This Thanksgiving, we’re reflecting on the community that has trusted and supported us for more than 20 years. Rodriguez & Associates has built its foundation on that trust, forming lasting relationships with the people of Bakersfield and Kern County. In return, we remain committed to giving back in meaningful ways throughout the year.
Beyond our legal work, we strive to make a positive impact through volunteerism, sponsorships, and community outreach. Our experience representing thousands of personal injury clients has shown us how essential strong community support is during difficult times. That understanding drives our mission to support and uplift the place we call home.
“There is a culture at Rodriguez & Associates: We are family to each other, we are family to our clients, and we are family to Bakersfield.”
-Patrick Benitez, Litigation Director
Giving Back to the Community
Community involvement is a cornerstone of our firm. Our attorneys are dedicated volunteers and partners with several Kern County initiatives, including:
- Clear the Shelters: Partners Chantal Trujillo and Danay Gonzalez team up with NBCUniversal Local to support this annual adoption and donation campaign, helping animals in need find loving homes.
- Dreams and Hope for the Children Back 2 School: Attorney Lena Sajadpour helped out at this firm-sponsored event, supplying local students with essential school supplies, hygiene kits, and free haircuts. Lena shared what this event means to her:
“At Rodriguez & Associates, we’re really rooted in the community. And as a Liberty High School graduate, I know how important it is to give students all the resources and confidence they need to have a successful school year. That’s why I’m so happy to have been part of this event!”
– Attorney Lena Sajadpour
Supporting the Place We Call Home
Our outreach goes beyond local volunteering and advocacy: Rodriguez & Associates contributes to organizations and events that strengthen the Bakersfield community, including:
- Children First Literacy Gala: Our firm is the top sponsor for this nonprofit, which promotes children’s literacy and academic success while honoring local Hispanic heritage.
- Celebration Nation: This nonprofit organization provides toys and shoes to children of farmworkers, with a focus on Indigenous and Latino communities.
- Kern Autism Network Inc.: A Kern County organization that provides essential information, support, and advocacy for individuals with autism.
- The East Bakersfield Festival: A local family-friendly event that encourages community engagement and fun.
Highlights from our 2025 Community Outreach
We’re grateful for another incredible year of engaging with the community. Some of our 2025 efforts included:
- June: The 35th annual Mercy Charity Golf Classic raised funds for Mercy Hospital, providing hospital beds, staff training, and critical equipment, allowing our firm to support the medical professionals who heal our community.
- August: The Hot 94.1 Romeo’s Backpack Giveaway supplied Kern County students with backpacks, helping them start the school year ready to succeed.
- September: Crab Fest 2025, benefiting the Bakersfield Firefighters’ Historical Society, brought local families together in support of those who serve our community.
- October: The Children First Literacy Gala. This year’s event celebrated “Stories of Strength,” encouraging readers to engage with Bakersfield’s Hispanic culture and promoting a culture of literacy in Kern County.
Each of these events reflects our firm’s core values of care, service, and compassion. We firmly believe in connecting with the community we love, showing that our dedication to service and care goes beyond the courtroom.
A Season of Gratitude and Commitment
As we look ahead, Rodriguez & Associates remains dedicated to sharing the care we bring our clients with all of Bakersfield and Kern County. Our firm’s belief in justice, service, and compassion reinforces this commitment to treating our attorneys, our clients, and the Bakersfield community like family.
“We work for Bakersfield. When one part of our community gets better, we all
get better.”
– Partner Joseph Whittington
Happy Thanksgiving from Rodriguez & Associates.