The Surety Claims Association of Los Angeles (or “SCALA”) is an organization comprised of surety professionals, including company representatives, consultants and attorneys, who deal primarily with surety bond claims and surety litigation.  As a general description, a surety bond ensures the performance of a certain contractual obligation by the bond principal.  Surety bonds are generally issued in the context of construction projects and include the following types of bonds: performance, payment, bid, maintenance and subdivision bonds.  There are also commercial surety bonds, which include license, permit and miscellaneous bonds, and court bonds, which include probate and appeal bonds.

SCALA seeks to provide surety professionals throughout Southern California an opportunity to build and maintain relationships with their

colleagues.  Geographically, the organization includes members from Orange and San Diego Counties as well as Los Angeles County.  SCALA serves to educate its members through seminars and the distribution of materials on cutting edge topics in the industry, inclusive of legal developments relating to sureties.    

The Surety Claims Association of Los Angeles was started in the 1960's by a group of attorneys who wanted to network with surety and fidelity claims professionals. In the early 1970's, accountants began to join the organization. The purpose of the organization was for surety and fidelity claims professionals to network and learn about handling claims. Events were mainly monthly meetings and a summer outing. 

In the 1960's and 1970's, the organization was comprised of mainly company people, since several bonding companies had claims offices in Southern California.  In the 1970's, meetings were usually held at The Cove in the mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles.  By the late 1970's - early 1980's, consultants began to join the organization. This was primarily related to the American Bar Association allowing non-attorneys to join as associates for better attendance at events such as the annual Mid-Winter conference.  From the late 1980's through the early 2000's, meetings were usually held at Taix Restaurant in Los Angeles.

Currently, meetings are held at various locations throughout Southern California, including Orange County, Long Beach, and Pasadena.  SCALA began having its annual golf tournaments in the late 1960's and the annual golf tournament continues today.  SCALA also holds a social summer party, which began in the late 1960's. The party is usually hosted at a member's house and in the early days, a poker game would follow dinner. The annual summer party also continues today.

Sources for History of SCALA:  William J. Allard and Frank J. Lanak, Lanak & Hanna, P.C.

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