Thin Threads

It is remarkable how much life can change based on one introduction, one invitation, one job offer, one course selection, and one opportunity to which a person says, “Yes!”

How we become attorneys, manage our careers, our personal lives, and our volunteerism is often a decision made based on the thin thread of one remark or invitation by a colleague, mentor, or friend.

I attended law school on a thin thread (the phone line for the court reporting school gave me a busy signal; the law school answered the phone). I considered opening my law firm after complaining about the “big firm life” to a friend who responded with, “Why don’t you open your own firm?”

There was no thin thread about my volunteerism or involvement with bar associations. My boss made me get involved, which I resented at the time, but then quickly came to appreciate the many benefits associated with my involvement. Namely connections with colleagues and leadership opportunities to build my CV and improve my work as a practitioner.

Last month I shared my experience of hearing the remarks of Brian Cecilio Amaya, President of East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association. Mr. Amaya happened to read my article and reached out. From there, we decided to work together to increase leadership opportunities with CLA in the Hispanic and Latino/Latina communities. I reached out to all CLA Section Chairs to describe our planned efforts and to inquire about each section’s interest in assisting. That thin thread led to eight Section Chairs and two Committee Chairs responding in the affirmative.

I anticipate at our event with East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association, there will be multiple thin threads involving people who happen to attend, are invited to get involved, and make the decision to say yes, which can be a profound change in their personal and professional lives. Most certainly it will increase CLA’s leadership of Hispanic and Latino/Latina lawyers, which in turn will provide more visibility to students of color across our state. Some of those students may think about  becoming a lawyer or even a judge one day.

I challenge you in the new year to invite one student or colleague to join you in attending a CLA event, or inviting a colleague to get involved in a CLA Section Committee or CLA-wide Committee.

I also challenge you to consider attending an event you might not otherwise attend in the new year to learn more about other cultures or groups you previously passed over thinking it wasn’t for you, because you were not of that particular culture or personally qualified as a group member. 

As CLA CEO, Chris Nguyen, and I reached out to a variety of Affinity Bars over the past months, asking how we may assist them to reach their goals, Judge Andi Mudryk was the quickest to say, “Yes!” Within 24 hours I had an email from Judge Mudryk regarding assisting Disability Inclusivity Bar Association of Sacramento (DIBAS). It was at DIBAS’ inaugural event the year prior when I first met Judge Mudryk who has been diagnosed with brittle bone disease. I learned recently she is also the first transgender personal to be appointed to the bench in the United States.

You may think you don’t belong at a DIBAS event, but you do! Understanding more about different groups and different cultures can help us better understand the obstacles others face in navigating their legal education and career. 

As the year winds down and you think of the hardships you overcame in 2024, the successes you celebrated, and the many people for whom you are grateful, also think ahead to 2025 and how you may make a difference in the lives of others. 

Be that thin thread who reaches out to law students, colleagues, and friends. Offer ideas that challenge others to reach their fullest potential, which may begin by the thin thread of your invitation to attend an event or join the community of CLA practitioners.

I wish you all a happy holiday season!