In this issue
Professional growth starts with connection
Know Someone Who
Should Be a Member?
Work with an administrator, office manager, operations professional, HR leader, or legal management professional who could benefit from ALA? Whether you're a member, business partner, or industry colleague, your introduction could help someone discover the connections, resources, and professional community that has helped so many of us grow.
Refer them to the Golden Gate Chapter and receive a $100 referral bonus when their membership is approved.
Help us welcome the next great chapter member
Contact [email protected] for referral details
Recognizing dedication and years of impact
July Milestones
| Reid C. Miller | 37 years |
| Yvonne Millette | 23 years |
| Charity Woodward | 13 years |
| Jeffrey Lais | 11 years |
| Helen G. Miranda | 9 years |
| Rita Barie Barnes | 7 years |
| Janine Oliker | 7 years |
| Andy Hoedt | 6 years |
| Olivia B. Pavelchik | 3 years |
| Traci Yanez | 3 years |
| Lilliane Villanueva | 3 years |
| Kiran Thakkar | 3 years |
| Stephen Escobar | 1 year |
| Kimberly Ferer | 1 year |
| Lisette Estevez-Watkins | 1 year |
Stay in the Loop
Browse past newsletters and stay connected with what’s happening across our community.
Mission Statement
ALA is the premier professional association connecting leaders and managers within the legal industry. We provide extensive professional development, collaborative peer communities, strategic operational solutions, and business partner connections empowering our members to lead the business of law.
Membership Ambassador Program
The goals of the ALA MemberSHIP Ambassador Program are to welcome new members, build meaningful connections, provide an immediate peer resource, and help members access ALA benefits and services.
DEIA Resource Hub
ALA is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and recognizes the power of diversity to strengthen the organization through collaboration that values talent, skills, and lived experience.
💬 Join the Conversation
Connect with fellow ALA members, ask questions, share insights, and stay engaged with the community.
Keep Your Membership Info Current
Have a new address or changed firms? Update your information so you don’t miss chapter and ALA updates.
You can also email [email protected] , or log in to alanet.org and select My Account, then Update Your Member Information.
Your Chapter Leadership
President Ryan Hill
Vice President Katrina Combs
Treasurer May Rafanan
Vice Treasurer Shannon Oliver
Secretary Emilia "Mika" J. Bekkerman
Director at Large Yadira Diaz
Thank you to our Business Partners
Blaisdell's Business Products
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Emily Paasch Sales Executive ☎ (510) 483-3600 |
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Mike Fitting Business Development |
Blaisdell's Business Products is an independent, woman-owned, certified-green business providing office solutions, support, low prices, service, and speedy delivery.
🌐 Website
Corodata Records Management
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Steve Barry Senior Sales Representative ☎ (925) 984-4245 |
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Jason Perry Senior Account Executive ☎ (408) 709-9225 |
Corodata provides secure information management solutions, including records management, secure shredding, document imaging, data tape storage, and cloud data protection.
🌐 Website
Kraft Kennedy
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Annette Briffa Marketing and Business Development ☎ (800) 523-3081 |
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Chris Arrowsmith |
Kraft Kennedy provides legal technology, managed IT, cybersecurity, infrastructure design, project management, and enterprise content management services for law firms.
🌐 Website
The Bridge - July 1, 2026 Issue Your Semi-Monthly Chapter Connection 
Month Spotlight
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July Spotlight: Independence, Inclusion & Mid-Year Momentum |
July brings sunshine, celebration, and a natural pause to reflect on the second half of the year. This month highlights independence, accessibility, wellness, and the opportunity to carry our mid-year momentum forward with intention.
🇺🇸 Independence Day — July 4
Independence Day offers a moment to celebrate freedom, community, and the ongoing work of building a stronger and more inclusive nation. It is also a reminder to appreciate the people, institutions, and shared efforts that support civic life.
Explore Independence Day history ►♿️ Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month, recognizing the history, achievements, and contributions of people with disabilities. It is also a meaningful reminder of the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and designing workplaces where all individuals can participate fully.
Explore workplace accessibility resources ►💙 Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month brings attention to the unique mental health challenges faced by racial and ethnic minority communities. It encourages open conversations, culturally responsive support, and workplaces that promote well-being for everyone.
