January 1, 2026

 

Dear LACBA Members and Friends,

As we embark on a new year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each of you—our members, our volunteers, our partners in the courts, and the broader Los Angeles legal community. The start of a new year offers a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished together and to set our collective sights on the opportunities ahead. It is a privilege to serve as President of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me and in this organization.

This past year reminded us once again that the practice of law is both demanding and inspiring. Our community continues to navigate rapid changes in technology and artificial intelligence, evolving expectations from clients and other stakeholders, and the ongoing need to ensure that our justice system remains accessible, fair, and responsive. And 2025 has been a challenging year for many in our legal community, with an administration determined to implement fundamental changes in our system of government and a country deeply divided over the wisdom of many such changes. Through it all, LACBA has remained committed to supporting you—whether through our Rule of Law listserv and programming, continuing legal education, practice‑area guidance, pro bono opportunities, or the countless ways our sections and committees foster connection and professional growth.

Looking ahead, 2026 will be a year of continued investment in our programs, our members, and in the future of our profession. We will continue expanding our educational programming to address emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, data privacy, and the shifting regulatory landscape. We will strengthen our partnerships with the courts to improve efficiency and transparency. And we will deepen our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession—not as a slogan or a quota, but as a core value that shapes how we lead, who we elevate, and how we serve the public.

One of my priorities this year is to ensure that LACBA remains financially strong, so that we can continue to provide our members with the value they seek in the bar association. Our ad hoc strategic plan implementation committee is working on ways to bolster membership and further the other important prongs of the 2024 Strategic Plan. We are actively working on strengthening our revenue-generating programs, including the Lawyer Referral Service (SmartLaw), which provide a genuinely useful service both to members of the public who are looking for representation and those of our members who are looking to grow their practices.

As we begin this new year, I encourage each of you to reconnect with the reasons you entered this profession. The law is not simply a job; it is a commitment to justice, to problem‑solving, and to strengthening the communities we serve. I look forward to working alongside you in 2026 as we continue building a bar association—and a legal system—worthy of Los Angeles.

Wishing you a healthy, fulfilling, and inspiring New Year.

Jeffrey B. Margulies
President (2025-2026)
Los Angeles County Bar Association