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KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
ANNUAL REPORT 2016
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EX OFFICIO (ALSO MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL) Yolande C. Adelson*Blanche C. BerschValerie CohenVera Brown-Curtis* Carolyn Kozuch DeFrancescoMablean Ephriam (Co-founder)Deborah EwingLarry A. GinsbergFahi Takesh Hallin Nedra JenkinsSusan R. StockelBeverly A. Williams
*Deceased
“Knowledge is power”This comment from a participant in one of the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
legal education classes for women in the LA Jail underscores a founding principle of the Center: Low-income persons, guided by trained volunteers, can understand the court process, make informed decisions about critical family law issues and represent themselves.
This powerful idea still propels the Center today. Individuals learn about family law in traditional legal settings and in places like jails, community colleges and neighborhood centers. Thousands of clients, community members and hundreds of volunteer lawyers and law students have all been beneficiaries of the Center’s educational model.
A corollary of the Center’s educational mission is empowerment. Clients, lawyer volunteers, law students and community members say they are more capable of succeeding because of the knowledge they have gained through the Center. The client story in this Annual Report illustrates how this happens. We thank all of our supporters for their investment in the Center and its educational mission.
Gratefully,
Betty L. Nordwind | Executive Director
Education and empowerment through the Center in 2016 means…
837persons received free legal counsel to handle their cases themselves or with the Center’s help.
“ I was scared about doing the work myself, but I grew confident because they taught me to answer questions the best I could.” – Former Center client
3,419 women inmates in local jails learned about protection from domestic violence and child welfare law.
“ The classes helped me believe that I could change and make the right choices about my children.” – Former graduate of Mothers Behind Bars Program
2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS David P. Shebby • President Amos Buhai • (President-Elect)William Scott Mowrey, Jr. • TreasurerStephanie M. Barnett • SecretaryKimberly R. ArnalTamara BenefieldAndrew DeBlockLorrina M. DuffyDavid EttingerElisa FernandezKatharine J. GalstonTerry M. HargraveIrán C. Hopkins
Kayla Horacek
Esther P. KimJessica KurzbanLouise NixonCandice K. RogersTrina SaundersJodi Bell TicknorHeidi TuffiasJessica A. UzcateguiScott Weston
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ADVISORY COUNCIL Judith R. Forman, Chair
Leah M. Bishop
Hon. Aviva Bobb, (Ret.)
Judy Bogen
Jeffrey Buhai
Bruce Clemens
Hon. Isabel R. Cohen, (Ret.)
Bruce Cooperman
Emily Shappell Edelman
Paula Kane
“I am looking forward to good things for myself and my daughter that I thought we would never have.” – Former Center 2016 client
Empowered with the legal knowledge she learned and results she achieved through the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law, Nicole* is reclaiming the dreams she thought she had lost forever, including obtaining her college degree.
In high school, she thought she met the love of her life, but Nicole’s life went from happy to horror-filled. Pregnant and overwhelmed, she moved in with her boyfriend’s family. His abuse began and did not stop until she met lawyers and volunteers from the Center at the community college she was trying to attend despite his threats. Trying to control all aspects of her life, he convinced her that he would take their daughter away if she did not obey him. One day, angered that she was going to school when he told her not to, he threw her out of the house. She hid with their daughter in a nearby alley until he left. Determined to change her life, she fled with her daughter to move in with her family.
Meeting the Center’s lawyers through its outreach program, Nicole found the tools to move forward and be her own advocate. With extensive legal education and preparation, Nicole represented herself in court to obtain full custody of their child. Based on the belligerent conduct of the father in the case, the judge ruled that he could not have any visitation at that time.
Of her experience, Nicole says: “It was a scary time and now life is great thanks to the Center. I am looking forward to good things for myself and my daughter that I thought we would never have.”
Acquiring the legal tools to set herself free
*Name and photo changed to protect client’s privacy.
