Meet Our New Executive Director
It is with immense pride and great expectation that we announce Stacy Horth-Neubert as the new Executive Director of the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law. As we turn the page to this new chapter, we acknowledge the indelible legacy left by Betty Nordwind, whose devotion over a remarkable 36-year tenure has positioned the Buhai Center as a cornerstone of hope and justice for families for whom poverty would otherwise be a barrier to legal representation.
Stacy steps into this role not only equipped with a wealth of legal expertise, but also with a profound commitment to service that aligns with the core mission of our Center—providing critical family law services to the underserved and ensuring equal justice for all.
Her journey is as impressive as it is inspiring. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Florida, Stacy’s early introduction to the law began amidst tragic circumstances when she reported on a major criminal trial as a student journalist. This experience solidified her resolve to pursue a career intertwined with the legal system, leading her to CourtTV in New York, and to the halls of Fordham University School of Law, where she graduated cum laude and Order of the Coif.
Stacy began her legal career as a litigation associate at Proskauer Rose LLP, where she first fell in love with pro bono legal service. But it was her move to Los Angeles with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP that heralded the beginning of a profound legacy in pro bono work and equal justice advocacy. During her tenure at Skadden, Stacy spearheaded the growth of the firm’s award-winning impact litigation program—a testament to her visionary leadership and dedication to service. She brought that vision and dedication with her when she joined Sidley Austin LLP later in her career, where Stacy continued to blaze trails, both as a litigator and a champion for women in law.
Stacy’s commitment to elevating the role of women in law and her in-depth involvement with various boards and public service activities resonate with our own dedication to empowering the vulnerable and advocating for the voiceless. Both her long-time service on the Board of the ACLU Foundation of Southern California and her achievements with the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, particularly in securing the organization’s financial stability, underscore her capacity for transformative leadership—a trait that will serve the Center immeasurably.
For her legal skill and leadership, Stacy has been named one of the Top Women Lawyers in California by the LA Daily Journal, and one of the Most Influential Women Attorneys by the LA Business Journal. For her pro bono work, Stacy has received the prestigious California Lawyer of the Year Award (CLAY) for extraordinary contributions to the law, and both the ACLU of Southern California Pro Bono Advocacy Award and its Freedom of Information Award.
Her strengths—natural leadership, an affinity for collaboration, exceptional organizational skills, and a passion for public speaking—are the very attributes that make Stacy the ideal person to carry Betty’s torch. Her strategic approach and her determination reflect our collective aspirations for growth and increased outreach.
As we welcome Stacy Horth-Neubert, we also honor the monumental contributions of Betty Nordwind. It is with deepest respect and heartfelt thanks that we bid Betty farewell, ensuring her that the foundation she built is stronger than ever and ready to support the next phase of our Center’s evolution.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Stacy as we look to the future with renewed energy and shared commitment to the mission of protecting victims of domestic violence, improving the well-being of children living in poverty, and ensuring access to justice for low-income individuals that has always been the cornerstone of the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law.
With anticipation for a brighter future,
Serine Tsuda
President of the Board of Directors
Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
November 2023