LA women lawyers group installs new leaders, bestows honors

PASADENA - The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles gathered at NOOR in Pasadena on Saturday evening for its annual Installation and Awards Gala. The theme was "Opening Doors of Opportunity," and throughout the night that phrase was mentioned in speeches, oaths, and stories that tied the work of the association to the lives of its members.

The evening began with the installation of Farah Tabibkhoei as WLALA's new president. She framed the year ahead with a call to action.

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do," she said. "This is about opening doors of opportunity, celebrating our differences, and caring for each other. We must use our privilege and our voices to represent women and underrepresented communities, ensuring that they have the chance to help shape the future of the legal profession."

The WLALA Foundation also got a new president, Annabelle Sanchez. Outgoing president, Sarah Quist, highlighted The Foundation's record of awarding $150,000 in community support and fellowships over the past year, including 17 fellowships.

Sanchez, who has been involved with WLALA for two decades, told the crowd that "because of the sacrifices of previous generations, we now have the opportunity to invest in the next generation of women in law.

"These investments are vital -- they keep doors of opportunity open for all and ensure that programs supporting women and underrepresented voices continue to thrive," she said.

The awards program began with the Courage Award, presented to Lourdes Rivera of Pregnancy Justice. She spoke about her own miscarriage and the legal consequences that others in her position could face.

"I told myself I was fine. But had I been in another state, or even another county here in California, I could have been investigated -- even charged with manslaughter or homicide," she said.

She described the broader national trend of assigning legal rights to embryos and fetuses while criminalizing women's health decisions. "This is not abstract. It is happening right now, and it affects us all."

The Distinguished Service Award went to Shaun Dabby Jacobs, who used her time at the podium to address law students and young lawyers.

"Get involved," she told them. "It will open doors in ways you may not have imagined -- not just for jobs or clients, but for leadership opportunities. If you see a bar event you want to attend but don't want to go alone, reach out to me. If I'm available, I'll go with you."

Jacobs also highlighted her legislative advocacy, citing SB 345, which incorporated WLALA resolutions to strengthen reproductive rights. "One of the provisions amended Penal Code 187 so that a pregnant person cannot be prosecuted for causing the demise of their fetus," she said. "Laws like this open doors of opportunity for people to live the lives they want to lead."

Sabrina Ashjian, recipient of the Advancement of Women Award, urged members to become more involved in legislative issues. "Don't wait for someone to tap you on the shoulder," she said. "We've reached gender parity in the California Assembly and we're close in the Senate. There are 4,500 commission seats in this state -- 4,500 places where women's voices must be heard."

She spoke of building pipelines through partnerships with organizations like Close the Gap California and the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, stressing that "we are coming together to amplify one another's voices and to build the next generation of leaders."

The evening concluded with the Trailblazer Award, presented to Judge Jessica Kronstadt. She began by dedicating the award to her grandparents -- one a Holocaust survivor, the other an architect who built low-income housing.

"They taught me, and our whole family, to take the opportunity to do what is right and to improve the quality of life for others," she said.

Reflecting on her service as WLALA's 101st president during the pandemic, she added, "There was no playbook for that moment, but together we made WLALA more inclusive and more reflective of the diversity of our community."

She then spoke about the meaning of the recognition itself. "A trailblazer is someone who transforms obstacles into opportunities and inspires others to follow. I stand on the shoulders of giants. My responsibility is to lift others, so that they too can find their own paths forward."

She closed by grounding her work in her faith and tradition: "I am a proud Jewish woman, guided by the principles of tzedakah, mitzvah, and tikkun olam."