PAST ANNOUNCEMENTS

PAST NEWSLETTERS

January 2024 Newsletter   February 2024 Newsletter March 2024 Newsletter    April 2024 Newsletter

May 2024 Newsletter June 2024 Newsletter July 2024 Newsletter August 2024 Newsletter

September 2024 Newsletter

CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS FOR

2024-2025 NFALA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

We are excited to announce that nominations are now open for the Executive Board Officer positions for the 2024-2025 upcoming term. This is a fantastic opportunity for dedicated and passionate individuals to step into leadership roles and help guide our organization towards continued success.

The following positions on the 2024-2025 Board of Governors are subject to election by the General Membership:

NFALA calls for nominations for the above-listed positions. Only NFALA members who are eligible to vote in this year’s elections (see voting eligibility above) may submit nominations and/or qualify as a candidate. Self-nominations are permitted.

The Nomination Petition Form must be received by no later than Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 8:59 PM Pacific | 10:59 PM Central | 11:59 PM EST via email to bryan@ramoslawfirm.com. 

The Candidate Information Form must be received by no later than Friday, August 23, 2024 at 8:59 PM Pacific | 10:59 PM Central | 11:59 PM EST via email to bryan@ramoslawfirm.com.

2024 NFALA Election Timetable

• • Wednesday, August 7, 2024 : Call for Nominations of NFALA Executive Officers Opens.
  • Wednesday, August 21, 2024 : Nomination Petition Forms Due. Call for Nominations Closes.
  • Friday, August 23, 2024 : Candidate Information Form Due.
  • Monday, August 26, 2024 : Online ballots sent to NFALA eligible voting roster.
  • Wednesday, September 4, 2024 : Voting Concludes at 8:59 PM (PST).
  • Sunday, September 8, 2024 : Election Results Announced.

  2024 NFALA Nominations & Elections Committee

  Bryan Ramos, President-Elect | bryan@ramoslawfirm.com

  Lorna Garcia, President | Lorna@garciasahni.com

  Gage Javier, Immediate Past-President | gage.javier@gmail.com

  Kristy Gonowon, Past President | kristy.gonowon@gmail.com

  Jeri Abrams, Past President | jeri@jgonzaleslaw.com

  
  

NFALA Leadership Academy | Class of 2024-2025 Applications Are Open! | DEADLINE EXTENDED TO AUGUST 18, 2024

NFALA’s Leadership Academy is aimed at promoting new Filipino American attorneys to cultivating their own leadership style and developing skills to promote career advancement and community service.

Leadership Academy Fellows will:

• Develop and leverage foundational leadership skills
• Understand career development strategies applicable for various practice environments, such as law firms, in-house, government, non-profit
• Prepare early career attorneys with relationship building resources, as well as professional and personal development opportunities
• Embody the essence of servant leadership and the Bayanihan spirit

For more information, visit NFALA Leadership Academy

NFALA-ganza Returns! | June 21, 2024 | 8:30 pm EST | 7:30 pm CST | 5:30 pm PST | 2:30 pm HT

The LGBTQIA+ Network of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA) and the NFALA Foundation invite you to attend in full glamour NFIRE-ganza! -- Unite. Ignite. Delight!, the third annual virtual NFALA Pride Event which will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, 8:30 p.m. Eastern/7:30 p.m. Central/5:30 p.m. Pacific/2:30 p.m. Hawai’iʻi. (Virtual meeting opens at 5 p.m. Pacific.) Funds raised from the event will provide law school scholarships for LGBTQIA+ Filipino American law students.

NFALA-ganza! will be a 1.5 hour virtual event that will bring together attorneys, judges, professors, and law students from across the country to celebrate all that we are and the promise of who we have yet to become. You will be in the company of our host, San Francisco Bay Area drag queen extraordinaire Tila Pia, as well as distinguished attendees nationwide in various legal professions. We will also feature speakers including our past recipients, Christian Seno and Amanda Jimenez, who will highlight updates in the LGBTQIA+ community and ways to support the community’s efforts in the ongoing advocacy and representation.

We will also showcase entertaining and talented performers, including various lip sync performances and pre-recorded video montages featuring NFALA’s own homegrown talent. This year, we are highlighting a coveted-auction item graciously donated by NYC lawyer and creative artist Christian Seno.

