Our Firm

At JMM, we are committed to promoting a culture of community and respect which celebrates and appreciates the contributions of all our attorneys and staff. We strive to foster a creative and collaborative community, supporting our team's diverse perspectives, where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic self to work. We believe diversity is not just a word, but a commitment to an inclusive workplace which is integral to the Firm's success.

JMM actively focuses on reflecting the diverse communities around us by increasing the number of diverse attorneys at the Firm through our summer program and lateral recruiting. The Firm supports each individual's success though our mentorship and training programs, and encourages participation in diversity bar associations, conferences, and networking groups aimed at fostering client development, community engagement, and legal skills.

Our Women’s Task Force and Diversity Committee provide opportunities for our attorneys and staff to bond and build fulfilling relationships while learning how to be mindful of others and support our communities' diverse needs and interests. We encourage participation in our team programs and events such as lunchtime MCLE presentations, prominent speaker events, off-site cultural and community activities, and JMM Affinity groups.

By cultivating an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion, we gain valuable insights and expand our capabilities and perspectives. We achieve a deeper understanding of our clients' evolving needs all while developing innovative, successful solutions. Our ongoing objective is to encourage a culture that embraces all identities, perspectives, and experiences, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and thrive both within and beyond the workplace.

JMM's affinity groups are open to all Firm partners, associates, and staff, and were created as part of JMM's ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture. The groups serve as supportive communities where individuals with shared identities, backgrounds, or interests can come together to create a safe space, share experiences, and support one another. Each affinity group promotes positive change through initiatives including client, staff, and community events, professional development opportunities, and recruitment programs. JMM's affinity groups include:

• LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
• Black Affinity Network
• Latiné Affinity Group
• Women's Empowerment Affinity Group
• Parenting & Caregivers Affinity Group
• Mental Health & Wellness Affinity Group

For more photos, see our Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/lifeatjmbm/

In honor of Juneteenth, our Black Affinity Network put on an enlightening and engaging "Juneteenth Jeopardy" event. The topics covered included Juneteenth history, African American firsts, music, legal contributions, and popular quotes. It was an educational journey that deepened our understanding and appreciation of African American culture and history. The event fostered meaningful conversations and highlighted the importance of continuous learning and celebration of diversity.

JMM's LGBTQ+ Affinity Group and allies celebrated Pride Month by gathering to watch the WEHO Pride Parade in June!

Cheering on everyone marching together was a truly uplifting experience. The energy was contagious, and it was wonderful to see so many people come together to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. After the parade, the group continued the festivities with a delightful lunch, sharing stories and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.

JMM was honored to have Professor Edward Park as our keynote speaker for JMM's Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month feature event. The event provided enlightening insights into AAPI history and contributions. The delicious food from Broken Mouth and the vibrant music from Punjabi, Korean, Hawaiian, and Japanese artists made the event unforgettable!

This celebration reinforced our commitment to inclusivity and the appreciation of diverse cultures. Thank you to everyone who made it a success!

JMM hosted its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration, immersing attorneys, and staff in the lively spirit of this vibrant cultural event. The office was adorned with colorful decorations, and everyone enjoyed traditional Mexican cuisine! Festivities included a live mariachi band and an evening of fostering camaraderie and cultural appreciation. The event not only provided a fun break from work but also highlighted the rich traditions and history behind Cinco de Mayo, making it another memorable day on the books!

JMM's Women's Empowerment Affinity Group & Women Attorneys' Initiative came together to honor the incredible achievements of women throughout history with a fun and enlightening trivia lunch at our Firm! It was a fantastic opportunity to come together, celebrate, and deepen our understanding of the remarkable contributions women have made in shaping our world.

From trailblazing leaders to unsung heroes, the trivia session highlighted the diverse and impactful roles women have played in various fields, from science and technology to art and activism. It was truly inspiring to see teams from all our offices engage with such enthusiasm and appreciation for the profound impact of women's voices and actions.

Congratulations to all who participated! In the true spirit of inclusivity, it's worth noting that among the winning teams, two were comprised entirely of men! While we celebrate diversity and inclusivity at JMM, it's important to recognize the significance of events like these in fostering equal participation and representation.

JMM's team encourages amplifying the voices and achievements of women every day. Together, we can build a more equitable and inclusive future for all!

To commemorate Black History Month, JMM's Black Affinity Network coordinated a memorable celebration to mark the achievements of Black trailblazers throughout California's history.

