CALIFORNIA WOMEN LAWYERS N E W S L E T T E R SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2018 1
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Letter from the CWL President Amee A. Mikacich
D
ear Friends,
Welcome to the 2018-2019 Board year of CWL. As this message is being written, we are on the eve of one of the most highly anticipated Senate Judiciary Committee hearings in recent times. By the time you read this message, the hearings regarding Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh will be over. But these 24 hours will be remembered for a long time. How will the Judiciary Committee treat Judge Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford? Will she be afforded the respect and dignity deserved by any person who alleges a sexual assault? Will Judge Kavanaugh be treated with equal dignity when recounting his recollections, or lack thereof, of the allegations? How credible will both witnesses appear? What questions will they be asked and who determines whether those inquiries are proper or improper? There are more questions than answers.
My sincere thanks to Renee Galente Stackhouse, who has kindly guided me to, and through, the new Board year. Renee has been a tireless worker on behalf of CWL, and I can only hope that I have a small percentage of her energy, enthusiasm, and grace. To the 2018-2019 Board of Governors and our membership, thank you in advance for your patience as I learn the ropes. We are Standing Together and Stronger Than Ever. Let’s do great things this year.
My hope is that the proceedings and participants – on both Sincerely, sides – are afforded the respect and dignity they deserve. The mission of CWL is to advance women in law and society. That mission cannot be accomplished unless and until both accuser and accused are afforded due process Amee A. Mikacich and a fair investigation.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
3
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
CWL
NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER #11 2018-19 CWL Board Officers CWL President Amee Mikacich CWL President-Elect Jessica L. Rowe Immediate Past President Renee Galente Stackhouse First Vice-President Naomi Dewey Second Vice-President Michelle Ialeggio Secretary Summer Selleck Treasurer Nicole Sugnet Editor Jodi Cleesattle Assistant Editor Vanessa Henderson Editorial Designer David Blue Garrison Assistant Designer Dayna Dixon Additional Photography Pexels, Pixabay and Stocksnap CWL was chartered in 1974. It was organized “to advance women in the profession of law; to improve the administration of justice; to better the position of women in society; to eliminate all inequities based on sex; and to provide an organization for collective action and expression germane to the aforesaid purposes.� The purposes are limited to purposes meeting the requirements for exemption provided in Section 2370le of the Revenue and Taxation Code and Section 501(c) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code as the statutes may be amended from time to time. Thank you to all the authors in this issue for sharing with us their time and expertise. If you have an idea for a future article, please contact Vanessa Henderson at the CWL office at newsletter@cwl.org Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of CWL. For more information on CWL or this newsletter, please contact the CWL office at 916.930.9020 or visit the website at www.cwl.org.
Editor’s Note Jodi Cleesattle California Women Lawyers has sworn in a new president and new board of governors, and the board will soon meet for a retreat to plan the next year of “Standing Together and Stronger than Ever.” That theme resonates in a year – a few years, actually – in which women have persevered through and fought against a barrage of challenges and tragedies. Women have come together to fight back against policies that tear apart families seeking asylum, a culture that allows senseless mass shootings, a political system that appears to disregard credible allegations of sexual assault. When every day seems to bring more bad news, women are still managing to stand together, stronger than ever. Women broke records in 2018 for the number of women candidates running for Congress, governorships, and state legislatures, and broke records for the number of women winning primaries in those races, according to data collected by the Center for American Women and Politics. We will know soon whether that will translate into a record year for women winning seats on Capitol Hill and in statehouses. But you don’t have to run for office to make a difference. Just by being a member of California Women Lawyers, you are standing together with women to make our voices heard. Your membership gives strength to CWL when it signs on to amicus curiae briefs addressing issues important to women and when it advocates for state legislation that affects our lives. Your support helps CWL put on programs that help women get appointed to the bench and find encouragement to run for office. And, if you’d like to get more directly involved, CWL invites you to join one of our committees. We want to hear your voice and hear your stories. We want to lift you up and help you succeed. We want to work together to advance women in the law and society, improve the administration of justice, and eliminate inequality. When we join together, we are stronger.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Join the CWL Newsletter Committee Like what you’re reading? Want to get involved with CWL? CWL is looking for newsletter committee members for the 2018-2019 year. Committee members are responsible for securing content for the magazine and proof-reading articles. CWL is also looking for writers who would like to submit original content for the newsletter.
Please email newsletter@cwl.org if you are interested in participating.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
7
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Amee Mikacich Sworn In as New CWL President BY JODI CLEESATTLE San Francisco attorney Amee Mikacich, a partner with Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, was sworn in Sept. 13 as president of California Women Lawyers for 2018-2019. Mikacich, who has served on the CWL Board of Governors since 2012, set a theme of “Standing Together and Stronger Than Ever” for the coming year of advocacy on behalf of women in the legal profession and in society.
