Chapter Exchange

San Diego Chapter: (left to right) Renowned courtroom illustrator Bill Robles and District Judge Larry Alan Burns unveil at the State of the District event an illustration of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California’s 17 district judges.

NINTH CIRCUIT

San Diego Chapter

The San Diego Chapter rounded the corner on a year that presented not only many challenges but also new opportunities for the chapter to serve its members and community. By harnessing videoconference technology, the chapter’s events continued to reach a wide audience and keep the legal community informed, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September 2020, the San Diego Chapter presented the 16th Annual Judith N. Keep Federal Civil Practice Seminar. In the virtual sessions, over 1,250 attendees heard from three circuit judges, six district judges, and three magistrate judges on topics such as expert witnesses, professionalism, and appellate practice during the pandemic.

In November 2020, nearly 300 people attended the chapter’s 2020 Supreme Court Case Review, featuring renowned scholar and educator Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of Berkeley Law. The chapter also partnered with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California to host the court’s annual State of the District event. Community members watched virtually as the court’s leadership shared updates on operations during the pandemic and presented criminal defense attorney Charles H. Adair with the Hon. David H. Bartick Award for Civility and Professionalism. The court also posthumously honored Bruce C. Smith, an assistant U.S. attorney, and Peter C. Mazza, the chapter’s former president, with the same award. Both were public servants and exemplary attorneys whose untimely deaths shocked the legal community.

In December 2020, the San Diego Chapter presented the capstone of its three-part series on civility in the law, which averaged over 100 attendees. Titled Promoting Civility in the Legal Profession, the webinar featured leaders of the legal community who shared how the profession can foster civility among practitioners.

The San Diego Chapter continued its mission into the new year by assisting with the Southern District’s Passing of the Gavel as Chief Judge from Hon. Larry Alan Burns to Hon. Dana M. Sabraw. And, to close out January 2021, the chapter presented How to Apply to be a U.S. District Judge, a webinar where a distinguished panel shared advice on the application process for the position.

South Carolina Chapter President Janet Brooks Holmes and President-elect Beattie Ashmore presented Harvest Hope Food Bank with a check for over $10,000.

FOURTH CIRCUIT

South Carolina Chapter

The South Carolina Chapter of the FBA gave back to food banks this past holiday season.

South Carolina Chapter President Janet Brooks Holmes and President-Elect Beattie Ashmore presented Harvest Hope Food Bank with a check for over $10,000. Board members voted unanimously on Dec. 3 to roll out the campaign to raise money for food banks, naming it “This Season Put Your Money in the Bank—The Food Bank.”

What began as a $5,000 donation doubled within weeks with the help of board members and South Carolina FBA members as well as their friends and families.

“The coronavirus pandemic has led to rising food insecurity across the country, including in our state,” said Holmes. “These folks are our neighbors. They have lost jobs, and families and individuals are hungry. Their hearts are broken, and our hearts also break as we realize how fragile it all is.

“That’s why the South Carolina Chapter of the FBA decided to donate $5,000 from its funds to food banks across our state in time for the holidays. We challenged our members, families, and friends to meet our donation, as collectively we could make a huge difference in our state this holiday season by turning hunger into hope. Not only did they meet our donation, they exceeded it.”

Harvest Hope Food Bank is South Carolina’s largest food bank, providing over 22.6 million meals each year. Serving the Midlands, Pee Dee, and Upstate, Harvest Hope is dedicated to eliminating hunger and food insecurity in South Carolina. Harvest Hope partnered with Lowcountry Food Bank for this donation to ensure residents across the state could receive meals during the holiday season.

Food insecurity has been on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing donation needs for local food banks. Harvest Hope has quadrupled its 2019 numbers.

If you are interested in donating to Harvest Hope or Lowcountry Food Bank, visit HarvestHope.org and Lowcountryfoodbank.org. 