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finding a path Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

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Page 1: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

finding a pathHarr iet t Buhai Center for Fami ly Law

A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 0 1 5

Page 2: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

finding a path T O S U C C E S S

to our dedicated friends and supporters: The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law is often the law firm of last resort for very poor

people with significant family law and domestic violence problems. In 2015, almost 800

clients sought new lives of promise and stability with the Center’s help. They came from

homes of turmoil and desperation but left with strength and confidence to start over.

Empowered, they are now on individual paths to success and security.

Over 80% of the Center’s clients last year were women who survived domestic violence,

and almost all had children to support. This is a 20% increase from 2014. Many of the

Center’s cases involved securing rights to pensions and/or marital homes in addition

to focusing on custody, visitation and domestic violence. The Center is one of the few

non-profit family law firms in the state to handle these kinds of cases.

The Center collects many notes of gratitude from clients who feel empowered-

psychologically and economically- as a result of the assistance they receive.

WE thank YOU, our supporters, for making the Center’s critical work possible.

David P. Shebby

President, Board of Directors

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DAVID P. SHEBBY | President TRINA L. SAUNDERS | Vice President William Scott Mowrey, Jr. | Treasurer Stephanie M. Barnett | Secretary Amos BuhaiKalyani ChirraAndrew DeBlockLorrina M. DuffyMarie EbersbacherDavid EttingerElisa FernandezKatharine J. GalstonDemetria L. GravesTerry M. Hargrave Irán C. HopkinsKayla HoracekEsther P. KimJessica F. KurzbanLouise NixonCandice K. RogersJodi Bell TicknorHeidi TuffiasJessica A. Uzcategui

2015 ADVISORY COUNCIL

Judith R. Forman, ChairLeah M. BishopHon. Aviva Bobb, (Ret.)Judy BogenJeffrey BuhaiBruce ClemensHon. Isabel R. Cohen, (Ret.)Bruce CoopermanEmily S. EdelmanPaula KaneTracy Farryl Katz Robert KaufmanStephen A. KolodnyHon. Veronica Simmons McBeth, (Ret.)Joan Patsy Ostroy (Co-founder)Patricia PhillipsHon. Robert Schnider, (Ret.)Lance SpiegelSorrell TropeLaura A. Wasser

YOU ARE A GIFT

TO ALL OF US

WHO HAVE

NO PLACE TO

GO FOR HELP.

— former Center cl ient

”EX OFFICIO

Yolande Chambers Adelson*Blanche BerschVera Brown-Curtis*Valerie CohenCarolyn Kozuch DeFrancescoMablean Ephriam (Co-founder)Deborah EwingLarry A. GinsbergFahi Takesh HallinNedra JenkinsSusan R. StockelBeverly A. Williams

*Deceased

Page 3: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

holding her head highClara* felt powerless when she came to the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law. Years of her husband’s abuse had crushed her feelings of self-worth. Having to support her young children on her own without him was an overwhelming prospect. After she filed for divorce, she agonized over the hostility from her adult children because they believed she was trying, unfairly, “to take their father’s money.” With the help of the Center, Clara claimed new financial and emotional well-being after several formidable legal hurdles were overcome and set a path for her own future. In one challenge, Clara faced the loss of $43,000 in pension funds set aside for her benefit by her husband’s retirement plan and his ongoing payments. In addition, Clara stood to lose her financial interest in her family home of 20 years because her name was not on the deed, and her husband had bought it before they married. To prevent a financial catastrophe for Clara, the Center’s legal team raced into court to get an emergency order for the money reserved for her and presented a compelling legal argument to the judge who found that Clara was entitled to half the value of the house. Today, with a steady job, ongoing pension payments and additional funds from her former husband’s retirement plan to reimburse her for past due support, poverty is no longer a reality for Clara. Clara says she has been able to “hold her head high” because of the help from “everyone at the Center.”

moving F O R W A R D

healing a child’s woundsJimmy,*only 8 years old, was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of witnessing his father violently hitting his mother and brother over and over. After separation from his father, he stopped wetting the bed and was doing much better in school. But, once he knew his father wanted to see him after two years of silence, Jimmy tearfully begged his mother not to let his father see him.

Jimmy’s father hired an attorney to get permission to see Jimmy. Knowing that Jimmy’s mental health was still very fragile, his mother, Sandra,* turned to the Center.

