committees

Amicus: Chair, David Youngsmith

The amicus committee monitors important cases pending before the various courts. The committee considers requests that the chapter becomes involved in amicus positions with respect to important issues and makes recommendations to the board of managers.

Awards: Chair, Gretchen Wallacker

The awards committee considers candidates for various awards given by the chapter and makes recommendations to the board of managers regarding recipients of such awards.

Board of Examiners/Membership: Chair, Geniveve Ruskus

The board of examiners is made up of the voting members of the board of managers. This board reviews applications for Fellowship to the Northern California chapter and makes recommendations to the national board of examiners. Note that the national board is the body that makes the final decisions regarding membership.

Charitable Contributions: Chair, Donna Gibbs

The charitable contributions committee considers applications for charitable contributions and recommends how funds available for charitable contributions shall be distributed. The committee also reviews scholarship applications for the Symposium and Trial Practicum and makes recommendations for scholarship awards.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion: Co-Chairs, Lexi Mussallem and Nancy Encarnacion Mass

The Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee hopes to provide education and bring more inclusion to our organization. This committee is in its infancy, so we will be using the first part of this year to create a mission statement and goals and then will reach out to Fellows to join.

Legislative Liaison: Chair, Lorie Nachlis

The legislative liaison's tasks include ongoing dialogue with ACFLS regarding pending legislation, monitoring significant pending litigation, and keeping fellows informed, and polling our membership to determine if the chapter wishes to propose legislation or take positions regarding significant pending litigation.

Membership Development: Chair, Tanya Prioste

The membership development committee oversees new member recruitment with special attention to increasing the geographic diversity of members and other factors; oversees new member announcements and implements the "buddy system" and overall mentorship to new fellows; and increases chapter participation in our activities.

Mentoring: Co-Chairs, Gretchen Rubel and Jennifer Crum

The mentoring committee administers the mentoring program in many Bay Area counties, where AAML fellows supervise, educate, and facilitate networking for groups of up to 30 young lawyers.

Pro Bono Court Resources: Chair, Yasmine Mehmet

The Pro Bono Committee was created to address various ways the AAML could serve the Court, potential litigants, or even other Fellows. Some of the tasks undertaken have included the following: compiling and updating a referral list of low-fee or pro bono organizations that offer family-law-related services; assisting the Court in locating Judge Pro Tems or gathering volunteers to help with Court-specific needs such as Judgment review or lawyer of the day programs; and creating a History Project to ensure the legacy of our Fellows is not lost to time.

Symposium: Co-Chairs, Greg Maple, Andrea Palash, Samantha DeJean Bley

The Symposium committee plans, organizes, and presents our chapter's annual Symposium. The next Symposium will be May 5-7, 2023.

Trial Practicum: Co-Chairs, Larry Moskowitz & Lexi Mussallem

Every other year, the Trial Practicum committee puts on a week-long educational program to teach young lawyers the skills they need to handle a trial from start to finish. The next Practicum will be in October 2024.