The theme for NFALA-ganza! is “NFIRE-ganza! -- Unite. Ignite. Delight!”

Join us, become a sponsor, celebrate, reflect, and move to action!

Visit nfala.com./nfalaganza for more information and to register

NFALA - FALA-New York Robin Mangaser Tizon Memorial Law Scholarship | Application Deadline: May 20, 2024

In collaboration with NFALA Affiliate, the Filipino American Lawyers of New York (FALA-NY), NFALA Foundation proudly supports the Robin Mangaser Tizon Memorial Law Scholarship. Robin was a beloved wife, daughter, sister and proud Filipina- American lawyer. Throughout her life, Robin devoted herself to advocacy of many causes, including Filipino veterans’ rights, adolescents with cancer, and immigrants’ rights. She also had musical talent and a fine eye for design, enlivening any event with her singing, dancing, and keyboard skills. After overcoming stage III ovarian cancer at the age of 23, Robin achieved her dream of becoming a lawyer, graduating from Rutgers School of Law-Camden in 2013 with a joint JD/MBA degree. As one of the first members and original Co-Chair of the Public Relations Committee since FALA New York’s inception, Robin was instrumental in establishing the FALA New York brand and lasting communications strategy. Throughout her long battle with cancer, Robin remained committed to her duties at FALA New York.

This scholarship was established to honor Robin’s memory and support talented law students who embody her spirit and commitment to service. The scholarship recipient will receive $2,000.

NFALA’s In-House Committee presents, " ESG 101: What is the Environmental, Social, and Governance Framework and Why is It Important to Companies? | April 24, 2024 | 3 pm EST/ 1 pm MST / 12 pm PST

Join us for virtual panel discussion as we delve into the fundamentals of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. ESG considerations are increasingly becoming integral to business practices, investment decisions, and corporate sustainability strategies. Whether you're new to the concept or seeking a deeper understanding, this panel aims to provide a comprehensive overview of ESG and its significance in today's business landscape.

Panelists include: 

Moderated by Laurie Rose Lubiano and Maria Celis.

For more information, contact NFALA In-House Committee Co-Chairs Maria E. Celis (mcelis@jocosmetics.jp) and Laurie Rose Lubiano (laurie.lubiano@deckers.com)

NFALA’s 2024 Mid-Year Leadership Summit | April 12-14, 2024 | Houston, Texas

The NFALA Mid-Year Leadership Summit will feature inspiring keynote speakers, panels, and workshops, and provide opportunities for you to deepen and broaden your connections with other NFALA Board Members, Affiliate Leaders, and Committee Chairs. If you are not yet involved with NFALA or a local affiliate, we encourage you to come and start building your NFALA network!

7^th Annual Pinay Powerhouse Conference | March 22-24, 2024 | San Diego, CA

In support of NFALA Affiliate Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego (FALSD), they are excited to host the upcoming 7^th Annual Pinay Powerhouse Conference on March 22-24, 2024. This year’s conference theme is “Sun, Sand & Sampaguita.” Sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines and means “promises,” from the phrase sump akita. Our theme honors the promises we make to our community and profession, as well as the promises we make to and keep for ourselves.

The conference will feature prominent speakers on topics such as thriving in traditionally white male-dominated industries, important LGBTIA+ issues, and more. Additionally, we will be hosting a Friday evening welcome event, as well as other social events throughout the weekend that showcase some of our favorite San Diego spots.

Hotel blocks are available at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, located at 1380 Harbor Island Drive in downtown San Diego, conveniently located three miles away from the San Diego International Airport. Hotel blocks can be reserved here: 

For more information, including the conference schedule and to purchase tickets, please visit the Pinay Powerhouse website. Also follow @pinaypowerhouse on Instagram for the latest updates!

NFALA Foundation Government and Public Interest Law Student Scholarship | Application Deadline: Friday, March 1, 2024

NFALA Foundation proudly announces its 2024 Government and Public Interest Scholarship to bring greater awareness and recognition to law students who are dedicated in using their legal talents to serve the public interest. The Scholarship is sponsored through the generous donations received in the past year. The Scholarship will provide at least $2,000 to a law student who has worked or will work during Summer 2024, in Government, Public Sector, or Public Interest. The scholarship will be awarded to a law student who has a demonstrated commitment to public service and working to empower and support the AAPI and Filipino-American communities. The scholarship will be presented at the NFALA Mid-Year Leadership Conference in Houston, TX on April 13, 2024.