Mikacich said CWL is considering combining its annual conference, traditionally held in the spring, with its annual dinner, traditionally held in the fall, allowing members to take advantage of the conference’s CLE programming and the annual dinner’s inspiring speakers and networking opportunities all in one trip. She said CWL also will work on implementing goals identified during strategic planning meetings in the past year.
“I chose the theme because it resonated with me, particularly this year and in the past couple years with the current climate in Washington,” Mikacich said. “It’s so important to be a voice for women lawyers in California and women in general, to be sure that the rights we’ve worked so hard to establish don’t get eroded. … It’s a really critical time for CWL to be a voice for its membership and to tap into some of the sentiments that people have in terms of not being fully represented by their government.”
Mikacich is a longtime litigator, having practiced law in the Bay Area for nearly 30 years. She advises clients in product and premises liability, labor and employment, and commercial litigation matters, and she practices throughout California and in Oregon and Texas. Before joining Hinshaw, she practiced at Sedgwick LLP in San Francisco for nearly five years, and she also spent more than 20 years practicing at the litigation firm Brown Eassa & McLeod in Oakland.
Mikacich said she wants to increase CWL’s membership this year to make the organization as strong as possible when speaking out on behalf of women.
In addition to her involvement in CWL, Mikacich is a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates and the International Association of Defense Counsel and is a fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America. She is a member of Women Lawyers of Alameda County and a past president of the Queen’s Bench Bar Association in San Francisco. She has been recognized several times as a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers magazine.
She said CWL will continue its advocacy work in the legislature and the courts, through support for legislation that protects women’s rights and the filing of amicus briefs on issues important to women. “We will continue to be very involved in the amicus process,” she said. “Our amicus committee was so strong last year and brought to us a record number of amicus briefs, and we hope to continue that.”
She is a graduate of San Francisco Law School and the University of California, Berkeley. Jodi Cleesattle serves on the CWL Board of Governors as District 9 Governor, representing San Diego and Imperial counties. She is a Deputy Attorney General in the San Diego office of the Department of Justice, where she works in the Employment and Administrative Mandate Section.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
9
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
CWL Member News HEATHER ROSING CWL member Heather Rosing, shareholder and CFO of Klinedinst PC in San Diego, has been named a Top 100 Lawyer for 2018 by the Daily Journal. Rosing is president of the California Lawyers Association, the nonprofit DANIELLE DE SMETH membership association formed earlier this year when CWL district governor Danielle De Smeth, who represents Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis the Sections and California Young Lawyers Association Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties, separated from the State Bar of California. Rosing chairs her firm’s professional liability department, litigates complex was honored by Women Lawyers of Ventura County with the Holly Spevak Award for outstanding public malpractice and fraud cases, and advises in the areas of ethics and risk management. service in October. De Smeth is an attorney with the Law Offices of Bamieh & Erickson in Ventura. SUZETTE TORRES CWL district governor Suzette Torres, who DOROTHY CHOU PROUDFOOT represents San Francisco and Marin counties, CWL district governor Dorothy Chou was selected by the legal publication Proudfoot, who represents Alameda, Contra Corporate Counsel as a 2018 National Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties, Women in Law honoree in the Collaborative will receive a Unity Award at the 41st Annual Leadership Category. Torres, vice president and regional Minority Bar Coalition Unity Awards Nov. 13 counsel at North American Title Company, will be honored in San Francisco. Proudfoot, the award winner representing at an awards reception in October in Washington, D.C. Women Lawyers of Alameda County, will be recognized The National Women in Law Awards honor top women for dedication to working in a unified manner to advance lawyers who have made a remarkable difference in the cause of diversity in the legal profession. Proudfoot, an Administrative Law Judge at the San Francisco Rent Board, is the legal profession. The awards recognize women in specific industries as well as in categories of extraordinary the incoming co-vice president of WLAC. leadership. CWL is proud of the work its members do on behalf of our organization and the profession, and we believe in sharing your achievements. Please help us share your news. In this edition, we’re thrilled to share the recognition given to several CWL members.
SOLANGE RITCHIE Former CWL Board member and Orange County Women Lawyers Association member Solange Ritchie recently published her second novel, Firestorm, a psychological thriller and follow-up to her first novel, The Burning Man. The novels, which focus on FBI forensic pathologist Catherine Powers as she teams with police to track a serial killer, are available on Amazon and in bookstores.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Let us lift you up. Tell us when you’ve won an honor or award or attained a special achievement. Contact us at newsletter@ cwl.org.
