This week we recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day (officially, October 10th in the US), and as National Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, we have unfortunately been reminded that as much as we hope and expect People of Color to be one another’s allies, such is not always the case. TMBA stands with the families and communities affected by the offensive comments made and supported by certain Los Angeles City Councilmembers. We applaud the person(s) who brought this hatred to light and the constituents who called for Nury Martinez to resign. The actions of Nury Martinez, Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León are glaring examples of how much work we have to do to make our communities more welcoming, to create equitable opportunities and to ensure our votes are cast, counted and considered.
To end on a positive note, TMBA has started planning for next year, including our Annual Gala and Installation Dinner, which will return to an in-person bash tentatively scheduled for February 2023; but before we close the door to 2022, please be on the lookout for a Holiday Charity Event in December.
Also, please join us this evening at the 5th Annual Ante Up for ELDR to not only support ELDR’s mission, but also to meet our 2022-2023 Law School Ambassadors Isaiah Crosby, Kevin Harris and Tuaku Hijarunguru! Details can be found here: https://www.thurgoodmarshallbarassociation.org/event-4968292
In Solidarity,
Hollie
Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on. ~ Justice Thurgood Marshall
Thank You TMBA Supporter!
A special thank you to local artist Craig for sharing his talents during our 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Scholarship Brunch and for donating his artwork for auction at our Midsummer Social Cruise. Craig uses acrylic, watercolor, pencil and pen work, and is a pioneer of “abstract figurative,” his dynamic series of paintings “Big Foot Blues” and “Red Hot Jazz” are collected and displayed by art and music enthusiasts in homes, restaurants and clubs, in several countries.
TMBA Board Member at Large, David Griffith, was the winning bidder at the auction and is now the proud owner of the Justice Thurgood Marshall piece that Craig commissioned for our Juneteenth event. TMBA will use the proceeds from the auction to support Bar Taker and other TMBA scholarships.
TMBA Volunteer Opportunities
The Immigration Unit at Public Law Center needs any law students or lawyers who speak various languages, specifically languages from the African diaspora, who are willing and interested to provide interpretation or translation services for attorneys to better serve the Black immigrant community. Send an email to:info@publiclawcenter.orgif you are interested.
Congratulations Corner
TMBA was honored on September 29th as one of the Top 10 Legal Organizations for DEI of OC at Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law's 2022 DEI Awards Gala.
TMBA President Hollie Washington accepted the award for the organization.
TMBA Vice-President Melonie Jordan, Former TMBA President Hon. Desirae Hutchison and Member At Large David Griffith were honored as Top 10 Young Diverse Lawyers of OC. Former TMBA President Rebekah Thomas was also honored as one of the Top 10 Champions of DEI in the Law of OC. Congratulations to everyone!
Congratulations to TMBA’s 2022-2023 Law School Ambassadors (LSAs), who were selected from each Orange County law school based on their commitment to community and desire to partner with TMBA to promote our goals, events and opportunities on their respective campuses and the greater OC community.
Brooke Weitzman was honored by the
Anti-Defamation League
Congratulations to Brooke Weitzman, Co-Founder and CEO of the The Elder Law and Disability Rights Center and TMBA Parliamentarian! She was honored at the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) 2022 Marcus M. Kaufman Jurisprudence Awards Dinner on September 15th at the Turnip Rose Promenade and Gardens!
Jurisprudence honorees serve as role models of ethics and leadership in the legal community and embody ADL's vision and mission.
Since 1993, the ADL has bestowed the Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence Award on attorneys who make outstanding contributions to the legal profession and to the community. The award is made in the memory of California Supreme Court Justice Marcus M. Kaufman. Honorees are role models in the legal community and exemplify the ADL’s mission.
UCI Law's Michele Bratcher Goodwin, Chancellor’s Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Biotechnology and Global Health Policy, was honored at the 2022 Black Women Lawyers of Los Angeles Installation & Awards Dinner and Gala on September 10th. She is pictured with TMBA President, Hollie Washington, at the event.
TMBA News
Welcome New Members:
Benjamin Colsten
Kaiya Daniels
Lawrence Forde
Carmen Gosey
Ben-Jamin Malimba
Precious Odum Bradley Ojala Arletha Saint-Jean
Michael Thomas
Michael Wilson
On July 17th, TMBA's Past President Rebekah Thomas, and volunteers from Sheppard Mullin participated in community outreach with a Free Legal Clinic at Second Baptist Church in Santa Ana.
Johnson Criminal Law Group in Irvine is currently recruiting our fall class of paid legal interns. Gain experience in an office environment, meet clients, and work on complex and interesting matters with a team of friendly, collaborative legal professionals. University and law school students welcome to apply.
New opportunities are posted every week (accessible only to TMBA members) on ourwebsite's job corner. Be sure and tell them you saw the listing on our website.
We Express Our Sincere Gratitude to Our Sponsors
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Our Mission Statement: Thurgood Marshall Bar Association is a contemporary bar association committed to connect, support, and increase the Black legal community in Orange County. TMBA strives to promote diversity, professional improvement, and the advancement of justice through positive community involvement and excellence in the practice of law for the Black legal community, allies, and the community at large.
A special thank you to local artist 