Tracy Farryl Katz
Robert Kaufman
Stephen A. Kolodny
Hon. Veronica Simmons McBeth, (Ret.)
Joan Patsy Ostroy (Co-founder)
Patricia Phillips
Hon. Robert Schnider, (Ret.)
Lance Spiegel
Sorrell Trope
Laura A. Wasser
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Thank you to Our DonorsThe Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law is grateful to the following individuals, firms, businesses and institutional
supporters who made philanthropic gifts during calendar year 2016:
LEADER ($50,000+)
Harris • Ginsberg LLP
SUSTAINER ($20,000-29,999)
CMM, LLPJaffe and Clemens
PARTNER ($10,000-19,999)Leah M. Bishop and Gary M. YaleCBIZ & Mayer Hoffman McCannLaw Offices of Judith R. Forman, P.C. Gursey | Schneider LLPJacobson Scully Shebby LLPStephen Kolodny, Kolodny Law Group, in Honor of Judge Kenneth A. BlackMeyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers LLPNigro Karlin Segal & Feldstein, LLPRefinery29Hon. Jill S. Robbins, (Ret.) and Robert W. Eisfelder Susan R. Stockel in Memory of Elsa WaddellWasser, 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 in Honor of Jimmy White Adam and Stephanie Barnett Blank Rome LLP Hon. Isabel R. Cohen, (Ret.) and Paul F. Cohen
Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein, LLPThe Feintech FamilyMercy Fresno Larry A. Ginsberg and Rob LevineHargrave & Hargrave, CPAs Hersh Mannis LLP Stanley Iezman and Nancy Stark / American Realty AdvisorsKendall Brill & Kelly LLPVivian LandauElizabeth Parks KibbeyBeverly Pollens in Honor of Linda and Sorrell TropeQDRO Counsel Inc., APC - Louise Nixon, Esq. PresidentSusan Steinhauser and Daniel Greenberg The Law Office of Christine V. Twining, APC in honor of Stephanie BarnettWhite, Zuckerman, Warsavsky, Luna & Hunt LLP
PATRON ($2,500-4,999)The Bell Family TrustHon. Aviva Bobb, (Ret.) and Ian Russ, Ph.D.Johnna K. Boylan, Esq. Law Office of Kappy K. BristolMelissa B. BuchmanKalyani Chirra and Peter SimonWilliam Comanor, Ph.D.Law Office of Emily Shappell Edelman Donald S. EisenbergDavid and Susan EttingerFox Rothschild LLP
Frankel Reichman & Rizzo LLPHahn & Hahn LLPWendy A. Herzog and Stephen F. RohdeJacqueline KleinDena Kravitz and Alex MacrisDenise, Sheldon, Dena and Jason KravitzAlexandra Leichter, Ariel Leichter-Maroko, Jenna C. Spatz, and T. Michael Payne/ Leichter Leichter-Maroko LLPLopez & Grager, LLPChristopher Moore and Sharon A. Bryan / Moore Bryan & Schroff LLPMolly Munger & Stephen R. EnglishMunger, Tolles & Olson LLPPaula and Aaron NordwindRichard Nordwind and Karen BiermanJoan Patsy Ostroy and James R. EliaserDonald C. Randolph and Suzanne Randolph / Randolph & AssociatesLaw and Mediation Offices of Karen RosinSacks, Glazier, Franklin & Lodise, LLPJudge John H. Sandoz, (Ret.) and Ms. Beverley Morgan-SandozDavid Schindler and Carol JohnsonSamantha F. SpectorCori B. SteinbergSandra Jo StreeterHeidi Tuffias and Ken Mora
