AUGUST 2026 | First Edition Print

Executive Committee Corner

Why Not?

Taking the leap into chapter leadership at CLI

Ingrid Hester
Salary & Benefits Survey & Webmaster • ALA Golden Gate Chapter

Ingrid Hester at ALA Chapter Leadership Institute

One conference. New perspectives. Countless connections.
Growth often starts by choosing the opportunity you almost talked yourself out of. 

“After more than 20 years on the Board, I finally decided it was time.”

After being on the Board for more than 20 years and hearing great things about the Chapter Leadership Institute, I finally said, “Why not?” and joined the Executive Board at CLI in Phoenix in July. It totally exceeded my expectations!

First, I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know our fabulous Executive Board members even better.

It was also a great opportunity to learn from and with chapter leaders from across the country. It totally opened my eyes to the opportunities to reach out to other chapters for insight into addressing our challenges—big or small—and to hear about new ideas.

 

CLI HIGHLIGHTS

 
💡

Fresh Ideas

New perspectives from chapter leaders nationwide.

🤝

Connections

Stronger relationships with fellow chapter leaders.

📈

Leadership

Practical lessons for chapter service and our day jobs.

I was thoroughly impressed by the number and range of high-quality sessions. Themes of leadership, organization and efficiency are valuable and applicable to both our day jobs and our chapter work.

🌧️

Leadership lessons—with a side of monsoon

The venue was great, and we were well taken care of. The weather was fun—I was not expecting to be running, unintentionally, through a drenching monsoon while discussing associate expectations and other hot topics with a fellow HR manager.

ALA does a great job of supporting the chapters and the individuals who step up to lead. Attending CLI is a great opportunity for those who have been involved to fill in the gaps, as well as propelling new folks forward in their chapter leadership journey.

YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY IS WAITING.

Take the leap

Step forward, stay curious and see where the experience takes you.

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Welcome New Members!

Welcome New Members

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Welcome New Members!

New connections. New perspectives. A stronger chapter.

Please join the Membership Committee in welcoming our newest members to the ALA Golden Gate Chapter. We are excited to have each of them join our community and look forward to seeing them at upcoming chapter events and programs.

KA

Karrie J. Alsdurf

A&O Shearman

  NEW MEMBER
IR

Isabel Romo

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

  NEW MEMBER
CH

Cheyenne Hunter

Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP

  NEW MEMBER

WELCOME TO THE GOLDEN GATE CHAPTER

We are thrilled you are here!

We look forward to connecting, collaborating and celebrating with you throughout the year.

  STRONGER TOGETHER  

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Featured Business Partner

Section Graphic

BUSINESS PARTNER CORNER

Featured Business Partners

Partners in our success. Champions of our chapter.

Our Business Partners play an essential role in supporting the programs, education and connections that strengthen the ALA Golden Gate Chapter. This month, we are proud to recognize three outstanding organizations and the professionals who help support our legal community.

Adams and Martin Group

TITANIUM BUSINESS PARTNER

Adams & Martin Group

Connecting law firms and legal departments with exceptional talent.

Titanium Business Partner Badge

Titanium Partner

Adams & Martin Group is a premier legal staffing services company connecting law firms and legal departments across the United States with top-tier talent.

Legal staffing backed by industry insight

The company specializes in temporary, temp-to-hire and direct-hire placements, as well as attorney search and document review services. Its recruiters—many of whom are former legal professionals—bring industry knowledge, strong networks and firsthand insight to every placement.

Alice Fisher

Alice Fisher

📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: (916) 530-2044
🌐 www.adamsmartingroup.com

One Legal, An InfoTrack Company

PLATINUM BUSINESS PARTNER

One Legal, An InfoTrack Company

A smarter way to manage litigation services.

Platinum Business Partner Badge

Platinum Partner

One Legal gives California legal professionals a smarter and more efficient way to order and manage litigation services from one convenient platform.

One platform. More efficient litigation support.

