Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc.

Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc. African-American women judges and attorneys dedicated to charitable and community-based services.⚖️
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BWL was founded in 1975 after a small group of Los Angeles based African-American women judges and attorneys held a luncheon meeting to discuss the marked absence of an organization which addressed the needs and concerns of African-American women in the legal profession. The dialogue and events that followed became the genesis of BWL. Over the years, BWL branched out and grew through its various community projects and committee activities. The first BWL scholarship luncheon was held in 1975 at the Medallion Restaurant. Since then, BWL has raised scholarship funds annually for second and third year law students through its annual fundraising efforts by the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation. In 1982, BWL and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (“WLALA”) co-founded the Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law (“Center”). The Center has evolved into one of the primary providers of pro bono family law services in Los Angeles County. In recognition of BWL's significant community contributions as a founder and co-sponsor of the Center, the National Conference of Women Bar Associations presented its first annual Public Service Award to BWL and WLALA in July 1985. In 1991, BWL was among the various ethnic minority bar associations that formed the Multicultural Bar Alliance. Through its continued involvement and support of this alliance, BWL offers a needed channel for communication for attorneys of color, both outside and within the African-American community. In 1992, the BWL Foundation was established to support and fund BWL's numerous charitable, educational and community-based services. BWL also gives holiday food baskets to needy families, donations to shelters for the homeless and battered women, and strives to expand its outreach programs to schools. The viability of BWL’s programs is dependent upon your support and commitment. Thank you for your interest and commitment to our organization.

Join BWL next Saturday for our 51st Annual Installation and Awards Dinner and Gala, taking place on Saturday, September ...
09/18/2026

Join BWL next Saturday for our 51st Annual Installation and Awards Dinner and Gala, taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Hotel Indigo.🎉

We will be recognizing the accomplishments of our outstanding honorees:

- Diversity Champion Award: Theresa Cropper | Law Firm Diversity Pioneer (Ret.)

- Judicial Achievement Award: Justice Audrey B. Collins (Ret.)

- Corporate Excellence Award: Rhea Ricard | Director and Managing Counsel at BNY

And celebrating the installation of our incoming president, Alisha Burgin, and the 2026-2027 board!💗

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, use the link in our bio!✅

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Installation Committee Co-Chairs, Devon Hein and Gerloni Cotton, at [email protected].

Join us for the 51st Annual Installation & Awards Gala, as we celebrate the incoming 2026-2027 Board, taking place on Se...
09/16/2026

Join us for the 51st Annual Installation & Awards Gala, as we celebrate the incoming 2026-2027 Board, taking place on September 26, 2026!🌟

Tickets, tables and sponsorships are available NOW using the link in our bio!✅

Join BWL and for a FREE virtual MCLE on Civil Rights and Municipal Liability in 2026 , taking place on September 29, 20...
09/15/2026

Join BWL and for a FREE virtual MCLE on Civil Rights and Municipal Liability in 2026 , taking place on September 29, 2026!⚖️

The program will be presented by the Honorable Gary Y. Tanaka, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge (Ret.), now a neutral with ARC.

Register at the link in bio!✅

If you’d like Judge Tanaka to address a specific question during the presentation, please submit your question using the Google Form in our bio.

09/14/2026

It’s almost that time to celebrate the incoming 2026-2027 BWL Board!💗 Get your tickets now!🗣️

For tables and sponsorship opportunities, use the link in our bio!✅

You don’t want to miss our most anticipated annual event!🌟Join BWL for our 51st Annual Installation and Awards Dinner an...
09/11/2026

You don’t want to miss our most anticipated annual event!🌟Join BWL for our 51st Annual Installation and Awards Dinner and Gala, taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Hotel Indigo.🥂

We will be recognizing the accomplishments of our outstanding honorees:

- Diversity Champion Award: Theresa Cropper | Law Firm Diversity Pioneer (Ret.)

- Judicial Achievement Award: Justice Audrey B. Collins (Ret.)

- Corporate Excellence Award: Rhea Ricard | Director and Managing Counsel at BNY

And celebrating the installation of our incoming president, Alisha Burgin, and the 2026-2027 board!💗

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, use the link in our bio!✅

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Installation Committee Co-Chairs, Devon Hein and Gerloni Cotton, at [email protected].