NFALA’s Health & Wellness Committee presents "Mindfulness Practices to Support Attorney Wellness" on February 29, 2024 at 2 pm EST/ 12 pm MST / 11 am PST

Our profession is difficult. Lawyers have unique causes of stress and suffering, including huge volumes of work, an issue-spotting mind, zero room for error, and living surrounded by conflict.

This Discussion will explore Mindfulness, the ability to be in the present moment fully, intentionally, and non-judgmentally. We will focus on how mindfulness practices can cultivate skills and mental qualities that support resilience, self-compassion, and relating to stressors in a healthy, life sustaining way.

Guest Speaker: Alexis Firehawk of Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen

NFALA’s Partners Network presents “Forecasting Success: A Panel Discussion on Effective Rainmaking Strategies” on February 13, 2024 at 1-2 pm EST / 10-11 am PST

Join our virtual panel of industry trailblazers, who will share their insights, experiences, and proven strategies for driving business growth and best practices through effective rainmaking in competitive markets.

Panelists Include:

- Victor Corpuz, Jackson Lewis, PC

- Jeffrey Gaba, Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun & Rogers, LLC

- Eric Greenberg, Seyfarth Shaw

- Jonah Toleno, Garcia Hong Law, PC

 SAVE THE DATE | NFALA Mid-Year Leadership Summit on April 12-14, 2024. Location TBA

The NFALA Mid-Year Leadership Summit is an annual forum that convenes leaders of the Filipino American legal community to engage in strategic planning sessions, share resources, and strengthen relationships across all the regions that comprise NFALA’s national network of attorneys, judges, law students, and legal academics.

Stay tuned for more details and visit www.nfala.com/midyear2024

NFALA's Government & Public Sector Network presents "The Role of Non-Profit and Government Attorneys in Advancing Social Justice" | January 17, 2024 from 5-6 pm PST

This virtual panel will explore how attorneys in non-profit organizations and government agencies collaborate to address social justice issues, including civil rights, access to justice, and equity.

Panelists Include:

For more information, contact NFALA GPS Co-Chairs Abigail Rivamonte Mesa (rivamonte@gmail.com) or Raymond Rollan (raymond.r.rollan@gmail.com)

NFALA Lifetime Membership Drive | 2023 Exclusive Pricing

In December 2023, we are thrilled to extend a special invitation to you to become an NFALA lifetime member for a one-time cost of $750.00. As we celebrate this season of giving and togetherness, we want to offer you the opportunity to join our exclusive circle of lifetime members and partake in a host of exciting benefits designed just for you.

To take advantage of this limited-time offer, you may visit our website and select "Direct Lifetime Member **2023 Exclusive Pricing**" when submitting your application, or to learn more about the benefits of becoming a lifetime member, please contact us at membership@nfala.com.

NFALA Foundation - Giving Tuesday - November 28, 2023

Formed in 2018, the NFALA Foundation is the nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization that works closely with the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA) to cultivate a pipeline of leaders through scholarship and financial aid to students interested in the legal profession, as well as spearheading fundraising efforts to support these program.

To donate to the NFALA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, visit https://nfala.com/How-to-Donate

NFALA 2023 Scholarship Recipients include (Pictured from top to bottom):

- Brianna Zamora, Seattle University School of Law, 2023 Raymond L. Ocampo Jr. Family Scholarship

- Alyssa Gonzaga, University of California, Irvine, 2023 NFALA President's Scholarship

- RG Yamba, American University, 2023 NFALA LGBTQ+ Scholarship

- Dominick Williams, University of California, Berkeley, 2023 NFALA Government/Public Sector Scholarship

To learn more about our 2023 scholarship recipients, visit here

NFALA Celebrates National Philippine Parents’ Day!

December 4 is National Philippine Parents’ Day. Throughout December, NFALA - National Filipino American Lawyers Association will celebrate and feature NFALA members’ parents for the journey and sacrifices they have made.

To see NFALA members' parents featured, visit here

2024 NFALA Midyear Bid Process is Open!

The National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA) seeks proposals from affiliate and regional leaders to host the annual Mid-Year Leadership Summit in the spring of 2024. Interested members are asked to submit proposals no later than Friday, December 29, 2023, 5:00 pm PST.

For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/NFALAMidyearBid2023