Sandra cried aloud with happiness when the Center’s lawyer told her that she would not be alone at court. With the Center’s help and armed with evidence from Jimmy’s doctors, Sandra’s pro bono attorney argued that Jimmy’s continued struggle with PTSD would not survive his father’s visits. The judge, focusing on Jimmy’s mental well-being and his continued suffering, ordered no visitation for Jimmy’s father.

With the help of the Center, its volunteers and its supporters, Jimmy could begin his healing again without fear.

*Client’s and son’s name and photo changed to protect their

privacy.

*Client’s name and photo changed to protect her privacy.

Hundreds of people are on their way to more secure and brighter futures after receiving help from the Center in 2015.

A portrait of a client most often helped by the Center is a mother in her late 30’s who works and takes care of her child

on $1000 per month. The following selected stories illustrate how the Harriett Buhai Center helps clients gain greater

independence and move forward in their lives.

Page 4: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

M E E T I N G diverse needsC O R E P R O G R A M S

The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law is more than a public interest law firm. The

attorneys and staff are also teachers, counselors, and problem solvers for very low-income

clients and community members striving to start over. During 2015, the Center increased

its spending on services rather than administrative costs.

I WANT TO SAY

THANKS. YOU

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

IN OUR COMMUNITY.

YOUR SERVICES

ARE WONDERFUL.

— former Center cl ient

Pro PerThis trailblazing legal program was the first

in California to provide in-depth continuing

self-help assistance to very low-income

individuals with family law and domestic

violence problems and to empower clients

to represent themselves in court.

Domestic Violence AssistanceOver 70% of all Center clients report a

history of domestic violence, and most are

women. The Center provides intensive, on-

going legal assistance to victims, and helps

shield their children from harm by obtaining

appropriate orders for custody, visitation

and support for their parents.

Mothers Behind BarsCollaborating with the Los Angeles County

Sheriff’s Department, the Center conducts

interactive classes in the county jails to

educate incarcerated women on family law,

child welfare and domestic violence topics.

Volunteer and Law Student DevelopmentBy maintaining an active program of recruit-

ing and training over 250 volunteers to help

its clients, the Center becomes a conduit

by which attorneys, law students and other

professionals maximize the use of their skills

to give back to the community.

Pro Bono PanelMarshaling the services of private practi-

tioners, the Center offers several thou-

sand hours of free legal representation to

clients facing barriers to self-representation

because of severe abuse or fear, disability,

legal complexity or other circumstances.

When I went to jai l , I thought I would not

be a part of my children’s l ives. I didn’t

want to give up so I went to the Center’s

law classes. When I went to court, I gave

the judge my certif icates, and she said

that I made one of the most miraculous

changes ever during incarceration. I

got my order for reunif ication with my

children. Thank you so much.

— former Mothers Behind Bars graduate

DAY BY DAY, STEP BY

STEP, YOU OFFERED

SUPPORT IN DIFFICULT

MOMENTS.

— former Center cl ient

Kimberly Johnson (L), Intern, and Rehema Rhodes Williams, Staff Attorney, at an outreach event for the Vera Brown-Curtis Project.

Page 5: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

You are my hero for being so strong and

going to school to learn how to help people.

— daughter of a Promotoras advocate

praises her mother

M E E T I N G E M E R G I N G N E E D S

In addition to its core programs, the Center reaches out to meet emerging needs in the community. Here are the Center’s current initiatives:

Community College and Neighborhood Outreach Partnering with various local schools and other non-profit institutions, the Center conducts day-long, on-site legal counseling sessions and group educational presentations to help community college students and community members facing critical family law issues.

Family Reunification and Reentry To help facilitate healthy family reunification and reduce recidivism upon reentry, the Center offers direct legal services and education workshops on domestic violence, child custody, child welfare, paternity and child support to formerly incarcerated mothers.

Family Law and Mental Health Over 10% of Center clients are parents and individuals who have one or more disabilities and seek help with custody and visitation issues. The Center provides them with legal assistance from advocates who understand the unique challenges that they face in demonstrating their ability to be a parent.

S P E C I A L E F F O R T S I N 2 0 1 5

LGBTQ Family Law Project (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer)Despite recent court advances, LGBTQ individuals continue to face discrimination and prejudice in the family court system. In response to this community need, the Center offers direct legal services for eligible LGBTQ individuals who need family law and domestic violence assistance.

Vera Brown-Curtis Project Named after Vera Brown-Curtis, a passion-ate advocate for disenfranchised persons, the Center initiated an effort in 2015 with funding from the Los Angeles Chapter of The Links, Inc., to increase its visibility and offer assistance to African-Americans living in the poorest neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Efforts are continuing with hope a new outreach location can be found.

Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate conversations with others about domestic violence in a culturally sensitive manner. The benefit of this lay leader program, designed by Planned Parenthood for use in the health care field, is to reach women who might not otherwise be aware of formal organizations and professionally trained personnel. Former Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Mo-lina sponsored this pilot program offered for the first time by the Center. Future continua-tion of this successful program is sought.

YOUR SERVICE AND

SUPPORT GIVES

ME A NEW SENSE

OF HOPE AND

BEGINNING THAT I

THOUGHT I WOULD

NEVER HAVE.

— former Center cl ient

“ “

The Center gave me strength and confidence

to f inish college and to provide a better

future for my kids. They helped me in al l

aspects of my l i fe.

— Community College graduate and former Center cl ient

Page 6: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

volunteers E M P O W E R L I V E S

The Center is proud to honor the 2015 Volunteer Award recipients who share a passion

for helping low-income families in great need.

Hall of Fame Award 2015 — Louise Nixon Louise Nixon, founder and President of QDRO Counsel, Inc., has been a lawyer and

pension specialist for the past 20+ years. Since 2004, she has prepared legal documents

for over 75 Center clients to make sure they receive their share of monthly payments,

often for the rest of their lives. Her work is especially important because a retirement plan

is a major bulwark against homelessness and poverty, particularly for women.

Along with her pro bono work, Louise has been a Harriett Buhai Center Board member

for 8 years. “Helping a single mom and her children get off the streets is a very rewarding

experience for me,” she states.

WHEN YOU GIVE

OF YOURSELF,

YOU FEEL

HUMANITY.

— Louise Nixon

”Serine Tsuda PRO BONO VOLUNTEER OF

THE YEAR

As a volunteer, I have been able to

help give people a voice in family law

courts- one that has the power to enable

women to walk away from their abusers,

al lows parents to obtain custody rights

they were too scared to ask for, and

al lows women and men to become

f inancial ly stable.

Shane Brengle DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

I am making a difference in something

I am passionate about-ending the cycle

of domestic violence. I believe helping

victims navigate the legal system gives

them power they feel they didn’t possess

before, to step away and no longer be

a victim.

Kristen Damon NEW VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

It’s challenging to identify a cl ient’s

crit ical legal issues while simultaneously

trying to provide a safe space for them

to be heard. But, when it al l works, I

feel the reward of a cl ient who is grateful

and feels some rel ief as well as the

feeling that my legal training has been

put to good use.

Steve Goodin FRANCES WENDER KANDEL

VOLUNTEER AWARD

It is a rare privi lege and a gift in l i fe to

work with a group of people who focus

their talents on l i ft ing up those of us who

have been beaten down in their own l ives.

The Center is dedicated to showing its

cl ients how to use our legal system to

get back the dignity and respect that is

their r ight.

Page 7: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

2015 VOLUNTEER LONGEVITY AWARDS

25 YEARS OF SERVICE

Lynette Berg Robe

Denise Nardi

Dean Mellor

20 YEARS OF SERVICE

Jennifer Saunders

15 YEARS OF SERVICE

Mary Lawrence Test

10 YEARS OF SERVICE

Irán C. Hopkins

Dena Kravitz

Marta Price

2015 STAFF Betty Nordwind | Executive Director

Heidi Slater | Deputy Director

Fred Emmer | Senior Supervising Staff Attorney

Elizabeth Erickson | Senior Staff Attorney

Cheryl Segal | Senior Staff Attorney

Alexis Kelly | Staff Attorney

Holly Leonard | Staff Attorney

Pablo Schlueter-Corey | Staff Attorney

Rehema Rhodes Williams | Staff Attorney

Karina Estrella | Senior Supervising Client Assistant

Isabel Tovar | Supervising Client Assistant

Elvira Castillo | Senior Client Assistant

Melissa Adams | Client Assistant

Wendy Garcia | Client Assistant

Noemi Hidalgo | Client Assistant

Anna Jimenez | Client Assistant

Reina Martinez | Client Assistant

Arlene Teutla | Client Assistant

Anna Carrillo | Office Manager

Douglas Rimerman | Assistant Director of Development

Lauren Sisson | Development Associate

Elizabeth Beaty | Development and Volunteer Coordinator

Taryn May | Volunteer Coordinator

Kimberly Britts | Communications Assistant

Esther Castillo | Administrative Assistant

Kimberly Johnson | Vera Brown-Curtis Intern

I AM SO HAPPY AND SO

GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HELP THAT

THE BUHAI CENTER HAS GIVEN ME

AND MY CHILDREN. I THOUGHT

IT WAS THE END OF THE ROAD

FOR US.

