On Saturday, April 25, 2009, MABA held its first annual Community Legal Fair at Plaza Mexico in the City of Lynwood. With hard work, dedication, and a genuine interest to help, MABA members served over 200 residents from Lynwood and surrounding areas. All services were provided free of charge to all attendees.
MABA attorneys from the greater Los Angeles area joined together, not only to counsel and assist attendees, but to also learn and understand the needs of the community. The group was comprised of all types of attorneys -- from the public and private sector to state and local law offices, from large law firms to solo practitioners seeking to expand their client base. Topics included areas such as: consumer protection (e.g., lemon law), immigration, criminal, worker’s compensation, business, and personal Injury. The Legal Fair was a memorable experience and a win-win situation for everyone involved. As you can ascertain from the pictures, the Legal Fair was not only a great way for our membership to give back to the community but also a great way for we MABISTAS to celebrate and commune.
As we continue to grow our membership, MABA will offer both monthly social networking events and ongoing community service volunteer opportunities. We realize that with the daily pressures of running an office, handling case loads, tracking billable hours, staying in contact with clients, raising a family and/or maintaining some resemblance of a social life, your time is very limited. However, from our member surveys, we know many of you are still willing to commit to a community service project. In furtherance of MABA’s yearly goals and objectives, the board and I are committed to increase efforts to match members with suitable volunteer opportunities that will work well within your schedule and particular needs and will also address the needs of our community. During these challenging economic times, we encourage you to embrace community service and assist those less fortunate than ourselves.
When you are ready to contribute and you would like to find out what is available, call the MABA office. We will help to coordinate, based on your preferences, one or more of several available volunteer opportunities including: mentoring a high school or law student, speaking to groups of students and providing direction to those interested in law, and/or offering pro bono services. Whichever you choose – MABA will help you make your desire to volunteer a reality.
Further, several organizations such as: Community Lawyers Inc., Homeboy Industries, Teen Court/SHADES Program, Lambda Legal, LACBA High School Mentor Program, LACBA Domestic Violence Project, Law School Panels routinely seek out MABA members for volunteers. Call the MABA office and ask for your volunteer opportunity today.
I sincerely want to thank all of the students, attorneys, interpreters, board members and community volunteers that gave of their time and expertise to the Legal Fair. Remember that community service and advocacy will continue to be the mantra for MABA for this year.
“If you build it they will come…. If we provide the opportunities they will volunteer. “