Robert TuffiasJessica Uzcategui and Carlos SingerVenable LLPWalzer & Melcher LLPTiffany and Jon Woodruff / Goldman Sachs GivesYoung, Spiegel & Lee, LLP
SPONSOR ($1,500-2,499)Allred, Maroko & GoldbergAnonymousARC- Alternative Resolution Centers and Our Family Law NeutralsKim Archer/BNY Mellon Wealth Mgt.Suzanne AustinNancy Braden-ParkerLynn and Robert C. BrandtBrot & Gross, LLPJeff Buhai and Suzanne RosenblattButer, Buzard, Fishbein & Royce LLPLucy DahlPatrick DeCarolis, Jr. and Cathleen YoungElisa FernandezCarole and Rick Flam of The Law Offices of Flam & FlamFLAMES (Family Law Mediators Engaged in Study)Kate and Jay Galston Bill and Janet GlucksmanErin L. GreyStefanie M. Hall, Hall Family Law
Karriann Farrell Hinds and Elliot HindsHorvitz & Levy LLPLaw Office of Paula KaneLAW CDP (LA Westside Collaborative Divorce Professionals)Ms. Gene H. LePereLiner LLPJudith Seeds MillerDenise A. NardiLynette Berg Robe and Mike RobeLaw Offices of Lee W. Salisbury, APCSchwartz & Shapiro LLPJudith Salkow Shapiro and Martin ShapiroShulman Family Law GroupLaurie TaylorU.S. TrustScott and Ruth Weston
FRIEND ($500-1,499)1st Century BankLesia AdlerAnonymousAnonymousAlyssa BaGail and George BarilMr. and Mrs. BarnesGrace BatesDjuna BelSascha and Tyler BensingerSonia BoyajianCourtney BrightWilliam BrittWilliam C. BrittsSophie Buhai and Josh Sussman
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Amos Buhai and Nicole Daniels Daniel ChienVicki ChristiansonRamon Cintron and Christina RamirezLeslie Cohen Law, PCCarole and Leslie CohenAlex CuthbertsonGarrett DaileyHeather D’AngeloMarc and Stephanie DanielsLorrina M. DuffyDonald S. EisenbergJudge Mablean EphriamErvin Cohen & Jessup LLPFiduciary Trust International of CaliforniaJoan G. FlaxAbby and Ira FriedmanTina GaleFranklin R. GarfieldHon. Arthur GilbertDavid and Judith GoldsteinErrol GordonMia GormanHerbert J. GroelingerLinda S. GrossRoger G. Halfhide/Halfhide & McVerry Charitable FundHon. Margaret HenryKristen HirashimaCarrie Holmes and Matthew CohnChery HoracekKayla Knowles Horacek, CFLSMark KaneMichael KarlinRichard and Suzanne Kayne Charitable FundHon. Holly E. KendigEric KimRobert KleigerBettina KorekBonnie Kossoff and Steve UslanNatalie KrinskySusan Kussin and Greg BordoHolly Leonard
Randi LevineMegan MarcianoTara McGuinnessChad McPhailScott and Darlene MowreyCarol and Jerry MuchinMichele Mulrooney and Jim JackowayBetty L. NordwindEmily NordwindOur Family WizardErica PakerPhillips Jessner LLPSandra Segal PolinWhitney PortSharon Pratt-HouffSuzanne RheinsteinRoger RombroLee Fisher-Rosenberg and Barry RosenbergPamela SellersBenjamin and Susan ShapellAmalia ShebbyHon. Erithe A. SmithPatti and Steve SoboroffLauren SoloffSquare, Inc.Sorrell and Linda TropeJames B. ValentineRuth Waddell and Eric StockelCatherine Portillo Wallace and Scott WallaceKathleen WhitakerStevie WonderCaitlin Wootton