11
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Call for Nominations – Deadline December 14 Help CWL Honor Outstanding Attorneys and Judges BY ANA STOREY California Women Lawyers is committed to shining a light on the outstanding and inspiring women of our California legal community – and we invite you to join us by submitting your nomination for a 2019 California Women Lawyers award. Each year CWL honors outstanding women in the legal profession via four awards: The Rose Bird Memorial Award was established in 2000 in honor of the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Rose Bird. A founding CWL mother, Bird was a teacher, a pioneering California cabinet secretary, and a champion of the underdog throughout her career. The Rose Bird Memorial Award is given to a Northern California judge who demonstrates longstanding and/or groundbreaking public service and inspires California’s women lawyers. CWL presents this award at a reception in the recipient’s Northern California district. The Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award was first presented in 1994 to honor Joan Dempsey Klein’s work as a champion of women’s rights and a pioneer in the struggle to achieve equal opportunity for women in the law. Klein, who retired from her post as presiding justice of Division Three of the Second District Court of Appeal in 2015, is a CWL founder and the first president of the National Association of Women Judges. The Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award is given to a Southern California judge who demonstrates longstanding vigorous service and inspires California’s women lawyers. CWL presents this award at a reception in the recipient’s Southern California district.
The Judith Soley Lawyer as Citizen Award was first given in 2011, and is named for Judith Soley, a longtime CWL board member who was killed by the husband of a client. CWL presents the Soley Award at its annual conference to a worthy recipient who has made a significant contribution to her community, extending beyond the practice of law, to devote time and effort to the public good and values through the tradition of public service and involvement, and who exemplifies the values and mission of California Women Lawyers. The Fay Stender Award, established in 1982, is named in honor of Fay Stender, a Bay Area attorney who spent much of her professional life fighting for prisoners’ rights. Stender was a member of CWL’s first elected board and was active in professional organizations on the national, state, and local levels. Presented each year at the annual dinner, this award honors a feminist attorney who, like Fay Stender, is committed to the representation of women, disadvantaged groups and unpopular causes, and whose courage, zest for life and demonstrated ability to effect change as a single individual makes her a role model for women attorneys. The deadline to submit a nomination packet for any of these awards is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14. The CWL Board of Governors will select the recipient of each of these honors in January. Successful nominating organization representatives work directly with CWL’s Awards Committee to plan the awards ceremony befitting the honoree. Click here for descriptions of each award, its criteria, and submission instructions. Ana Storey is co-chair of CWL’s Awards Committee and serves on the CWL Board of Governors as a District 7 Governor, representing Los Angeles County. She is executive director of the nonprofit Levitt & Quinn Family Law Center.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
13
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
2018 Annual Dinner
Standing Together and Stronger Than Ever BY AMEE A. MIKACICH More than 200 women lawyers, judges, law students and distinguished guests converged Sept. 13 for the CWL 2018 Annual Dinner at the lovely bayfront setting of the Sheraton San Diego Harbor and Marina in San Diego, kicking off the annual conference of the newly formed California Lawyers Association (“CLA”). The evening began as it traditionally does, with the wellloved and much anticipated Silent Auction. Among the items available for bidding were a wine country weekend in Paso Robles, a French vacation home, spa treatments, specialty wines, and Notorious RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) baskets. The Silent Auction, chaired by CWL immediate past president Chris Chambers Goodman, was a rousing success that earned much appreciated funds for the CWL Foundation, the charitable arm of CWL. Clyde & Co. generously sponsored the wine and beer at the reception. CWL outgoing president Renee Galente Stackhouse opened the Annual Dinner, recapping a successful and productive year of CWL programming, advocacy, and professional development. Timothy Miranda, a partner with San Diego firm Antonyan Miranda, the title sponsor for the Annual Dinner, also gave welcoming remarks. Following dinner service, Sonia Salinas of the Los Angeles law firm of Andrade Gonzalez introduced Fay Stender Award winner Sandra C. Munoz of the Law Offices of Sandra C. Munoz. Munoz spoke of her dedicated and often heart-wrenching representation of underprivileged populations, including LBGTQ individuals, women and immigrant families. The evening continued with the swearing-in of the 20182019 CWL officers and Board of Governors. Jessica Lynn Rowe of Aaron, Riechert, Carpol & Riffle, APC, introduced
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani CantilSakauye, who administered the oath of office to the incoming board. Highlighting the dinner presentation, keynote speaker Lily Yan Hughes, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Public Storage, took the stage following an introduction by CWL board member Suzette Torres. Hughes told the very personal story of being born in Kowloon, outside of Hong Kong, where she grew up in a one-room apartment with her parents and sibling behind a shoe repair shop until 1974, when the family finally received permission to immigrate to the United States. Hughes described her journey from a schoolchild who didn’t speak English to college, law school, private practice, and finally corporate law, to become the Chief Legal Officer of a Fortune 500 corporation, Public Storage, overseeing legal operations around the world. Her personal and professional stories were truly inspirational. Hughes also shared the three things she would tell her 25-year old self, one of which was: “Don’t worry – things will work out.” She ended with a message that she said has sustained and driven her: “Why Not Me?” Closing the evening, CWL president Amee Mikacich pledged to continue the mission of CWL to support women in the legal profession and in society through education, advocacy and inclusion CWL wishes to thank its Annual Dinner sponsors, without whom the evening would not be possible. Thank you for your support of CWL. Amee Mikacich is president of CWL and was chair of the Annual Dinner Committee. She is a partner with Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in San Francisco.
