By Leah Stevenson and Breana Rucker, 2025 BHBA Barristers Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chairs 

The Beverly Hills Bar Association (BHBA) Barristers proudly introduced a new honor this year, the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Award. This award was created to recognize attorneys who demonstrate a passion and genuine commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal industry and the broader community. While diversity in the law is growing, certain communities are still underrepresented in the legal field and overall practice of law. Combating underrepresentation ensures the removal of barriers of entry for qualified individuals to practice law and to provide clients of diverse backgrounds with fair and equal legal representation. The inaugural recipient, Jinna Kang, embodies these ideals through her leadership, mentorship, and advocacy that exemplify the spirit of the inaugural DEI Award recognition.  

A Leader in Family Law and Cultural Competency 

A partner at Youngman Reitshtein, PLC, Jinna Kang is a California Certified Family Law Specialist with extensive experience handling complex, cross-jurisdictional cases. Licensed in California, Washington, D.C., and Texas, Ms. Kang has devoted her practice to representing clients in asset division, custody, domestic violence, and cross-border family law matters. As a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), she regularly advises clients on foreign judgment enforcement and property division on an international scale.  

As a native of Korea, Ms. Kang brings a cross-cultural perspective and bilingual fluency that set her apart in the legal field. Ms. Kang’s fluency in Korean and ability to converse in Chinese and Spanish allows her to serve diverse communities with insight, empathy, and a unique perspective. Her unique cross-cultural perspective informs Ms. Kang’s practice and also enhances her mission of promoting cultural competence and equity within the legal system. 

Dedication to Mentorship and Representation 

Ms. Kang’s nomination was accompanied by overwhelming praise by peers, associates, and colleagues regarding her commitment to mentorship and diversity. Her service on the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Cultural Competency Committee reflects her efforts to deepen understanding of bias and promote inclusive practices across the profession. 

Moreover, Ms. Kang has guided minority law students and young lawyers through her work with the Korean American Bar Association and her role as a Trustee at Southwestern Law School.  

Ms. Kang’s colleagues highlighted how she has educated the judiciary and legal community on Korean customs and practices, helping to reduce bias in courtrooms, ensuring fairer outcomes for families from diverse backgrounds. Ms. Kang is widely recognized as a thoughtful, ethical, and compassionate lawyer who leads by example, pushing diversity, equity, and inclusion forward in the community.   

Service, Leadership, and Advocacy 

A past Co-Chair of BHBA’s Family Law Section and current member of the BHBA Board of Governors, Ms. Kang has helped shape BHBA’s family law programming and community outreach. Beyond BHBA, she serves on the Board of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (ACFLS) Foundation and the Executive Committee of the American Inns of Court. Ms. Kang has moderated and served as a panelist for numerous organizations, such as the American Bar Association, International Association of Korean Lawyers, and California Lawyers Association, addressing cultural and immigration-related issues in family law. Ms. Kang’s dedication to pro bono representation for marginalized and underserved clients further underscores her commitment to equity in access to justice. 

A Perfect Fit for the Award 

Ms. Kang’s leadership, mentorship, and advocacy truly exemplify the spirit of the DEI Award. Her work has elevated the standards of cultural awareness in the legal field. As the BHBA Barristers celebrate the inaugural DEI Award, we recognize Jinna Kang’s passion and determination, which extend far beyond her legal work as she continues to have an impact on the broader community.