The Italian American Lawyers Assn. (IALA) is now in its 22nd year as a Los Angeles-area bar association. It is known for its outstanding speakers, authentic Italian meals, and a zip no other bar association we know of has.

Annual events include the installation ball at the Friar's Club, the "Gaelic and Garlic Night" held in conjunction with the Irish American Bar Assn., "A Night With the Supreme Court" featuring members of our state's high court, and "Marco Polo Night" held jointly with the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Assn. and the Japanese American Bar Assn.

Meetings of the association are informative, and never dull. Every meeting is a celebration. We celebrate being together, and being of Italian heritage. (And those who aren't of Italian heritage celebrate along with us!) Most of the meetings are at Casa Italiana, a meeting hall that is filled with good feeling, as well as aromas emanating from the kitchen reminding us of family dinners.

The IALA is a family. Look around out website, leaf through our family photo album, and be introduced to some lawyers and judges bereft of stuffiness. And when you come to Los Angeles, drop by our meeting the third Wednesday of the month.