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

Vince Farhat
STMSLA Board Chair
Partner, Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP

Carmela Bombay
STMSLA President
Attorney, San Gabriel Valley Trust & Probate Center

Lynne M. Hook
Secretary
Attorney, Employer Lawyer

Vito Costanzo
Chief Financial Officer
Attorney, Holland & Knight LLP
Board of Directors

Joseph M. Barrett
Attorney, Affeld Grivakes LLP

Michele B. Friend
STMSLA Programs Committee Chair
Attorney, CPA, Clark & Trevithick,

Margaret G. Graf
STMSLA Governance Committee Chair
Attorney

Laura I. Guerrero
Attorney

Hratch J. Karakachian
Attorney, CPA, JD, MBT

Gina Pech
STMSLA Membership Outreach Committee Chair
Attorney, Law Offices of Fernando Romo and Associates

Molly M. White
Partner, McGuireWoods LLP
T. Matthew Hansen
Attorney
Jordan D. Teti
Attorney
Stephen J. Erigero
Partner, Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley
Hon. Stephen Moloney (Ret.)
Judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court (Ret.)
Carlos Villegas
Partner, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost, LLP
EMERITUS DIRECTORS

Suzanne L. Austin
Attorney

Armando J. Paz
Professor, STMSLA Emeritus
Attorney, Mediator, & Adjunct
Hon. Lawrence W. Crispo (Ret.)
Philip R. Marrone
Attorney