In this issue
Congratulations to these members on their March GGALA Anniversary and new Members who joined this month!
Susan C. Buechel — 26 years
Kathy Benbow Edmonds — 15 years
Pamela Dutra — 5 years
Shannon Michelle Oliver, aPHR — 3 years
Maggie Hodgins — 1 year
Deneen Marie Simon — 1 year
Congratulations to these members on their February GGALA Anniversary and new Members who joined this month!
Kim T. Doran 28 years
Kim S. McDade 28 years
Ingrid Hester, CLM, SPHR 27 years
Dee Sannazzaro Gray 24 years
Kit Fong 18 years
Amie Morelli 16 years
Linda J. Republicano 14 years
Brian Nervis 12 years
Phyllis O'Dea 12 years
Cara S. Compesi 5 years
Luis G. Aguayo 3 years
Yadira Diaz 3 years
Kelly McHan 2 years
Joni Gruver 1 year
Sharisse Huie 1 year
Guinevere Jobson 1 year
To access our Newsletter Archives click here.
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.
Learn more about the ALA's: Code of Ethics, Mission Statement and Strategic Direction
ALA MemberSHIP Ambassador Program
The goals for the ALA Membership Ambassador Program are to welcome new members to ALA, develop a relationship with new members and provide them with an immediate peer connection, ensure new members understand how to access and utilize ALA member benefits and potentially increase consumption of ALA products and services and ALA member retention rates. Learn more by clicking here.
DEIA Resource Hub: We’re Committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
At ALA, we foster an inclusive environment and recognize diversity’s power to strengthen the organization through collaboration that values our talents, skills and experiences. Our mission is to empower legal management professionals to lead the business of law by advocating for diversity initiatives that provide an environment of equity, inclusivity and accessibility to everyone.
Read our full statement on our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Don't forget to utilize the ALA Online Community to post messages, ask questions, and provide answers to your fellow administrators!
Do you have a new address or have you changed firms?
Make sure you email [email protected]; or login to alasf.org and choose "My Account Info" and email [email protected]; or login to alanet.org and choose “My Account” and “Update your Member Information.”
President, Javier Morelos
Vice-President, Ryan Hill
Treasurer, Brian Nervis
Vice-Treasurer, May Rafanan
Secretary, Shannon Oliver
Director at Large, Katrina Combs
For a complete listing of the Board of Directors/Leadership click here.
Thank you to our Business Partners.
The People Connection
John Dorning, President
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (415) 397-6800
🌐 www.people-connection.com
The People Connection, Inc. is a full-service staffing firm connecting talented professionals with leading businesses throughout San Francisco, the Bay Area, and the West Coast since 1984. We specialize in direct hire, temporary, and temp-to-hire placements across legal and non-legal sectors. Our experienced consultants work closely with clients to develop tailored staffing strategies that effectively address their unique personnel needs. For candidates, we offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, fostering a dedicated and high-quality workforce. Celebrating over 40 years in business, The People Connection remains committed to excellence in staffing solutions, ensuring seamless matches between employers and job seekers.
Corodata Records Management
Steve Barry, Senior Sales Representative
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (925) 984-4245
Jason Perry, Senior Account Executive
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (408) 709-9225
🌐 www.corodata.com
Corodata has been a trusted partner to California businesses for over 70 years, delivering secure and reliable information management solutions. We offer comprehensive services, including records management, secure shredding, document imaging, data tape storage, and cloud data protection.
Whether you’re safeguarding physical records or securing digital assets, Corodata provides the expertise and technology to help you stay compliant, organized, and protected.
Corodata - Protecting What Matters Most.
ECFX, Inc
Bob Moore, Account Executive
📧 Email: [email protected]
Nelson Quintero, Co-Founder
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (310) 750-4160
🌐 www.goecfx.com
ECFX develops innovative legal technology solutions to streamline and automate critical processes for law firms. Their flagship product, ECFX Notice, automates the download, profiling, storage, and distribution of court documents from Federal and State ECF (Electronic Court Filing) notices.
With flexible delivery formats and powerful integration into document management systems, ECFX Notice ensures that attorneys, paralegals, and support staff receive timely, accurate filings without manual intervention. Features like customized email alerts and an advanced analytics dashboard make ECFX a trusted partner in modernizing legal workflows.
Blaisdell's Business Products
Emily Paasch, Sales Executive
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (510) 483-3600
🌐 www.blaisdells.com
Blaisdell’s Business Products is an independent, woman-owned, and certified-green business dedicated to delivering office solutions and support to companies and the local community for over 75 years. Our promise to our customers is simple: super low prices, superior service, and speedy delivery with each and every order.