09/11/2026

Stroll & Stretch was such a beautiful time of meaningful movement and genuine connections!🤗🌴

Thank you so much to everyone who attended!💗

Shoutout to VP Heather Horn-Hudson for hosting the event im her amazing backyard and to Historian Hayley Tharpe with who guided the walk and yoga flow!☮️

BWL is collaborating with Alternative Resolution Centers (ARC) to present a FREE MCLE program!💡Join us virtually on Sept...
09/09/2026

BWL is collaborating with Alternative Resolution Centers (ARC) to present a FREE MCLE program!💡

Join us virtually on September 29, 2026 (starting at 6:30 p.m.) for a one-hour CLE (General Credit - California) on Civil Rights and Municipal Liability in 2026. ⚖️

This practical and engaging presentation on Section 1983 excessive force litigation will focus on case preparation, damages, settlement strategy, and the importance and value of mediation.

The program will be presented by the Honorable Gary Y. Tanaka, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge (Ret.), now a neutral with ARC.

Register at the link in bio!✅

If you’d like Judge Tanaka to address a specific question during the presentation, please submit your question using the Google Form in our bio.

BWL cordially invites you to join us at our 51st Annual Installation and Awards Dinner and Gala, taking place on Saturda...
09/08/2026

BWL cordially invites you to join us at our 51st Annual Installation and Awards Dinner and Gala, taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Hotel Indigo.✨

We will be recognizing the accomplishments of our outstanding honorees:

- Diversity Champion Award: Theresa Cropper | Law Firm Diversity Pioneer (Ret.)

- Judicial Achievement Award: Justice Audrey B. Collins (Ret.)

- Corporate Excellence Award: Rhea Ricard | Director and Managing Counsel at BNY

And celebrating the installation of our incoming president, Alisha Burgin, and the 2026-2027 board!💗

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, use the link in our bio!✅

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Installation Committee Co-Chairs, Devon Hein and Gerloni Cotton, at [email protected].

BWL cordially invites you to join us at our 51st Annual Installation and Awards Dinner and Gala, taking place on Saturda...
08/26/2026

BWL cordially invites you to join us at our 51st Annual Installation and Awards Dinner and Gala, taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Hotel Indigo.✨

We will be recognizing the accomplishments of our outstanding honorees and celebrating the installation of our incoming president, Alisha Burgin, and the rest of the 2026-2027 board!💗

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, use the link in our bio!✅

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Installation Committee Co-Chairs, Devon Hein and Gerloni Cotton, at [email protected].

Start your Saturday morning with some self-care at “Stroll & Stretch,” taking place on August 29, 2026, from 9:00AM - 12...
08/18/2026

Start your Saturday morning with some self-care at “Stroll & Stretch,” taking place on August 29, 2026, from 9:00AM - 12:00PM!🌴🧘🏾‍♀️

This will be a beautiful time to slow down with a yoga flow and a guided neighborhood walk in View Park, CA! Bring your water, sunscreen, and a yoga mat. Limited mat rentals available on a first come first served basis.🌞

Register now for FREE using the link in our bio!✅

There’s still time to register for “From Surviving to Thriving,” taking place on August 20th from 6PM-8PM via Zoom!🗓️Joi...
08/17/2026

There’s still time to register for “From Surviving to Thriving,” taking place on August 20th from 6PM-8PM via Zoom!🗓️

Join us for an important discussion of the impact of substance abuse and mental health issues on our well-being as individuals and competence as legal professionals!☝🏾

You’ll hear from Jacquesline Bolaji, LISCW, a clinical psychotherapist who specializes in treating Black women lawyers, and Catherine Ongiri, Esq., who oversees the State Bar of California’s Lawyer Assistance Program’s support services.✨

We will explore the prevalence of substance abuse/mental health issues in the profession, causes, the impact on well-being and our competence as legal professionals, self-assessment, and available resources, all from a perspective that is accessible to all, but tailored to Black women lawyers.

An application for California MCLE credit (wellness/prevention and detection) is pending approval.

NOTE - Two-Step Registration✅: (1) register at the link in our bio, then (2) register at the zoom link provided by email.

Address

P. O. Box 8179
Los Angeles, CA
90008

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 6pm

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