New CWL president Amee Mikacich with Renee Galente Stackhouse and her son, Gabe
Outgoing CWL president Renee Galente Stackhouse and incoming president Amee Mikacich
New CWL president Amee Mikacich and California Chief Justice Tani Cantil Sakauye
Keynote speaker Lily Yan Hughes, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Public Storage
Outgoing CWL president Renee Galente Stackhouse joins husband Phil Stackhouse and son Gabe after her remarks
Outgoing CWL president Renee Galente Stackhouse and her son, Gabe
15
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
2018 Annual Dinner
Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and the 2018-2019 CWL Board of Governors
Outgoing CWL Foundation president Chris Chambers Goodman (right) and friends
Sandra Munoz (center), winner of the 2018 CWL Fay Stender Award, with CWL affiliate governor Susan Formaker
Outgoing CWL executive committee member Suzette Torres prepares for the presentation of the Fay Stender Award
Fay Stender Award winner Sandra Munoz
Sandra Munoz, winner of the 2018 CWL Fay Stender Award, joins Sonia Salinas and new CWL president Amee Mikacich
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Standing Stronger Together
CWL treasurer Summer Selleck, California Chief Justice Tani CantilSakauye, and outgoing CWL executive committee member Suzette Torres
California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye (center) takes a selfie with attendees at the Annual Dinner.
From left, Lawyers Club of San Diego president Danna Cotman, Parisima Roshanzamir, Renee Galente Stackhouse, Yahairah Aristy, and Nadia Bermudez
Jerrilyn Malana, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Holly Fujie, and an attendee at the CWL Annual Dinner
Past CWL president Wendy Behan and CWL first vice president Naomi Dewey
California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and outgoing CWL president Renee Galente Stackhouse
17
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
2018 Annual Dinner
Keynote Speaker, Lily Yan Hughes (center), her daughter, Rae Hughes (left) with guest (right).
Amee Mikacich’s (center) brother Peter Mikacich, her mother Georgia Mikacich and Amee’s husband Gene Brown
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Standing Stronger Together
CWL staff, Melissa Dixon, Vanessa Henderson & Taylor Machi
19
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Silent Auction Raises Funds for CWL Foundation BY CHRIS CHAMBERS GOODMAN The 2018 CWL Foundation Silent Auction was a fabulous and fun event, where, thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, champagne flowed, the line at the bar was short, appetizers were plentiful, and more than 100 items went home to lucky winners! Auction items ranged from jewelry to spa goodies, from women’s march kits to fierce feminist swag, from baskets of Ruth Bader Ginsburg gear to baskets of wine from women winemakers, from vacations on the beach in Cancun to vacations at a cottage in Southern France. Proceeds from the silent auction will help fund the Foundation’s important work, including the Nancy E. O’Malley Scholarship awarded annually to a law student or recent graduate. The CWL Foundation gives special thanks to the Silent Auction Committee members Yahairah Aristy, Michelle Barnett, Wendy Behan, Mercedes Sequoia, Nicole Sugnet, and Suzette Torres, as well as SMA staff members Beth Ramirez and Marisa Anticevich who helped pull everything together, and SMA staff members Melissa Dixon, Vanessa Gonzales, and Taylor Machi, who were there for the entire day to execute the event, and kept the checkout lines running smoothly.
