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Grace Calls for Action in Pursuing Interests of Members, Park Puts Forth Four-Point Plan
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Members of the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Trusts & Estates Section yesterday heard from the two candidates for president-elect, with Jo-Ann W. Grace issuing a call to action on protecting the interests of lawyers and Ann I. Park telling of her four-point plan.
LACBA is “not focusing, in my opinion, on what it needs to do for its members,” Grace remarked. She pointed, in particular, to its failure to forcefully oppose the State Bar’s plan to allow paraprofessional to assume more roles traditionally reserved for lawyers, including making court appearances.
She said a letter was sent to the State Bar expressing concerns, but commented: “That’s not adequate.”
Grace, who is co-publisher of the METNEWS and president/general counsel of the Metropolitan News Company, declared that “LACBA needs to move” in opposing the current proposals which she insisted would harm the legal profession and the public. She expressed a desire that LACBA become “more aggressive and proactive,” including seeking “to change the law when it needs to be changed.”
Park, a partner in Foley & Mansfield, said LACBA should concentrate on 1.) “networking and fellowship”; 2.) “education,” including MCLE programs; 3.) “to build your practice”; and 4.) “public service,” including boosting the Counsel for Justice programs.
She said the pandemic has provided a “valuable learning experience, showing that “we can do a lot more virtually.” Holding MCLE sessions via Zoom, she pointed out, would cut expenses and increase attendance.
The candidate noted that its form is closing its Los Angeles office, is taking up space in Monrovia “of all places,” and 17 lawyers will be working from home permanently.
Park told the section leaders:
“I believe in looking forward and not backward.”
The election period started May 3 and ends June 1. Officers and trustees will take office on July 1 and will be installed at a virtual ceremony on June 24.
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