Explore mental health resources ►☀️ Summer Momentum
With the second half of the year underway, July is a great time to revisit priorities, reconnect with professional goals, and make space for rest and renewal. Even small adjustments can help create steady momentum through the rest of the year.
Explore ALA learning opportunities ►Featured Business Partner
✨ Business Partner Spotlight
Featured Platinum Business Partners
Our Platinum Business Partners go above and beyond in supporting the Golden Gate Chapter throughout the year. We are proud to highlight these outstanding organizations and the professionals who help strengthen our legal community.
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Platinum Partner Spotlight Nationwide LegalProud Platinum Business Partner of the Association of Legal Administrators – Golden Gate Chapter |
Platinum Business Partner |
Reliable legal support services helping law firms streamline litigation, court filing, process serving, and investigations nationwide. Why firms trust Nationwide Legal: Fast, dependable litigation support backed by nationwide coverage, experienced professionals, responsive customer service, and a commitment to getting legal work done accurately and on time.
Nationwide Legal LLC provides comprehensive litigation support services including process serving, court filing, investigations, skip tracing, records retrieval, and other legal support solutions for firms across the country. |
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Platinum Partner Spotlight One Legal, An InfoTrack CompanyProud Platinum Business Partner of the Association of Legal Administrators – Golden Gate Chapter |
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Platinum Business Partner |
California litigation support technology helping legal professionals manage eFiling, service of process, courtesy copy delivery, eService, skip tracing, and more from one convenient platform. Why firms trust One Legal: Statewide court coverage, nationwide and global service of process, streamlined order management, and an easy-to-use platform that keeps communications, files, and invoices organized.
One Legal, an InfoTrack company, gives California legal professionals a smarter way to manage litigation services including eFiling, service of process, courtesy copy delivery, eService, skip tracing, and related communications, files, and invoices. Services include: eFiling | Service of Process | Courtesy Copy Delivery | eService | Skip Tracing | And more |
Admin Confessions... Summer Edition
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Community Corner 🤭 Admin ConfessionsLegal administrators have seen it all. We thought it would be fun to hear from you! Share your anonymous responses below. If we receive enough great submissions, we'll feature a few favorites in an upcoming newsletter. |
💼 You know you're a legal administrator when...
Need inspiration?
- "...you've fixed the copier without ever being trained."
- "...your Outlook calendar has become your second brain."
😂 The fastest way to raise my blood pressure is...
- "Reply All."
- "A last-minute deadline."
⚡ What's one work shortcut you swear by?
- Outlook Quick Steps
- Keyboard shortcuts
🎵 If your office had walk-up music like baseball players, what song would play when you walked in each morning?
- "Eye of the Tiger"
- "9 to 5"
📱 Scan to Share Your Responses
No names required—we're just here for the laughs (and maybe a little therapy 😉).
Prefer clicking instead?
CLM
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Professional Development Certified Legal Manager (CLM) |
The CLM designation is the gold standard for legal management professionals, demonstrating mastery across the core competencies required to lead and support modern law firms effectively.
Why it matters
Through a combination of experience, coursework, and examination, CLM certification validates your expertise in the business of law—positioning you as a trusted leader within your organization.
How the chapter supports you
The Golden Gate Chapter provides funding for study groups and offers financial support for members who successfully pass the CLM exam—helping you invest in your growth with confidence.
Upcoming Events
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Learn • Connect • Grow Your Chapter Calendar |
Make the most of your membership by joining upcoming programs, roundtables, networking opportunities, and community events designed to keep you connected, informed, and engaged.