We also want to thank the entire CWL Board of Governors for helping to solicit auction items, creating their own donation baskets, picking up and delivering items, helping the day of by decorating the ballroom, making contributions, as well as purchasing items from the CWL Foundation’s Amazon wish lists to put together numerous baskets. Thank you also to Summer Selleck for obtaining t-shirts celebrating CWL’s founding mothers, which were sold at the event and brought in additional revenue, and to the law students who staffed the t-shirt table and helped gather auction items for distribution at the end of the event. It was a team effort fitting with this year’s theme “Standing Together and Stronger than Ever,” and we thank you all for helping the CWL Foundation to flourish. Keep an eye out for next year’s Silent Auction and Annual Dinner. Once again, we appreciate your generosity and your support. It truly has been my pleasure serving as the CWL Foundation President this past year as I leave the CWL Foundation in the capable hands of its new president Renée Galente Stackhouse and the incoming Foundation Board. Chris Chambers Goodman is president of the CWL Foundation Board and a past president of CWL. She is a Professor of Law at Pepperdine University School of Law.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Outgoing CWL Foundation president Chris Chambers Goodman and CWL district governor Dorothy Chou Proudfoot
CWL district governor Nicole Sugnet checks out the auction items
Volunteers sell CWL founding mother t-shirts at the Annual Dinner
21
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Thank You to All the Donors to the 2018 CWL Silent Auction
The CWL Foundation thanks the following individuals, organizations, and companies who donated items to the 2018 Silent Auction: Alvarado Institute of Skin Care Olga Alvarez/Heisner Alvarez, APC Alex Goodman Aquarium of the Pacific B & B Certificates Wendy Behan Kristen Blocher/Andrea Moiseve The Broad Museum Capital Genealogy Jodi Cleesattle CWL Board of Governors Dagne Dover David J. McDonald Real Estate Sarah Davis and Ken Steinmetz Susanne de la Flor Naomi Dewey John Fanaris/Rustic Kitchen FitPros LA Betty Fracisco Patrick Galloway Paul Gamba/Gioei Cheryl German Chris Chambers Goodman Marc Goodman Carol Hoyt/Hoyt Family Wines Dr. Rebecca Joseph Dana Kempler Kris Knapland Alegra Lowenstein Melissa Marsh Nina McClemore Ellen McGlynn Kate McGuiness Nicole Mickley/PowerCore Yoga
Amee Mikacich Morgan Run Club Alice Neumann and Niloo Bahadoori/Manufacturers Bank Steve Nissen/NBC Universal Oakland Zoo Nancy O’Malley Pasadenda Playhouse Lise Pearlman Pepperdine School of Law Michelle Philo Lois Prentice/MCWL Dorothy Chou Proudfoot PRP Wine International Sherri Hobson/Reventia Sterling Designs Sacramento Zoo San Diego Film Fest San Diego Natural History Museum San Diego Reparatory Theater San Diego Sockers Save Our Heritage Organization Shelley Saxer Nicole Sugnet Surf Diva Tieks by Gavrieli/Erin Turner Transition State Interior Design Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation/Dennis Franks UltraZone Laser Tag USD School of Law USS Midway Museum Villa Encanto The Wall Climbing Gym Maureen Weston & Brian Halloran Suzy Wilson
Your support helped raise funds for the annual Nancy E. O’Malley Scholarship and other important CWL Foundation work advancing the status of women in the legal profession.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
T H A N K Y O U T O O U R 2 018 DINNER SPONSORS TITLE SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
MILITARY DEFENDER
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS T R I A L
B Y
W O M A N
RECEPTION WINE AND BEER SPONSOR
SILENT AUCTION CHAMPAGNE SPONSOR
Jen Wald, Suzy Wilson, and Chris Chambers Goodman
AFFILIATE SPONSOR
Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Women Lawyers of Alameda County Lawyers Club of San Diego 23
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
CWL Remembers Judge O’Connell with Posthumous Award
California Women Lawyers and affiliate Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) joined together for the Southern California Judicial Reception Aug. 17, posthumously honoring the life and achievements of U.S. District Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell, who passed away in October 2017 at the age of 52. More than 100 judges, lawyers and law students gathered at Los Angeles City Hall to remember Judge O’Connell. Her husband, Dan O’Connell, accepted the CWL 2018 Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award on her behalf. CWL outgoing president Renee Galente Stackhouse gave a touching opening welcome, and Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White spoke on behalf of the National Association of Women Judges. WLALA president Amy Brantly also shared remarks about Judge O’Connell. Each speaker celebrated the judge’s love of life and the law and her passion for mentoring others. U.S. Central District Chief Judge Virginia Phillips presented Dan O’Connell with a certificate memorializing a donation CWL made to the WLALA Foundation’s Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship, which honors the judge’s commitment to supporting the next generation of women leaders. The WLALA Foundation awards the scholarship annually to a woman high school senior who is interested in the field of law or public service. CWL Awards Committee co-chairs Amee Mikacich, CWL’s recently installed president, and Ana Storey gave closing remarks.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Judge O’Connell, who joined the bench of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in 2013, suffered a brain aneurysm and collapsed while speaking at CWL’s “So You Want to Be A Judge” event in Los Angeles Sept. 15, 2017, and passed away Oct. 8, 2017. Prior to her appointment to the federal bench, Judge O’Connell served on the Los Angeles Superior Court from 2005 to 2013. During her tenure at the Superior Court, she served as Assistant Supervising Judge with the North Valley District, and she also sat by designation on the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District, Division 8, for five months in 2010 and 2011. Before being appointed to the bench, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Central District of California and worked in private practice at Morrison & Foerster. Judge O’Connell was well known for her service to the legal community, regularly teaching courses at Loyola Law School, Pepperdine University School of Law, and the B.E. Witkin Judicial College, as well as serving on the WLALA board of directors.
