Barristers Column — November 2026
By Nolan B. Kistler
Nolan B. Kistler
Building Community Through Connection and Service
As we enter November and approach the holiday season, I find myself reflecting on one of the things that makes our Riverside legal community so special: the willingness of its members to show up for one another. Whether through mentorship, volunteer work, or simply taking the time to welcome someone new, those small acts of involvement are what make organizations like Barristers meaningful.
Our first few events of the term have been a wonderful reminder of that spirit. It has been great seeing familiar faces, meeting new attorneys, and watching members of our legal community come together, not only to develop professional relationships but also to learn how
we can better serve those around us.
Past Events Recap
On September 30, we kicked off our term with our first Barristers Happy Hour at Route 30 Brewing Co., in partnership with Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS).
We were fortunate to have attorney and ICLS representative, Paulette Gray, join us to discuss the important work ICLS performs throughout our community, as well as the many ways attorneys can become involved through volunteer legal services.
I especially appreciated the opportunity to highlight an organization whose work directly impacts individuals and families throughout the Inland Empire. Barristers is about building relationships among young attorneys, but those relationships become even more valuable when they create opportunities to give back.
Thank you to Paulette, ICLS, and everyone who joined us for a great evening and helped kick off our year!
We also continued one of our favorite annual traditions with our Joint Bar Happy Hour on at Lake Alice October 22.
This year, Barristers joined forces with the Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA), Asian Pacific American Lawyers of the Inland Empire (APALIE), Hispanic Bar Association of the Inland Empire (HBAIE), Pride Bar Association of the Inland Empire (PBAIE), and Richard T. Fields Bar Association (RTFBA).
It is always a pleasure to see our local bar associations come together under one roof. Events like this remind us that although we may belong to different organizations, we are all part of the same legal community. The opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, make new introductions, and strengthen those relationships is what makes this annual gathering so worthwhile.
A special thank you to our participating bar associations for helping make this event possible!
Upcoming Events: You're Invited!
Our next Barristers Happy Hour will take place on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at The State, located at 3800 Main Street in downtown Riverside.
Whether you are a regular at our events or have been considering attending for the first time, we would love to see you there. Feel free to bring a colleague and help us continue welcoming new faces into the Barristers community!
As we head into the holiday season, I also encourage everyone to consider giving back, whether through volunteer legal services, supporting a local organization, or simply lending a hand to someone who needs it. Our community is strongest when we make the time to invest in one another.
Barristers Board Spotlight: Erika Perez, 2026–2027 Member-at-Large
Erika is an attorney with Michael Sullivan & Associates LLP, where she practices workers' compensation defense. She joined the Barristers while in law school and is currently serving her first year on the Board.
As a first-generation attorney, Erika understands the value of finding a supportive professional community early in one's career. The encouragement, professional relationships, and willingness of members to share their knowledge and experience have made a lasting impression on her and contributed meaningfully to her professional growth.
Outside of her legal practice, Erika enjoys exploring new hobbies and embracing opportunities to learn and grow. Whether developing a new skill or taking on a new challenge, she values lifelong learning and the personal growth that comes from stepping outside her comfort zone. This curiosity and enthusiasm for continuous development also inspire her involvement with the Barristers Board.
Through her service on the Board, Erika hopes to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for law students and new attorneys as they begin their legal careers. She is passionate about building meaningful connections, supporting professional development, and ensuring that emerging legal professionals have access to the guidance and encouragement needed to succeed. Erika believes that a strong legal community is built on mentorship, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to investing in the next generation of attorneys.
Stay Up to Date on Everything Barristers!
For upcoming events and updates:
Website: RCBA Barristers
Facebook: RCBA Barristers
Instagram: @rcbabarristers
If you're interested in learning more about Barristers or you would like to attend one of our events, I am more than happy to connect with you and introduce you to our amazing members. Feel free to email me at nolan@hbklaw.net or text or call me at (951) 533-9536.
Nolan B. Kistler is an attorney with the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler in Riverside, California, where he practices personal injury law. A Riverside native, Nolan graduated from Chapman University Fowler School of Law and is actively involved in the Riverside County Bar Association and Barristers.