Community
Haight Contributed Toward the Betty Nordwind Legacy Fund Created by the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
June 2024 – Over the last 36 years, Betty Nordwind has rooted the Harriett Buhai Center in compassionate advocacy, building a legacy of advancing equal justice by providing free family law legal services to those in need in Los Angeles. The Betty Nordwind Legacy Fund is designed to strengthen the Buhai Center’s ongoing work addressing domestic violence. It will also nurture new and innovative initiatives that will expand the Buhai Center’s outreach capacity and increase its legal services to a greater number of community members. This fund enables the Center to launch an important emergency domestic violence restraining order initiative and broaden its programs.
Haight Sponsors the 7th Annual Pinay Powerhouse Conference Presented by the Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego
Haight sponsors the 7th Annual Pinay Powerhouse Conference taking place at California Western School of Law in San Diego from March 22-24, 2024.
In 2016, Pinay Powerhouse founders envisioned a women’s conference focused on empowering Filipina attorneys and aspiring attorneys as leaders in the law. The vision came to fruition in 2017 with the Inaugural Pinay Powerhouse Conference hosted by the Filipino Bar of Northern California in San Francisco.
The firm happily sponsors this event as part of its 2024 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives. The conference’s theme this year is “Sun, Sand, & Sampaguita.” Sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines and means “promises,” from the phrase sumpa kita. The theme honors the promises made to the community and their profession, as well as promises we make to and keep for ourselves.
Haight Sponsors Annual Norouz Gala Presented by Iranian American Bar Association (IABA)
Haight sponsors Iranian American Bar Association’s annual Norouz Gala on March 15, 2024 at the San Diego Marriott La Jolla Hotel. Norouz, the festival of the spring equinox, means “new day” in Persian. This ancient festival has been celebrated for at least 3000 years. Norouz is a time of celebration, renewal, and the coming together of communities. This year’s Norouz Gala promises to be an unforgettable evening featuring a distinguished guest speaker, awards ceremony, cultural entertainment, and a delightful dinner.
IABA is a non-profit, non-religious, and apolitical organization that has quickly risen as a premier minority bar association at the forefront of protecting the rights of Iranian-Americans and other minority communities in courtrooms, and through advocacy with elected officials and the business community.
Haight Sponsors CRF OC Annual Benefit on October 3, 2023
October 3, 2023 – Haight is enthusiastically sponsoring the CRF OC Annual Benefit 2023. The CRF OC is a local, non-partisan, non-profit. They promote civic literacy and youth leadership through interactive civic, legal and business education programs connecting students directly with volunteer professionals and community leaders. They offer six unique, interactive and experiential learning programs. With the help of volunteer judges and attorneys, the programs include mock trial, peer court, the Orange County Career forum, law day, Constitution day and middle school moot court and includes students in grades 8-12.
Haight Sponsors Jetty Kids Annual Surf Contest on September 9, 2023
September 9, 2023 – Haight is thrilled to sponsor the 26th Annual Jetty Kids Surf Contest. This is the largest free surf contest in the United States with surfers as young as two years old. The event has inspired thousands of kids to surf just for the fun of it. During the event, a special division for 2-7 years olds will have over 75 eager participants.
THEIR STORY. The Jetty Kids Surf Contest started 26 years ago to memorialize Mission Beach surfer Keith Noel. Noel grew-up in South Mission where he surfed from a young age and was known as “The Jetty Kid.” He traveled, surfed, and owned a vintage Hawaiian shirt shop in Mission Beach.
Noel never had much money but lived the surfing life-style with plenty of surfing and lots of friends. Later in life he received a sizeable inheritance but shortly thereafter contracted a terminal illness. He wanted to do something that left a legacy of the thing that brought him so much joy. He donated a large part of his estate to put on a yearly surf contest for kids, called “The Jetty Kid.”
