On March 20, 2018, The San Diego Chapter of The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) held its annual Leadership Dinner at The Doubletree in Mission Valley. Outgoing President Shaila Schaible, Director of Finance and Administration at Koeller Nebeker Carlson & Haluck LLP, passed the gavel to Karen Lemmon, JD, CLM, Director of Operations at Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP. Lemmon, who has been a chapter member for 12 years, will serve as President through March 2019. Other board members during Lemmon’s term were presented at the Leadership Dinner: President-Elect and Education Chair Stephen Williamson, Administrative Coordinator at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.; Vice President and Membership Chair Katya Adams, Office Administrator at Watkins Firm APC; Treasurer Katherine Rivette, CIA, MBA, CPA, COO/CFO at Henderson Caverly & Pum, LLP; Secretary Cynthia Barron, Office Administrator at Fitzgerald Knaier, LLP; Director, Business Partner Relations Lauren Bloodworth, Legal Administrator at Kimball, Tirey & St. John LLP; Director, Bank Statement Auditor Libby Worden, Firm Administrator at Robertson & Associates, APC; Director at Large Jamie Vidovich, Director of Administration at Sullivan Hill Lewin Rez & Engel APLC; and Immediate Past President Shaila Schaible, Director of Finance and Administration at Koeller Nebeker Carlson & Haluck LLP.

The San Diego Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators was chartered in 1973 and currently has over 80 active members. The chapter is a dynamic and diverse group of legal administrative professionals representing private, corporate and government entities ranging in size from solo practitioners to large international firms. The mission of the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators is to enhance the quality of legal management by providing opportunities for continuing education, networking and professional growth.

“ALA programs are critical in continuing to improve the management of law firms,” said Steve Cologne, Managing Partner of Higgs Fletcher & Mack. “Congratulations to new President, Karen Lemmon, for being elected to lead this important organization.”

During the dinner, Lemmon announced her initiatives for the chapter: “Rise up with ALA.” She has three specific initiatives for her term: Rise Up in your professional career – by education programs offered to ALA members; Rise Up in your community – ALA in conjunction with other San Diego organizations sponsors Couture For A Cause and other charitable events benefiting local groups. The San Diego Chapter will also participate in the ALA national foundation’s Administrative Pro Bono program; and Rise Up in your personal self – attention to personal wellness will be highlighted in the ALA Month-at-a-Glance sent to ALA member administrators.