FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Valerie Brown Lescroart, Communications Director
valerie@acbanet.org | (510) 322-2215
October 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
ALAMEDA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION HIRES CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Please help us congratulate Hadassah Hayashi
Oakland, CA—Following an extensive search, the Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) and Legal Access Alameda (Legal Access) are pleased to announce that Hadassah Hayashi has been named Chief Executive Officer of the ACBA and Legal Access. Ms. Hayashi will assume her duties November 1, 2023.
“Hadassah’s career has been dedicated to the strengthening of Alameda County, its people, and the legal community,” said ACBA Board President Alice Cheng. “Her 20+ years of experience as an employee of the Alameda County Bar Association, combined with the relationships she has built with the courts, law firms, local stakeholders, and her colleagues makes her a uniquely strong candidate to inspire our members and volunteers. Under Hadassah’s leadership, the ACBA and the Legal Access boards look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence.”
Ms. Hayashi has built a 20-year career at the ACBA serving in various capacities and positions, most recently as ACBA Deputy Director responsible for managing operations, finance, and technology. She has successfully managed various programs and departments including Membership, Education, & Events, the Lawyer Referral Service Program, and the Bay Area Legal Incubator. She has worked in both the Civil and Criminal Court Appointed Attorney’s Programs and partnered with Legal Access Alameda on various projects and fundraisers. During her tenure with the ACBA she has worked closely with the Board of Directors, Executive Committees, and collaborated with many local legal organizations and the courts on initiatives including the formation of the Racial Justice and Equity Task Force and the Civics Outreach Program.
“I’ve had the benefit and pleasure of working with several great association leaders including Tiela Chalmers and Ann Wassam,” said Ms. Hayashi. “I’m constantly inspired by our staff, members, and leaders in our legal services community who are shining examples of excellence and generosity. I have been fortunate to develop lasting relationships and worked hard to develop a reputation for getting things done. I am honored to lead the organization with such passionate individuals into this next era and am excited for the possibilities that our future legal services landscape brings.”
Ms. Hayashi’s new duties will overlap with current ACBA CEO Tiela Chalmers for two months before Ms. Chalmers’ retirement, effective December 31, 2023.
More information about the Alameda County Bar Association
The Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) is a voluntary bar association, established in 1877, with a membership of over 1,500 lawyers, judges, law students, and legal associates. As a professional resource for lawyers, the Bar provides educational programs, practice-building opportunities, networking and social events, as well as leadership development opportunities for its members. The ACBA administers numerous programs and activities to benefit attorneys and the community. For more information about the Alameda County Bar Association, visit www.acbanet.org.
More information about Legal Access Alameda
Legal Access Alameda (Legal Access) is the pro bono arm of the Alameda County Bar Association. Legal Access provides free legal services to low-income people in Alameda County through monthly legal clinics in a range of areas of law. At Legal Access, we are committed to bridging the justice gap for those in our community who cannot afford an attorney. We strongly believe that a person’s access to justice should not be determined by their income. For more information, please visit www.legalaccess.org.
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