Upcoming Events

BOARD OF DIRECTORS/CHAPTER LEADERSHIP MEETING

March 04, 2021
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM

Virtual - Telephonic

March 2021 Board of Directors/Chapter Leadership Meeting

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Meet your 2021-2022 GGALA Executive Committee Members

Ellen Pace, President

I am currently the Senior Administrative Operations Manager at Morrison & Foerster, LLP and have had the good fortune to work at an AmLaw 50 firm my entire career. I started as a paralegal and moved up through the ranks of paralegal management to office-wide management and administration. As I have posted on my LinkedIn profile, the legal services industry has experienced changes like no other over the past decade; the need and ability to remain nimble and on pace with those changes is essential. Legal administration and management is a field in which I thrive, and I strive to continually enhance and expand my experience and knowledge. Being a part of the ALA and this Chapter has been instrumental in assisting me in this endeavor.

I moved to San Francisco from New Orleans, Louisiana in January 2004. Prior to joining the Golden Gate Chapter of the ALA several years ago, I served for 3 years as the co-chair of what is now the International Practice Management Association. I currently serve as the co-chair of the Leadership & Management Committee with Steve Morris who, like my other Chapter colleagues, has been a wonderful resource and fount of knowledge regarding law firm administration. I can only hope that I prove to be as valuable a resource to my fellow Board Members and others in the Chapter as they have been to me over the years.

I attended Loyola University in New Orleans for my undergraduate degree in communications and political science and have a Master’s Degree from The George Washington University in law firm administration. In the non-AmLaw 50 part of my life, I have been with the same amazing woman for almost 23 years (yowza!), to whom I have been married for 3 ½ years. We live in the Marina and love to travel and spend time at our house in Cape Cod, MA.

It will be an honor to serve on as President for the 2021-2022 board year and do whatever I can to assist the Golden Gate Chapter in continuing to be such a terrific resource to an amazing group of professionals.

Hannah Lincecum, Vice-President/President Elect

I am a regional Human Resources Manager at Reed Smith and oversee the HR function for its four California offices. I began working in law firms as a receptionist when I was just 19 and what an adventure it has been! My career has given me opportunities to assist with the practice of law as a legal secretary and paralegal, and now I contribute to the business of law where I have found my true calling in Human Resources.

I was born in the Midwest but spent a significant portion of my life in New Orleans, Louisiana. About five years ago, I took a chance, moved away from my family, and pursued a life-long dream of living in San Francisco. It was the best decision I have ever made… so far. The Golden Gate Chapter of the ALA has been a single and tremendous source of knowledge, mentorship, job opportunities and most importantly, friendship. I am very grateful to be a member of this Chapter and pay forward the kindness and generosity its members have shown me.

I love music. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, you would almost certainly find me at a live concert any day of the week somewhere in the city. In these days of social distancing, I am content to play the piano in my apartment and mediocrely serenade the Lower Haight. Other pandemic activities include renting American muscle cars and hiking California’s beautiful coast!

Oh, I have a cat named Leo and a nephew named Kyler, who is my twin both in looks and spirit! 

As a member of the Chapter, I have served on the Board and worked with the Membership Committee, the Leadership & Management Educational Section, the Business Partner Committee and the Executive Board as Director At Large. It was my honor to chair the Chapter’s signature Knowledge to Leadership Conference in 2019, and this year I chaired our Business Partner Virtual Expo. I am very excited to work with the Executive Committee, many of whom are already dear friends, and support our Chapter President, Ellen Pace.

Kira Hansen, Secretary

Kira Hansen is the Office Administrator for Rosen, Bien, Galvan & Grunfeld, which has 23 attorneys and where she directs the day-to-day operations in San Francisco.  She has been an active member of GGALA since joining in 2016 and in addition to her new role as chapter Secretary she serves as a co-chair of the Community Connection committee.  In 2020 Kira began serving as the chapter’s social media liaison, as well as the small firm roundtable host.  Also in 2020 Kira was one of the two recipients of the Susan L. French Emerging Leader Fellowship award and looks forward to mentoring the 2021 fellowship recipients starting this summer.

An east coast transplant, Kira grew up in Nashua, NH, and relocated first to Portland, OR before following her fiancé, Erik, to San Francisco.  Erik had moved to OR from Upstate NY for Kira, so it was her turn, and the Bay Area has agreed with them tremendously. They now have three children ages 6, 4, and 1.5.  A favorite new pastime since the pandemic has been discovering new playgrounds and hiking spots in the hopes of exhausting the boundless energy of her growing family.

Penny Evans,Treasurer

I am the the Firm Administrator at Cooper, White & Cooper LLP.  I am responsible for the business operations and administration of Cooper’s two bay area offices.  I have served for 6 years as co-chair of the HR Section of the Golden Gate Chapter Association of Legal Administrators. 