It was an honor to host Professor Marne Campbell, of Loyola Marymount University, whose insightful presentation illuminated the pivotal moments and remarkable contributions of Black trailblazers throughout California's history.

JMM attorneys and staff were treated to a delicious menu courtesy of Fixins Soul Kitchen. From soul-stirring flavors to mouthwatering delights, every dish served was a testament to the culinary genius deeply rooted in African American heritage.

Soulful melodies filled the air, spanning from the vibrant sounds of the 1950s to the electrifying beats of the 1990s, from artists like James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Tevin Campbell.

In celebration of Earth Day, JMM's Diversity Committee spearheaded our Environment & Sustainability month's beach cleanup initiative! We rallied employees (and their families and friends) across our various offices to participate in beach cleanups hosted by Heal the Bay and The Surfrider Foundation.

It was truly inspiring to witness our team come together, not just as colleagues, but as stewards of our environment. They dedicated their time and effort to make a tangible difference in our coastal communities. Across all offices, our teams gathered an impressive 14.8 pounds of litter!

Beyond the cleanup efforts, it was heartwarming to see everyone having a blast on the beach and strengthening bonds beyond JMM. The JMM community strives to push this spirit of sustainability forward, both in our workplace and in our daily lives. Together, we can make a lasting impact!

In honor of Juneteenth, our Black Affinity Network put on an enlightening and engaging "Juneteenth Jeopardy" event. The topics covered included Juneteenth history, African American firsts, music, legal contributions, and popular quotes. It was an educational journey that deepened our understanding and appreciation of African American culture and history. The event fostered meaningful conversations and highlighted the importance of continuous learning and celebration of diversity.

JMM partner Susan Allison is recognized as one of Public Counsel's 2020 Pro Bono Award Recipients, and is honored by its Women and Girls' Rights Project. Over the past two years and continuing at this time, Susan has defended a court-appointed conservator in her efforts to provide for her elderly mother, successfully representing the conservator in multiple appeals filed by an abusive family member. As Public Counsel noted: "Through it all, Susan has provided top-quality appellate representation and served our client with professionalism and grace."

Public Counsel's Women and Girls' Rights Project provides free legal support for low-income women and girls, free workshops and legal services for low-income women starting or growing a business, and provides presentations and/or training to organizations and schools on legal and policy issues impacting women and girls.

JMM Partner Susan Allison created a peer-to-peer fundraising team to gather donations for the Downtown Women's Center's "Together Housed" Campaign. They raised more than $5,000, including generous donations from members of the JMM family. The DWC is the only organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness, and the funds raised will help the DWC achieve its goal to end homelessness for women in Los Angeles, made that much more difficult amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. JMM -- including the Women Attorneys of JMM -- has supported the DWC for many years through volunteer activities, fundraising, and clothing drives.

JMM Land Use Partner Sheri Bonstelle and Real Estate Associate Collin Beck provided pro bono legal services assisting the Westside Family Health Center (WFHC) in their search for a new site, helping the non-profit secure and sign a 20-year lease for a larger space in Culver City.

The WFHC provides high quality health care and advocacy to underserved populations in Los Angeles. The new space will have 12,000 square feet of clinic space and 12,000 square feet of administrative space, with plans to begin operating from the new site in early 2020.

"Sheri's former work as an architect and her extensive experience in all aspects of the legal and approval process for a real estate deal of this magnitude made her the perfect person to have helping us," said WFHC President and CEO Debra A. Farmer in a news release. "Jeffer Mangels & Mitchell's support will make a huge difference for people throughout Los Angeles."

Sheri continues to advise the WFHC in ongoing matters, and will serve on the newly-created "Health Futures for All - 2024" Advisory Group.

The JMM community is pleased to participate in the annual Food from the Bar campaigns. Food from the Bar collects money and food for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the SF-Marin Food Bank, and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

In Los Angeles, law firms and legal organizations raised more than $500,000 for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, collected over 6,000 pounds of food and worked more than 770 volunteer shifts. This will provide approximately 2 million meals to the Los Angeles community. JMM's Los Angeles office received the Gold Partner Award for its participation this year.

In San Francisco, 61 law firms and legal organizations raised more than $673,00 for the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, which will provide more than 1.3 million meals to those in need throughout San Francisco and Marin.

In Orange County, the legal community raised over $28,000 and contributed more than 800 pounds of food, which will provide 321,000 meals through the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

For the last 13 years, JMM has gathered clothing and other household goods for donation to the Downtown Women’s Center, an organization that provides permanent supportive housing and community services for homeless women in Downtown Los Angeles. Clothing and other items are used by the Center to support their clients and to create “Welcome Home” kits of essentials for women as they transition into housing.

In 2018, several attorneys spent an afternoon cooking lunch for residents of the Center, as part of an event sponsored by the Firm’s Women Lawyers.

JMM participated in the 11th annual Justice Jog in Century City. The event, which had over 900 total participants, volunteers and exhibitors, raised over $143,000 for the Los Angeles Chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA/LA), an organization that pairs volunteer advocates with children in the foster care system. JMM Chief Financial Officer Terri Wind is a co-founder of the fundraiser, which is sponsored by the Association of Legal Administrators.

The JMM community is pleased to participate in the annual Food from the Bar campaigns, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco. We also raise money for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

In Los Angeles, 80 law firms and legal organizations raised more than $500,000 for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, collected over 7,700 pounds of food and worked more than 823 volunteer shifts. This will provide approximately 2 million meals to the Los Angeles community.

In San Francisco, 70 law firms and legal organizations raised more than $758,00 for the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, which will provide more than 1.5 million meals to those in need throughout San Francisco and Marin.

In Orange County, our JMM colleagues raised funds to make a meaningful contribution to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

For the fourth consecutive year, Team JMM has been recognized as the “Fastest Law Firm Team” at the annual Justice Jog, held in Century City.

The 2017 Justice Jog included over 1,000 participants, volunteers and exhibitors, who raised funds and awareness through the Greater Los Angeles Association of Legal Administrators (GLA ALA) for Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of Los Angeles. CASA is a nonprofit organization with the mission to mobilize community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the foster care system.

JMM’s CFO, Terri Wind, is one of the co-founders of the annual event, has been on the organizing committee for 10 years, and this year served as Chair of the 10th Anniversary Justice Jog. Jeffer Mangels & Mitchell LLP is proud to be a sponsor of the Justice Jog.

The Jeffer Mangels & Mitchell LLP Foundation has matched the donations of the Firm’s employees and partners in support of hurricane relief in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. Together, the Foundation and the JMM community have contributed more than $28,000 to the American Red Cross and other organizations that are providing shelter, food and emergency support to individuals and families affected by the hurricanes.

The JMM community is pleased to participate in the annual Food from the Bar campaign, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco.

In Los Angeles, 77 legal organizations raised more than $475,000 for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, collected over 9,000 pounds of food and worked more than 774 volunteer shifts. This will provide more than 1.9 million meals in Los Angeles County.

In San Francisco, 70 legal organizations raised more than $726,655 for the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, collected 8,500 pounds of food and contributed 1,456 volunteer hours. This will provide 2.18 million pounds of food to those in need throughout San Francisco and Marin.

The staff and partners of JMM's San Francisco office purchased more than 50 new books that will be put to use by the Bay Area Women's & Children's Center at their children's lending library located in San Francisco's Tenderloin Community School.

A team of JMM attorneys and staff participated in the 2015 Walk to End Genocide, held April 19 in Los Angeles. Hosted by Jewish World Watch, the Walk raises awareness of atrocities in Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Funds raised by the event help Jewish World Watch continue its mission to educate, advocate and support projects in conflict-affected communities.

The Women Lawyers of JMM come together each month to discuss what's on our minds: taking care of our clients, taking care of our families, developing business and developing as lawyers and human beings. You can read about some of our activities here.

JMM's women lawyers are first-rate counselors and advocates. We are skilled, ethical, and committed to delivering the best results to our clients. We are also mothers, partners, immigrants, musicians, mountain climbers, baseball fans, lacrosse team captains, and friends. Here's what some of us have to say about the practice of law, our families, our interests and our lives.

Welcome to JMM's Alumni Lawyers Program

JMM's Alumni Lawyers Program connects alumni of Jeffer Mangels & Mitchell LLP (JMM) to their colleagues at JMM, helps keep lawyers current with legal developments through MCLE programs, and offers other alumni events.

If you are a lawyer who worked at JMM and would like to participate, we will keep you informed of news, programs and events.

Jeffer Mangels & Mitchell LLP and its lawyers are consistently recognized for their excellence in the law and have received numerous industry, media and peer-reviewed awards. Some of the recent awards are listed below.