— former Center cl ient

” 2015 STAFF

Page 8: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

The Center is proud to recognize 297 attorneys, paralegals, law graduates, law students and community volunteers who

donated 14,547 hours of free legal assistance to Center clients during 2015.

Joel AcuarioOscar AcunaLucy AddenPatience AgbenyadzieRandi AkasakiMeredith AlexanderErica ArellanoAmanda ArteagaNancy AterradoSuzanne L. AustinBrenda AvilaSharon AzranCJ BaconKim BaldridgeLisa Barkin OxleyAnastasia BarmaxisRashan BarnesChristie BeardJean BeatyOrnah BeckerDeborah BeckmanLaura BedfordJulia BennettSarah BensingerBarbara BergenRonald BettyLaura BirnbaumLeah BishopMichelle BortnikElizabeth BrandlinLynn BrandtPatricia BravoShane BrengleKimberly BrittsMelissa BuchmanNaomi BurksCharian CaesarLiana CarterJanet CaseyDanielle CasselmanAndrea CasterLoe ChaeleeAlejandra ChaleYvonne ChampanaJenny ChenLillian ChinPaula ClamurroKelli ClarkeRam CoganShari CohenMaria CollantesRobert “Michael” CollumBrian CostelloCarmen CovarrubiasSara CrollEmily CuattoLiza CunananKristen DamonTala DavisPatrick DeCarolis

Stephen DemopoulosJames DooleyMaricela DoradoMelody DoschJohn DouglasNina DruckerEmily EdelmanDonald EisenbergPauline ElvidgeCharlene EmersonDavid EntinDaniella EslambolyDavid EttingerRebecca FischerKathryn FitzgeraldKatherine ForsterMercedes FresnoMelissa FresquezGeorge GamezJoel GarciaNoemi GarciaPhallen GaskinRachel GhatanAllen GlazerBlythe GolayVictoria GoldfarbRaymond GoldsteinTeresa GomezCynthia GonzalezStephen GoodinDanielle GraboisErin GreyAni GrigorianLinda GrossStephanie GuzmanRoger HalfhideElizabeth HallThomas HaraikawaSherri HarrisonJoseph HekmatCandice HendricksBrenda HernandezClaudia HernandezLizeth HernandezMayra HernandezMerlyn HernandezValerie HerreraElisa HerrmannAncira HijarKarriann HindsKristen HirashimaCarrie HolmesRoss HoonanianIrán HopkinsLauren HopkinsMichelle HopkinsKayla HoracekCynthia HuntMadiina HusseinJeffrey Imerman

Luisa InglesDiana JamesChelsea JohnsonAndrew JonesCandace JonesTaufiki JoshuaLaurence KaldorNora KavnerTara KearnsLevon KevorkianLauren KilledjianSoo KimSusan KimNicole KingJacqueline KleinJason KortDena KravitzBindu KundanmalChristopher KungChristopher LaidigEmily LanzaTeodolo LazaroBeverly LazarusNatalia LedesmaDaniel LeeHannah LeeRussell LeeSharlene LeeAaron LeetchKelly LeiderAdrian LevChris LimMicheal LindleyMatthew LlewellynElizabeth LopezRene LopezNydia LoyaAna LunaMinh LuongPatrick LynchLauren MackayNeil MacMillanAlexa MagrathDenise MamaligerKarin MangerMargaret MaraschinoWendy MarcoAlleen MarkarianAlexandra MarkusJoyce MathewsValentina MatijiDarrell McKnightNancy McLemenJack McMorrowMelissa McNairSuzanna MegrabyanSydney MehringerDean MellorAida MelvinGrace Mitsuhata

