The 16th Annual Friends of CLARE Tribute Dinner, honoring renowned entertainment lawyer Tom Hansen and celebrated actress Courtney Thorne-Smith, took place on Thursday, Nov 14 at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.
The event, which was emceed by comedian Ron Kenney, included a formal dinner, awards presentation, and speeches by the honorees, each of whom was recognized for his or her unique contributions to CLARE.
Overall, the event grossed a record-setting $650,000 to support CLARE’s mission of providing effective and compassionate treatment, recovery, and prevention services to individuals, families, and the community.
Honoree Tom Hansen received the Friends of CLARE Tribute Award in recognition of his lasting contributions to the field of recovery.
Hansen has been a transactional entertainment lawyer since 1978, and currently leads the distinguished firm Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush & Kaller, LLP.
Hansen’s practice focuses on all aspects of audio-visual content, including the representation of theatrical motion picture and television directors, producers, actors, and writers as well as significant corporate clients.
CLARE chose to honor Hansen for his leadership in the field of recovery and his commitment to portraying addiction as a disease, and recovery as a possibility.
During his remarks, Hansen expressed his commitment to the work CLARE does.
“I care deeply about recovery,” Hansen said, “and I feel it is our duty as a society to provide it to everyone who needs it by making treatment more accessible. Being here tonight is an opportunity to be of service in a way I’m normally not able to, and I thank you for helping me be of service.”
CLARE also presented “Two and a Half Men” star and CLARE Ambassador Courtney Thorne-Smith with the Spirit of CLARE Award as a way to honor her extraordinary support of CLARE’s work.
For the past two years, Thorne-Smith has provided funds to support treatment beds for individuals who cannot pay for CLARE’s services, and she pledged an additional year of support at the event.
During her acceptance speech, Thorne-Smith explained her dedication to supporting CLARE.
“I give to CLARE because CLARE welcomes people with nowhere else to go,” she said. “It gives them something to believe in, and the ability to believe in themselves. It’s an honor just to be involved with CLARE.”
CLARE Foundation Executive Director Nicholas Vrataric said the night was truly an inspiration, after the event had concluded.
“Tom and Courtney have shown an incredible commitment to CLARE’s work of saving lives through recovery, and we’re grateful for the chance to honor them tonight,” Vrataric said.