ASSOCIATE ($250-499)Raul L. and Leila I. AcevedoShirley L. AdamsZoe AdamsAdobeKavita AhujaMarilyn W. AlperCheryl BameKathryn BentleyBlanche C. Bersch
Gene BishopLauren BowneAlex BravermanAshley ButlerDonna CastorinoJeni ChanCarol Cheng-MayerLillian ChinAngelica and David ClarkSusan ClarkCarol D. Codrington, Assoc. JusticeVictor ColomesCooper, Moss, Resnick, Klein and Co., LLPEvelyn CrowleyBrady CunninghamIlyce DawesAndrew DeBlockBert DeixlerSusan J. DeWittAlyssa DickersonRachel DouglasJames EllisDanny EmmerDeborah EwingDavis J. Factor, IIIFrancine FielMichelle FinocchiAnne B. FisherJoJo FleissAlan FoxHon. Janet M. FrangieCharley GallayRachel Gandin MarkSarah Gibson TuttleMarc GilbarSonny GranadeMary GummerShirley HargraveMaggie HaskinsCarlyn HenryIrán and Christopher HopkinsTeresa HugginsBenjamin JonesMichael Kassar
Terri KevilleDamhui KimDavid and Helen KnausSuzanne KrausPaula KremsRonna KressRuth J. LavineChristine LennonPatricia LiningerCarolyn MakupsonEugene W. and Sherrie K. MatthewsDanica McKellarNahema MehtaAnna MilnerJanice MintonBen Mishico and Kelly ChooDennis MulqueenyCleo MurnaneOlson Hagel & Fishburn, LLPPhillips Whisnant Gazin Gorczyca & Curtin, LLPNicole PhillisShanee PinkLorna RiffMary and Bruce RigdonJason RothenbergAllison RudnickLarry SchwartzAlvia and Diane ShawDavid P. ShebbyBernardo and Carla SilvaHarper SimonJacob SoboroffSommer Appraisal ServiceHon. Marjorie S. Steinberg, (Ret.)Myra Sun and Carlton GunnStuart P. TobismanBarbara Torrest and Peter DormontCarol TrussellBeatrice ValenzuelaAlicia Van CouveringLaurie VenderThomas VincentSayre Weaver
Mary Dinius WhiteJoseph and Sharon WinshipMatthew WishingradMelissa WoodsRosalyn S. ZakheimJennifer Ziegler
SUPPORTER ($1-249)Margaret Irene AdamsBrye AdlerOmri AgamGail AltmanKimberly AlvaradoHoney Kessler AmadoAlexa AminAnonymousMary Ann AronsohnDana AshleyElisa BakerNicole BarilJoy BarnettMarina and Gary BarnettKristin BarronMark and Susan BarterSandra B. BarzMartin and Brenda BeckerLuAnn BeckloffLowell BecourtneyTamara S. BenefieldHoward L. Berg, M.D. and Peggy BergMs. Marciela Bermudez, Esq.Lisa BinderKaren L. BizziniDavid BlackMuriel BlankfortJudy BogenDenise BoshersBrittany BrittonDoug and Alice BrownJessica Brown Nancy Rabin Brucker, APCAlexis BrunswickIllece Buckley-WeberAnna BulbrookSusan R. BulfinchMarcia Burnam
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Thank you to Our Donors (continued)Maia CarmelAmanda CarterHolly and Daniel CarusoBarbara H. ClarkUrsula L. Clemons, Esq.Jan C. CostelloElizabeth CourtenayAmy CrootPaula CrossMary B. CulbertSamantha CulpKristen DamonNicole DanielsAdrine DavoodiDonald DeBlockCarolyn DeFrancescoAlexander DeJongTabitha DenholmPari DesaiNancy DiegoLaura DiMaggioAbigail DoolittleDriveWise Auto Inc.Larry DushkesAlexandra EbelingArline EdelbaumHon. Anne H. EgertonElizabeth ElsonCathie EnriquezHon. Norman L. EpsteinElla EttingerRachel EttingerGeorge and Christie FinleyCheryl and William FinneyMichael FiresteinAlisha FrankDiane FuttermanAna R. GarciaGillian GarciaSamantha GarrisonStephen GassnerRabbi Laura GellerMichael L. GilbertKate GillespieTamara Goldstein
