In April 2022, we welcome Marc Allmeroth as our new board president, succeeding Lisa Carrick. Thank you, Lisa!! Read on for a Q&A with Marc!
How did you get connected to Tichenor Clinic for Children?
Being a Long Beach native, I was aware of the clinic for many years, but I got better acquainted with it through my work as an attorney. My law practice partner was managing a trust of which Tichenor was a beneficiary and he eventually turned it over to me. I became interested in the organization’s mission and after some time was asked to join the board in 2019.
What kind of law do you practice?
As a young lawyer, you could say I specialized in whatever walked through the door – something far more common decades ago. I now specialize in civil and personal injury cases. We are currently located in Seal Beach, but our firm was located in Long Beach for over 40 years.
So you’re a native of Long Beach!
Yes, born and raised. I’m third generation Long Beach. My grandparents settled here in the 1920s and one of my father’s involvements was on the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission. He told so many stories about Long Beach that I grew up being able to recite details about city buildings, landmarks and its fascinating history. I graduated from Millikan High School and taught tennis for the LB Recreation Department as a teen. I went on to Long Beach City College for 2 years, transferred to Occidental College and majored in Political Science. I then went to law school and while building my practice taught law in a local law school.
Did you always know you wanted to be a lawyer?
My father raised me to be a lawyer. He infused me with the importance and virtue of the profession in a free society. It’s important to me to represent people in a way that they are ethically comfortable with. Civility and honesty are key attributes of a sustainable legal system and “Rule of Law” based society and I’m invested in helping the next generation of lawyers in that regard.
Are you a mentor to aspiring lawyers?
For thirty years I have been active in the Americans Inns of Court, an organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of professionalism, civility and ethics in the practice of law amongst younger attorneys. I was a President and now I’m Of Counsel to our local chapter, The Ball/Hunt/Schooley Inn of Court. [Marc was also President of the Long Beach Bar Association and Distinguished LBCC Alumni in 2007, and was named Attorney of the Year in 2012 by the Long Beach Bar Association.]
And now you are serving as the new president of our board! What draws you to Tichenor Clinic’s mission?
I’m committed to helping families during a particularly vulnerable time in their lives. I believe strongly in early intervention for families with babies and young children so that they can maximize their child’s potential. The weight on parents is heavy, especially if they don’t feel like they have many or any options. Tichenor does very important work alongside families. I really see Tichenor clinicians and staff as vital allies to families.
What are you looking forward to most as our new board president?
There’s so much to look forward to: finding new sources of revenue, new partnerships and fresh collaborative opportunities, and of course increasing visibility of the clinic in the community. I’ve also been interested in exploring vocational opportunities for our older youth — a Tichenor enterprise of this nature would enlarge, in meaningful ways, our holistic approach to assisting families.
When you are not volunteering your time with Tichenor, what else are you doing?
I like to play tennis, I’m actively involved with my children though they are 21 and 24 now, and we like to travel. My wife is from Switzerland so we go back as much as we can. We love hiking in the mountains and spending time in the Swiss Alpine villages. I’m also serving as a guest lecturer at the University of San Diego this semester, teaching business law.
Thank you so much, Marc! We look forward to working with you in your new role!
