It’s time for some self-care
August is National Wellness Month and the Great Tryke Giveaway
Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities and Orange County Trial Lawyers’ Charities are widely recognized for helping others through hands-on volunteer service and meaningful financial support.
This month, we’re turning that spirit of care toward you.
In honor of National Wellness Month, we’re sharing simple ways LATLC and OCTLC can help you make self-care a priority, build healthier routines, and support your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Self-care is more than drinking enough water or getting a good night’s sleep. It can also mean moving your body, making time for meaningful service, practicing gratitude, and finding moments that restore your energy. Here are ways to approach wellness this month.
Get involved and get healthy
Move for a cause: Walking for 30 minutes or more can improve your mood, health, and overall wellness. On August 2, OCTLC sponsored and participated in the Children’s Hospital of Orange County Walk through Disneyland, raising funds for CHOC while enjoying the Happiest Place on Earth. Later this fall, LATLC will host its 13th Annual Golf Tournament on October 12 at Mulholland Hills Country Club. It’s a chance to get your steps in, enjoy the outdoors, and make a difference, all in one day. Funds raised from the tournament support LATLC programs, including Comfort & Joy and annual holiday giving in South Los Angeles. Sponsorships and foursomes are now open (https://LATLCGOLF26.givesmart.com).
Great Tryke Giveaway August 15
Relax through service: Activities like yoga, listening to music, and reading can help improve your mood. Repetitive, hands-on acts of service – such as filling hygiene kits – can also be calming and restorative. Join LATLC and OCTLC at the Great Tryke Giveaway on August 15, where we will present new adaptive tricycles to children with special needs. These bikes from SoCal Trykers promote independence, social interaction, mobility, strength, self-esteem, and quality of life. While the children receive final adjustments and prepare for the parade and party, volunteers will assemble toiletry kits for veterans experiencing homelessness in Southern California. US VETS will distribute these much-needed items. Sponsorships are available, including the opportunity to “adopt” one of these wonderful tricycles. (https://TRYKE26.givesmart.com )
Practice gratitude and positivity: LATLC and OCTLC will once again co-host a booth (#506) at the CAALA Convention in Las Vegas. This year, we’re inviting attendees to take a moment to encourage young people facing challenges by writing messages of hope, kindness, and resilience. Stop by, share a few words, and let a young person know that someone believes in them.
Keep wellness going all year: Participating in our activities is a true “win/win.” Volunteers often share that giving back through OCTLC and LATLC leaves them feeling good for the rest of the day – and beyond.
To find upcoming opportunities, visit our websites (www.LATLC.org and www.OCTLC.org) as new projects are added regularly. National Wellness Month may happen in August, but you can celebrate self-care, service, and community all year long.
Griselda S. Rodriguez
Griselda Rodriguez received her B.S. from California State University, Northridge and earned her J.D. from Glendale University College of Law. She is a 2016 graduate of CAALA’s Plaintiff Trial Academy and is an active board member. Ms. Rodriguez established her law firm, Servin Rodriguez Law, in 2020. Her practice primarily focuses on representing plaintiffs in single-plaintiff employment actions and personal-injury matters. www.servinrodriguez.com.
Michelle M. West
Michelle Marie West is a partner with the law firm of Robinson Calcagnie in Newport Beach, California where she has practiced for 18 years. Her law practice is devoted to obtaining recovery for individuals who are catastrophically injured due to defective products, including vehicles, tires, skylights, machinery, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. She also handles dangerous condition cases, trucking cases, premises liability matters, and sexual assault cases on behalf of injured victims and survivors. Ms. West has been nominated as a Top 100 Southern California Superlawyer multiple times, Top 50 Orange County Superlawyer, and Top 50 Women Southern California Superlawyer, as well as being recognized by Best Lawyers. She is on the Board of the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities, Past President of the Western Trial Lawyers Association and currently serves as President of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Charities.
In her free time‚ Ms. West enjoys weightlifting, traveling, marathons (completing over 100) as well as participating in ultra-distance running events, cycling events, and triathlons, and has completed over 10 full Ironman® triathlons. She competes in the Badwater Ultramarathon running event to raise money for charity and has finished the event five times. Her next race, the Great World Race, will take her to 7 continents in 7 days to complete 7 marathons.
Copyright ©
2026
by the author.
For reprint permission, contact the publisher: Advocate Magazine