Amy Brantly, outgoing CWL president Renee Galente Stackhouse, and incoming CWL president Amee Mikacich
Outgoing CWL president Renee Galente Stackhouse welcomes guests to the Southern California Judicial Reception.
U.S. Central District Chief Judge Virginia Phillips presents Dan O’Connell with a certificate memorializing a donation CWL made to the Women Lawyers of Los Angeles Foundation’s Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship.
Dan O’Connell accepts the Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award on behalf of his wife, U.S. District Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell, who passed away in October 2017
CWL board members gather at the Southern California Judicial Reception
25
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Affiliate News WLALA Goes “All In” at 2018 Annual Awards and Installation Dinner The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles held its Annual Awards and Installation Dinner Sept. 20 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. New president Heather Stern set the tone for the evening with the theme “All In,” celebrating the inspiring women lawyers who have participated in WLALA’s long history. A special video presentation highlighted past leaders and previewed WLALA’s upcoming Centennial Gala Celebration in 2019, when the organization will mark its 100th anniversary. WLALA honored U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sandra Klein, who serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, with the Distinguished Service Award, and posthumously honored U.S. District Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell, who served on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California until her untimely death in October 2017, with the Ernestine Stahlhut Award. WLALA also presented the Myra Bradwell Award to commercial real estate services and investment firm CBRE and presented nine students with scholarships, fellowships and grants. U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, swore in the 2018-2019 WLALA board of governors.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
OCWLA Celebrates at Annual Gala Orange County Women Lawyers Association held its Annual Gala Sept. 13 at Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, honoring local legal professionals, awarding bar stipends to law students, and presenting grants to local nonprofit organizations. OCWLA honored Orange County Superior Court Judge Karen Robinson as Judge of the Year and Andra Greene, a partner with Irell & Manella, as Attorney of the Year. Robinson was appointed to the bench in 2003, after serving as mayor of Costa Mesa and litigation coordinator for the California State University system. Greene heads Irell & Manella’s class action defense practice group and previously served as managing partner of the firm’s Newport Beach office. OCWLA also gave a new award this year, presenting the inaugural Advancement of Women Award to the law firm of Best Best & Krieger LLP. OCWLA presented grants of $5,000 each to Women Helping Women, an Irvine-based nonprofit that helps unemployed and underemployed individuals gain the skills and resources they need to get and keep good jobs, and Girls, Inc., which provides programs designed to support, mentor and guide girls in an affirming, pro-girl environment. The bar association’s charitable arm, the OCWLA Foundation, awarded bar stipends of $1,000 each to five deserving law school graduates. The Foundation also raised enough funds to double the number of bar stipends given next year.
CWL affiliate governor Susan Formaker, Los Angeles Presiding Administrative Law Judge for the Office of Administrative Hearings, joins WLALA’s 2018 Distinguished Service Award winner, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sandra Klein, who serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California.
OCWLA president Jaimi Groothius (left) presents Orange County Superior Court Judge Karen Robinson with OCWLA’s award for Judge of the Year.
CWL member Heather Stern takes the stage as the new president of WLALA, joined by CWL member Amy Brantly, at WLALA’s annual dinner.
CWL members gather at the OCWLA Annual Gala. From left: CWL affiliate governor Shelly Aronson, who serves as OCWLA’s secretary; CWL executive committee member Betty Fracisco, who also serves on OCWLA’s board; Tracy Hughes; CWL at large governor Michelle Philo, OCWLA’s president-elect; and Sarah Nowels, OCWLA’s vice president.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu swears in the Women Lawyers of Alameda County 2019 Board at the WLAC Annual Judges’ Dinner on Oct. 4.
27
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
2018 CWL Signature Events September 13
CWL ANNUAL DINNER CWL’s Annual Dinner celebrates each step made towards gender equity during the year, honors women in the legal profession, and highlights the achievements of CWL and its members. Past speakers include Sen. Wendy Davis and Janet Napolitano. Mingle with friends and colleagues at the CWL Foundation Silent Auction preceding the dinner to help fund the Nancy E. O’Malley Scholarship, which recognizes a deserving California law student whose prior and current activities and future plans demonstrate a commitment to issues affecting women and/or children in the community. Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
September 18 IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PUZZLE PROGRAM SESSION 4 Southern California October 5-6 IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PUZZLE PROGRAM RETREAT CWL’s In-House Counsel Puzzle Program culmination, this retreat is invitation-only. Napa/Sonoma November 15 WOMEN LEADERSHIP IN LAW Thursday, November 15, 2018, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Omni San Francisco Hotel 500 California St., San Francisco For Info CWL members receive a 15% discount on tickets. Use code DJCWL when you register.
