Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Location: The Mixx, 443 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101
Cost: Hosted food and drink (courtesy of Strassburg, Gilmore & Wei)
Join the San Gabriel Valley Bar Association for a joint holiday happy hour with Strassburg, Gilmore & Wei, LLP. Bring a friend and come by for some holiday cheer!
SGVBA is co-sponsoring a webinar hosted by the Asian Pacific American Bar Association featuring trailblazers in the judiciary. Come join us for a free panel celebrating the accomplishments of these inspiring “firsts” in the law.
This program is eligible for one hour of MCLE credit for the elimination of bias.
Date: Friday, December 2, 2022, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: University Club, 175 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
Cost: Lunch served — free for members, $50 for nonmembers
RSVP by Monday, November 21 to reserve your meal choice: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/467983891417
Judge Mary Thorton House retired after 22 years on the Los Angeles Superior Court, where she presided over countless jury and court trials in the Civil and Probate departments. She has been at Alternative Resolution Centers, achieving resolution in countless civil and probate matters.
She gained her knowledge of a wide variety of cases due to her experience serving as Supervising Judge of the Northeast and North Central districts, Hub Operations and Assisting Supervising Judge of Civil countywide. She is touted for her calm demeanor and unbending graciousness as well as her extraordinary and relentless, common-sense approach to settling cases. Judge house brings a unique and in-depth understanding of all aspects of civil case process and case values that aids in her successful settlement efforts.
In addition to being an arbitrator, mediator, and discovery referee for ARC, Judge House has authored three editions of the California Civil Jury instruction Companion Handbook published by Thomson Reuters for use by judges and civil litigators.
This presentation is approved for 1.0 hour of credit for implicit bias and the promotion of bias reducing strategies (a subcategory of the elimination of bias) towards the required MCLE for the State Bar of California. SGVBA is a Multiple Activity Provider.
Date: October 7, 2022, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: University Club, 175 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
Cost: Lunch served — free for members, $50 for nonmembers
RSVP by Friday, September 30 to reserve your meal choice: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/420807084317
Lazaro Arvizu is a descendent of the Gabrieleno people, the first people of the Los Angeles Basin and Southern Channel Islands. He is dedicated to the study of indigenous culture and history.
Presently his work includes presentations at schools, museums, and public venues.
This presentation is approved for 1.0 hour of credit towards the required MCLE for the State Bar of California. SGVBA is a Multiple Activity Provider.
Elimination of Bias Topic: “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Unconscious Bias” presented by Michelle FreridgeDate: Friday, September 2, 2022, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: University Club, 175 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
Cost: Lunch served — free for members, $50 for nonmembers
RSVP by Friday, August 26 to reserve your meal choice: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/401380599177
Michelle Freridge grew up in Michigan served in the U. S. Army Reserves while she completed her B.A. in American History, with a Women’s Studies Thematic at Michigan State University. After graduation in 1993, she went on to work in the field of domestic and sexual violence prevention and intervention. In 1998, Michelle completed a master’s degree in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management from Western Michigan University. She moved to California in 1999 and in 2002 was hired as the Development Director of the Asian Youth Center. Michelle completed her J.D. at Loyola Law School in the spring of 2011, was admitted to the California Bar in December 2011 and was tapped to be the Executive Director of the Asian Youth Center (AYC) in February 2012. In 2017, Ms. Freridge became an Adjunct Professor at the University of the West in Rosemead, California where she teaches MBA classes in Nonprofit Governance, Leadership & Management, and Financial Development. Michelle dedicates her continuing education to non-profit law matters and helps a small number of non-profit organizations with start-up, shut-down, bylaws and other matters each year. Michelle sits on the Pasadena City College President’s Asian American and Pacific Islander’s (AAPI) Advisory Committee, The Cal State Los Angeles Asian Studies Advisory Committee, and is on the Board of the San Gabriel Valley Bar Association. Ms. Freridge is deeply committed to empowering youth and young adults to succeed in life.
This presentation is approved for 1.0 hour of credit for elimination of bias towards the required MCLE for the State Bar of California. SGVBA is a Multiple Activity Provider.
Date: Friday, August 5, 2022, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: University Club, 175 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
Cost: Lunch served — free for members, $50 for nonmembers
RSVP here to reserve your meal choice: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/384218567077
Lita Abella is a native of Southern California, born and raised in Hollywood. Lita earned a Juris Doctor from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton. While in law school, Lita was a law clerk for the Riverside District Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Attorney General, and certified mediator for the Superior Court of Orange County.
Lita is a Senior Program Analyst at the State Bar of California, where she conducts outreach and is a MCLE presenter for the Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP). LAP assists law students, bar exam applicants, and attorneys with substance use and mental health issues. Prior to that, Lita worked as an investigator in the Office of Chief Trial Counsel where she investigated and assisted in the prosecution of attorneys for misconduct. She has been with the State Bar for over nine years.
Beginning in 1980, Lita served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 20 years, breaking many glass ceilings as a female and minority. She worked various assignments including but not limited to patrol, Internal Affairs, narcotics, and vice. She was a court-qualified narcotics expert during her years in law enforcement and attained the rank of lieutenant.
Lita has been a fitness instructor and a health and wellness consultant for over 22 years. She is nationally certified by the Athletic and Fitness Association of America.
Lita has served on many boards and committees within many organizations and entities. For the past eight years, she has been a Library Commissioner with the City of Azusa.
This presentation is approved for 1.0 hour of credit for competence towards the required MCLE for the State Bar of California. SGVBA is a Multiple Activity Provider.