Executive Committee Corner

Final Message from your Queen, er, President!

Well… this day arrived a lot faster than I expected. But alas, all good things must come to an end! It’s hard to believe an entire board year has already come and gone. With all the events our chapter put on over the past 12 months, the year flew by so fast it practically gave me whiplash! (Does anyone know a good PI lawyer?)

This past year has truly been a dream and would not have been nearly as action‑packed or stellar without the amazing work and support of the Executive Committee: Ryan Hill, Shannon Oliver, Brian Nervis, May Rafanan, Katrina Combs, and Sue Stratton, the entire GGALA Board of Directors, and the guidance of our wonderful Chapter Manager, Veronica Vaskinn. Without them, this year would not have been the “banner year” our CCC Liaison, Mark Bridgeman, proclaimed it to be.

The other major pillar of our community responsible for our success this past year is, of course, our Business Partners. I recently looked through our current BP list and counted at least 16 BPs I have worked with in the past or am currently working with, connections that were made possible by being a member of GGALA. Our BPs are an active and vital part of our chapter and community, and I thank each and every one of them for their continued support.

GGALA has accomplished so much this year, not just through the number of events we held or the new members who joined, but in ways that are quieter and just as meaningful: the connections made at coffee pop‑ups and quarterly walks; the partnerships formed or rekindled at education events; the creativity shown at our Halloween BP appreciation event; the friendships built; the kind of community that can only #grow through real, personal interactions.

These moments and connections have been a constant reminder of why I joined ALA and the Golden Gate Chapter in the first place: to give back to a community that has given so much to me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful group. I look forward to the year ahead and the continued #momentum of our great work!

Yours in gratitude,

Javier Morelos

2025 - 2026 ALA Golden Gate Chapter President

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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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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

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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DEIA & Community Connections present: Storytime with Momodou Ndow!

March 16, 2026
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Location details provided to registered attendees

Join us for a community outreach 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.

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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. 

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ALA Essentials of Chapter Leadership - Part 2

March 20, 2026
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Virtual

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

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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