July Events
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Small Firm Roundtable - Hybrid 📅 July 01, 2026 🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 📍 Futterman Dupree Dodd Croley Maier LLP Join your fellow Small Firm Administrators for an engaging, collaborative discussion on challenges and opportunities small law firms are facing and how they are managing them. |
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The Finance Education Section Presents: Making Sense of the Numbers – A Finance Primer for Firm Administrators (Hybrid) 📅 July 22, 2026 🕛 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Morrison & Foerster LLP This session is designed to help law firm administrators better understand the key financial concepts and metrics that drive firm performance. |
Upcoming in August
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Small Firm Roundtable - Virtual 📅 August 05, 2026 🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 📍 Via Zoom Join your fellow Small Firm Administrators for an engaging, collaborative discussion on challenges and opportunities small law firms are facing and how they are managing them. |
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Mental Health First Aid 📅 August 07, 2026 🕔 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM 📍 Via Zoom Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) prepares participants to recognize, understand, and respond to someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis while connecting them with appropriate support and resources. |
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Business Partner Game Night 📅 August 13, 2026 🕓 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM 📍 Cooley LLP Put your trivia knowledge to the test while connecting with fellow Golden Gate Chapter members and Business Partners during this fun networking event. |
Looking Ahead
More events are coming later in August, including our Not-So-Quarterly Social Hour, Emotional Intelligence program, and Coffee Pop-Up with Ryan and Katrina. Be sure to check the Chapter calendar for the latest updates.
Job Bank
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Career Connections Job Bank Opportunities |
Explore current openings shared through the ALA community and connect with firms seeking talented legal management professionals across a variety of practice areas and roles.
ALA Code of Ethics
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Professional Standards ALA Code of Ethics Reminder |
The ALA Code of Ethics is a practical guide for how legal management professionals show up—with integrity, competence, respect, and accountability.
Commitment to the Profession
ALA members are encouraged to support the mission of ALA, pursue continuing education, contribute to the credibility of the profession, and engage with honesty, fairness, respect, courtesy, and collaboration.
Responsibility to Our Organizations
Ethical legal management includes sound business practices, respectful communication, accurate financial reporting, good judgment, risk awareness, and protecting confidential information.
Respect Beyond the Workplace
The Code also reminds members to engage with clients, business partners, colleagues, and the broader community with respect, cultural awareness, tact, sincerity, and good citizenship.
Articles
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Legal Management Magazine Featured Reads |
Explore recent highlights from Legal Management Magazine, with practical insights on marketing, visibility, growth, AI, and leadership for today’s legal administrators.
Are You Maximizing Your Marketing Team’s Time?
By Erin Brereton
How to Best Market Your Law Firm in 2026
By Alex Heshmaty
By John Hellerman
Reaching the Summit: A Year of Climbing Higher
By Travis Armstrong, CLM, CPA
The New Digital Visibility Stack
By Robyn Addis
How Regional Firms Can Outrank National Firms in Local Markets
By Jordanna Kalkhof
Why Most Law Firm Growth Fails — And How Administrators Can Fix It
By John Jakovenko
By Terry M. Isner
For full access to Legal Management Magazine, visit alanet.org.
Thank you to our Business Partners for their GGALA Chapter Sponsorship
Thank You to Our Business Partners
Supporting the Golden Gate Chapter ALA
We are grateful for the business partners whose support helps strengthen our chapter programming, resources, and professional community.
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Acrisure InsuranceSusan Kilano, Executive Vice President Reid Middleton, Executive Vice President Acrisure is a global fintech leader and top-tier insurance brokerage that provides customized risk management, insurance, employee benefits, and cybersecurity solutions. |
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ASAP Legal LLCJulien Laussade, Chief Operating Officer ASAP Legal LLC provides comprehensive legal support services, including service of process, e-Filing, court reporting, record retrieval, and investigations. |
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Element Professional StaffingSteve Gomez, Managing Director Shareen Fanburg, Managing Director Element Professional Staffing is a premier direct-hire and contract legal staffing firm committed to connecting clients with top-tier legal talent. |
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Hughes MarinoCameron Love, Managing Director Cale Miller, Sr. Managing Director - Tenant Representation Hughes Marino represents tenants and buyers exclusively, helping businesses and law firms with strategic real estate representation and negotiation support. |
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Kidder MathewsPaul L. Picciani Kidder Mathews is the largest independent commercial real estate firm on the West Coast. Paul Picciani specializes in helping law firms with office space needs. |
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Pathways PersonnelChristopher Crowley, President / Owner Katy Bataller Pathways Personnel is a premier recruiting firm specializing in matching high-quality professionals with top-tier law firms and corporations nationwide. |
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San Francisco State Paralegal StudiesEduardo Cerpa, Program Specialist San Francisco State’s ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Program offers a rigorous, 100% online curriculum designed to prepare students for successful careers as paralegals. |