Liz GoldwynAmada P. GonzalezBarbara Gordon and Liz RizzaKira GouldElisa GozarkhahKevin Grant and Lisa TrivediSibylle GrebeRisa GreenDavid GreenwaldSusan GrinsfelderMadelon and Chuck GryllAmy HaassCommissioner Louise HalevyBarry T. HarlanSusan L. HarrisHon. Terry J. HatterBlair HavensHelen M. HawekotteKristin HawesKaren HeilmanDryden HelgoeMolly HenthorneAndrea HillCathy HollebAndrew HornichterLawren HowellJean HuangChristina HumasonBailey HunterBonita JacksonAlan JacobsRebecca JezekCarly JoMarilyn JoelKathie Johnson and Alexis JohnsonThe Kandel FamilyDeborah KaplanMr. and Mrs. Robert KehrMichael and Kristene KenneyCarrie KiskerLynne M. KnoxDeborah KobyltPaul and Ana KolianderAnnette R. Kulik
Waltereise Lamb-StanzellAl LandolphDee LaneChristine LangJulia LeachMichael LeanseSimone LeBlancMarcy LebovitzApril LeeDiane LenkinIra and Bobbie LesserNolley LinaMarsha LissFran and David LoewLori LoveMichael B. LuftmanVilma Martinez, Esq.Hon. Howard Matz and Ms. Jane MatzClancy McCartyAdam McPhersonEmily MeyerJoshua Meyer and Vicki BotnickCindy and Steven MichaelAnita and Jim MilesSusan Wise Miller, M.A.Susan G. Millmann and Steve ClareRashna MistryGenevieve MowStan MullinAriana NakataAnn and Ted NyeSusie J. OhJill OlofsonAndrea Sheridan OrdinCathy OstillerDina OwensJulia ParrisDaniel PasquiniMatthew PaulTajamika PaxtonAmanda PhillipsRobert and Esther QuonCarolyn Ramo
Jordan RebelloEmma ReevesJordan RiderDulce M. RiveraSandra RoderickCandice K. RogersJodie RolihNicole RosenfieldRachel Kronick Rothbart and James RothbartJulia RoundSamuel and June SaleMandee SandersonShari SapersteinTrina L. SaundersSamantha ScherrHon. Robert A. Schnider, (Ret.) and Perryne AnkerJoel SchwartzMara SchwartzLynne SebastianRobert SeitzAlexandra ShabtaiBen SharonyGraham Sherr and Nanette TerrenalHaewon ShinCarl and Barbara SimmsJennifer SimmsTalbott A. SmithMary Elizabeth SmithJustice Sheila Prell SonenshineAbby SovenAbrielle StedmanJanette SteeleAnna Lea SteinScott SternbergSheri StevensRose StubberfieldSterling and Harriette StuckeyAinslie and Steven SugarmanShifra TeitelbaumBrian ThoreenJodi TicknorAdrienne Tourtelot
Tricia Trotter TaperCharles A. Ver HoeveRobert S. Vinetz, MD and Nancy Kezlarian, MFTJohn and Jill WalshMegan WebberMichelle WedderburnWhitney Eve Inc.Virginia WilliamsAmanda Wilson-RappaportErica WinogradHelena Yli-RenkoCarol and Stuart ZimringSue Zisko 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 at
(213) 388-7505 ext 308. Thank you.
