In this issue
Recognizing dedication and years of impact
May Milestones
| Dennis Clark | 36 years |
| Lucrecia Flores | 24 years |
| Christa L. Palamides | 21 years |
| Emily Gamarra | 12 years |
| Derek Ryan | 11 years |
| Julie Burke | 8 years |
| Melinda Quilici | 6 years |
| Liza H. San Juan | 2 years |
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
IST Management Services, Inc.
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Kim Oleniacz VP/Partner 📞 (404) 582-8850 |
IST Management delivers integrated legal solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support the lifecycle of a case.
🌐 Website
Centerbase
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Abby Drake Director of Events 📞 (214) 952-0031 |
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Steve Jackson Sr. Account Executive 📞 (350) 221-1092 |
Centerbase is a cloud-based legal practice management platform designed for midsize law firms.
🌐 Website
The People Connection
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John Dorning President 📞 (415) 397-6800 |
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Josh Torres Director of Talent Acquisition 📞 (415) 617-6300 |
The People Connection, Inc. is a full-service staffing firm serving the Bay Area and West Coast since 1984.
🌐 Website
The Bridge - May 15, 2026 Issue Your Semi-Monthly Chapter Connection 
Executive Committee Corner
Never Stop Learning and Never Stop Growing
By Katrina Combs, Vice President
A few years ago, I made a decision that changed everything: I chose to invest in myself and love myself for who I am. It wasn’t a dramatic moment; more like a quiet shift, a promise to show up for myself in ways I hadn’t before. Now that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to share something that surprised me along the way. A big part of my healing and growth came from investing in my professional development, which ended up transforming me personally far more than I ever expected.
We often think of learning as something formal: a degree, a certification, a classroom. But the truth is, the most powerful lessons are often the small ones we barely notice. A sentence that sticks with us. A new idea that shifts our perspective. A skill we pick up because we were curious for five minutes. These tiny moments of growth add up, shaping us into stronger, more confident versions of ourselves.
Learning doesn’t require a grand plan. It can be as simple as signing up for a daily text or email with a short lesson that nudges your thinking. It can be taking a webinar on something that sparks your interest, personally or professionally, just to stretch your skills a little further. It can be finally enrolling in that class you’ve always wanted to take but kept putting off. We’ve all been there, waiting for the “right time,” but the truth is there is no perfect moment. You just have to go for it.
And if you can, go back to school. You’d be surprised by how much it changes you, not just your knowledge, but your confidence, your self-esteem, your sense of possibility. Education has a way of reminding you that you are capable of more than you realize.
At the core of all this is one simple truth: invest in yourself. Take care of your mind, your growth, your dreams. I once heard someone say, “No one is coming,” and it stuck with me. Not because it’s harsh, but because it’s empowering. No one is more invested in your future than you. You know what you want. You know what you need. So go after it.
Live your life fully. Stay curious. Keep learning, not because you have to, but because every lesson, big or small, helps you become the person you’re meant to be.
Featured Business Partner
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Platinum Partner Spotlight Nationwide LegalProud Platinum Business Partner of the Golden Gate Chapter ALA |
Platinum Business Partner Nationwide Services Process Serving |
Trusted legal support services for law firms, legal departments, and professionals nationwide. Why firms trust Nationwide Legal: Fast turnaround times, responsive service, and nationwide litigation support trusted by legal professionals across California and beyond.
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 nationwide. |
Month Spotlight
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More Than a Month — A Moment to Refocus |
May reminds us that strong organizations aren’t built on performance alone; they’re built on people, culture, and care. This month highlights the importance of mental well-being, the value of diverse voices shaping our profession, and a moment of reflection as Memorial Day approaches.
🧠 Mental Health Awareness Month
In a profession driven by deadlines and high stakes, mental well-being is not optional — it’s essential. This month is a reminder to check in, not just on output, but on each other.
Explore Mental Health Month resources ►🌏 Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
A time to recognize the generations of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities whose leadership, resilience, and contributions continue to shape our legal system and our communities.
Learn more about AAPI Heritage Month ►🇺🇸 Memorial Day Weekend
As Memorial Day approaches, we pause to honor and remember the service members who gave their lives in service to our country. We also recognize the importance of community, reflection, and time spent reconnecting with those around us.
Learn more about Memorial Day ►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, networking opportunities, and community events designed to keep you connected, informed, and engaged.
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A Practical Playbook for Law Firm AI Series, Session 3 | Win More Work: AI for Marketing & Business Development 📅 May 21, 2026 🕒 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM 📍 Via Zoom This five-session series gives professional staff a practical framework for evaluating readiness, building governance, and identifying the use cases that actually move the needle in their departments. |
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EBALA Presents: East Bay Chapters Book Club 📅 May 21, 2026 🕒 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM 📍 Via Zoom Join your fellow EBALA members for this fun and enjoyable evening of discussion and connection. |
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PSALA and GGALA Present: DEI Compliance Strategies for Law Firms 📅 May 27, 2026 🕒 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM 📍 Via Zoom This session will offer a practical update on the DEI legal landscape viewed through a law-firm lens. |
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Munger Games - A Food From The Bar Fundraising Event 📅 May 28, 2026 🕒 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP Munger Games is a spirited trivia competition that brings the legal community together to raise funds in support of Food From the Bar’s fight against hunger. |
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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Afinety, Inc.Mo Blake, Client Executive Tommy Rotunno, Director of Business Development For over 40 years, Afinety has been the trusted technology partner for law firms, delivering managed IT solutions designed to make your workday easier, more secure, and more efficient. |
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Pacific Office AutomationAustin Piombo, Field Sales Manager Troy Shawhan, Director of Services – Legal & Healthcare Pacific Office Automation is a leader in managed office services, offering tailored solutions in equipment, software, and staffing. |
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Billables AINancy Jeng, Co-Founder Billables AI is an AI-powered legal operations platform that automatically captures time from everyday workflows and generates detailed, compliant time entries. |
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Hughes MarinoCameron Love, Managing Director Cale Miller, Sr. Managing Director - Tenant Representation Hughes Marino advocates solely for businesses—never landlords—helping clients pursue fair and strategic negotiation outcomes. |
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Innovative Computing SystemsAmy Kosey, Account Executive Mathew Mendel, Business Development Innovative Computing Systems, Inc. helps law firms and legal departments enhance IT strategy through cybersecurity, cloud computing, and reliable managed support. |
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LexisNexisReid Raukar, Field Account Executive Hector Verdugo, Field Client Manager LexisNexis Legal & Professional is a global leader in information, analytics, and AI-powered legal workflow solutions. |
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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. |