Over the years the contest grew from a handful to 250 entries. There is a seven and under division where all the contestants get a trophy for just participating. The 8-16 features 6 divisions for both boys and girls with trophies. The all day raffle has all the contestants winning something from a surfboard to surf gear. Free food and drinks are provided for both parents and kids.
The contest enters its 26st year as one of the largest community events in Mission Beach. It has kids for all the local beach communities of Mission, Pacific, La Jolla, O.B. and as far as North County. Kids, parents, family and friends get to spend the day together enjoying the beach, surf, and each other. It’s just the kind of day Noel always treasured.
Haight Nowruz Gala Presented by the Iranian American Bar Association (IABA SD)
Related People: Arezoo Jamshidi
Haight sponsored the Nowruz Gala for the San Diego Chapter of the Iranian American Bar Association (IABA SD). Nowruz, the festival of the spring equinox, means “new day” in Persian. This ancient festival has been celebrated for at least 3000 years. Nowadays, Nowruz is celebrated and observed by Iranians and other communities all around the world
March 17, 2023 – At the Nowruz Gala, Arezoo Jamshidi was awarded the 2023 Pro Bono Service Award from IABA SD. The Pro Bono Service Award is presented to an IABA SD member who delivers volunteer legal services to those in our community and nation that are unable to pay for legal services. Throughout the years, Arezoo has worked with a number of San Diego organizations to serve her local community. She volunteered with the San Diego Domestic Violence Clinic and assisted victims of domestic abuse obtain temporary restraining orders against their abusers. She has also represented asylum seekers and immigrant women and children apply for visas through Casa Cornelia Law Center, a nonprofit organization that provides pro bono legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations. Arezoo recently joined Casa Cornelia’s Board of Directors and is currently providing pro bono services to an asylum seeker who fled Afghanistan after the country was captured by the Taliban in 2021.
Haight Sponsors 45th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser and Installation Gala for the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County on March 4, 2023
Related People: Marie Elena Parada
March 4, 2023 – Maria Elena Parada who was sworn in for her new term on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association and several of Haight’s Irvine office attorneys were present to celebrate 38 Orange County judges including honorees California Supreme Court Justice Patricia Guerrero and Camille Vasquez.
Haight’s Bob Rucci and the San Diego Office Supported Saddles In Service as a Sponsor for its First Annual Golf Tournament
Related People: Bob Rucci
July 30, 2021 – Haight’s San Diego office and Bob Rucci supported Saddles in Service by sponsoring their first annual golf tournament. The organization helps veterans, active duty military and first responders receive mental health wellness and healing through the Equine Assisted Activities at Saddles in Service in Alpine, CA.
Haight Joins Walgreens to Buy a Flock of Ducks
Chicago Ducky Derby: Chicago, IL – Special Olympics Illinois
Related People: Shannon Blair, Tom Brown, Ted Penny
August 2021 – Haight joins client Walgreens to adopt a flock of ducks for the Chicago Ducky Derby on August 5, 2021. Each duck adopted helps support 23,000 athletes and nearly 13,000 young athletes participate, at no cost, in Special Olympics Illinois programs. Haight was excited to join Walgreens Insurable Risk De-“DUCK”-TIBLES team to help them reach their goal for this great cause!
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
May 2021 – Haight made its annual contribution to The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law. The Center was founded in the early 1980s by Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Bar and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. Since its inception, the Center has served as a cornerstone of family law and domestic violence assistance for low-income persons in the Los Angeles area. With the help of volunteers, the Center’s mission to provide free family law assistance, legal education to the poor and empowering people in need while assuring them meaningful access to the courts, is assisted and the community is served.
