California State Athletic Commission - Protecting California Athletes

With nearly two decades of legal experience, Sanford Michelman is the co-founder and Chairman of Michelman & Robinson, LLP. In addition to managing a law firm, Sanford Michelman served on the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) for six years, from 1999 to 2005. 

Part of the Department of Consumer Affairs, the California State Athletic Commission oversees and regulates competitive sporting events, including professional mixed martial arts, amateur and professional kickboxing, and amateur and professional boxing. To ensure that events are handled as safely as possible, the CSAC is guided by eight different stated goals, from operational efficiency and effectiveness to health and safety, among others. In addition to processing applications and ensuring athletes, coaches, and promoters meet CSAC standards, the organization enforces the Professional Boxers Bill of Rights.

Created as a result of the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Reform Act of 2000, the Professional Boxers Bill of Rights is primarily concerned with the health and well-being of the athletes. The thirteen points of the Bill of Rights define the guidelines that the CSAC enforces and that all athletes and others must follow. The document also ensures that the athletes have complete access to information about their opponents, the distribution of the award purse, and their contracts. Additionally, it covers the steps an athlete may take to appeal his or her suspension.

Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation - Early Literacy Programming

Attorney Sanford Michelman is co-founder and Chairman of Michelman & Robinson, LLP, in Los Angeles. . He focuses much of his practice on the financial services, advertising, insurance, and digital media industries and has been honored numerous times for his accomplishments. While leading his rapidly expanding law firm, Sanford Michelman also serves on the Board of Directors of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF). 

The IICF is a network of insurance industry professionals who maintain a commitment to helping communities and enriching lives. The group includes professionals from all branches of the industry, using their collective strength to help others through leadership, volunteerism, and grant opportunities. 

Among many other worthwhile programs, the IICF operates an early literacy initiative in conjunction with Sesame Workshop, the creators of Sesame Street. The IICF made a $750,000 grant available to Sesame Workshop for the project, resulting in the “Every Day is Reading and Writing Day” program. The program features a wealth of digital literacy resources for children and parents in hopes of closing the early childhood literacy gap in America.