29
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Affiliate Events Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles 2018 Installation & Awards Dinner Saturday, September 8, 2018 Hotel Indigo 899 Francisco St., Los Angeles For Info Annual Thanksgiving Eve Cocktail Sip Wednesday, November 21, 2018, 5:30 p.m.-midnight The Edison 108 W. 2nd St., #101, Los Angeles For Info Contra Costa County Bar Association – Women’s Section Women’s Section Happy Hour Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. MoMo’s Walnut Creek 1444 N. California Blvd, Walnut Creek RSVP Annual Awards Dinner Thursday, October 18, 2018, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Scott’s Seafood Restaurant 1333 N. California Blvd., Walnut Creek RSVP Fresno County Women Lawyers 31st Annual Hanson Dinner Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 5:30 p.m. Fort Washington Country Club, Fresno For Info Lawyers Club of San Diego Fall Judicial Reception Thursday, October 25, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Higgs Fletcher & Mack 401 West A St., Suite 2600, San Diego For Info Leadership Development Summit Thursday, November 15, 12 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Westin Emerald Plaza 400 West Broadway, San Diego For Info Marin County Women Lawyers MCWL Social Lunch Friday, November 9, 2018, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Taj of Marin Restaurant, back room 909 4th Street, San Rafael For Info MCWL Holiday Party Thursday, December 6, 2018 Details TBA For Info
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Status of Reproductive Rights Speaker: Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Piatti Restaurant 625 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley For Info Orange County Women Lawyers Association OCWLA’s Monthly Book Club Meeting Monday, September 24, 2018, 5:30 p.m. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows Mimi’s Café, 17231 E. 17th St, Tustin No host dinner and beverages For Info OCWLA’s Monthly Book Club Meeting Monday, October 29, 2018, 5:30 p.m. The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney Mimi’s Café, 17231 E. 17th St, Tustin No host dinner and beverages For Info OCWLA’s Monthly Book Club Meeting Monday, November 26, 2018, 5:30 p.m. The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story by Hyeonseo Lee Mimi’s Café, 17231 E. 17th St, Tustin No host dinner and beverages For Info OCWLA Annual Holiday Party & Installation of Board of Directors Tuesday, December 11, 2018, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Avenue of the Arts Hotel 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa For Info Queen’s Bench Bar Association Past Presidents’ Dinner & Auction benefitting the Queen’s Bench Foundation Tuesday, December 4, 2018, 5:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Palio d’Asti Restaurant 640 Sacramento Street, San Francisco For Info San Mateo County Bar Association Women’s Lawyers’ Section Section generally meets the 1st Monday of every other month. For Info
Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Benefit for Domestic Violence Solutions Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Paradise Springs Winery 210 State St., Santa Barbara For Info 30th Anniversary Dinner Monday, December 10, 2018, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Hotel Californian 36 State St., Santa Barbara For Info Truckee-Tahoe Women Lawyers Free Workshop on Estate and Business Succession Planning Friday, November 9, 2018, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Family Resource Center of Truckee 11695 Donner Pass Road, Truckee For Info Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles 2018 WLALA Awards and Installation Dinner Thursday, September 20, 2018, 5:30 p.m. Millennium Biltmore Hotel 506 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles For Info Downtown Mentoring Circle Meeting – “Want to work Inhouse? What to Expect and How to Get There” Thursday, October 25, 2018, 6 p.m. Mendocino Farms 444 S. Flower St., Los Angeles For Info or (213) 892-8982 Improv for Lawyers Thursday, November 1, 2018, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. WLALA 634 S. Spring St., 1st Floor, Edison Room, Los Angeles For Info Downtown Mentoring Circle Meeting – “Tips from the Bench: What to Do and Not to Do in Court” Monday, November 5, 2018, 12 p.m. U.S. District Court for the Central District of California 312 N. Spring St., Los Angeles For Info or (213) 892-8982