Lilit MkrtchyanAnn ModerMaricruz MoghaddamLimor MojdehiazadAlicia MolinaMargaret MolinaEvelyn MonterrosoDiana Montes de OcaChristopher MoorePaul MooreMarta Ceja MoraTeresa MorrellRobert MossDenise NardiBrionna NedAmy NeimanYevette NelsonAnh NguyenLouise NixonJacqueline OgrodowiczDouglas OlinChris OlsenKarla OrtegaTigran PalyanJennie ParkHeather PatrickShannon PayneEllen PeckIlona PeltynAlison PerezJacqueline PerezCynthia PerrinIsabel PetitLauren PetkinMyrna PilotAlbert “Greg” PintoGabriel PlanasMarta PriceMark RademacherGillian RamosLeticia RangelScheherazade RastegarCharlotte ReithAldo RenteriaEllen RichardsonLynette Berg RobeKaren Barlevi RobertsToby RodriguezCandice RogersKaren RosinEstivi (Steve) RuizLucia Ruiz LopezChelsea SalemVioleta Salinas ReyesNatasha SaltzJessica SanchezJoanna SanchezJohanna SanchezVenus SanchezRobyn Santucci

Jennifer SaundersKatie SaundersRobin SaxHon. Robert Schnider, (Ret.)Julia Shear KushnerDavid ShebbyAni ShirinianGabriela SicardKaren SlowikCandi SmithLisa SmithMona SobhaniShumika SookdeoVictoria SotvaLance SpiegelPenny Ramos St. JohnTheresa SteenJennifer StormJulie StrombergAlejandra SuaydeLayla SummersFahi Takesh HallinGayle TamlerKevin TangJacqueline Tate-NaghiLaurie TaylorYogesh TendulkarMary TestGeoffrey ThomasJodi TicknorBelinda ToVeronica ToledoCindy TongLisa TorossianQueenie TranSerine TsudaElizabeth ValenciaMarisol ValenciaJennifer VasquezNora Venegas WagnerTodd VigusAlisa WeckerMichelle WedderburnJonathan WeisbergKay WestJames WhiggamMary Dinius WhiteLinda WhitfieldVanessa WishingradAlesia YoungLisa YungHeather ZaksonGina ZaragozaLaura ZaragozaHedieh ZarrabiLeyla ZerehiStuart Zimring

meet O U R V O L U N T E E R S

Page 9: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

financial S T A T E M E N TJ U N E 3 0

SupportFoundations

Government Contracts

Individuals

Special Events

TOTAL SUPPORT

RevenueEarned Income

Investment Income

Total Revenue

Donated Services

TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE

Expenses

PROGRAM SERVICES:

Family Law and Legal Aid Supporting Services:

General and Administrative and Fundraising

TOTAL EXPENSES

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

Net Assets, Beginning of the Year

Increase (Decrease in Net Assets)

NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR

2 0 1 5

$117,000

$764,669

$651,062

$-

$1,532,731

$38,719

$(279)

$38,440

$3,177,386

$4,748,557

$4,389,290

$354,794

$4,744,084

$4,473

$803,541

$4,473

$808,014

2 0 1 4 *

$168,827

$609,296

$519,784

$-

$1,297,907

$46,266

$64

$46,330

$2,622,310

$3,966,547

$3,582,848

$314,548

$3,897,396

$69,151

$734,390

$69,151

$803,541

* During 2014, the Harriett Buhai Center changed its fiscal year end from July 31 to June 30. As a result, the fiscal period for 2014 represents an eleven month period from August 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT More than 50% of the Center’s support is the result of grants from government, public and private foundations, civic and employee organizations and bar associa-tions. We are grateful to the following entities for their support of the Center during the calendar year 2015:

Aegon Transamerica Foundation

AmazonSmile Foundation

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Southern California Chapter

Amgen Foundation

The Audrey Irmas Foundation of Social Justice

Bank of America

Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

California Community Foundation

The California Endowment

Carl E. Wynn Foundation

Children’s Institute, Inc., Project Fatherhood

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services, CalWORKs Domestic Violence Supportive Services Program

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services, Community Services Block Grant Program (Districts 1, 2 and 4)

County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (Inmate Welfare Fund)

Hanley Foundation

J.B. & Emily Van Nuys Charities

Lillian Robbins Estate

The Morrison & Foerster Foundation

Neda Nobari Foundation

The Rose Hills Foundation

S. Mark Taper Foundation

State Bar of California Client Trust Fund Program

State Bar of California Equal Access Fund

Susan and Lloyd Stockel Fund

Trope and Trope/USC Family Law Public Interest Family Law Fellowship

Wasserman Foundation

Wells Fargo Foundation

William M. Keck Jr. Foundation

Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Legal assistance programsGeneral administration and fundraising

where your money goes

GovernmentIndividual and businessesFoundationsOther

where our money comes from

7%

93%

49%41%

7% 3%

Page 10: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law is grateful to the following individuals, firms, businesses and institutional supporters

who made philanthropic gifts for the year 2015.