In-Kind ContributionsThe following individuals, firms and businesses made donations in-kind during 2016:Attorney’s BriefcaseMarilyn BarrettCalifornia Family Law ReportCONFETTISYSTEM Inc.Dawn GrayLexisNexis Matthew BenderLos Angeles Family Bar Association Family Law SectionLoyola Law SchoolThe Rutter GroupSomething MassiveSouthwestern Law School
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Donations in honor, celebration or memory of the following individuals were generously made in 2016:
Stephanie BarnettHenry BeckerSascha Rigdon BensingerLeah BishopJudge Kenneth A. Black (Ret.)Aviva Bobb and Ian RussJames D. BristolJackie BrittsAmos BuhaiJames Paul BuhaiSuzanne BuhaiKalyani ChirraRoger A. ChristiansonAndrew DeBlockJosephine Arena DeCarolisAmy Egerton-WileyDavid EttingerRaychael Ettinger and Kevin MeekRebecca Fischer and Stephen SpillerMercy FresnoKate GalstonLarry GinsbergSteve GoodinElisa Herrmann and Shahin GozarkhahShirley Hufstedler Diane JonesFran KandelDavid KavnerBettina KorekHolly LeonardRob LevineCarolyn MakupsonDaniel James McNamaraLouise NixonBetty L. NordwindRob and Kerri O’ConnorJoan Patsy OstroyDolores Portillo
Alumni Fund This is a new fund established and supported by former interns of the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law. We are grateful to the following Alumni for their contributions:
Randi Akasaki Carrie HolmesSharlene LeeJack McMorrowNatasha SaltzSerine TsudaGina Zaragoza
Institutional SupportMore than 50% of the Center’s support is the result of grants from government, public and private foundations, civic and employee organizations and bar associations. We are grateful to the following entities for their support of the Center during the calendar year 2016:
AmazonSmile FoundationAmerican Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Southern California ChapterAmgen FoundationAngels FoundationBank of AmericaBlack Women Lawyers Association of Los AngelesCalifornia Community FoundationCounty of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services, CalWORKs Domestic Violence Supportive Services ProgramCounty 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)N.S. Goldstein FoundationHanley FoundationJack’s Foundation in honor of Kalyani ChirraJ.B. & Emily Van Nuys CharitiesKasdan Family FoundationGregory & EJ Milken FoundationThe Morrison & Foerster FoundationThe Rose Hills FoundationSidney Stern Memorial TrustState Bar of California Client Trust Fund ProgramState Bar of California Equal Access FundSusan and Lloyd Stockel FundSuzanne Lerner and Michael Stars FoundationTrope and Trope/USC Family Law Public Interest FellowshipWeingart FoundationWestern Asset Management Company Charitable FoundationWilliam M. Keck, Jr. FoundationWomen Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
Gifts in Tribute
Pamela PostDavid S. RibetLynette Berg RobeKaren RosinHayley Rothbart Judge John H. Sandoz, (Ret.) Michael ShapiroDavid P. ShebbyMira and Arkady ShulmanHeidi SlaterDavid SmithHon. Vaino SpencerJulia StantonKatie ThomaSorrell and Linda TropeHeidi TuffiasElsa WaddellScott WestonJimmy WhiteKalman S. Zempleny, II
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Meet Our VolunteersThe Center is proud to recognize 264 attorneys, paralegals, law graduates, law students and community volunteers
who donated 12,008 hours of free legal assistance to Center clients during 2016.
Nicole AbboudOscar AcunaLucy AddenRandi AkasakiMeredith AlexanderKarin AlmDebbie AnAshley AndrewsNancy AterradoDenise AubrySuzanne L. AustinMartha AvilaPriya BahlRachel BalchumOrnah BeckerDeborah BeckmanKimberly BellMaria BelloShawn BenjaminJulia BennettEmily BensingerSarah BensingerBarbara BergenRonald BettyShirin BhagwagarLeah BishopPriscilla BoksanMichelle BortnikJacqueline BowersJohnna BoylanShane BrengleMarcia BrewerNaomi BurksCharian CaesarTheresa CalimagMacKenzie Canniff-TiernayJanet CaseyDanielle CasselmanAndrea CasterAlexander Chai