Haight Gives to Teacher Appreciation Week for Griffin Technology Academies
May 2021 – Haight was excited to contribute toward Teacher Appreciation Week for the faculty and staff of Griffin Technology Academies. Mare Island Technology Academy (MIT) was established in 1999 as an Independent Charter by deeply committed community members seeking to create a safe learning environment with rigorous academic standards, specializing in technology, innovative instruction and project-based learning. MIT Academy has grown since its inception and currently has a waitlist at each grade level. To meet the increasing demand from parents and students, MIT opened Griffin Academy, August 2018 beginning with 140 sixth and seventh grade students and adding a new class each year thereafter. Griffin Academy offers an engaging, rigorous and personalized academic curriculum, Summit Learning, that ensures students master and apply grade level content. In addition, Griffin students will engage in a social-emotional curriculum that builds skills allowing them to make good choices, maintain healthy relationships with peers and adults, become self-aware and ultimately become self-directed learners.
Haight Sponsors Nott’s Forest Football Club
2021 – Haight supports the San Diego community as one of the sponsors for Nott’s Forest F.C. (NFFC) which is the competitive soccer program of Mesa Soccer Association, a non-profit corporation based in San Diego, California. The NFFC Club has both Boys and Girls teams at every age group, and has age appropriate development academies with a specific curriculum that emphasizes “Learning to Play the Forest Way,” that is, a specific, diamond- based style of play highly dependent on passing and consistency skills.
Haight Supports the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
December 2020 – Haight Brown & Bonesteel made a donation this year to the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. In thanks, they indicated that, “The coronavirus has devastated our world and our community. Thousands of people have been laid off or had hours cut. And the crisis has unexpectedly thrown folks who were already struggling into deeper food insecurity. It’s nice to know they can depend on the Food Bank – and people like you.” – Paul Ash, Executive Director SF-Marin Food Bank.
To learn more about the SF-Marin Food Bank and how you can help, visit their website: www.sfmfoodbank.org/
Haight Teams Up with ALFA International’s “40 Days of Giving” Campaign by Supporting the Arthritis Foundation
November 2020 – Haight Brown & Bonesteel enthusiastically included The Arthritis Foundation as part of our 2020 community service program. Haight is a strong advocate for the organization and has chosen to support this worthwhile group in conjunction with ALFA International as they celebrate their 40th Anniversary with their “40 Days of Giving” campaign. The campaign showcases ALFA International member firms such as Haight Brown & Bonesteel and what they are doing within their communities to support organizations that oftentimes provide lifesaving medical research, treatment programs, medication, supplies, monetary support, food and shelter, clothing and other essential items to anyone in need. ALFA International’s 40 Days of Giving also puts a spotlight on what a strong and caring network they have built over the past 40 years!
The Arthritis Foundation helps those affected by arthritis to live their best life by creating a powerful network of support through shared experiences, empowering information and meaningful connections. Whether it’s online or in person, they are all working together to promote life-changing resources and research, to push for change and to create community connections that welcome, inform and uplift. This is what makes their community of millions thrive and why they are all Champions of Yes.
Arthritis Foundation Promise:
The Arthritis Foundation is boldly pursuing a cure for America’s #1 cause of disability while championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections.
Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
2014-2021 – Haight continues building upon its commitment to diversity and inclusion with its annual partner sponsorship of WLALA. Since it was established in 1919, WLALA has been a powerful and respected advocate of women attorneys, women in general, persons of color, the disadvantaged, and the under-represented in Southern California. With over 1,000 members, its members are an integral part of one of the largest local women’s bar associations in California.
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
December 2019 – Haight made its annual contribution to The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law. The Center was founded in the early 1980s by Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Bar and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. Since its inception, the Center has served as a cornerstone of family law and domestic violence assistance for low-income persons in the Los Angeles area. With the help of volunteers, the Center’s mission to provide free family law assistance, legal education to the poor and empowering people in need while assuring them meaningful access to the courts, is assisted and the community is served.
