The Iranian American Lawyers Association (IALA), the first association of Iranian American lawyers in the U.S. established in 1994, celebrated its 13th annual dinner GALA on November 15, 2007 in Los Angeles.

IALA’s former president (2004 & 2006), current director and in charge of the association’s public relation affairs, P. Patrick Ashouri, welcomed the guests amongst whom were Hon. Donald Miles State Bar of California Court Judge, Hon. Malcom Mackey Los Angeles Superior Court (LASC) Judge, Hon. Joe Hilberman, LASC Judge, Hon. Sandra Thompson, LASC Judge, Hon. Cynthia Loo, LASC Referee and Hon. Ashley Tabaddor, U.S. Immigration Judge as well as Wayne Gross, former Chief of the Orange County U.S. Attorney’s office and Adam Torres, U.S. Marshall.

Also attending was the President of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) Gretchen Nelson and the Federal Public Defender Sean Kennedy as well as the president of the Arab American Lawyers Association of Southern California (AALASC), Alia Haddad and their former president and LACBA- Barrister’s president –elect, Alexander Gareeb. A large number of former IALA presidents and officers also attended and were acknowledged for their contributions and continued support.

Even though the Honorable Stephen Czuleger’s (Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court) was unable to attend, he shared the following message with the association: ” give all my best to your association. Our court is not only interested but active in the good work the Iranian American Lawyers Assoc. does within the community and elsewhere. I'm so glad our court can be of help and remain committed to assist your association”

IALA president Koroush Behzadi, introduced the keynote speaker, honorable Audrey B. Collins from California Central District who delivered a powerful message concerning the importance of diversity, the Bar and the Bench. Honorable Audrey B. Collins will be the Chief Judge of the CA Central District Court starting in 2009.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca attended the event and after Honorable Collins delivered one of his most touching and heartwarming messages to the Iranian American community while acknowledging the importance of the diversity and the Bar, the association’s role in protection of civil rights and liberties as well as human rights.