Yvonne ChampanaAustin ChungBora ChungPaula ClamurroKelli ClarkeShari CohenRobert “Michael” CollumRandi CooperDinoisio CostalesBrian CostelloJan CostelloJerald CrucilloLiza CunananMegan CunninghamErin DabbsKristen DamonTala DavisRebecca DiddamsMarina DiniChristina DominguezMelody DoschLorrina DuffyEmily EdelmanDonald EisenbergDavid EntinDavid EttingerMegan EvanichRebecca FischerKimberly FloresKineta FlowersKatherine ForsterCelia FranciscoBenjamin FreidmanMercedes FresnoGerald Lloyd FriedmanBrenda GalvezGeorge GamezSahairrazod GarrisonLusik GasparyanElizabeth Genatowski
Giselle Gerardo Rachel Ghatan Michael Giler Ruth Gill Larry Ginsberg Maria Antonia Giron Soner McIntyre Gizer Allen Glazer Blythe Golay Victoria Goldfarb Raymond Goldstein Teresa Gomez Cynthia Gonzalez Stephen Goodin Danielle Grabois Carly Gregory Devan Grossblatt Lilia Guitron Diane Gunn Jesstine Guzman Roger Halfhide Fahi Takesh Hallin Jasmine Hanasab Bernetta Hardy Sherri Harrison Elisa Herrmann Gabriela Higgins Kristen Hirashima Carrie Holmes Lauren Hopkins Heather Horn Melissa Huether Cynthia Hunt Madiina Hussein Jesse James Allison Kahn Estreya Kapuya Tara Kearns Levon Kevorkian Soo Kim
Dena Kravitz Jessica Krouner Bindu Kundanmal Christopher Kung Alejandro Lara Teodolo Lazaro Beverly Lazarus Natalia Ledesma Sharlene Lee Aaron Leetch Kelly Leider Han Li Micheal Lindley Elizabeth Lopez Lucia Ruiz Lopez Nancy Lopez Rene Lopez Diana Lujan Mary Lund Patrick Lynch Dale MacDiarmid Lauren Mackay Alexa Magrath Wendy Marco Alleen Markarian Alanna Martin Yolanda Martin Suma Mathai Joyce Mathews Jack McMorrow Melissa McNair Sydney Mehringer Dean Mellor Michael Mendell Poleta Minasian Grace Mitsuhata Lilit Mkrtchyan Ann Moder Limor Mojdehiazad Alicia Molina
Margaret Molina RJ Molligan Christopher Moore Paul Moore Marta Ceja Mora Linda Russano Morra Teresa Morrell Robert Moss Denise Nardi Pauline Nashef Brionna Ned Yevette Nelson Anh Nguyen Lan Nguyen Louise Nixon Sandra Nutt Chris Olsen Megan Orlando Nadine Orliczky Erin Park Divya Patel Heather Patrick Shannon Payne Ilona Peltyn Jacqueline Perez Jennifer Peters Elizabeth Peterson Isabel Petit Lauren Petkin Marta Price Mark Rademacher Olivia Raquel Ramirez Scheherazade Rastegar Charlotte Reith Heather Rezner Claudia Ribet Lynette Berg Robe Karen Barlevi Roberts Joanna Robles Candice Rogers
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Karen Rosin Ravyn Rowland Estivi (Steve) Ruiz Ian Russ Natasha Saltz Joanna Sanchez Johanna Sanchez Patricia Santamaria Robyn Santucci Duke Saunders Jennifer Saunders Robin Sax Hon. Robert Schnider, (Ret.) Glen Schwartz Judy Schwartz-Behar Kinisha Scott Alik Segal Ankit Shah David Shebby Ani Shirinian Jennifer Skolnick Lisa Smith Rochelle Smith Mona Sobhani Shumika Sookdeo Lance Spiegel Jessica Spiker Erica Steinberg Katherine Stewart Jennifer Storm Julie Stromberg Kelli Tabb Laurie Taylor Rob Terrazas Mary Test Freya Tillem Belinda To Andrea Torosyan Collette Torunyan Serine Tsuda Christine Twining Luis Valdivia Elizabeth Valencia
Yolanda Vasquez Thomas Vu Melanie Walker Sara Wasserstrom Charlotte Wayne Alisa Wecker Michelle Wedderburn Staci Weinzoff Jonathan Weisberg James Whiggam Cyrus Whittaker Oscar Winslow Annie Wishingrad Laurence Yarosh Talia Yektafar Gina Zaragoza Laura Zaragoza Ana Zavalza Matthew Zeidel Stuart Zimring
2016 Volunteer Longevity Awards 10 YearAndrea CasterLouise NixonNatasha SaltzStaci Weinzoff
15 YearLiza CunananLinda Russano MorraKaren RosinFahi Takesh Hallin
20 YearMark RademacherKaren Barlevi RobertsWade’s Attorney Service/ Beverly Lazarus
2016 Volunteer Awards
Hall of Fame Award2016 Recipient: Denise Nardi
Frances Wender Kandel Volunteer of the Year Award2016 Recipient: Pat Lynch
Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award2016 Recipient: Alicia Molina
New Volunteer of the Year Award2016 Recipient: Devan Grossblatt
Distinguished Service Award2016 Recipients: Karen RosinJonathan Weisberg
Emeritus Award2016 Recipient: Karen Roberts
264 volunteer attorneys,
paralegals and law students
donated over 12,000
hours of free legal work.
