In this issue
EAST BAY CHAPTER ALA CONNECTION 
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear EBALA Members and Business Partners,
How can we possibly be nearing the end of summer already?! While I’ll miss the longer days and warmer weather, I am looking forward to “Back to School” season, with all the educational programs EBALA has planned. Please keep an eye on our calendar to make sure you are taking advantage of these opportunities.
As we head in to the final quarter of the year, I am always focused on benefits for the new year, so it was great timing that the August issue of Legal Management magazine features several articles on benefits and negotiations, including “Your 2026 Benefit Question Checklist” by ALA’s very own President Elyssa A. Goldstein and, “Control the Rising Cost of Coverage,” among others. I hope you find the content as helpful as I did.
If you haven’t yet signed up for the Cyber Chapter’s Annual Virtual 5K Run/Walk/Hike, you can do that here: https://cyberala.org/ala-cyber-chapter-virtual-gratitude-5k/. There is a $25 per person registration fee -- all proceeds from the registration fees are donated to the Foundation of the ALA and it’s choose your own adventure fun! You decide if you want to run, walk, or hike anytime, anywhere during the month of October.
Finally, I want to take a moment to thank our business partners. You are integral to our chapter, and we appreciate you all so very much. Please be on the lookout next month for renewal information – we would love to continue to partner with you.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me any time at [email protected].
Truly yours,
Crystal Ludlow
East Bay Chapter President
EBALA Crossover Dinner
EBALA's Crossover Dinner featuring our current president, Crystal Ludlow, and our former president, Helan Miranda, along with Andrea Everage, Joy Buchanan, Karin Wiborn, Stacey Bales, Anna Johnson, Mary Balistreri, and Katrina Combs. Photo by Lorie Gehrke.
EBALA Social Hours
EBALA is pleased to announce our Almost Quarterly Social Hours! These no-host events are meant to bring EBALA Members and Business Partners together to connect and catch-up. We hope to see you at a Social Hour event soon!
Thursday, November 12, 2027, at 5 pm at Western Flyer Brewing – Lafayette https://wfbrewing.com/
Thursday, February 11, 2027, at 5pm at Calicraft Upstairs – Walnut Creek https://www.calicraft.com/pages/calicraft-upstairs
ALA CONTINUING EDUCATION and CALENDAR
THE DEIA LENS
Each month, EBALA turns the lens toward something worth noticing.
Creating a Workplace Where It's Okay Not to Be Okay
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a reminder that mental health affects every workplace—including our law firms. While most legal administrators are not counselors or clinicians, we are often among the first to notice when something doesn't seem quite right. We help shape the culture of our organizations, and sometimes the smallest acts of awareness and compassion can make the biggest difference.
The legal profession has long been associated with high expectations, demanding workloads, and chronic stress. Attorneys and professional staff alike often juggle competing deadlines, emotionally difficult matters, and a culture that can unintentionally reward pushing through exhaustion rather than asking for help. As legal administrators, we have a unique opportunity to foster an environment where well-being is viewed not as a personal weakness, but as an important part of professional success.
Burnout rarely appears overnight. More often, it develops gradually. An employee who was once highly engaged may begin missing deadlines, withdrawing from conversations, showing increased irritability, or displaying noticeable changes in work quality or communication. Others may become unusually quiet, disconnected, or overwhelmed by tasks that previously came easily. None of these signs necessarily indicate a mental health crisis, but they may signal that someone could benefit from additional support.
One of the most valuable steps an organization can take is to normalize conversations about well-being. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), mental health benefits, counseling services, and wellness resources are only effective if employees feel comfortable using them. Regularly reminding employees that these benefits exist—and that seeking support is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness—helps reduce the stigma that still surrounds mental health in many workplaces.
Supervisors also play a critical role. While they are not expected to diagnose problems or provide counseling, they should feel confident recognizing potential warning signs, responding with empathy, and connecting employees with appropriate resources. Simple training on active listening, compassionate conversations, and available firm benefits can make supervisors better equipped to support their teams while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Creating a psychologically safe workplace extends beyond formal policies. Employees are more likely to speak up when they believe they will be treated with respect, listened to without judgment, and supported rather than penalized. Leaders can reinforce this culture by encouraging reasonable workloads whenever possible, recognizing accomplishments, inviting honest feedback, and modeling healthy behaviors themselves. Something as simple as taking vacation time, setting reasonable boundaries around after-hours emails, or openly encouraging others to disconnect while on PTO sends a powerful message that well-being matters.
Today's hybrid and remote work environments present additional challenges. When we no longer see colleagues in the hallway or gather around the lunch table, it becomes easier to miss subtle changes in someone's well-being. A colleague who keeps their camera off every meeting, withdraws from conversations, responds very differently than usual, or suddenly becomes unusually quiet or disconnected may simply be having a busy week—or they may be struggling. While we should avoid making assumptions, these moments provide opportunities to check in with kindness. A brief phone call or private message asking, "I just wanted to see how you're doing," can remind someone that they are seen and valued.
Ultimately, creating a healthier workplace is not about having all the answers. It is about building a culture where people know they do not have to navigate difficult seasons alone. Legal administrators have tremendous influence over the systems, policies, and everyday interactions that shape our firms. By fostering psychological safety, encouraging the use of available resources, supporting healthy work-life boundaries, and simply paying attention to one another, we help create workplaces where employees can do their best work—and where it's truly okay not to be okay.