Legal professionals can file documents in all 58 California superior courts, serve individuals and businesses nationwide and globally, and efficiently manage related communications, files and invoices.

Melissa Armendariz

Melissa Armendariz

Account Executive

📧 [email protected]
📞 (415) 376-9535
🌐 www.onelegal.com

eFiling   |   Service of Process   |   Courtesy Copy Delivery
eService   |   Skip Tracing   |   And More

Xantrion Inc.

PLATINUM BUSINESS PARTNER

Xantrion Inc.

Trusted IT services and cybersecurity support for law firms.

Platinum Business Partner Badge

Platinum Partner

Xantrion Inc. specializes in trusted IT services for law firms, helping organizations navigate evolving technology, cybersecurity threats and IT skill gaps while maximizing their technology investments.

Responsive technology support built for legal organizations

Xantrion resolves most IT issues within an hour and helps reduce recurring technology disruptions. For smaller firms, it can serve as a full-service IT department. For mid-sized firms, it can supplement existing teams with cybersecurity, infrastructure management, patching, backups and 24/7 monitoring.

Adam Carlson

Adam Carlson

Account Executive

[email protected]
(510) 318-5708

Graham Roggli

Graham Roggli

Client Strategy Manager

[email protected]
(510) 588-8251

THANK YOU TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS

Your support helps our chapter connect, educate and grow.

Together, we are building a stronger legal community.

  STRONGER TOGETHER  

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Month Spotlight

Month Spotlight

this month's SPOTLIGHT

Connection, Culture & Community

A curated collection of observances and resources to support thoughtful leadership, well-being and stronger workplace connections.

August offers several meaningful opportunities to strengthen workplace culture, learn from different communities and reconnect with our own well-being. This month’s spotlight highlights a focused selection of dates and resources that legal-management professionals can share with their teams or explore personally.

ALL MONTH LONG

🤝

National Civility Month

A timely reminder that respect, active listening and thoughtful communication can strengthen trust across teams, clients and professional relationships.

💙

National Wellness Month

Small practices—taking breaks, setting boundaries and staying connected—can support more sustainable well-being at work.

Explore workplace wellness resources

DATES TO RECOGNIZE

AUG

9

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Recognizes the rights, cultures, achievements and contributions of Indigenous peoples worldwide.

Visit the United Nations resource

AUG

12

International Youth Day

Celebrates young people’s ideas and leadership while encouraging mentorship and meaningful early-career opportunities.

Explore the UN Youth Day resources

AUG

21

National Senior Citizens Day

Honors the experience and contributions of older adults while encouraging awareness of resources that support healthy aging and caregivers.

Find aging and caregiver resources

AUG

25

Mawlid al-Nabi

Observed by many Muslim communities in commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad through prayer, learning, gatherings and charitable service.

Dates and practices may vary by community and lunar-calendar observance.

Learn about the observance

AUG

26

Women’s Equality Day

Commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment and invites continued reflection on leadership access, advancement, representation and equity.

Explore the history with the National Park Service
🚀

A Late-Summer Reset

As summer winds down, August is a natural moment to revisit priorities, organize upcoming projects and reconnect with professional goals. A thoughtful reset now can create clearer focus heading into the final months of the year.

Explore upcoming ALA programs and events

AUGUST INTENTION

Lead with respect. Stay curious. Make room for every voice.

  STRONGER TOGETHER  

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CLM

Certified Legal Manager badge

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 and positions 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 professional growth with greater confidence.

Turn your experience into a credential that strengthens your leadership story.

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Upcoming Events

Mark your calendar

LEARN • CONNECT • GROW

Your August Chapter Calendar

Programs, conversations and connections designed for our Golden Gate community.

Make the most of your membership by joining this month’s professional-development programs, roundtables and networking opportunities. August offers plenty of ways to learn something new, reconnect with colleagues and strengthen your chapter relationships.

