Some moments carry more weight than the room they happen in. On May 8, 2026, the legal community gathered at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles for the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Southern California’s 29th Annual Gala Dinner and Pro Bono Silent Auction, benefiting Public Counsel. The evening featured a keynote address by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, whose lifelong work for girls’ education and human rights has made her one of the most recognized advocates in the world.
Among the attendees at the VIP Reception was Managing Partner Edward Susolik of Callahan & Blaine, PC, one of Southern California’s most respected litigation firms. Ed’s participation in events like the ACC Gala reflects a consistent commitment to engaging with the broader legal and civic community, not only as a trial attorney with an extraordinary record of results but also as a leader who believes that the legal profession has a responsibility to stand alongside those who advocate for justice.
A Night Dedicated to Justice and Human Rights
The ACC Southern California annual gala has long served as one of the premier gatherings for in-house counsel and legal professionals across the region. This year’s event drew considerable attention with Malala Yousafzai as the keynote speaker, whose story of courage, conviction, and advocacy for education has resonated with advocates and attorneys around the world. Malala began her activism at age 11 and, after surviving an assassination attempt at 15, went on to co-found the Malala Fund, an organization dedicated to ensuring all girls have access to 12 years of safe, quality education. She later became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The mission of the Malala Fund aligns with values that resonate deeply in the legal community. According to a 2025 Malala Fund report, over 88 million girls remain out of secondary school globally, and millions more are not receiving an education that equips them to succeed. Events like the ACC Gala create meaningful opportunities for legal professionals to connect with advocates driving global change, while also raising critical funds for organizations like Public Counsel that serve those in need closer to home.
Ed Susolik and Our Commitment to the Community
Ed Susolik has spent more than 30 years as one of the leading trial attorneys in Southern California, and his presence at the ACC Gala was consistent with the community engagement that has always been part of who he is both professionally and personally. Named to the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Southern California every year since 2009, Ed has handled more than 2,000 insurance disputes and over 1,500 mediations throughout his career. His track record in the courtroom is well documented, but the broader legal community also knows him as someone who shows up for the causes and conversations that matter.
Those wanting to learn more about Ed’s professional background and speaking history can review his media articles and prior speaking engagements on the firm’s website. Whether advocating before a jury or participating in a civic event, Ed brings the same level of seriousness and care to everything he does. That consistency is a hallmark of Callahan & Blaine, PC and the culture the firm has built over four decades.
Why Community Involvement Is Important to Callahan & Blaine, PC
For trial lawyers, civic engagement is not separate from the work; it is part of it. The courtroom is one arena where justice is pursued, but the broader legal community also plays a role in shaping the environment in which that work happens. Attending events like the ACC Gala provides attorneys with the opportunity to connect with colleagues, reflect on the values that drive their practice, and contribute to organizations that serve the public good.
Callahan & Blaine, PC has built its reputation over 40 years on results. The following outcomes reflect the caliber of advocacy the firm’s 29 senior trial attorneys bring to every matter:
- $934 million: The largest jury verdict in Orange County history, secured in a complex business litigation case
- $50 million: The highest personal injury settlement in United States history
- $58 million: The largest insurance bad faith judgment in Orange County history
- $28 million: A trucking accident settlement on behalf of a Huntington Beach client
These results reflect an unwavering commitment to the people and causes the firm takes on. That same commitment extends to how we engage with the legal community and the world beyond the courtroom.
Contact Callahan & Blaine, PC to Put Our Record-Breaking Attorneys on Your Side
When catastrophic circumstances demand serious legal representation, experience and results are what matter most. Callahan & Blaine, PC has represented individuals and businesses in some of the most significant litigation in California history, with 29 highly experienced trial attorneys who average 8 or more years of litigation experience, and most carry 15 to 30 years in the field. Managing Partner Ed Susolik leads a team that has secured catastrophic injury results that have changed lives, and our firm’s 40-year legacy speaks to a sustained standard of advocacy that few firms can match.
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured and you are seeking representation from a firm with a proven history of record-breaking results, we encourage you to reach out. Contact us via our online contact form to submit your potential case and speak with our team about how we may help.
