In this issue
Recognizing dedication and years of impact
June Milestones
| Ceanne H. Herndon | 30 years |
| Erika Hattenhauer | 12 years |
| Allie Smoke | 9 years |
| Javier I. Morelos | 6 years |
| Barret Martinez | 3 years |
| Abeda Bayanzai | 3 years |
| J. Blythe Kingston | 2 years |
| Mark Love | 1 year |
| Veronica Vaskinn | 1 year |
| Lauren Roe | 1 year |
| Samantha Hubley | 1 year |
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
A4B Creative LLC
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Brent Johnson Owner ☎ (510) 935-3002 |
A4B Creative specializes in professional headshots, event support, and strategic social media content.
🌐 Website
Citizens Private Bank
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Steve Rinehart Senior Managing Director ☎ (628) 208-8677 |
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Lauren Goeppert Relationship Management Director ☎ (628) 208-8677 |
Insperity
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Monte Bingley Business Performance Advisor ☎ (925) 268-3111 |
Insperity offers scalable HR solutions, premium HR services, and technology that help businesses reduce administrative burdens and grow.
🌐 Website
Law Tyme, Inc.
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Melissa A. Carver President/CEO ☎ (415) 230-5398 |
Law Tyme, Inc. specializes in placing Legal Secretaries, Paralegals, Attorneys, and other essential legal support staff throughout California and Nevada.
🌐 Website
The Bridge - June 1, 2026 Issue Your Semi-Monthly Chapter Connection 
Article
Reflections from My First ALA National Conference
By Charity Woodward, Office Business Director
After nearly 13 years of service on the ALA Golden Gate Chapter leadership committee, it is hard to believe I had never attended an ALA National Conference. But as we all know, life has a way of intervening—kids, pandemics, office moves, and plenty of other priorities have always seemed to create a reason to wait. This year, however, the Golden Gate Chapter gave me the nudge I needed when I won a Passport to attend the 2026 ALA National Conference, held in National Harbor, Maryland. The three days of education, networking, and connection were truly exceptional—and left me wondering why I had waited so long.
Among the many outstanding sessions, “Grief at Work: Creating Space for Healing and Humanity in Legal Management” was especially impactful. The session underscored that grief is a universal experience and highlighted the important role we, as legal administrators, play in supporting our colleagues through challenging times. I left with three meaningful action items that I look forward to exploring and implementing at my firm.
As a first-time attendee, the conference felt a bit overwhelming at moments, but the warmth and support of our Golden Gate Chapter members made all the difference. Their thoughtful efforts to make sure I felt included were deeply appreciated, though not at all surprising.
Several moments made the experience especially memorable: meeting a D.C.-based colleague in person for the first time after collaborating on projects together, taking a ride on the National Harbor Ferris wheel courtesy of Adams & Martin Group, and spending a quiet evening on a self-guided walking tour of several national monuments. Seeing those powerful symbols of democracy and sacrifice illuminated on a perfect 70-degree night is something I will not soon forget.
Thank you to the Golden Gate Chapter for sponsoring me with a Passport, and to our business partners whose continued support makes opportunities like this possible.
A few favorite moments from National Harbor and Washington, DC.
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Featured Business Partner
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Titanium Partner Spotlight Adams & Martin GroupProud Titanium Business Partner of the Golden Gate Chapter ALA |
Titanium Business Partner |
Premier legal staffing services connecting law firms and legal departments with top-tier talent across the U.S. Why firms trust Adams & Martin Group: Industry insight, strong recruiter networks, and legal staffing solutions for temporary, temp-to-hire, direct hire, attorney search, and document review needs.
Adams & Martin Group specializes in temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire placements, as well as attorney search and document review services. |
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Platinum Partner Spotlight Xantrion Inc.Proud Platinum Business Partner of the Golden Gate Chapter ALA |
Platinum Business Partner |
Trusted cybersecurity and IT support services helping law firms navigate technology, cyber threats, and IT skill gaps. Why firms trust Xantrion: Responsive IT support, cybersecurity monitoring, patching, backup management, and project support for small and mid-sized firms.
Xantrion Inc. acts as a full-service IT department for smaller firms and augments existing IT teams for mid-sized firms with infrastructure and cybersecurity support. |
Month Spotlight
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June Spotlight: Reflection, Inclusion & Renewal |
June marks the beginning of summer and offers an opportunity to celebrate progress, honor important moments in our nation's history, and recharge for the second half of the year. This month highlights inclusion, freedom, and the value of reconnecting with our goals, our colleagues, and our communities.
🌈 Pride Month
Pride Month celebrates the history, achievements, and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. It is also a reminder of the importance of creating workplaces where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.