August 2026 Events

💻

Small Firm Roundtable – Virtual

📅 August 5, 2026    🕒 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

📍 Via Zoom

Join your fellow Small Firm Administrators for an engaging, collaborative discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing small law firms and how firms are navigating them.

Register Now   View Details

🧠

Mental Health First Aid

📅 August 7, 2026    🕒 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 Via Zoom

Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with and support a person who may be experiencing a mental-health challenge or crisis.

View Details

🎲

Business Partner Game Night

📅 August 13, 2026    🕒 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

📍 Cooley LLP
3 Embarcadero Center, 20th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111

Join us for an unforgettable evening of games, laughter and connection with fellow chapter members and Business Partners.

Register Now   View Details

🍸

Not-So-Quarterly Social Hour

📅 August 20, 2026    🕒 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

📍 The House of Shields
39 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

Eat, drink and catch up with your Golden Gate Chapter community. This casual social hour is open to all members and Business Partners.

Register Now   View Details

🤝

The Leadership and Management Section Presents: Emotional Intelligence (EQ) – The Key to Building Relationships at Work

📅 August 25, 2026    🕒 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 Cooley LLP and Virtual
3 Embarcadero Center, 20th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111

Hybrid Program

Explore the foundations of emotional intelligence and learn practical ways to strengthen your own EQ, improve workplace communication and build better relationships with colleagues and clients.

Register Now   View Details

Coffee Pop-Up with Ryan and Katrina

📅 August 26, 2026    🕒 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

📍 Andytown Coffee Roasters
747 Front Street
San Francisco, CA 94111

Grab a cup of coffee or tea and renew connections with fellow ALA members and Business Partners during this relaxed lunchtime gathering.

Register Now   View Details

SAVE THE DATES

There is something for everyone this August.

View the Full Chapter Calendar

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Job Bank

Career Upgrade

CAREER CONNECTIONS

Job Bank Opportunities

Explore new opportunities across legal operations, administration, HR, finance and practice support.

Whether you are considering your next career move or know someone who may be a great fit, explore the latest opportunities shared through the ALA Golden Gate Chapter Job Bank.

NEWEST OPPORTUNITIES

Litigation Paralegal (Flexible Hybrid)

Farella Braun + Martel

Job Posting • Jul. 29, 2026

View Ad

Accounting Clerk (Flexible Hybrid in SF Bay Area)

Farella Braun + Martel

Job Posting • Jul. 22, 2026

View Ad

Firm Administrator

Weaver Austin Villeneuve & Sampson LLP

Job Posting • Jul. 17, 2026

View Ad

MORE CURRENT OPENINGS

California HR Manager

MG+M The Law Firm

Job Posting • Jul. 11, 2026

View Ad

Operations & Insights Partner

Buehler Trapani LLP (BTLLP)

Job Posting • Jun. 29, 2026

View Ad

Legal Administrative Assistant, Litigation

Ballard Spahr LLP

Job Posting • Jun. 26, 2026

View Ad

Office Administrator – San Francisco

Ballard Spahr LLP

Job Posting • Jun. 23, 2026

View Ad

Accounting Manager

DeLacey, Riebel & Shindell, LLP

Job Posting • Jun. 18, 2026

View Ad

Practice Support Specialist

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Job Posting • Jun. 11, 2026

View Ad

Litigation Executive Assistant

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Job Posting • Jun. 10, 2026

View Ad

EXPLORE THE CAREER CENTER

Your next professional opportunity may be one click away.

View All Job Postings

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ALA Code of Ethics

ALA Code of Ethics

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

ALA Code of Ethics Reminder

Integrity, responsibility and respect in every professional interaction.

The ALA Code of Ethics serves as a practical guide for how legal-management professionals show up—with integrity, competence, respect and accountability.

 

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

 
🎓

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 the protection of 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.

Professional credibility is built through the choices we make every day.

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Articles

Turning pages

LEGAL MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE

Worth Reading This Month

Ideas, leadership insights and practical strategies for today’s legal-management professionals.