“ As a volunteer, there is a lot of opportunity to learn legal skills, and clients learn that there is hope.” – Valerie, Center volunteer
Meet Our Volunteers (continued)
Senior Staff Attorney, Cheryl Segal, instructs new volunteers at a training.
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Financial StatementJune 30 (FY ‘15 - ‘16)
SUPPORTFoundations
Government Contracts
Individuals
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
2016
$50,000
$802,678
$674,610
$1,527,288
$28,655
$42
$28,697
$3,178,785
$4,734,770
$4,336,146
$407,845
$4,743,991
$(9,221)
$808,014
$(9,221)
$798,793
2015
$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
Board member, Stephanie Barnett, and Advisory Council member, Leah Bishop, with guests at the first Ladies’ Luncheon to support the Center. (L-R)
Emily Nordwind, Board member Jessica Uzcategui, Betty Nordwind, E.D. and Amos Buhai, President-Elect, join supporters from the creative industries at Fête Harriett. (L-R)
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Betty Nordwind • Executive Director
Heidi Slater • Deputy Director
Fred Emmer • Senior Supervising Staff Attorney
Elizabeth Erickson • Senior Staff Attorney
Cheryl Segal • Senior Staff Attorney
Kristen Damon • Staff Attorney
Rebecca Fischer • Staff Attorney
Holly Leonard • Staff Attorney
Pablo Schlueter-Corey • Staff Attorney
Lisa Smith • Staff Attorney
Rehema Rhodes Williams • Staff Attorney
Isabel Tovar • Supervising Client Assistant
Elvira Castillo • Senior Client Assistant
Giselle Gerardo • Client Assistant
Marie Haritzalde • Client Assistant
Noemi Hidalgo • Client Assistant
Anna Jimenez • Client Assistant
Reina Martinez • Client Assistant
Arlene Rubio Teutla • Client Assistant
Kris Breitenbach • Development Assistant
Kimberly Britts • Communications Assistant
Anna Carrillo • Office Manager
Esther Castillo • Administrative Assistant
Taryn May • Volunteer Coordinator
Douglas Rimerman • Assistant Director of Development
2016 Staff
118 individuals at two monthly outreach centers and three community college campuses obtained free legal advice.
“The Center helped me stay on track with my case and finish school so that I could provide a better future for my kids.” – Community college graduate and former Center client
Law student interns trained by the Center contributed
2,828 hours of free legal work.
“The dedication that the Center and staff attorneys show for the development of the law interns is unique. ” – Jacqueline Bowers, Summer 2016 Intern
Educational empowerment through the Center in 2016 means...
harriettbuhaicenterforfamilylaw
hbcfl
company/harriett-buhai-center-for-family-law
3250 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 710
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 388-7505
hbcfl.org
HarriettBuhaiCenter
MISSION We 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.
VISION
We aspire to create a community
where poverty is not a barrier to
those who seek to resolve critical
family law matters.
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.