Would you like to learn more? Please join us at our Mental Health First Aid for Firm Administrators event on September 30, 2026
Register today: https://ebala.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=526
Lorie Gehrke
DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY SPOTLIGHT
September - National Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Mental health advocates — along with survivors and allies — unite to advocate and promote suicide prevention awareness.
September 7* - Labor Day
Labor Day is observed annually on the first Monday of September to celebrate the American labor movement and its workers who fought for better wages, working conditions and workers’ rights. Several states already celebrated Labor Day, but it officially became a federal holiday in 1894.
September 11-13* - Rosh Hashanah
From sundown to sundown, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year Celebration, marks the creation of the world
September 14* - Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi a Hindu holiday lasting around 10 days, where the elephant-headed Hindu God is praised and given offerings.
September 15 - October 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. This month corresponds with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16, and recognizes the revolution in 1810 that ended Spanish dictatorship.
September 18 - International Equal Pay Day
The United Nations started International Equal Pay Day on September 18, 2019. It is observed to raise awareness about gender-based pay discrimination.
September 20 -21* - Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. From sundown to sundown, it’s a day of atonement marked by fasting and ceremonial repentance.
September 23 - Bi Visibility Day
Celebrate Bisexuality Day is observed annually on September 23 to recognize and celebrate bisexual people, the bisexual community, and the history of bisexuality.
September 26 - European Day of Languages
European Day of Languages is celebrated across Europe to promote the importance of language learning and protecting linguistic heritage. It is important to recognize the rich linguistic diversity in Europe.
September 30th - Mental Health First Aid for firm Administrators
Presented By Abigail L. Davis-Hess CLM. Register today at https://ebala.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=526
CERTIFIED LEGAL MANAGER (CLM)
ALA CLM Exam - Application Deadline
As the legal services industry becomes more diverse and competitive, the need for capable managers has never been greater. That’s why earning the Certified Legal Manager (CLM)® credential — regardless of the stage in your career — shows your commitment to staying on top of the legal management profession.
It’s not an easy credential to earn — but that’s the point. The CLM credential demonstrates to your firm that you’ve mastered the knowledge, skills and abilities to operate at a high level of expertise in the field of legal management. In fact, those who pass the CLM exam have the depth and breadth of knowledge and management skills that enables them to visit any 30- to 50-attorney law office, review practices and procedures, and be conversant about — and offer advice in — each of the areas listed in the Body of Knowledge.
ALA is the exclusive credentialing body of the CLM program, and CLM Certification is offered twice a year — in the Spring and the Fall. (See below for important 2026 dates.)
Fall 2026
Application deadline: September 4
Test dates: November 2-25
ALA’s Certified Legal Manager (CLM)® credential demonstrates to your firm that you’ve mastered the knowledge, skills, and abilities to operate at a high level of expertise in the field of legal management. ALA is the exclusive credentialing body of the CLM program, and CLM Certification is offered twice a year — in the Spring and the Fall.
For more information on ALA's Certified Legal Manager exam, please visit https://www.alanet.org/certification or contact [email protected].
ALA Member Benefits
ALA Member Benefits
Get Connected to the Legal Management Industry
It almost sounds like a cliché now: Change is happening rapidly in the industry. But it’s true — from talent wars to generative AI — it’s all having an impact on the way legal managers do business. ALA membership allows you to connect with experts, build leadership skills and gain knowledge to embrace these transitional opportunities for growth.
Members have exclusive access to extensive professional development opportunities, collaborative peer communities, strategic operational solutions and business partner connections. We provide solutions to the most critical strategic and operational challenges you face in your legal management profession today, while preparing you for the opportunities of tomorrow.
- Engaging Education Experiences: Successful law firms innovate, and our content-rich education experiences give you the ideas to bring back to your firms. Through in-person events, webinars and our online learning system, we give members what they need to know to keep their firm ahead of the curve. Members receive discounted rates on all of these educational experiences.
- A Community Ready to Help: There is a lot of noise on the internet. Cut through the online clutter and come to a place where you’ll find a supportive community to help you wade through any challenges. Choose from topic-driven, member-only Online Communities that connect you with peers who are in your professional interest area or work at your management level. Participate in virtual roundtables, chats and meetups. Join an ALA chapter to connect with colleagues locally. No matter your networking need, we’ve got a way to keep you connected.
- Content and Resources at the Ready: ALA’s flagship publication, Legal Management, is delivered digitally 10 times a year to your inbox. You’ll also receive our weekly e-newsletter, BOLD Bites, to stay in the loop of upcoming events. On-the-go? Listen to our podcast, Legal Management Talk. As firms face hiring challenges, you’ll want the data that’s in the annual ALA Compensation & Benefits Survey. Members can participate in the research component and receive discounted pricing. Plus, we’ve created a DEIA Resource Hub and Mental Health Resource Hub so you’ll find our latest content on these vital topics.
- Find Your Next Job in Our Job Bank: Or, if your firm is looking to hire for a position, post it. Members get a discount here, too. Visit our Career Center to learn more.
- Valuable Benefits from Our Business Partners (vendors). Our Value in Partnership (VIP)SM is a select group of business partners that ALA vets on your behalf. As the official member benefits resource, our VIP Program brings savings and solutions exclusively for ALA members. Members also have access to discounts from other business partners. Or, browse our Legal Marketplace to find the solution or service provider for a specific need.
Riddle of the Month
I turn shades of red and gold and give a cue that the year grows old. In the north, I’m a scene where summer’s green has been. What am I? Find the answer on the EBALA LinkedIn (East Bay Chapter, Association of Legal Administrators: Overview | LinkedIn)
