-profit that links people who need legal representation in Southern California with qualified lawyers. Referrals and basic legal information are free of charge to the public and attorneys pay for an annual membership that includes pre-screened referrals, electronic case related notices, easy online reporting tools, excellent marketing reach, a fully staffed call center, and friendly administrative staff.
Attorney-Client Mediation and Arbitration Services
The Attorney-Client Mediation and Arbitration Services (ACMAS) provides a convenient, fair, and low-cost way to resolve client fee disputes. ACMAS adheres to the mandatory fee arbitration provisions required by California law. The volunteers of ACMAS are fully trained in fee dispute resolution.
2023/24 Highlights
- Majority of administrative duties are now conducted electronically except for those who opt in to US Mail communications
- Full integration into LACBA’s CRM online payment system
- A new and updated webpage that links clients and attorneys to their respective pages
Counsel for Justice, a 501(c)(3)
LACBA Counsel for Justice (CFJ) is LACBA’s charitable arm. Through four pro bono legal projects, CFJ creates pathways to justice for the most vulnerable members of Los Angeles County. With the support of LACBA and volunteers, CFJ helps thousands of individuals and families access their legal rights each year.
2023-2024 Counsel for Justice Highlights
- $8,759 raised at the 13th Annual Law Rocks LA, thanks to the band Down by Law, comprised of musicians from Reed Smith; Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete; Seals Phillips; and Glaser Weil
- $71,471 raised at CFJ’s 11th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
- Second Annual Community Impact Awards Reception recognized outstanding volunteers for their commitment and dedication to the legal services projects
- $131,916 cy pres award to support CFJ legal services projects
2023-2024 Project Highlights:
Domestic Violence Legal Services Project offers access to the protections of the civil legal system by providing free legal information, forms preparation assistance, and referrals to victims of abuse in restraining order cases, including domestic violence and elder abuse.
- Conducted an evaluation project to Evaluated the impact of DVP services through Capacity to Impact, Inc., interviewing 20 self-represented litigants who expressed feeling gratitude, empowerment, and relief after receiving DVP assistance
- Provided two MCLE trainings led by guest speakers from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and Family Violence Appellate Project to over 200 members of the legal community
- Led 16 trainings to prepare pro bono volunteers in assisting self-represented litigants with form preparation and legal education
Immigration Legal Assistance Project keeps families together and provides accurate information about immigration rights by providing immigration advice to citizens, immigrants, and aliens, and preparing immigration and naturalization forms.
- With a grand from the Office on Violence Against Women, began new program to assist survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking with immigration needs
- Expanded services to include initial applications for Temporary Protected Status applications for individuals from Ukraine, Haiti and Venezuela
- Collaborated with the LACBA Immigration Section to organize MCLE on Family Immigration
- Collaborated with KIWA to bring awareness to LACBA members about immigration benefits for workers in labor disputes as well as legal clinic assistance
- Delivered $357,500 worth of pro bono hours to community members in need
Veterans Legal Services Project clears access barriers to veteran housing, employment, and financial stability by assisting with clearing traffic and criminal records, small business development, family law issues, military discharge upgrades, and advocating for low-income tenants.
- Conducted 25 workshops and legal clinics to provide legal assistance and education to the veteran community
- Provided 7 volunteer trainings, preparing legal professionals to deliver pro bono legal aid to veterans
- In partnership with the Los Angeles Superior Court, piloted a remote Unlawful Detainer Clinic where volunteer attorneys provided legal information and assistance via videoconference to self-represented tenants across the county
AIDS Legal Services Project provides a lifeline to dignity and fundamental rights, including representation for estate planning, housing, healthcare access, privacy, debt relief, and immigration.
- Relaunched the Estate Planning Clinic, educating 10 community providers and providing form preparation assistance to 7 community members
The AIDS Project closed on June 30, 2024. CFJ is grateful for the thousands of hours spent by hundreds of volunteers in service to people living with HIV/AIDS since the Project’s beginning in 1986.
CFJ Executive Committee |
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Timothy B. Yoo |
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Lana Manganiello |
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Brian K. Condon |
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John A. Clark |
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Wes W. Kennedy, J.D. |
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Diane Kimberlin |
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David Kutzer |
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Eric R. McDonough |
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Susan Koehler Sullivan |
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Juan A. Torres |
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Colleen Hart |
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Kristin Adrian |
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Sarvenaz Bahar |
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Jeffrey B. Margulies |
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Stan Bissey |