Loyola Law School Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) Silent Auction
On September 14, 2019, Loyola Law School’s Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) is hosting it’s 27th Annual Auction Night in downtown Los Angeles. PILF is a student-run organization invested in fostering the careers of students dedicated to providing assistance to those traditionally underrepresented in the legal system. Haight is excited to support the event by donating a package of four tickets to an Angels baseball game for the silent auction. The goal of the evening was to generate enough support to fund forty $2,500 Summer Stipends.
Haight Supports JDC’s 12th Annual Bike-A-Thon Benefitting Pro Bono Legal Services
Haight proudly donates to the Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco’s 12th Annual “Ride for Justice.” The JDC’s Bike-A-Thon raises funds to provide pro bono legal services programs that provide access to justice for thousands of San Franciscans every year.
Several of Haight’s attorneys have previously received Outstanding Volunteer in Public Services certificates for various contributions to programs within the Justice & Diversity Center and Haight is happy to continue providing support for the JDC’s exceptional legal services programs. JDC’s volunteers are invaluable to Pro Bono Legal Services Programs, Homeless Advocacy Project, and Diversity Educational Programs.
Haight Proudly Supports JDC’s 11th Annual Bike-A-Thon Benefitting Pro Bono Legal Services
Haight proudly donates to the Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco’s 11th Annual “Ride for Justice.” The JDC’s Bike-A-Thon raises funds to provide pro bono legal services programs that provide access to justice for thousands of San Franciscans every year.
Several of Haight’s attorneys have previously received Outstanding Volunteer in Public Services certificates for various contributions to programs within the Justice & Diversity Center and Haight is happy to continue providing support for the JDC’s exceptional legal services programs. JDC’s volunteers are invaluable to Pro Bono Legal Services Programs, Homeless Advocacy Project, and Diversity Educational Programs.
Haight Sponsors National City Fire Department in Demolition Derby
Haight San Diego sponsored the National City Fire Department during the Burn Institute’s 28th Annual Fire & Safety Expo and Firefighters Demolition Derby on June 2, 2018 at the San Diego County Fair. The derby benefitted the Burn Institute which is a non-profit health agency dedicated to reducing burn injuries and deaths through fire and burn prevention education, burn survivor support programs and the funding of burn care research and treatment.
Volunteering for a Thousand Smiles to Children in Ensenada
In May 2018, Haight Brown & Bonesteel volunteered with Thousand Smiles Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has provided oral maxillofacial treatments and dental work to underprivileged children in Ensenada, Mexico who suffer from facial deformities, such as cleft lip and palate.
Haight Celebrated 80 Years in 2017 with an 80 Acts of Kindness Campaign
Haight knows California. As part of our commitment to California, we have chosen to make a difference in the lives of others through our community service and pro bono efforts. Our attorneys channel their talents into causes they are committed to, so they can serve others with the same passion in which they approach their work. Our desire to make a difference comes from seeing so many in need and knowing that just one simple act can improve a life.
For 80 years, Haight Brown & Bonesteel has been one of California’s leading full service law firms. To commemorate our 80 years in business, we are giving back to the community. Throughout 2017, we will demonstrate our commitment to those in need through 80 different acts of kindness.
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law was founded in the early 1980s by Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Bar and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. Since its inception, the Center has served as a cornerstone of family law and domestic violence assistance for low-income persons in the Los Angeles area. With the help of volunteers, the Center’s mission to provide free family law assistance, legal education to the poor and empowering people in need while assuring them meaningful access to the courts, is assisted and the community is served.
Volunteering to Provide a Thousand Smiles to Children in Ensenada
A Haight Brown & Bonesteel attorney provided translation services for a Thousand Smiles Foundation which is a nonprofit organization that has provided oral maxillofacial treatments and dental work to underprivileged children in Ensenada, Mexico who suffer from facial deformities, such as cleft lip and palate.