Women Lawyers of Alameda County Annual Judge’s Dinner Thursday, October 4, 2018, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Scott’s Seafood 2 Broadway, Oakland Keynote Speaker: Marina Park, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern California For Info Minority Bar Coalition Unity Awards Reception Tuesday, November 13, 2018, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. UC Hastings Law School Louis B. Mayer Room (ground floor), 198 McAllister Street, San Francisco For Info Women Lawyers of Sacramento October Luncheon – Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg Thursday, October 25, 2018, 12 p.m.-1:15 p.m. Lucca Restaurant 1615 J Street, Sacramento For Info California Supreme Court Reception Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building Foyer 914 Capitol Mall, Sacramento For Info November Luncheon – Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert Thursday, November 15, 2018, 12 p.m.-1:15 p.m. Lucca Restaurant 1615 J Street, Sacramento For Info Women Lawyers of Ventura 12th Annual Scholarship Dinner & Silent Auction Thursday, October 18, 2018, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Museum of Ventura County 100 East Main St., Ventura For Info
WLALA Westside Career Mentoring Dinner Tuesday, November 6, 2018, 7 p.m. Louise’s Trattoria 10645 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles For info: Contact Christine Page at cpage@pagedrs.com True Grit and a Growth Mindset: The Secrets of Success for Women Lawyers Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 6 p.m. Polsinelli 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2900, Los Angeles For Info WLALA Holiday Reception Thursday, December 13, 2018 Details TBA
31
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Renew Your CWL Membership CWL is the only statewide bar association dedicated to the advancement of women in law and in society. Join CWL and make a difference - for yourself and the community. What you can expect with your membership: •
CWL statewide network
•
Leadership training and opportunities
•
Annual (MCLE) Conference
•
Legislative advocacy for the advancement of women in law and society
•
Judicial evaluations
•
Lifelong friendships
• One-of-a-kind award winning programs including So, You Want to be a Judge?, Elect to Run and the In-House Counsel Puzzle Program •
Amicus activity
BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THE CWL LISTSERV CWL is all about connection, contacts and camaraderie! As the only statewide bar association dedicated to advancing women in the law and society, we are uniquely situated to connect our members and provide a strong network across a large distance. Our Listserv allows professionals from around the state to network and exchange ideas, make referrals, discuss best practices, survey peers on various issues, or get information for appearances, depositions or trial in different locations. CWL will also share job openings and pertinent information it receives with its membership through this Listserv. Our members, minus members of the judiciary, have been opted in to the Listserv. The default setting is that each member will receive a daily digest of emails sent. If you are an active member and are not receiving the digest and want to please let us know! Contact INFO@CWL.ORG. CEB DISCOUNTS FOR CWL MEMBERS CWL has partnered with CEB to provide free or discounted webinars to our members! These currently include: SOCIAL MEDIA EVIDENCE by Renee Galente Stackhouse Introducing Social Media Evidence: Foundation and Authentication Issues by Renee Galente Stackhouse, December 10, 2018, 12-1:30 p.m. (Registration not yet open- more information will be available in our MEMBER BENEFITS.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
33
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
ADVERTISE IN THE CWL NEWSLETTER!
Each digital issue of the California Women Lawyer’s newsletter is shared with over 4,000 people across the U.S. This digital publication connects industry experts to relative legislation news, valuable events for networking and professional development as well as opinion editorials from CWL leaders and members. Space is limited, ad space is determined first come, first serve. All ads subject to approval by CWL.
Quarter Page $250
Full Page Ad $500 • • •
8.5”W x 11”H Full Color Interactive Links To Your Website, FB, etc.
• • •
4.25”W x 5.5”H (Must Be Vertical) Full Color Interactive Links To Your Website, FB, etc.
Half Page Ad $375 • • •
4.25”W x 11”H (Must Be Vertical) Full Color Interactive Links To Your Website, FB, etc.
6 issue bulk rate available” ($2000, 1500, 1000)” CWL Affiliates receive a 15% discount on any advertisement.
GENERAL AD & LOGO SPECIFICATIONS PDF/300dpi Art Only Full-page display (vertical) 8.5”W x 11”H - full dimensions Half-page display (vertical) 4.25”W x 11”H - full dimensions Quarter page display (vertical) 4.25”W x 5.5”H - full dimensions Business card (horizontal) 3.5”W x 2”H - full dimensions Logos must be sent in an eps or vector file format.
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
CWL Thanks Haynes Boone FOR ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION AND THE IN-HOUSE COUNSEL NETWORK PUZZLE SERIES
35
CWL N E W S L E T T E R
Thank you to our Annual Sponsors: STATEWIDE BRONZE SPONSOR T R I A L
B Y
W O M A N NORTHERN CALIFORNIA GOLD SPONSOR
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TITLE SPONSOR
ANNUAL NEWSLETTER SPONSOR
Learn about all of our Annual CWL Sponsorship Opportunities HERE
CALIFORNIA WOMEN LAWYERS N E W S L E T T E R www.cwl.org
CWL N E W S L E T T E R