Unity Bar marks second anniversary with judges, legal leaders

The Los Angeles County Unity Bar Association celebrated its second anniversary Friday, July 17, with its "Summer Night in All White" reception at the California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, bringing together judges, attorneys and legal leaders from across Southern California.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Story presented the "Champion of Unity Award" to Judge Bryant Y. Yang, who thanked the organization and reflected on the importance of unity within the legal profession.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gary Tokumori introduced Gov. Gavin Newsom's Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes, who addressed attendees and invited judges endorsed by the Unity Bar Association to join him on stage for a group photograph.

The program also recognized the organization's outgoing leadership, including Chair Harumi Hata of Buchalter; Judicial Endorsements co-chairs Deputy District Attorney Shiraz Khalid, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Osman Abbasi and Felton T. Newell Jr. of Newell Law Group; and Vice Chair Frances-Marie A. Prizzia of Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Angela A. Zanin of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, president of the California Unity Bar for the 2026-27 term and a representative of the Los Angeles County Unity Bar, joined Deputy City Attorney Magdalena R. Casas, also a co-founder of the Bar, in offering a toast to attendees.