Palisades Resident Appointed As Board President to Jewish Family Service of L.A.

The following is a press release from the Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles:

Former California State Assemblymember, former Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Terry Friedman, of Pacific Palisades, was installed as Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Los Angeles’ Board President in a ceremony conducted by Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky at American Jewish University on Monday, July 9. State Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield, chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, presented the evening's keynote address.

"I am honored to help lead Jewish Family Service and its Board of Directors to support the critical programs and services of JFS that provide a safety net for those with nowhere else to turn,” said Friedman in a press release. “As the Los Angeles area continues to feel the impact of the economic crisis, the assistance provided by JFS is absolutely essential to the continued health and well-being of the most vulnerable individuals and families in our community."

Friedman currently works as an arbitrator and mediator with JAMS, a private alternative dispute resolution firm. As a judge, Friedman was supervising judge of the dependency courts and the presiding juvenile court judge. He also chaired the Juvenile Court Judges of California, and was President of the California Judges Association. Since 2005, Friedman has been a member of the State Judicial Council, the governing body of the judicial branch of California. 

Prior to his election to the California Legislature, Friedman worked as a staff attorney for the Western Center on Law & Poverty, then as executive director of Bet Tzedek Legal Services. He is a graduate of UCLA and Boalt Hall School of Law and has been an adjunct professor at Loyola, UCLA and USC law schools. In addition to his service on the JFS Board, Terry is member of the board of directors of Bet Tzedek and the board of advocates of Human Rights First.

"Judge Friedman has provided thoughtful leadership in the Legislature and in the court system – and JFS is grateful to now have his experience and insight providing guidance and leadership to the agency," said JFS CEO Paul S. Castro. "We know Judge Friedman is and will continue to be a tireless advocate for JFS clients in the months ahead."

The president of the JFS Board of Directors serves a two-year term, and is also charged with appointing chairs to each of JFS’ governing committees.