John A. Lazor becomes FMBK's sixth Certified Family Law Specialist,* making us the firm with more CFLS's than any other Family Law firm in Los Angeles County.

FMBK's Managing Partner, Steven A. Mindel, said, "Knowledge of the law is critical in the representation of our clients, and FMBK prides itself on having so many Certified Family Law Specialists."

In order to take the exam, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization requires that you practice law for at least 5 years, with a substantial portion of your practice in Family Law. This includes trials, judgments, stipulations, and hearings. In addition, you need the recommendations of numerous peers not associated with your firm as well as the approval of The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

"Because this was a mid-career exam, it involved not only a working knowledge of statutes and case law, but also incorporated my actual practical experience," said John.

John has practiced Family Law for almost 17 years. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with Departmental Honors and Distinction in psychology from Stanford University in 1987 and received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1992. In addition to celebrating this major achievement, John and his wife, Pam, are celebrating the arrival of their second daughter.

ROBERT C. BRANDT IS MADE A FELLOW OF THE
INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF MATRIMONIAL LAWYERS (IAML)

FMBK CONGRATULATES PARTNER MARITONI ACOSTA AND ASSOCIATE ALEX GRAGER FOR BEING RECOGNIZED AS 2009 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RISING STARS

FMBK would like to congratulate our 2009 Southern California Rising Stars, Maritoni Acosta* and Alex Grager, as recognized by the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine.

Rising Stars are the top 2.5% percent of attorneys in each state, under 40 years old and/or who have been practicing for 10 years or less, as chosen by their peers and through an independent research. Law & Politics performs the polling, research and selection of Rising Stars in a process designed to identify lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Rising Stars is a comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys, representing a wide range of practice areas, firm sizes and geographic locations.

JNFUTURE LOS ANGELES BLACK & WHITE EVENT RAISES CLOSE TO
$7000 FOR THE PARSONS WATER PROJECT!

JNFuture Los Angeles Chairs (left to right): Dean Azad Solomon,
Lisa Elkan, Michelle Felman, Michelle Jackson

Lisa Elkan, FMBK's own Marketing Coordinator, and the Marketing Chair for the Los Angeles chapter of JNFuture, helped plan the group's "Black & White" event at Stone Rose Lounge in the Sofitel Hotel on June 24, 2009. With more than 300 people in attendance, the evening was a smashing success! The 9-month-old group raised close to $7000 for the Parsons Water Project, which funds continued efforts for water conservation, reclamation, purification, and more in Israel.

JNFuture is the gateway for the next generation to Jewish National Fund (JNF), the oldest voice speaking on behalf of the environment and community development in Israel. JNFuture reaches out to individuals in their 20s and 30s through programming and events, missions to Israel and forums with young Jewish leaders to engage and increase support for JNF's initiatives.