After graduating from Harvard Law School in the spring of 2003, Gary moved to Hollywood to teach fifth grade at First Street Elementary School in Boyle Heights through the Teach For America program. Believing that problems must be addressed at their root causes, Gary decided to forgo a career in law to learn firsthand about our most important social institution, our community's schools. This same belief system led Gary to become involved in his local Neighborhood Council, starting as a member of Hollywood United Neighborhood Council's (HUNC) Youth and Education Committee in 2004.
In 2005, Gary was elected to the HUNC Board of Directors as the Educational Institution Representative. With HUNC, Gary led the revision process of the Bylaws, co-chaired the Election committee and the Youth and Education Committee, and secured a Community Beautification Grant for the kids at Cheremoya Elementary School to paint a mural and set up a reading area on the school playground. He further served a term as Treasurer of the Board, establishing set procedures for a transparent financial accounting system. After his term ended, Gary was elected to East Hollywood Neighborhood Council's Board, where he currently serves as Treasurer.
After completing a Masters program in Elementary Education, Gary began work as the Legal Education and Training Coordinator and the Rape Prevention Education Coordinator for Peace Over Violence (formerly the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women) in September of 2005. In this position, Gary trained attorneys, advocates, and clients on the legal rights of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. He also gave violence prevention presentations to local high schools, college campuses, and community groups. Since June of 2007, Gary has worked as a Staff Attorney at the legal services nonprofit, the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice, where he represents low-income parents, ages 13 to 24, in family law cases. A majority of his clients are survivors of domestic violence. Gary also represents undocumented teens, who were abused, abandoned, or neglected by their parents, in getting them lawful residence status.
Gary and his wife, Julane, live in an apartment in East Hollywood, near the border of Little Armenia and Thai Town. Throughout his life, Gary has stood for honest, open, and engaged government and will embrace these principles as the City Councilman of the 13th District.
Gary (pictured here at age 6) began his work in the community accompanying his mother to volunteer activities with the local synagogue.
