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.

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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.

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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.

Register Now View Details ►

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Welcome New Members!

Please join the Membership Committee in welcoming the Golden Gate Chapter of ALA's newest members!

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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!

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Upcoming Events

Small Firm Roundtable - Hybrid

March 04, 2026
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.

Register Now View Details ►

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GG ALA 2026-2027 Board Retreat

March 06, 2026
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!

Register Now View Details ►

Large Firm Quarterly Hybrid Roundtable

 

March 10, 2026
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.

Register Now View Details ►

ALA Essentials of Chapter Leadership - Part 1

 

March 13, 2026
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM 

Virtual

We can't wait for March 13th and 20th for this essential chapter leadership event!

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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.

Register Now View Details ►

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. 

Register Now View Details ►

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Job Bank

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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.

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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.

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Thank you to our Business Partners for their GGALA Chapter Sponsorship

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CLM

Why Become a 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.

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