Learn more about Pride Month ►✊ Juneteenth — June 19
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and serves as a celebration of freedom, resilience, and progress. It is an opportunity to reflect on our shared history and continue fostering inclusive communities and workplaces.
Learn more about Juneteenth ►🌎 Immigrant Heritage Month
June is Immigrant Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the stories, cultures, and contributions of immigrants who help shape our communities, workplaces, and nation. Established in 2014, this observance encourages all Americans to explore their own heritage while honoring the diverse experiences that make our country stronger.
This month also includes World Refugee Day on June 20, an international observance dedicated to honoring the strength, resilience, and courage of refugees around the world.
Learn more about Immigrant Heritage Month ►☀️ Mid-Year Reset
As we reach the halfway point of the year, June provides a natural opportunity to revisit goals, celebrate accomplishments, and make adjustments for continued success. Small intentional changes today can create meaningful momentum for the months ahead.
Explore professional development resources ►Member Engagement
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Member Engagement: Get Involved with ALA Golden Gate |
Looking for ways to become more engaged with the chapter? Volunteering is a great way to build connections, strengthen leadership skills, expand your professional network, and help shape meaningful programs for our ALA Golden Gate community.
🤝 Business Partner Expo Committee
We are seeking volunteers interested in helping plan and support the Business Partner Expo. Committee participation is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with fellow members, connect with business partners, and contribute to one of the chapter's signature events.
✈️ CLI Passport Interest
Are you a curious about chapter leadership? Interested members should reach out to the President to learn about a Passport opportunity to attend the ALA Chapter Leadership Institute (CLI) in Tempe, Arizona from July 16 – 18th. CLI offers valuable leadership development, networking, and chapter growth opportunities.
🌟 Raise Your Hand
Whether you're looking to expand your network, develop leadership skills, give back to the chapter, or simply become more involved, now is a great time to step forward. If you are interested in volunteering for the Business Partner Expo Committee or learning more about future CLI Passport opportunities, please reach out to the Chapter President or any member of the Board of Directors. We would love to hear from you!
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 June Chapter Calendar |
Make the most of your membership by joining upcoming June programs, roundtables, networking opportunities, and community events designed to keep you connected, informed, and engaged.
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Small Firm Roundtable - Virtual 📅 June 03, 2026 🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 📍 Via Zoom 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. |
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A Practical Playbook for Law Firm AI Series, Session 4 | Workforce Reimagined: AI in Law Firm HR 📅 June 04, 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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Wine Pop-Up with Ryan and Katrina 📅 June 09, 2026 🕔 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM 📍 San Francisco Wine Society Grab a glass of wine and renew connections with fellow ALA members and business partners. |
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New & Prospective Member Welcome Event 📅 June 16, 2026 🕓 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM 📍 Duane Morris LLP Grab a glass of wine and learn how to get the most out of your ALA Golden Gate Chapter membership. |
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Large Firm Quarterly Roundtable - Hybrid 📅 June 17, 2026 🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 📍 Davis Wright Tremaine LLP Join your fellow Large Firm Administrators for an engaging, collaborative discussion on staffing challenges and opportunities large law firms are facing and how they are managing these challenges. |
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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King CourierAndrew Brady, Co-Owner & COO Christopher Snell, CEO King Courier is a full-service messenger and legal services company proudly serving San Francisco and the Bay Area for over 30 years, providing fast, flexible delivery solutions for legal professionals. |
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Robert HalfRachael Middlekauff, Practice Director Daniel Rodarte, Branch Director 🌐 www.roberthalf.com/us/en/legal Robert Half connects top talent with outstanding opportunities, offering contract, temporary, and permanent placement solutions across legal, finance, accounting, tech, and more. |
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Beacon Hill LegalAnthony Capozzola, Senior Managing Consultant Anna-Maria Licata Coombs, Regional Director Beacon Hill Legal delivers top-tier legal staffing and recruiting services, connecting law firms and corporate legal departments with highly qualified attorneys, paralegals, and legal support professionals. |
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ECFX, Inc.Bob Moore, Account Executive Nelson Quintero, Co-Founder ECFX develops innovative legal technology solutions to streamline and automate critical processes for law firms, including ECFX Notice for court document workflows. |
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First LegalSue Hammer, Senior Account Executive First Legal provides File Thru Trial™ solutions, including court filing, eFiling, service of process, court reporting, eDiscovery, record retrieval, digital services, and investigations. |
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Opensity SolutionsDenise Ratti, Marketing Operations | Events Manager Opensity Solutions provides integrated operational platforms, automation, and advisory services that help clients modernize operating models, reduce cost, and accelerate growth. |
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SurePoint TechnologiesTom Ash, VP of Sales Josh Qualls, Account Executive SurePoint Technologies provides enterprise software designed to enhance workflow efficiency and maximize financial performance for law firms. |