Making Mother’s Day A Special Day for Abused Mothers and Children
May 2015 – Each year, in conjunction with one of our insurance clients, Haight participates in donating Mother’s Day gift baskets to the children of Haven Hills Shelter for Battered Women and Children to give to their mothers as gifts for Mother’s Day. The baskets are a welcome and unexpected treat for the women receiving services through Haven Hills. As part of the firm’s commitment to giving back, our baskets have become an annual tradition we look forward to every year.
Haight Helps Client Seeking Asylum in the United States
Haight attorneys assisted a client who fled Jordan after suffering years of mental and physical abuse at the hands of her now ex-husband and his agents. Since fleeing Jordan, her client has continued to receive threats of violence, even death, should she return. Her only form of protection is to be granted asylum in the United States, but language barriers and general unfamiliarity with the immigration and asylum processes inhibited her ability to apply for asylum. Nancy’s efforts have aided her client in navigating both the English language and legal system so that her client can be afforded protection from the hostile and violent environment from which she originally escaped.
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law was founded in the early 1980s by Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Bar and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. Since its inception, the Center has served as a cornerstone of family law and domestic violence assistance for low-income persons in the Los Angeles area. With the help of volunteers, the Center’s mission to provide free family law assistance, legal education to the poor and empowering people in need while assuring them meaningful access to the courts, is assisted and the community is served.
Haight’s San Francisco Office Recognized as part of The Bar Association of San Francisco’s Right to Civil Counsel Program
The Right to Civil Counsel Program focuses on providing pro bono legal services on matters involving basic human needs (housing, health care, domestic violence). As part of our commitment to community service and pro bono, Haight has made a committment to helping persons of low-income resolve their legal issues in these critical areas.
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program’s HIV/AIDS Legal Services Project Clinic
March 2013 – Attorneys in Haight’s San Diego office are regularly participating in the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program’s (SDVLP) HIV/AIDS Legal Services Project Clinic. The Clinic offers legal advice and services to HIV-positive individuals in the San Diego community. Participants of the clinic come in on a walk-in basis to seek legal advice from volunteer attorneys. After meeting with clinic participants to discuss legal issues, attorneys work with the clinic director to determine whether the issues merit referral to one of SDVLP’s programs.
Helping to Ensure Afforable Housing in San Francisco
February 4, 2013 – Haight recently assisted the San Francisco Community Land Trust in the creation of a limited liability company. The mission of the San Francisco Community Land Trust is to create permanently affordable, resident-controlled housing for low-to-moderate-income people in San Francisco through community ownership of the land.
Making the Holidays A Little Brighter
For the 9th year in a row, attorneys at Haight Brown & Bonesteel partnered with our client, Century-National Insurance Company, to make the holiday wishes come true for the children of Olive Crest. Olive Crest has transformed the lives of over 60,000 abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families. Working tirelessly to meet the individual needs of kids in crisis, Olive Crest provides safe homes, counseling, and education for both youth and parents. Their many innovative programs reflect their conviction that strengthening the family is one of the most powerful ways to help heal children.
2012-2013 Fulton Haight Memorial Scholarship
Haight Brown & Bonesteel is pleased to announce that the Fulton Haight Memorial Scholarship has been awarded once again to a deserving USC Gould School of Law student. The legacy of Mr. Fulton Haight lives on through the students who receive this scholarship each year. To date, the Scholarship has been awarded to fifteen deserving students based on need and merit with a preference given to Moot Court candidates.
Making a Difference to Families Affected by Down Syndrome
A former partner served on the Board of Directors of DS Action since July of 2008 as General Counsel. DS Action is a non-profit organization formed to identify the unmet needs of people with Down syndrome. In late 2007, DS Action partnered with Randy Children’s Hospital in San Diego to establish the first Down Syndrome Center in Southern California. The Center allows all children with Down syndrome the equal opportunity to receive medical evaluations, referrals and intervention services. The Center is a much needed resource to the entire region of Southern California and neighboring jurisdictions including Mexico. All funds DS Action receives through its charitable events and direct donations go directly to the Center. DS Action is affiliated with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC).