ACBA’s CEO Tiela Chalmers has announced that she will retire at the end of December, 2023

Hello everyone – It is with a mix of sadness and delight that I have announced that I will retire at the end of December, 2023.  I have really loved the almost 10 years that I have spent at the ACBA and Legal Access Alameda, and getting to know many of you.  This is an amazing organization, with so much diversity, intelligence, commitment, and heart – it’s an honor to work for and with you all. 

I’ve had an amazing series of opportunities in my career, from working at Farella, Braun + Martel in San Francisco, to working at Volunteer Legal Services Program in housing and family law, ultimately serving as the Executive Director, to consulting nationally on issues of access to justice, to my terrific years with the ACBA and Legal Access.  And I will still do some consulting.  But the pandemic has led me to want to be sure to have time to travel, and ride my bike every day, and study French, and read!  I have to admit, I’m looking forward to it. 

But don’t worry, the ACBA and Legal Access are strong.  The Boards of both organizations will be posting the position this summer, and will ensure that whoever they hire, internal or external candidate, will keep our work going. You’ll be hearing more from me as I wrap up, and we are planning a retirement party fundraiser for Legal Access in the fall.  In the meantime, thank you for all that you have done for and with this amazing organization.  Onward!