JABA

On September 25th, over 30 clients attended the JABA Community Education
Committee’s free legal clinic at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural
Institute. The volunteer attorneys assisted clients over a wide variety of
legal issues including family law, estate planning, bankruptcy,
immigration, landlord-tenant, employment, debt collection and payment, and
government benefits. The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Little
Tokyo Service Center, and Asian Pacific American Legal Center were
cosponsors for this clinic, and the Consulate General of Japan assisted
with the publicity for the event. Many thanks go to the hard-working JABA
members and friends who participated, including Bert Kawahara, Anne Inoue, Gary
Mikuni, Ron Hirano, Mark Yoshida, James Widmondt, Nathan Watanabe, Steve
Awakuni, Bill Klein, Ann Kim, Sabina Helton, Bryan Reynolds, Amy Inagaki,
Julia Sumida, Akiko Yoshikawa, Kanako Blondet, and Camilla Day. James
Widmondt, a frequent clinic volunteer, said after this event “I enjoy
participating in the clinics because it provides me an opportunity to give
back to the community. The attendees/clients are truly grateful for my
advice which makes the experience that much more rewarding.” If you are
interested in joining the Community Education Committee or assisting at a
clinic or law day, please contact co-chair Ken Tanaka or Kent Wakuta.