At Blaisdell's, we believe every business deserves a great workday. Our team takes pride in offering customers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience—delivering what you need whenever, and wherever, you need it. We pair it with a friendly, dedicated account support team and service solutions to save our customers both time and money. When you partner with Blaisdell’s Business Products, you’re guaranteed to have a great workday!
The Bridge - February 28, 2026 Issue - Your Bi-Monthly Chapter Connection 
Introducing the Executive Committee
Please join us in welcoming the newly elected 2026–2027 Executive Committee for the Golden Gate Association of Legal Administrators.
This dedicated group of leaders brings a wealth of experience, vision, and commitment to advancing our chapter and supporting the legal management community. We look forward to the energy, collaboration, and innovation they will bring in the year ahead as they guide our chapter’s initiatives and strengthen the connections that make GGALA such a vibrant and supportive organization.
K2L - Another Success!
Another K2L is in the books!
On February 20th, the Golden Gate Chapter, Association of Legal Administrators held its semi-annual educational conference and exposition, Knowledge to Leadership (K2L), at Cooley LLP in San Francisco. The day was filled with engaging, in-depth sessions on leadership, AI, marketing, mental health, and more.
A sincere thank you to our speakers (Jarrett Green, Esq., M.A. Psychology, Ashley Herd, Shirley Laboy, Cheryl Parks, Crystal Ludlow, Brian Cain, Lisa Waligorski, CLM, PHRca, SPHR, Spencer X. Smith, James Schwarz, Dave Collins, Mary Beth O'Connor, and David Wang) for sharing practical insights and strategies that help our members continue building the skills needed to lead their firms with confidence and purpose.
This event would not have been possible without the support of our business partners and session sponsors. The Business Partner Exposition showcased many of our chapter’s partners and gave attendees the opportunity to connect, strengthen relationships, meet new contacts, and even take home a few raffle prizes. Their continued support is what makes K2L possible.
Thank you to Steven Morris, CLM, SPHR and Cooley for graciously hosting our group, to the K2L Committee and Exhibitor Committee for planning and executing an outstanding conference, and to our Chapter Manager, Veronica Vaskinn-Lew Vaskinn, for managing every detail behind the scenes to ensure a seamless event.
Grateful for this community and the momentum we continue to build together.
You are invited...
The Golden Gate Association of Legal Administrators invites all members to join us for a dynamic and energizing Board Retreat on March 6th at BraunHagey & Borden LLP. This half‑day, in‑person gathering—facilitated by James Cornell—will bring our community together for inspiration, collaboration, and meaningful connection as we set the tone for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking to engage with fellow members, contribute ideas, or simply feel recharged by the collective energy of our chapter, this retreat promises to be both motivating and productive. We can’t wait to see you there and kick off an exciting new board year together.
Welcome New Members!
Please join the Membership Committee in welcoming the Golden Gate Chapter of ALA's newest members!
- Erik Pascual - Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
- Michelle Ann Linderman - Miller Starr Regalia
- Danielle Kay Keeler - Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
- Jannelly Sussman - WilmerHale
- Catherine Montalvo - BraunHagey & Borden LLP
- Michael Shuff - Hogan Lovells US LLP
- Jason Gan - Reed Smith LLP
- Deanna Altman - ArentFox Schiff LLP
- Alex Doll - Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
- Peter Wilkinson - Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
- Larry Luna Bhagwandeen - Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
- Betty Stone - Sideman & Bancroft LLP
ALA Annual Conference - Registration is now open
You’re Invited to the ALA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo!
Join your peers in legal management for the premier event of the year, April 12–15, 2026, at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland. This flagship conference brings together legal management professionals and business partners for several days of high‑impact learning, networking, and engagement.
Engage in thought‑provoking presentations and dynamic discussions with your legal management community. Connect with colleagues during scheduled networking activities and explore the latest products and services from our business partners in the exhibit hall. Hear from top‑tier speakers, attend compelling educational sessions designed for today’s legal administrators, and meet knowledgeable exhibitors ready to help you solve real‑world challenges.
We look forward to seeing you in National Harbor for an inspiring and rewarding experience!
Upcoming Events
Small Firm Roundtable - Hybrid
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Schoenberg Family Law Group, 8th Floor Conference Room
50 California Street, Suite 860
San Francisco, CA 94111
Please come and 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.
GG ALA 2026-2027 Board Retreat
8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
BraunHagey & Borden LLP
747 Front Street, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
This retreat will motivate, inspire and also be productive as we plan our board year together!
Large Firm Quarterly Hybrid Roundtable
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Seyfarth Shaw, LLP
560 Mission Street, Suite 3100
San Francisco, CA 94105
Please come and join your fellow Large Firm Administrators for an engaging, collaborative discussion.
ALA Essentials of Chapter Leadership - Part 1
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Virtual
We can't wait for March 13th and 20th for this essential chapter leadership event!