LEADER ($50,000+) Harris • Ginsberg LLP

SUSTAINER ($20,000-29,999)The Bell Family in Loving Memory of Leslie F. BellCMM, LLPLaw Offices of Judith R. Forman, P.C.Jaffe and ClemensMayer Hoffman McCann, P.C.

PARTNER ($10,000-19,999)Leah M. Bishop and Gary M. YaleCalifornia Community FoundationGursey | Schneider LLPJacobson Scully Shebby LLPKolodny Law GroupMeyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers LLPHon. Jill S. Robbins, (Ret.) and Robert W. EisfelderSusan R. StockelSorrell and Linda TropeWasser, Cooperman, & Mandles, P.C.Wells FargoDavid and Susan Wilstein

BENEFACTOR ($5,000-9,999)Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA Diane and Noel Applebaum Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Johnna K. Boylan, Esq. Law Office of Kappy K. Bristol Maria Castillo Hon. Isabel R. Cohen, (Ret.) and Paul F. Cohen William Comanor, Ph.D. Judge Mablean Ephriam Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein, LLP Hargrave & Hargrave, CPAs Stanley Iezman and Nancy Stark American Realty Advisor Robert and KC Kaufman Vivian Landau Nigro Karlin Segal Feldstein & Bolno Phillips Lerner, A Law Corporation Beverly Pollens in Honor of Linda and Sorrell Trope Cori Steinberg in Memory of Todd Russell Reinstein Susan Steinhauser and Daniel Greenberg

White, Zuckerman, Warsavsky, Luna & Hunt LLPYoung, Spiegel & Lee, LLP

PATRON ($2,500-4,999)Stephanie M. BarnettBrot & Gross, LLPMelissa B. BuchmanKalyani Chirra and Peter SimonPatrick DeCarolis, Jr. and Cathleen YoungDegani & Galston LLPDonald S. EisenbergEmily Shappell EdelmanDavid and Susan EttingerMercy FresnoHahn & Hahn LLPHersh, Mannis & Bogen, LLPWendy A. Herzog and Stephen F. RohdeHorvitz & Levy LLPDenise, Sheldon, Dena and Jason KravitzAlexandra Leichter, Ariel Leichter- Maroko and Jenna C. Spatz / Leichter Leichter-Maroko LLPLopez & Grager, LLPChristopher Moore and Sharon A. Bryan / Moore Bryan & Schroff LLPMunger, Tolles & Olson LLPQDRO Counsel Inc., APC - Louise Nixon, Esq. PresidentPaula and Aaron NordwindJoan Patsy Ostroy and James R. EliaserLaw and Mediation Offices of Karen RosinSacks, Glazier, Franklin & Lodise, LLPJudge John H. Sandoz, (Ret.) and Ms. Beverley Morgan-SandozHeidi Tuffias and Ken MoraRobert TuffiasThe Law Office of Christine V. Twining, APCJessica Uzcategui and Carlos SingerVenable LLPWalzer & Melcher LLPWasserman Foundation

SPONSOR ($1,500-2,499)Adelson Family TrustAllred, Maroko & GoldbergAnonymousLynn and Robert C. BrandtJeff Buhai and Suzanne RosenblattButer, Buzard, Fishbein & Royce LLPIn Honor of Cathie EnriquezFLAMES (Family Law Attorneys Mediators Engaged in Study)

Frankel & Reichman LLPIn Honor of Paul GinsbergGlassman, Browning, Saltsman & Jacobs, Inc.Bill and Janet GlucksmanErin L. GreyLinda S. GrossMichael A. GuerreroStefanie M. Hall, Hall Family Law Law Office of Paula KaneKlopert and Ravden, LLPRuth J. LavineJudith Seeds MillerJacqueline MishoDenise A. NardiNordwind and Bierman Families in memory or Mickey BiermanLynette Berg Robe and Mike RobeSchwartz & Shapiro LLPJudith Salkow Shapiro and Martin ShapiroShulman Family Law GroupSandra Jo StreeterLaurie TaylorAnnie Wishingrad

