Renee Benjamin CalPortland Company Senior Counsel

COY x 7 ÷ 51 + 127,000 + 5² + 23 + 1 + 1427 = ACCA-SoCal

As I sat down to write this, my final President’s Column, the above equation came to mind.  Keep reading and you’ll learn the importance of each of the above variables.

Earlier this month, ACC selected ACCA-SoCal as the “2009 (Large) Chapter of the Year” (COY) for a record 7th time in the last 13 years.  This is an amazing record considering that a chapter is ineligible for the award in the year immediately after its win.  We won out of 51 chapters worldwide!  We won based on criteria that accounted for the quality and variety of the Chapter’s programs and services offered over a 15-month period (which included a 7 month period when my predecessor Zach Zaharek was President).  ACCA-SoCal’s board of directors is extremely proud of winning this prestigious and coveted COY award and will continue to strive to set a standard of excellence that other ACC chapters throughout the world can emulate. 

In terms of programming, notable achievements this past year include the following new ones: (a) our inaugural Membership Reception (chaired by Kris Ashman) which provided career development advice dispensed together with the ever popular “SoCal-tini”; (b) Chapter contributions to eleemosynary organizations totaling approximately $127,000 which included funding a scholarship to a local law student with a “diverse” background; (c) although we have certainly had other successful Dodger DoubleHeaders^®, I dare say none provided an appearance by the legendary Tommy Lasorda, who regaled this year’s attendees with humorous anecdotes about his life experiences; (d) the recent kickoff of our inaugural Mentorship Reception (pairing attorneys with less then 5 years experience working in-house with more seasoned veterans); and (e) the Daily Journal’s expanded coverage this year of Chapter programs and our members….I could go on but space does not permit me to do so.  

While this has truly been a memorable year culminating with the COY award, I am convinced that even greater accomplishments lie ahead under the leadership of the 5 officers for 2009-2010.  Allow me to introduce them to you.  Bernard Gaffaney (who previously served as VP of Programs and VP of Services) will take the helm as President of the Chapter effective October 1st.   William Harn (who previously served as VP of Services and Chair of our annual Golf Classic) will assume the role of VP of Programs.  Teigue Thomas (who previously coordinated our monthly Roundtables and our annual Family Fun Days) will assume the role of VP of Services.  Annie Krikorian (who chairs our Monthly ACCess MCLE^TM Committee) will continue for a second term as Chapter Secretary, and James Wong (Assistant Newsletter Editor who has served on a number of Committees) will assume the role of Treasurer.  I trust that you will join me and our board of directors in wishing our new leadership team all the best.

I am particularly grateful to my 5 fellow officers for their support and contributions this past year. A special note of appreciation to retiring officers Zach Zaharek (Immediate Past President and 2009 Gala Dinner Chair) and Pam Washington (Treasurer, and Chairwoman of the Diversity and Sponsorship Committees), and to retiring board member Stuart Pardau (who chaired our In-House Counsel Connections Committee) for their service and leadership throughout the past 6 years.  And a special “welcome” to newly elected board members, Michael Chang, David Cohen and Monika McCarthy.

This year ACCA-SoCal was lead by a team of 23 dedicated and committed board members http://www.acc.com/chapters/socal/leaders.cfm. Throughout the past year, the significant time commitments and diligent efforts of each of these volunteer board members coupled with the support of our Chapter Administrator, Betty St. Marie, ensured that the Chapter was able to build upon the tradition of success that is an integral part of our legacy.

In closing, I must say a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone referenced above and to each 1 of you, our 1427 members who are the lifeblood of this organization, for the privilege and honor of serving as President this past year—it has been an incredibly gratifying experience. 

Warmest regards,

Renée Benjamin, 2008-2009 President