Not-So-Quarterly Social Hour
March 18, 2026
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Harrington's
245 Front Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
Eat, drink, and catch up! Open to All Members and Business Partners.
The HR Education Section Presents: The Judgment Call - AI and Workplace Investigations
March 19, 2026
11:45 AM to 1:30 PM
Perkins Coie LLP
505 Howard Street, Suite 1000
San Francisco, CA 94105
This 90-minute interactive session uses a live case study to explore how generative AI can be used responsibly as a thought partner, organizer of facts, and guide to best practices across every stage of a workplace investigation without replacing professional judgment. Participants will engage with realistic scenarios and test decision-making in situations where facts are incomplete and judgment matters most.
Designed for HR professionals and anyone conducting workplace investigations in a legal environment, the session focuses on building clear guardrails for responsible AI use in sensitive people matters so investigations remain fair, defensible, and human-led. Through facilitated discussion and hands-on experimentation, participants will practice keeping human judgment firmly at the center of AI-enabled investigations.
ALA Code of Ethics
We would like to remind everyone of the ALA Code of Ethics which we all sign when we become members.
Specifically, this is a reminder to:
1. Uphold the anti-trust laws by not discussing wages, billable hour requirements, benefits, etc. with other ALA members. This can come up in roundtable meetings or casual conversations. Please use other resources, such as salary surveys, to obtain this kind of information.
2. Uphold ethical obligations of confidentiality and privacy by not asking colleagues for unofficial references for candidates. Not only could this be harmful to a candidate, it may put the person being asked for such a reference in a bad position. Consider there may be a separation/confidentiality agreement in place.
Articles
Easing the Burden: Preventing Glass Cliffs
Bridging the AI Skills Gap: From Legal Support to Strategic Partner
Resilience by Design: Building a Secure Work Culture That Lasts
Beyond Space: How Law Firms Are Redefining the Office as a Strategic Asset
For full access to the Legal Management Magazine, please click here.
Thank you to our Business Partners for their GGALA Chapter Sponsorship
Adams & Martin Group
Kayla Buck, Branch Manager
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (916) 530-2044
🌐 www.adamsmartingroup.com
Adams & Martin Group is a premier legal staffing services company, connecting law firms and legal departments across the U.S. with top-tier talent. We specialize in temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire placements, as well as attorney search and document review services. Our team of dedicated recruiters—many of whom are former legal professionals—bring industry insight, strong networks, and active involvement in legal associations to every placement.
Afinety. Inc.
Mo Blake, Client Executive
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (877) 423-4638
🌐 www.afinety.com
Afinety is a leading provider of IT services tailored specifically for law firms. Since 1986, Afinety has delivered reliable, cost-effective technology solutions that work. Their comprehensive offerings include cloud-based infrastructure, network installation and maintenance, cybersecurity and risk assessments, training, consulting, and customized website and macro design.
With a proven “standardization” approach that reduces IT costs by more than 44%, Afinety helps law firms operate more efficiently, securely, and with greater peace of mind.
Acrisure Insurance
Susan Kilano, Executive Vice President
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (858) 514-7112
Reid Middleton, Executive Vice President
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 www.acrisure.com
Acrisure is a global fintech leader and top-tier insurance brokerage that provides customized risk management, insurance, employee benefits, and cybersecurity solutions. With deep industry expertise and a tech-driven approach, Acrisure empowers clients to protect and grow what matters most.
First Legal
Sue Hammer, Senior Account Executive
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (415) 720-6229
🌐 www.firstlegal.com
First Legal is the first comprehensive File Thru Trial™ solutions firm, offering a single-source approach to simplify the litigation process. With a culture rooted in innovation, trust, and service excellence, First Legal provides a seamless client experience backed by deep industry expertise.
Our full suite of services includes court filing, eFiling, service of process, court reporting, eDiscovery, record retrieval, digital services, and investigations—working together to support legal teams from start to finish.
Robert Half
Rachael Middlekauff, Practice Director
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (415) 321-1869
Daniel Rodarte, Practice Director
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (415) 277-8114
🌐 www.roberthalf.com/us/en/legal
Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm, connecting top talent with outstanding opportunities. We offer contract, temporary, and permanent placement solutions across a range of fields, including legal, finance, accounting, tech, and more.
Our legal talent solutions team partners with law firms and corporate legal departments to deliver scalable staffing and consulting strategies. Whether adjusting to changing workloads, optimizing costs, or improving practice management, Robert Half delivers expert support tailored to your needs.
Recognized by Fortune and Forbes as a top employer, Robert Half is also the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm.
Law Tyme, Inc.