FRIEND ($500-1,499)1st Century BankAlternative Resolution CentersLeon and Sandra AndersonAnonymousAnonymousJackie and Howard BanchikGail and George BarilGrace BatesBird Marella Boxer Wolpert Nessim Drooks Lincenberg & RhowHon. Aviva Bobb, (Ret.) and Ian Russ, Ph.D.Curtice BoothNancy Braden-ParkerJoel T. Brantham William C. BrittsAmos BuhaiVicki ChristiansonRamon Cintron and Christina RamirezCarole and Leslie CohenAlex CuthbertsonGregory EconomosAbby and Ira FriedmanHon. Reva G. GoetzDavid and Judith GoldsteinBrenda and Hugh GottfriedDemetria L. Graves, Esq.Patricia GriffithHerbert J. GroelingerSusan and Richard GurmanHaight, Brown & Bonesteel LLPKarriann Farrell Hinds and Elliot Hinds

Janice HoltonJeans for Justice Lawyers and StaffNico JuberKasdan Family FoundationRoy and Judi KaufmanHon. Holly E. KendigKennedy, Woodruff, Gessford and Nixon FamilyPatty KestinJacqueline KleinBonnie Kossoff and Steve UslanKaye and Jeremy Kramer on behalf of the MJK FoundationPaula KremsSusan Kussin and Greg BordoAl LandolphLAW CDP (LA Westside Collaborative Divorce Professionals)Edith R. MatthaiSusan G. Millmann and Steve ClareScott and Darlene MowreyMichele Mulrooney and James JackowayHon. John W. Ouderkirk, (Ret.)Our Family WizardDina OwensLauren PetkinPhillips Jessner LLPCatherine Portillo and Scott WallaceRibet & SilverLee Fisher-Rosenberg and Barry RosenbergDoraedith RuelasTrina L. SaundersPamela SellersBenjamin and Susan ShapellAmalia ShebbyMaria O. ShriverHon. Erithe A. SmithNancy Spero and Norman BrandThe Sugarman Helgoe Sheasby Mistry-Malhotra and Tonti FamiliesRuth Waddell and Eric StockelGary WardHon. Robert WillettWomen Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

ASSOCIATE ($250-499)Raul and Leila AcevedoRandi AkasakiAnonymousMichael and Honeya BarthLuAnn BeckloffSascha BensingerAlan and Phyllis BergerBlanche C. BerschGene BishopDonna CastorinoAster C. Chang

our D O N O R S

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Judith C. ChirlinHon. Ursula ClemonsCooper, Moss, Resnick, Klein and Co., LLPLawrence DammKristen DamonCarolyn Kozuch DeFrancescoDeborah EwingDavis J. Factor, IIIMichael FiresteinKatherine M. ForsterHon. Janet M. FrangieMarian Gordon and Lawrence Abbott Chris Rizza and Elizabeth Gordon-Rizza Roger G. Halfhide/Halfhide & McVerry Charitable FundNicolle KeallyDavid and Helen KnausElaine KramerSharlene LeeMichael J. McNamaraJulie and Randy OppenheimerAllison PlattAnna G. PurdumWilliam RydenMaria Salas MendozaHon. Robert A. Schnider, (Ret.) and Perryne AnkerFrancesca ShahrouzBernardo and Carla SilvaSommer Appraisal ServiceSouthern California School of Interpretation, Inc.Abby SovenAnne-Marie SpataruHon. Marjorie S. Steinberg, (Ret.)Sterling and Harriette StuckeyMyra Sun and Carlton GunnRobin and Scott VenturelliCarol Vernon and Robert TurbinMary Dinius White

SUPPORTER ($1-249)Margaret Irene AdamsAbby AdorneyMarilyn W. AlperHoney Kessler AmadoAmazon SmileAnonymousJudith S. BainElisa BakerJennifer BaldocchiGordon BarancoMark and Susan BarterSandra B. BarzElizabeth BeatyMartin and Brenda BeckerElayne Berg-WilionMs. Marciela Bermudez, Esq.John J. Bihary, Jr.Muriel BlankfortSophie Buhai and Joshua SussmanCanoe GroupHolly CarusoNancy Caton