I have over 30 years’ experience in the legal field, 25 years of which have been in management positions.  I earned my HR Certificate from San Francisco State University and am currently studying with the Chicago ALA group in preparation for the CLM exam.        

In my free time, I love to travel (pics above are in Tahoe and in Cabo with my best friend of 50 years), spend time with friends and family and hang out with my fur baby rescue, Cornell Richard Parker.   I enjoy playing tennis and I am a diehard Warriors fan.

Vani Singleton,Vice-Treasurer

I am the Accounting Manager at Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass and am currently responsible for managing the Accounts Payable department and collections for the firm.  I am also responsible for creating and distributing all monthly financial packets to management and partners. I work collaboratively with all accounting departments to ensure smooth month-end closing.  Prior to joining Coblentz, I worked at Morrison & Foerster, where I was responsible for managing a team of six Client Account Managers.

In August of 2020, I received my Masters in Studies of Law (MSL).   I am very committed to the legal industry and hope to broaden my knowledge and skills on law firm management.  I have been a member of the ALA, SF Golden Gate Chapter since 2016 and served as Finance Co-Chair in 2017-2018.  I am very excited to be the Vice Treasurer for the upcoming year. 

I was born in Delhi, India.  I moved to the states at a very young age with my family, which consists of mom, dad, older sister and a younger brother.  I currently live in Oakland with my fur baby Puma, aka, Pooh-Bear.  He is a perfect companion when it comes to dressing up for Halloween, spending a long day hiking or just getting away for the weekend.

Jeff Johnson, Director-At-Large

I am the Office Administrator for Sheppard Mullin’s Silicon Valley office and am responsible for directing all management functions of the office. I am fortunate to have spent my entire professional career in the legal industry. Prior to joining Sheppard Mullin, I worked at two smaller firms for 12 years. I graduated from San Francisco State University in 2008, and met my husband in 2009. We live in San Francisco with our wonderful dog, Wilco, who we are sure gets more attention than most human children. When I’m not working, I enjoy going out for long bike rides and playing handbells with a fabulous local community group.

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Early Bird Rate extended for 2021  GGALA Membership renewal

If you keep forgetting to renew your GGALA membership, this is your gentle reminder to do so now.  The discounted renewal rate is $125 until the end of February. 

Renew your membership now!

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Thank you to our Business Partners for their GGALA Chapter Sponsorship

Kevin Valine 

Ph: (916) 756-1508

Guy Wallrath

Ph: (925) 822-9132

Steve Barry
Ph: (925) 984-4245

Jason Perry
Ph: (408) 709-9225

 

Michael Migdol

Ph: (480) 710-6818   

 

Colleen Atkinson

Ph: (925) 444-2980

 

Steve Tessler

Ph: (510) 499-9509

 

Rachael Middlekauff

Ph: (415) 982-2001

 

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Article

Is Legal Tech a Challenge for you?

Tech tools are proliferating in the legal field, and employers expect legal professionals to not only keep abreast of the latest software and platforms but to use them in ways that drive efficiency and impress clients. 

So where do you start? Click here to find out!

Find Legal Management Solutions and Business Partners

Looking for the latest legal management solution options or services to solve the daily challenges you face? ALA’s Legal Marketplace is a free, one-stop resource for finding business solutions and services that can enhance efficiencies and add value to your workplace. With more than 200 business partners and suppliers, 12 primary solution categories, business partner profile pages, and easy to navigate search functionality, use the Legal Marketplace to make a difference in your work today.

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Job Bank

THE GOLDEN GATE CHAPTER MAINTAINS A JOB BANK AS A SERVICE TO OUR MEMBERS. 

Access Job Bank listings here.

The Job Bank operates in the following manner:

For Job Seekers:

1. The Job Bank is available to all who are seeking administrative or management positions within the legal industry.
2. This is a free service to all job seekers.

For Employers:

1. The Job Bank is a valuable recruiting tool and is available for use by law firms or corporations with in-house legal departments.

2. Effective April 1, 2019, employers or recruiters posting ads to our Job Board will be charged $100 per 60-day posting. 

3. An employer or recruiter may place an ad detailing the position, which will be posted on the Job Bank's listing page of the Chapter's website for 60 days or until the Chair is notified the position should be removed. The website listings are viewable by the public at large.  A link to the Job Bank is also included in each weekly broadcast email to ALA Golden Gate Chapter Members. 
4. Go to our Job Bank to post a job.  Provide the particulars of the position as well as the direct contact information in the job posting.

All inquiries or materials should be directed to Mike Lewis.

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ALA Value in Partnership (VIP) Savings

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