Gwen Moore named public member of State Bar board

Moore

Former Assemblywoman Gwen Moore has been appointed to the State Bar Board of Governors by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass.

Moore, a Democrat who is founder and president of GeM Communications Group in Los Angeles, will be one of six public members. She replaces Jeannine English.

“The reason they have public members is that some of the issues just require common sense and don’t require a legal background,” Moore said. She noted that her experience as a legislator, particularly chairing the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, where she focused on consumer protection issues, will be useful in her new role.

Moore was majority whip in the Assembly, where she served for 16 years. She served on such committees as revenue and taxation, finance and insurance, education, governmental organization and higher education. As author of the Moore Universal Telephone Service Act, she secured the availability of telephone service to all Californians.

She is founder and president of the Community Education Organization, a community service foundation that offers after-school programs in Los Angeles, and is the founding chair of ZeroDivide, which awards grants to community-based organizations to increase access to information and communications technology. In addition, she has been an active member and leader of both the National Conference of State Legislators and the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Moore has been director of public affairs and director of personnel with a community action agency in Los Angeles and also has taught at the community college level. Her first elected public office was as member of the Los Angeles Community College District Board.

As president of GeM Communications, Moore advises clients on legislative and regulatory issues, and develops public affairs and legislative strategies.

“I have some idea of what needs to be done and what goes on with the State Bar,” Moore said. “My goal is to be a good member.”

Moore is married and has a son and two grandchildren. Her appointment was effective July 14 and will expire Sept. 1, 2010.