Bench Meets the Bar Luncheon

SAVE THE DATE!
MARCH 19
2026 BENCH MEETS THE BAR LUNCHEON

The Litigation Section hosted its 2025 Bench Meets the Bar Luncheon on April 1 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. The popular event brought together Los Angeles civil lawyers and judicial officers to meet and discuss federal, state, and appellate court news.  

Each of our local courts addressed the audience with state-of-the-court addresses from Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia, II, Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County; Chief District Judge Dolly M. Gee, U.S. Central District Court of California; and Administrative Presiding Justice Elwood Lui, California Court of Appeals, Second Appellate District.  

Awards for excellence and outstanding contributions to the Courts were presented to the following:  Judicial Assistant, Ashley Roxanne Lopez, 2025 Los Angeles County Superior Court Judicial Assistant of the Year, and Telecommunications Specialist, Jason Rose, 2025 U.S. Central District Court of California 2025 Clerk of the Year.  

Due to the success of our program, $5,000 is being donated to Habitat for Humanity - Rebuild LA in support of relief for those affected by the Southland Wildfires.  

Photographs of the event can be found at the following link:  2025 Bench Meets the Bar Luncheon Full Photo Album

Walter Yoka of Yoka & Smith LLP was presented with the 2025 Jim Robie Professionalism and Civility Award.  The annual award goes to a Los Angeles attorney whose trial lawyer career exemplifies professionalism, civility, service, enthusiasm, and collegiality.  Alice Smith, the Managing Partner of Yoka & Smith, was present to accept the award on Wally’s behalf.  View the video of Wally’s acceptance speech here.

Thank you to all in our community for your support of LACBA and the Litigation Section.