Melissa A. Carver, President/CEO
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (415) 230-5398
🌐 www.LawTyme.com
Law Tyme, Inc. specializes in placing Legal Secretaries, Paralegals, Attorneys, and other essential legal support staff. Serving California and Nevada, we offer flexible staffing solutions including temporary, temp-to-perm, and direct hire placements.
What sets us apart is our deep understanding of the legal field—our recruiters have firsthand experience working in law firms. We know what it takes to succeed, and we only ask our candidates to do jobs we know how to do ourselves.
At Law Tyme, we take pride in matching the right talent with the right firm. Our commitment goes beyond customer service—we’re passionate about delivering results.
We’re proud to say: “We Put America to Work.”
Nationwide Legal
Michael Taraban, Director of Sales & Operations
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (415) 351-0400
🌐 www.nationwidelegal.com
Nationwide Legal LLC is a trusted provider of legal support services, offering comprehensive solutions for law firms, legal departments, and professionals. With a focus on reliability, speed, and professionalism, Nationwide Legal delivers process serving, court filing, investigations, and litigation support services across the country.
Element Professional Staffing
Steve Gomez, Managing Director
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (408) 857-4520
Shareen Fanburg, Managing Director
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (415) 426-3527
🌐 www.elementstaffing.com
Element Professional Staffing is a premier direct-hire and contract legal staffing firm with decades of experience. We are committed to connecting our clients with top-tier legal talent and helping candidates find the best opportunities of their careers.
Our success is measured by the quality of the matches we make—not the quantity. We pride ourselves on earning repeat business from our clients and personal referrals from our candidates, thanks to our personalized approach and proven results.
Insperity
Ingrid Romero, District Manager – Pleasanton Office
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (925) 542-4867
Brent Johnson, Business Performance Advisor
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (925) 520-3850
🌐 www.insperity.com
Insperity has been helping businesses succeed since 1986, offering one of the most comprehensive suites of scalable HR solutions in the marketplace. Through a powerful blend of premium HR services and innovative technology, Insperity delivers administrative relief, reduced liabilities, and better benefits—enabling businesses to grow and thrive.
With 2023 revenues of $6.5 billion and over 100 locations nationwide, Insperity continues to support thousands of businesses and the communities they serve.
LexisNexis
Reid Raukar, Account Executive
📧 Email: [email protected]
Jody Gold, Regional Sales Manager
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 www.lexisnexis.com
LexisNexis Legal & Professional is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics. We empower lawyers, corporations, universities, governments, and courts with cutting-edge tools and insights to support their decision-making and compliance needs. Serving customers in over 130 countries, LexisNexis is part of the RELX Group and remains at the forefront of legal innovation.
Hughes Marino
Cameron Love, Managing Director
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (415) 431-3211
Cale Miller, Sr. Managing Director - Tenant Representation
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 www.hughesmarino.com
Hughes Marino was founded on a simple yet powerful idea: to provide tenants and buyers with the dedicated representation they deserve. As pioneers in tenant representation, Hughes Marino stands apart by advocating solely for businesses—never landlords—ensuring fair and strategic negotiation outcomes.
We offer a comprehensive range of services for businesses and law firms nationwide, supported by an integrated team of architects, project managers, lease auditors, and real estate attorneys. As a women-led, 100% family-owned firm, Hughes Marino answers only to our clients—never shareholders—making your success our top priority.
Proof
Sara Damra, Account Executive
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (818) 280-9770
🌐 www.proofserve.com
Valerie Krumholz, Marketing & Events Specialist
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (303) 587-9777
Proof is transforming the process serving industry with the first-of-its-kind technology platform that directly connects personal injury law firms with a national network of independent professional process servers.
Key features include:
- Real-time serve tracking
- Unmatched transparency
- Automated workflows to save time and increase earnings
Top law firms trust Proof to digitize, automate, and scale their service of process. Now you can too!
GSL Data Solutions
Rebecca Dominguez, Senior Account Manager
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (415) 370-4110
Armando Dominguez, Partner
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (415) 370-4079
🌐 www.gsldata.com
GSL Data Solutions provides comprehensive litigation support services throughout the greater Bay Area and Sacramento. Our offerings include on-site and off-site document scanning, electronic discovery, forensic data collection, exhibit binder printing, audio and video editing/conversion, and pick-up and delivery to all Bay Area courthouses.
With a commitment to precision, reliability, and fast turnaround times, GSL Data Solutions is a trusted partner for law firms needing dependable support through every phase of litigation.
CLM
The CLM program allows a qualified legal management professional to demonstrate, through experience and coursework culminating in the examination process, a mastery of core areas of the body of knowledge identified as essential to the effective performance.
The Golden Gate Chapter annually allocates funds for study groups and successfully passing the CLM exam. Reach out to your chapter leadership for more information.
