By SVBA President, Amanda Moghaddam
It is with great enthusiasm that I write this President’s message for the latest edition of Valley Lawyer Magazine. After a brief hiatus, we are proud to announce the magazine’s return, bringing you valuable legal insights and updates about our local legal community.
I would like to share some exciting developments within the Bar Association. Executive Director Seth Chavez has done an exceptional job modernizing our customer relationship management system, significantly enhancing our ability to stay connected with members, share program content, and communicate about exciting events and opportunities.
I am immensely proud of the Bar’s recent achievements. One notable event was our member appreciation party, held following the Los Angeles Wildfires, where our members generously raised over $300 in grocery and home goods gift cards. These contributions were donated to LA Family Housing, an organization that does incredible work supporting the unhoused in our community.
We have also been very active in supporting local legal organizations. I had the privilege of attending the Multicultural Bar Alliance of Southern California’s Unity Breakfast, which provided a wonderful opportunity to come together with several bar associations and celebrate our shared diversity, perspectives, and needs. I encourage you to visit the MCBA’s website for more information on the various events hosted by Southern California's minority bar associations.
Additionally, I was honored to attend the Mediation Center of Los Angeles’ inaugural Gala, where the President and Founder of the organization received an award for his outstanding achievements in founding and growing this remarkable initiative. For those unfamiliar, MCLA offers low-cost mediation services to Los Angeles litigants, providing crucial access to justice for cases that may not typically justify the expense of private mediation. It was inspiring to learn that the Los Angeles Superior Court has estimated that MCLA has saved the court system approximately $6 million in resources since its inception. This is a truly significant impact, and it’s remarkable to see how this all began with the vision of founder Myer Sankary, who sought to ensure that access to justice includes mediation.
Looking ahead, I am excited to invite you to our upcoming Judge’s Night on May 29, 2025, at the Woodland Hills Country Club. This year, we are proud to honor Judge Michael Amerian as our Judge of the Year, a long-time friend of the SFVBA and the Valley Community Legal Foundation. Judge Amerian is truly deserving of this recognition. We will also celebrate the invaluable work of Neighborhood Legal Services, which has been a regional leader in providing assistance to victims of the Los Angeles Wildfires. To conclude the evening, we will present an award to the Multicultural Bar.
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