By Executive Director and CAO, Seth Chavez.
My last article was titled “All New Everything.” With a significant amount of project work behind us, new systems, new vendors, new workflows, a few new faces, and much “sunsetting,” the Association is stepping into the 21st century with pep. Just about every detail of operations has been updated, refreshed, or replaced in one way or another. Nevertheless, moving into the future is a type of stretch. A few notes about what’s been happening.
A new CRM is at the heart of most changes around the Association. At this point, it’s silly to note how important technology is, yet here we are. Ultimately, the Association is now serving members better. Better data means better communication and what are we doing if we are not communicating? SFVBA sections, leadership, and member services now have the tools to thrive. It’s never been a better time to be a member of the SFVBA.
Before I go on, a quick but necessary sidebar. None of the transformational change at the Association could have happened without the incredible, and I mean “Incredible,” leadership of the SFVBA board, including current President, Amanda Moghaddam, our most recent past President Heather Glick-Atalla, Kyle Ellis, and Robert Brown. (Honorable mention to Matt Breddan who termed out, but who has also made critical contributions in the past 15 months.) These lawyers and the rest of the Officers and Board, in the past year, have moved this Association forward in a way that will positively impact the Association for many years to come. The profession in Southern California is clearly better because of this outstanding leadership.
In addition to a new CRM, the association launched daily Slip Opinions in March. This marks a type of new philosophy at the Association in providing valuable benefits to members. In that effort, we have partnered with the University of West Los Angeles to develop an externship program. Not only is the Association bringing valuable member benefits with Slip Opinions, but we are also actively engaging with the next generation of lawyers to fulfill the research necessary to deliver.
Since July 2024, the SFVBA has launched two new sections. The Immigration Section was established by and is led by Rebecca I. Pathak and Nabil R. Atalla. Their leadership has established the Immigration Section as an important group within the immigration law community and their MCLE events have been great in a time when the practice of immigration is going through such rapid changes.
The Association also established an ADR Section under the outstanding leadership of Steven M. Sepassi. The ADR Section has a vibrant and active section committee. This section will certainly be an important hub for ADR professionals throughout the region going forward. No spoilers, but the ADR events and training that are coming will be outstanding.
The SFVBA also welcomed Justin Effres, a former SFVBA ARS Distinguished Advocate awardee, as Litigation Section Chair. The Association truly couldn’t have asked for a better leader of this very important SFVBA section. Justin recently led an outstanding presentation for the SFVBA on the Nuts and Bolts of Depositions and will be the MC for our 2025 Judges’ Night.
I highly recommend joining these sections and others. Presently, there are leadership opportunities within SFVBA sections, and we are increasing the number of section- related events produced by the Association, thanks to our amazing and incomparable Director of Events, Linda Temkin. There is so much momentum within SFVBA sections right now. It’s a great time to get involved. Check the SFVBA Calendar for upcoming events.
Judges’ Night, May 29, is just a few days away. The Association is thrilled to have Judge Amerian as recipient of this year’s Judge of the Year award. Read Judge Amerian’s feature in this issue of Valley Lawyer and you will understand why there was no question that Judge Amerian is SFVBA’s 2025 Judge of the Year. This is a great opportunity to celebrate and support the rule of law, a great opportunity to support the judiciary. This year, we are also honoring The Multi-Cultural Bar Alliance, of which the SFVBA has been supportive and a member of for several years. The work that the MCBA is doing to bring together and support minority bar associations throughout the region is unmatched. Neighborhood Legal Services will also be honored for their outstanding work in recent months at the center of the recovery effort from the Los Angeles fires. The critical and impactful work done by NLS during this difficult time has been vital throughout the region.
Wrapping this up, a sincere thanks to SFVBA members, who have been incredibly resilient as the Association has been going through a type of transformation. As we move into the future with new things, as every vibrant and sustainable organization should, we are also holding on to the incredibly rich traditions that the SFVBA has established in its nearly 100 years of service. Be a part of this longstanding tradition of innovation and service throughout the profession. Join us as we build the next generation of the SFVBA and create a net positive impact on the profession and our community.
Download this issue of Valley Lawyer in PDF format.
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