The Filipino American Lawyers Association of Washington, D.C. began when two attorneys, Garylene "Gage" Javier and Jill Yu, recognized a need for an organization in the D.C. metropolitan area where Filipino American attorneys can unite to serve the community and grow professionally. The pair met in 2015 and over a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant, developed the initial plan to establish the region's only Filipino American bar association. 

 

On April 27, 2016, FALA DC was officially registered as a non-profit organization and on October 20, 2016, the first installation ceremony took place at the Dolley Madison House in the United States Court of Federal Claims complex. The ceremony was presided over by the Hon. Alan Lourie, Circuit Court Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Los Angeles Senior Assistant City Attorney & Former FAA Presidential Appointee, Eduardo Angeles, served as the keynote speaker.

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The founding board members of the Filipino American Lawyers Association of Washington, D.C. were:

Jill Yu, President

Francis Yu, President-Elect

Simon Santiago, Vice President

Bryan Del Rosario, Treasurer

Joey Hipolito, Secretary

Cherylyn Mizzo, DC Representative

Jason Lagria, Maryland Representative

Mark Franco, Virginia Representative

Marquel Ramirez, Law Student Representative

Benes Aldana, At-Large Representative

Garylene Javier, At-Large Representative

Paulo Palugod, At-Large Representative