Committees

Our Fellow service on committees both within our local chapter and committees of the AAML Nationals organization. Some of our local committees include the following:

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, David Erb

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: 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.

By-Laws: Chair, Ashley Rodet

The By-Laws committee has been established this year to review and update the Chapter By-Laws.

Chapter Retreat: Co-Chairs, Greg Abel, Michele Bissada, Rebekah Frye

The Chapter Retreat committee has been established this year to plan and execute the next Chapter retreat to take place at a date to be determined.

Charitable Contributions: Chair, Tanya Prioste

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: 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, which matches experienced AAML fellows with groups of 20-30 younger family law attorneys for regular meetings typically over a two year term for the purpose of educating, mentoring, and facilitating networking for those younger attorneys. At any given time, different mentor groups may meet in Marin County, San Francisco, the East Bay, the South Bay, and other geographic areas.

Nominating (Past Presidents Only):

The Nominating Committee is comprised of the 5 most recent past presidents and convenes once a year in August or September to discuss the nomination of officers and board of managers for the following year proposed by the President-Elect.

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.

Replacement Dissomaster: Chair: Yasmine Mehmet

New committee established in 2025.

Symposium: Co-Chairs, Erin Dominguez, Emily Vance, Vanessa Wills

The Symposium committee plans, organizes, and presents our chapter's annual Symposium. 

Trial Practicum: Co-Chairs, Lexi Mussallem and Vanessa Wills

The Trial Practicum Committee hosts a week-long educational program every even-numbered year to equip young lawyers with the skills necessary to manage a trial from start to finish. The next Practicum will take place in October 2026.

Website: Co-Chairs, Charles DeLacey and Rodrigo Dias

The Website Committee reviews, updates and improves the Chapter Website, including both content and appearance.