About The St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles
Organized in 1995, the St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles is an association of Catholic legal professionals. The society has selected St. Thomas More as patron of the Red Mass and celebrates its namesake who has inspired lawyers of all faiths for generations. We are a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.
(1438-1535) Thomas More was educated at Oxford and followed in his father’s footsteps and became a lawyer. He married Jane Colt in 1505 and they had four children. Mentored by Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor John Morton, Thomas More had a distinguished career in public service. First elected to Parliament in 1504, he was knighted in 1521 and made King Henry VIII’s Under Treasurer of the Exchequer. In 1529 he rose to Lord Chancellor. More believed King Henry VIII had no jurisdiction over the Church. His rift with Henry VIII led to false accusations against More. His defense included evidence in the form of a letter to Sister Elizabeth Barton wherein he directed her not to interfere in politics. Choosing his principles over death, More was beheaded in 1535. More was canonized as a Saint in 1925 and his feast day is June 22. St. Thomas More, who stood alone and gave his life for his principles of separation of church and state, is the patron for public officials, judges, and lawyers.
The St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles is a volunteer organization of legal professionals composed primarily of attorneys and retired judges who host the annual Red Mass
OFFICERS
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Vince Farhat
Partner, Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP
STMSLA Board Chair
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Carmela Bombay
Attorney, San Gabriel Valley Trust & Probate Center
STMSLA President
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Hratch J. Karakachian
Attorney, CPA, JD, MBT
STMSLA Chief Financial Officer
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Laura I. Guerrero
Attorney
STMSLA Secretary
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Joseph M. Barrett
Attorney, Affeld Grivakes LLP
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Vito Costanzo
Attorney, Holland & Knight LLP
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Michele B. Friend
Attorney, CPA, Clark & Trevithick,
STMSLA Programs Committee Chair
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Margaret G. Graf
Attorney
STMSLA Governance Committee Chair
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T. Matthew Hansen
Attorney
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Lynne M. Hook
Attorney
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Gina Pech
Attorney, Law Offices of Fernando Romo and Associates
STMSLA Membership Outreach Committee Chair
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Jordan D. Teti
Attorney
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Molly M. White
Partner, McGuireWoods LLP
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EMERITUS DIRECTORS
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Suzanne L. Austin
Attorney
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Hon. Lawrence W. Crispo (Ret.)
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Philip R. Marrone
Attorney
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Armando J. Paz
Attorney, Mediator, & Adjunct
Professor, STMSLA Emeritus
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ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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Oscar A. Acosta
Dan Abir
Mark A. Albert
Margaret F. Ambrose
Allison Aquino-Silva
Alison K. Beanum
Anthony J. Bellone
Daniel W. Bir
Andrew P. Byrne
Hon. Richard P. Byrne (Ret.)
Charles F. Callanan
Stuart A. Chapman
Lawrence W. Dailey, Jr.
Linda S. Dakin-Grimm
Evan J. Davis
Michael S. Feeley
John L. Filippone
Hon. Ron S. Galperin
Frederic F. Grannis
Lawrence P. Grassini
Gary E. Grimm, PhD
George P. Hawley
John C. Heintz
Brian J. Hennigan
J. Michael Hennigan
Cari Hilger
Kelly S. Howick
Maria P. Hoye
Samantha M. Jimenez
Sean M. Kneafsey
Lewis W. Kneib
Nicolas Kublicki
Elizabeth S. Lachman
Veronica V. Maldonado
Michael J. Maloney
Debra E. Meppen
Linda C. Miller Savitt
Steven A. Mindel
Robert W. Mockler
Michael Norris
Ana G. O’Brien
Michael J. O’Connor
Kenneth R. Pedroza
Arnold P. Peter
Jeffrey Ranen
Timothy F. Ryan
Paul K. Smith
Matthew G. Stein
Paul D. Tosetti
William M. Wardlaw
Ronald D. Wenkart
Gina M. Zapanta
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