Explore recent highlights from Legal Management Magazine, featuring practical insights on marketing, digital visibility, law firm growth, artificial intelligence and leadership.

 

MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

 
 

AI & INNOVATION

 
 

LEADERSHIP & GROWTH

 
⛰️

Reaching the Summit: A Year of Climbing Higher

By Travis Armstrong, CLM, CPA

KEEP READING

More practical insight is waiting in every issue.

Explore the latest articles, columns and industry updates from Legal Management Magazine.

Visit Legal Management Magazine
  LEARN & LEAD  

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Thank you to our Business Partners for their GGALA Chapter Sponsorship

Business Partners

BUSINESS PARTNER CORNER

August Partner Spotlights

Meet the organizations helping our chapter connect, innovate and grow.

Our Business Partners provide valuable expertise, services and support to the Golden Gate Chapter and the broader legal community. This month, we are pleased to recognize eight organizations serving law firms across technology, staffing, legal services, practice management and retirement planning.

 

DIAMOND BUSINESS PARTNERS

 
Afinety
Diamond Business Partner

Afinety

Managed IT & Cloud Technology

For more than 40 years, Afinety has provided law firms with managed IT, cloud desktop and cybersecurity solutions designed to make legal work more secure, efficient and reliable.

Chapter contacts: Mo Blake, Client Executive, and Tommy Rotunno, Director of Business Development
Phone: (877) 423-4638

Visit Afinety →
King Courier
Diamond Business Partner

King Courier

Courier & Legal Support Services

King Courier has served San Francisco and the Bay Area for more than 30 years, providing messenger services, local court filings and statewide service of process through a diverse fleet ranging from bicycles to cargo vans.

Chapter contacts: Andrew Brady, Co-Owner & COO, and Christopher Snell, CEO
Phone: (415) 865-5464

Visit King Courier →
 

GOLD BUSINESS PARTNERS

 
Beacon Hill Legal
Gold Business Partner

Beacon Hill Legal

Legal Staffing & Recruitment

Beacon Hill Legal connects law firms and corporate legal departments with attorneys, paralegals and legal support professionals through temporary, temp-to-hire and direct-hire staffing solutions.

Contacts: Anthony Capozzola, Senior Managing Consultant, and Anna-Maria Licata Coombs, Regional Director

Visit Beacon Hill Legal →
Billables AI
Gold Business Partner

Billables AI

AI-Powered Timekeeping

Billables AI automatically captures legal work performed across Microsoft, Google, Zoom and other everyday applications, generating detailed time entries without requiring attorneys to start and stop manual timers.

Chapter contact: Nancy Jeng, Co-Founder

Visit Billables AI →
Innovative Computing Systems
Gold Business Partner

Innovative Computing Systems

Legal Technology & Cybersecurity

Innovative Computing Systems helps law firms and professional-service organizations develop and strengthen their IT strategies through technology implementation, systems integration, cybersecurity and cloud solutions.

Chapter contact: Amy Kosey, Account Executive
Phone: (415) 800-0662

Visit Innovative Computing Systems →
LexisNexis
Gold Business Partner

LexisNexis

Legal Research, Analytics & AI

LexisNexis provides information, analytics and AI-powered legal workflow solutions that help legal professionals research, make informed decisions and complete trusted legal work more efficiently.

Contacts: Reid Raukar, Field Account Executive, and Hector Verdugo, Field Client Manager
Phones: (510) 230-8116 and (415) 713-5093

Visit LexisNexis →
SurePoint Technologies
Gold Business Partner

SurePoint Technologies

Legal Practice & Financial Management

SurePoint provides cloud-based enterprise software that integrates client, practice and financial management, helping law firms improve workflow efficiency, financial performance and operational visibility.

Contacts: Tom Ash, VP of Sales, and Josh Qualls, Account Executive

Visit SurePoint Technologies →

EXPLORE ALL CHAPTER BUSINESS PARTNERS

Discover trusted providers serving the legal-management community.

View the Business Partner Directory →
  STRONGER TOGETHER  

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