Lillian ChinAngelica and David ClarkBarbara H. ClarkStephanie S. DanielsNicole DanielsSreoshi Datta and Neil ShethDonald DeBlockAilsa and Victor Deutsch and Judith DeutschNancy DiegoDriveWise AutoLucy and David EisenbergPhyllis M. ElskyElizabeth ElsonFred EmmerHon. Norman L. EpsteinRobert EspinozaElisa FernandezCatherine FinelliGeorge and Christie FinleyCheryl and William FinneyHon. Elaine J. FongLeslie K. FurukawaDiane FuttermanNorma GarciaMarc GilbarGolsan Ziff and ZiffJoan GordonKevin Grant and Lisa TrivediSibylle GrebeJames GreenAnne GrignonMadelon GryllCarolyn Buhai HaasJanet HalbertCommissioner Louise HalevySusan L. HarrisHon. Terry J. HatterJennifer HaugMolly HenthorneRoseann HermanSari Horovitz and Howard HoffmanJean HuangAlan JacobsEdwin and Muriel JacobsLisa JaskolEleanor and Jack JayeMarilyn JoelHon. Barbara R. JohnsonChris JonesTeresa JuarezMr. and Mrs. Robert KehrMichael and Kristene KenneyKelley and Aaron KinneyCarrie KiskerPietra Knaus and Boaz Shattan, Jr.Paul and Ana KolianderSupervisor Sheila James KuehlAnnette R. KulikDavid Kuroda, LCSWFrumeh LabowHon. Stephen Lachs and Michael RuvoAnnie LeanseMichael LeanseDiane LenkinSaralyn LevineMarsha LissRonald A. Litz

Alan and Susan LootsCarmela LopezLove and Unity Christian FellowshipMichael B. LuftmanYael MaizelLaw and Mediation Offices of Dvorah MarkmanHon. Marilyn MartinezCatherine MatsudaHon. Howard Matz and Ms. Jane MatzJanis McDonaldSusan Wise Miller, M.A.Julie MilliganTed MillsAlexandra MurrayMarilyn H. NelsonNetwork for GoodAnn and Ted NyeAndrea Sheridan OrdinCathy OstillerLynn and Neville OstrickCarmela PagayHon. Joy PicusSelma and Steven PokressSharon Pratt-HouffMarc L. PrimianiRobert and Esther QuonRalphs Grocery CompanyJohn and Nancy ReinischJohn and Charlotte ReithDiane ReyesMary and Bruce RigdonDulce M. RiveraKaren and Leo RobertsMaria Rocio JimenezElsy D. RodriguezJonathan RosenbloomCruz Clarisa RuLisa BinderMandee SandersonLarry SchwartzLawrence SegalGraham Sherr and Nanette TerrenalBarbara SimmsSusan SimonNicole SimonianRonald SmithGail D. SoloRoslyn and Warren SteinhauserAinslie and Steven SugarmanValerie TakahamaMaurine TaubmanJohn Tietjen and Patricia CumminsBarbara Torrest and Peter DormontLeonardo UzcateguiRobert S. Vinetz, MD and Nancy Kezlarian, MFTSara WasserstromScattered for Service TeamRosalyn S. ZakheimCarol & Stuart Zimring

Every effort has been made to print the correct information. If there are any corrections, omissions or changes, please call the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law (213) 388-7505 ext. 308. Thank you.

GIFTS IN TRIBUTE Donations in honor, celebration or memory of the following individuals were generously made in 2015: Stephanie BarnettLeslie F. BellSascha BensingerManya BertramMickey BiermanLeah BishopKimberly BrittsAmos BuhaiHarriett BuhaiSophie BuhaiRoger A. ChristiansonNicole DanielsFlorence DeFrancescoEmily EdelmanCathie EnriquezEvelyn BoothDiane Foley JonesMercedes FresnoKatharine GalstonLarry A. GinsbergPaul GinsbergDaniel GreenbergElliott and Karriann HindsDena KravitzGloria LeonardHolly LeonardColleen MadinnusCarolyn MakupsonRobin MeadowDonald NasshornLouise NixonBetty NordwindPablo Schlueter-CoreyPamela SellersJulia StantonMargaret StevensLinda and Sorrell TropeValerie UzcateguiLaura WasserMary Dinus White

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS The following individuals, firms and businesses made donations in-kind during 2015: Attorney’s BriefcaseCalifornia Family Law ReportFred EmmerLexisNexis Matthew BenderLos Angeles County Bar Association Family Law SectionLoyola Law SchoolMartin Dean’s Essential FormsThe Rutter GroupSomething MassiveSouthwestern Law School

Page 12: Harriett Buhai Center for Family La · Promotoras Through the Center’s community advocacy training program, Promotoras, current and former Latina clients learned how to initiate

missionWe protect victims of domestic violence and improve the well-being of children living in poverty. With the help of volunteers, the Center provides free family law assistance and legal education to the poor. We strive to empower people in need and assure them meaningful access to the courts.

visionWe aspire to create a community where poverty is not a barrier to those who seek to resolve critical family law matters.

3250 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 710

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 388-7505

www.hbcfl.org

A co-sponsored project of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

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