Events
The Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities’ primary purpose is to make a positive difference in the quality of life for people within the greater Los Angeles area, focusing on issues related to education, children, survivors of abuse, persons with disabilities, and the homeless, by providing financial and direct assistance to needy persons and groups that meet our mission statement. We also publicize the good works that trial lawyers are doing to the local community in Los Angeles, through social media, press releases, photo opportunities, radio and other media outlets. Your single donation to the Los Angeles Trial Lawyer’ Charities has widespread impact as we work with more than 85 partner charities in the community. Your contribution is fully tax deductible as we are a 501c3 organization. Your involvement will strengthen our ability to make a positive and lasting impact on the communities where we reside and work. As part of our fundraising efforts we have two major events during the year.
CASINO NIGHT & TEXAS HOLD’EM TOURNAMENT
Our 5th annual Casino Night & Texas Hold’em Tournament was held on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at the classic Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. The event theme was “Old Hollywood” and it was quite appropriate considering the first Academy Awards were held in 1928 at the Roosevelt Hotel. The Event Committee Co-Chairs were 2016 Past President, Scott Corwin, President-Elect Gerry Marcus, 2014 Past President, Minh Nguyen, and Board Members Michael Marzban and Michelle West. Besides the poker tournament, the evening included entertainment, two DJs, “The South Coast Swing,” a 16 piece authentic Big Band in the mold of those featured during the swinging years like Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman, a Mobile Spa including Manicures, Massages and Reflexology, Henna Artists, Tarot Card Readers, and Fortune Tellers. Our “Casablanca” themed Nightclub with a live band – Maria De La Vega and the Wayward Five – was a huge hit. We had an 80s themed After Party “Back to the Future” for the first time, with late night treats and dessert, DJ, dancing and virtual games. New for 2018 we had VIP reserved booths and tables in the Night Club and the After Party. We also had a hosted bar, hors d’oeuvres, an amazing dinner, and a Casino with blackjack, craps and roulette. Fabulous prizes were awarded to the top ten poker players. The Tournament Grand Prize was a Staples Center Suite including 12 tickets and 4 VIP valet parking passes for one 2018-19 season Los Angeles Clippers game. Our silent auction was incredible with more than 175 auction items all donated by our wonderful supporters. Scott Corwin, our 2016 Past President, was honored with the “Scottie” Award by President Geraldine Weiss for his five years of service as Co-Chair of Casino Night, which produced more than $3,000,000 for LATLC from the 2014-18 Casino Night Events.
We raised over $425,000 in net revenue at Casino Night 2018 with the help of all of our supporters, sponsors, donors, and volunteers – more than double the previous year. More than 1,000 people attended Casino Night 2018. It was a record breaking success smashing all prior records for net and gross revenue, silent auction items and attendance, thanks to all of you.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Our 5th annual Golf Tournament was held on Monday, October 23, 2017 at the beautiful El Caballero Country Club located in Tarzana. This was our third year at El Caballero. The Event Committee Co-Chairs were LATLC Board Members Spencer Lucas, Lauren Wood, and Kristine Gallo. 120 golfers hit the links at the Tournament. We had sponsors at every hole passing out treats, and a fabulous Silent Auction and Live Auction. Thank you to everyone who participated including our sponsors, donors, players and volunteers LATLC raised more than $100,000 net at our 2017 Golf Tournament.
Holiday turkey & Toy giveaway
Our 2nd Annual Holiday Turkey and Toy Giveaway was held on December 16, 2017 at the New Prospect Baptist Church near Watts. The Event Committee Co-Chairs were Immediate Past President Scott Corwin, Vice President Gerry Marcus, Past President Minh Nguyen, and President Elect Dena Weiss. This year was even bigger and better than the year before, with an expanded Holiday Village, and more than 2,500 people in attendance. We were able to give away complete turkey dinners and toys to more than 500 low income families! In addition, our wonderful attorney sponsors helped us provide “reindeer” rides, face painting, carnival games, snacks, and arts and crafts to make this year’s giveaway a truly magical event. Even Santa and Mrs. Claus joined in to help spread the holiday cheer. The event was attended by city and state elected officials including LA City Attorney Mike Feuer (a member of our LATLC Honorary Board).
We are so grateful to Pastor Williams, City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, LAPD, and LAFD for their continued support and assistance in putting on this event. Thank you also to our volunteers, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the event ran smoothly.
Tryke giveaway
This year marked our 1st Annual Tryke Giveaway Event on October 28, 2017 at the Bixby Knolls Beach Streets Event in Long Beach. The Event Committee Chair was LATLC Past President, Minh Nguyen. We teamed up with two great partner charities-SoCal Trykers and Red Star Riders-to build adaptive tricycles for thirty children with disabilities. Each tryke was custom-fitted for the child on the spot, allowing them to ride away with their cool new wheels, joining the thousands of other cyclists in enjoying Beach Streets. For most of the kids, this was their first ever opportunity to ride a bike.
The event was such a success that we couldn’t resist making it an annual tradition. We hope to build and giveaway even more trykes next year.