Feb. 9, 2013

Bet Tzedek holds annual gala in Beverly Hills

Approximately 1,200 people were in attendance at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 31 to help celebrate Bet Tzedek's 39th annual dinner gala. The evening helped raise almost $2.2 million dollars for the agency and honored individuals whose commitment to Bet Tzedek's mission of "ensuring equal justice for all" has made a significant impact on the community. Leah E. Weil, senior executive vice president & general counsel of Sony Pictures Entertainment, received the Luis Lainer Founder's Award. Werner F. Wolfen, partner emeritus at Irell & Manella LLP, was honored as the 2013 recipient of the Rose L. Schiff Commitment to Justice Award. Yolande Erickson and Bertha Sanchez Hayden, elder rights attorneys at Bet Tzedek, were co-recipients of the 2013 Jack H. Skirball Community Justice Award, which is presented to Bet Tzedek staff members for their controbutions to the agency's mission and their work on behalf of clients. Dr. Hames Nichols and Dr. Merle Stern accepted the inaugural Rebecaa Nichols Emerging Leader Award presented posthumously to their daughter, Rebecca Nichols, a former associate at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP.