2021 Virtual Installation Event Honoring
2021 President Alekxia Torres Stallings and the
Kern County Bar Association’s 2021
Board of Directors Section Leaders Ivy Person Award Recipient
2021 KCBA Installation Virtual Event Agenda Welcome Joseph D. Hughes, 2020 KCBA President Invocation Msgr. Craig Harrison Flag Salute Deputy Dean Henderson Community Recognition Presentations Joseph D. Hughes, 2020 KCBA President 2021 Ivy Person Award Elliott Magnus 2020 Section Leadership and Board Regognition 2021 Section Officer Installation 2021 Board of Directors Installation 2021 President Installation Hon. Colette Humphrey 2021 President Introduction Hon. Susan M. Gill 2020 President’s Plaque Presentation Alekxia Torres Stallings 2021 President Remarks Alekxia Torres Stallings
2021 President Alekxia Torres Stallings Alekxia Torres Stallings is a criminal defense trial attorney from Bakersfield, California. She is a member of the Kern County Bar Association Indigent Defense Program. She is also a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the Eastern District of California. She has been a member of the Kern County Bar Association since 2012. She is currently serving as the Vice-President. In 2016 while co-chair of the membership committee, the committee saw increased member participation using social media outlets and assisting in the development of a brand-new website for the Bar. She served as the Kern County Bar Association Mock Trial Liaison to the Kern High School District for the 2017-2018 school year. She is the past Chair of the Women Lawyers Section (WLS), 2016-2017. As chair, she helped organize the production of MCLE’S, celebrations for Women’s History Month, and the WLS Scholarship. She is the past Chair of the Young Lawyers Section, 2017-2018. While serving as co-Chair of the Community Outreach Committee, she assisted in the development of Project Street Youth a free legal clinic where young lawyers advocate for homeless youth in our community. This project, in conjunction with Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, had their inaugural event this year in 2017. Additionally, she is an active member of both the Criminal Defense Section and the Multicultural Bar Alliance. From 2018-2020 she served as a member of the Kern County Bar Association Charitable Foundation. She was a member of the Bakersfield College Pre-Law Program for two years. She has also served as a member of the California State University Bakersfield Pre-Law Program for the last two years. She was a Board of Director for the Girl Scouts Central California region from 2016-2017. In 2016 and 2017 she was recognized for her pro bono services to Kern County’s low-income residents through Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance. She coached mock trial for Stockdale High School from 2014-2018. In 2015 their team represented Kern County and placed seventh overall at the California State competition.
Since 2018 she has been serving as a member of the Judicial Advisory Committee with the Eastern District of California and as a member for the NonAppropriated Funds sub-committee. Since 2012 has been an active participant in the Federal Open Doors Program which introduces high school students to federal professional opportunities. In 2018 she was selected as a “Twenty Under Forty People To Watch” from the Bakersfield Life Magazine. She was raised in Bakersfield and attended Stockdale High School. After high school, she attended the University of California. She was an active member, holding various leadership positions within Kappa Alpha Theta, one of the largest national fraternities for women. She achieved her Bachelor of Arts in European Studies with an emphasis in French Studies. She attended and completed the two-year Juris Doctorate program at Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While in law school she was President of the Student Bar Association and was active on the Moot Court council. She has also been a member of the International Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity since 2011. Upon graduation, she earned the Esteemed Leadership Award for her role in leadership throughout law school. She returned to Bakersfield following graduation where she clerked with the Kern County District Attorney’s Office in 2012 and 2013. In 2014 she accepted an associate’s position with the Law Office of David A. Torres and practices state and federal criminal defense exclusively. Last year, she was made a named partner in the firm which is now called TORRES|TORRES-STALLINGS & ASSOCIATES. Ms. Torres Stallings has been married to her husband, Brandon Stallings, since 2014. They enjoy traveling and have been fortunate enough to travel through most of Europe. In 2019 they welcomed their first child, Siena Valentina. They have two old dogs, Ruffles and Gizmo. “Ours is a noble profession. I truly believe in giving back not only to the profession but to the community as well. Our profession and society is best served when folks in our community observe members of our profession engaged in and helping out others. The KCBA is the perfect vehicle to serve and educate our community on the law and to show first hand that our local bar not only cares for our membership, but builds up the community through the ethical and excellent practice of law.”
LAW OFFICE OF
TORRES TORRES STALLINGS AND ASSOCIATES
Congratulations
MadamePresident WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!
Introducing the 2021 B Xochitl Garcia, Vice President Xochitl is a family law attorney and Kern County native. She grew up in Arvin, where she attended local schools and competed in the local mock trial competitions. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of La Verne where she excelled as a competitor on the International Debate Team. Xochitl earned her juris doctorate at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego before returning to Kern County to practice. Xochitl is a Past President of the Family Law Section and has served on the KCBA Board of Directors since 2015. Currently, Xochitl sits as Vice Chair on the Kern County Planning Commission, serves on the Board of Directors for both CSUB’s Center for Social Justice and the Business Education Foundation of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Xochitl is also a founding member of the Immigration Justice Collaborative and has coached Foothill High School’s mock trial team since 2011. In 2017, Xochitl was recognized by Latina Leaders of Kern County with the Latina Leading The Way award. Xochitl enjoys travelling, singing the national anthem for local charity events, singing in her car and on stages, and watching her dog, Chaka Khan, exercise.
T. Mark Smith, Treasurer T. Mark Smith was born in Bakersfield, California. His family has longtime roots in Kem County agriculture and government. Mr. Smith graduated from a local Bakersfield high school before attending Claremont McKenna College from which he graduated, magna cum laude, in 1988. Mr. Smith completed his formal education by attending U.C.L.A. School of Law from which he received his Juris Doctorate in 1992. During his third year of law school, Mr. Smith served as a judicial extern for Judge Edward Rafeedie of the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. After graduating from U.C.L.A., Mr. Smith practiced in the Los Angeles office of the national law firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal before returning to his hometown and beginning his practice with Clifford & Brown in 2000. After serving as a partner and shareholder of Clifford & Brown, in 2019 Mr. Smith founded Zimmer & Melton, LLP with several of his colleagues. He is a member of the California Bar. For the last several years, he has served on the board of directors of the Kem County Bar Association. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Kern County Law Library, the board of directors of the Kern County Bar Association Charitable Foundation, and the board of directors of the Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of California, Southern Division. Mr. Smith’s practice has focused on complex business litigation including construction, labor and employment, health care, CEQA, appellate,
Board of Directors
agricultural and water rights matters. He has represented numerous public entities including school districts, the county of Kern, city of Bakersfield, and public and private healthcare entities. He also has extensive trial and federal court experience. In addition to his professional endeavors, Mr. Smith has served on the board of directors of Trinity Anglican Church and the Bakersfield Museum of Art. He is also active in his sons’ Boy Scouts of America troop.
Thomas Feher, Secretary Thomas P. Feher, a trial lawyer since 1990, has successfully litigated hundreds of cases on behalf of clients ranging from individuals to large businesses and public entities, focusing on business and employment disputes but also embracing other areas of general business and litigation practice. Having a thorough knowledge of business strategies and litigation experience, Mr. Feher understands and resolves issues through the lens of a businessperson’s perspective and goals.
Joseph D. Hughes, Past President Joe Hughes has been practicing law since 1994, and focuses his practice in the areas of water and public agency law. Joe has served on the Kern County Bar Association Board of Directors since 2015. He is a KCBA Probate Section Past President. He served as a member of the Kern County Law Library Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2017, and served as a Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance board member from 2000 to 2011. He served as a member of the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Association
Introducing the 2021 B Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2012, serving as Chair in 2009. Joe has also volunteered as a mock trial attorney coach and as a small claims judge pro tem. Joe currently serves on the Kern County Museum Foundation Board of Trustees and is the Chair.
Anthony Azemika, Director Anthony Azemika was admitted to the California State Bar in 1992. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, Cum Laude, from the California State University, San Francisco, in 1988. Thereafter, in 1991, Mr. Azemika graduated and received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. He was an active member of the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club from 2002 through 2009. In 2009, he became one of the Charter Members of the new Rotary Club of Bakersfield Twilight. He has been awarded multiple Paul Harris Fellowships by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. For years, Mr. Azemika has been an acting Arbitrator with the Kern County Bar Association’s and the California State Bar’s Mandatory Fee Arbitration Programs. He is active both in the Kern County Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the Kern County Bar Association. During the past 29 years, Mr. Azemika’s practice has been exclusively devoted to the field of family law. He and his twin brother have been in practice together since 1994. He has been
Board of Directors selected as one of the Top 100 Lawyers by The National Advocates and has an AV Preeminent rating through Martindale-Hubbell for the highest level of professional excellence. Mr. Azemika is married to his wife, Tracy, who is a loan officer and they have four grown children. Mr. Azemika spends his spare time with his family, walking for long distances or riding his Peloton or road bike.
Carol Bracy, Director Carol Bracy has been a public interest attorney for 40 years, 27 years of which has been with Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, where she supervises the First Five Guardianship Caregiver program for young children. Ms. Bracy has served as a Board Member of the Kern County Bar Association for several terms and is an officer with the Multicultural Bar Alliance Section. After graduating from the University of Southern California School of Law and becoming an attorney, Ms. Bracy worked with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Thailand and the Philippines, serving with Southeast Asian Refugees. It was during that period that she solidified her love for learning about other cultures. Ms. Bracy attempts to live out her beliefs through service to others. She can’t wait for the pandemic to end so that she can once again spend in--person time with people!
Devin Brown, Director Devin has been an active member of our legal community since moving to Bakersfield in 2007. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law (2006) and the University of Washington (Political Science, 2002). After a brief post-graduate fellowship with the United States Department of Air Force, Devin joined the legal team of the Kern County Counsel’s Office. As a Deputy County Counsel, he developed a legal expertise in the field of public sector labor and employment law. In 2014, Devin was appointed as the Chief Human Resources Officer for the County of Kern and serves as the County’s lead labor negotiator. Devin is joined by his co-counsel in life Melissa Brown and their sweet children Olivia and Dylan. Devin has served the KCBA as a past president of the Young Lawyers Section and has participated on the Res Ipsa Loquitur editorial committee. He is excited at the prospect of re-engaging as a Director of the KCBA Board.
Michael A. Caves, Director Michael Caves was born and raised in the central valley, where he has lived all his life, aside from the five years he spent on active duty in the Army and three years of law school. Michael has been a prosecutor at the Kern County District Attorney’s office since 2007, and has been the President of the Kern County Prosecutor’s Association since 2016. Michael has been active with the Multicultural Bar Alliance, and has served as a member of the board of directors
Introducing the 2021 B for CSUB’s Center for Social Justice since its creation in 2017. Michael has taught law and politics courses at CSUB since 2016, and has previously served as the chair of the Kern County human relations commission and the Bakersfield civil service commission, as a member of the KCBA court liaison committee, and as co-chair of Equal Justice Society (University of San Francisco Law chapter). Michael is married to an Emergency Room nurse, and is a proud father of three. Michael’s wife has put up with him for over twenty years, and she may be the most patient person in the world. Michael would like to congratulate KCBA President Alekxia Torres Stallings for her extraordinary achievement, which reflects her tireless work in the legal community.
Gina Cervantes, Director Gina Cervantes is the Self-Help Attorney for the Kern County Superior Court. In her current role, she periodically sits on the bench in Traffic, Family Law and the Multidivisional Courts and works with through the Self Help center to provide information and guidance to the general public on Small Claims, Unlawful Detainer, Family Law, and Guardianships. She also works with the local bench to identify particular concerns commonly encountered by self-represented litigants and create education materials to address those concerns. Gina has spent her entire legal career in Bakersfield and strives to develop positive professional relationships. Gina looks forward to building more relationships and continuing to serve the legal community. Gina and Louie Cervantes have been married for 20+ years and have two children, Louie and BellaRosa. The Cervantes are avid college football fans, and travel regularly to attend various college games.
Diana Christian, Director Diana L. Christian is the Managing Partner in the Bakersfield office of Borton
Board of Directors Petrini, LLP. She received her Bachelor of Art’s Degree in 2001 from the University of Oregon. Upon graduation, she attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego receiving her Juris Doctorate in 2004. Diana is a member of the California State Bar, Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, and Board Member of the Kern County Bar Association and Kern County Bar Family Law Section. Diana’s areas of practice are family law, construction matters, insurance defense including major casualty, property damage, and premises liability. As a family law attorney, Diana represents clients in dissolution proceedings, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, guardianships, adoptions and domestic violence restraining orders. Diana is married to Benjamin Christian and they have two children, Collins and Taj.
Stephanie Gutcher, Director Stephanie Virrey Gutcher practices in the area of special education where her trial and negotiation skills serve her clients well. She’s currently with Schools Legal Service, where she enjoys supporting our local school districts; before that she worked in private practice in Bakersfield and prior to that in Sacramento, emphasizing both civil and criminal law. Stephanie grew up in Bakersfield and attended Bakersfield High School. A graduate of the University of California, Davis and the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, she is excited to be back in Bakersfield and a member of the local bar. She has been a member of the KCBA since returning to Bakersfield. She was Vice President of the Women Lawyers Section in 2016 and 2017 and served as President this year. She will continue to be involved in WLS. Stephanie has two awesome little girls and is excited to teach them about the great work that can be done to make a positive impact on our own community.
Introducing the 2021 Board of Directors James Harvey, Director James Harvey practices civil litigation at Klein DeNatale Goldner, focusing primarily on business and commercial cases. James was born and raised in Bakersfield, graduating from both North High and CSUB before attending law school at UC Davis. Upon graduating from law school in 2010, James returned to Bakersfield to begin practice and has been heavily involved in the local legal community ever since. James served on the Board of Directors for the KCBA Young Lawyers Section from 2013 – 2017, including terms as Secretary and Section Chair, and served on the Board for the KCBA Charitable Foundation in 2017. James is also a strong supporter of Kern County’s High School Mock Trial program, serving as a scoring judge each year from 2012 – 2017 and as attorney coach for North High in 2018-19. Outside of the legal community, James’s social and charitable activities are primarily centered around the Active 20-30 Club of Bakersfield. This Rotary-like group for individuals between the ages of 20 and 39 raises money both to fund its own charitable programs, which include back-to-school and Christmas shopping events for Kern County children, and to contribute to other local charitable groups with compatible goals. When not otherwise occupied, James can usually be found at home with his wife, Kathryn, and their Chihuahua mix, Penny. Kathryn is a legal secretary at Clifford and Brown. Penny is currently unemployed and weighing her options.
2021 Sustaining Sponsors Gold
Silver
Bronze
Supporter
2021 Ivy Person Award Recipient Deputy Dean Henderson Nominated by Hunter Starr Thoughts by Judge Colette M. Humphrey I want to offer a few words in support of the nomination of Deputy Dean Henderson for the Ivy Person Award. Deputy Henderson has been serving as the bailiff in my court for close to ten years. He had previously served as bailiff to Judges McNutt and Felice. I let him know I would love to have him as my bailiff once Judge Felice retired, and I am very lucky that he agreed. He is the anchor in my court and keeps everything on an even keel. Deputy Henderson is highly respected by the attorneys due to his calm demeanor, his hard work keeping things running smoothly, and his friendly, kind and respectful behavior. I run a very high volume court where we handle between 60 to 70 felony cases a day, and sometimes more. Deputy Henderson manages to keep everything calm in spite of how fast everything is moving. He treats every defendant, litigant, witness, family member, attorney and court staff with dignity and respect. He does not get impatient or lose his temper, even though there are many opportunities to do so. I can’t even count the number of times someone, usually an attorney or judge, has said to me, “Do you know how lucky you are to have Dean Henderson as your bailiff?” I do know, and am very fortunate he chose to serve in my court. He is admired by the younger deputies and takes time to mentor them. Deputy Henderson goes above and beyond to help people, even when it isn’t his job to do so. He will find answers for members of the public who come to court and are confused about the process, or sometimes even if they are in the correct courtroom. He will try to fix problems for people and try to make the process less intimidating. I always joke with Deputy Henderson that he is not allowed to retire until I retire. I can’t imagine running my court without him. He demonstrates “the highest standards of excellence in the legal profession” as described in the Ivy Person Award. He is a worthy candidate, and I strongly support Deputy Dean Henderson for this award. Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
Ivy Person Award Recipients 2020 - Linda Hall
2013 - Randell Parker
2019 - Lisa Clark
2012 - Annette Heath
2018 - Barbara Oldfield
2011 - Starlene Parson
2017 - Linda Crissman
2010 - Jody Meadors
2016 - Dee Fringer
2009 - Barbara Asher
2015 - Terry Halle 2014 - Susan Hall
About The Ivy Person Award “Ivy Person was the Bar Association...” reminisced former KCBA Tom Clark. And he wasn’t alone in his appreciation and recognition of her contributions. Ivy was so valued by the KCBA that in 1981, she was awarded the prestigious Bench and Bar Award. Ivy is remembered for many things, as the first fulltime Executive Director of the KCBA (1977-1998), for her compassionate, caring, and loving nature, for her strong opinions, her proper and traditional ways, and her love of the color purple -- to name a few. Ivy’s son Patrick said, “She loved the legal field and felt that all attorneys were her sheep to watch over.” Ivy Person passed away on March 6, 2008 at the age of 90. However, Ivy and her many contributions will never be forgotten. In 2008, the Kern County Bar Association created the Ivy Person Award. The award is given each year to a non-attorney who demonstrates the highest standards of excellence in the legal profession. The honoree is selected from across the legal community from candidates such as paralegals, legal secretaries, court reporters, court clerks, trustees, process servers, etc.
Introducing the 2021 Criminal Defense Section President: Elliott Magnus Vice President: Tim Hennessy Treasurer: Mai Shawwa Secretary: Josh Fleshman Trustees: Jared Thompson, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Monica Bermudez
Estate Planning and Probate Section President: Kurt Van Sciver Secretary/Treasurer: Stevie Jo McDonald
Woman Lawyers Section President: Stephanie Gutcher Vice President: Tara Deal Treasurer: Mayra Estrada Secretary: Julia Vlahos Directors: Stephanie Bouey, Hon. Sharon Mettler, Ret., Joanne Pierce
Young Lawyers Section President: Victoria Harp Past President: Lyndsi Andreas Directors: To be announced
1 Section Leadership In-House Counsel Section President: Melissa Frank, The Wonderful Company Vice President: Michael Abril, Ember Education Treasurer: Alyssa Reed, Aera Energy Secretary: Jeffrey Travis, Centre for Neuro Skills
Family Law Section President: Diana Christian Vice President: Jeffrey Travis Treasurer: Edward Thomas Secretary: Anthony Azemika DCSS Representative: Keith Cramer Board: Nicholas Azemika, Stephanie Childers, Jeremy Swanson, Fred McAtee, Gerald Oldfield
Multi-Cultural Bar Alliance Co-Chairs: Kate Iwanami and Cynthia Loo Co-Vice Chairs: Carol Bracy and Michael Caves Secretary: Monique Galvan Treasurer: Esther Schlaerth Student Representative: Maria Contreras
Past Presidents Joseph D. Hughes Douglas A. Gosling Chris Hagan James A. Yoro Isaac St. Lawrence Seth O’Dell Jennifer Zahry Lisa Holder Chad A. Louie Brett Price H.A. Sala Susan M. Gill Paul A. Welchans David A. Torres Steven Katz Catherine Bennett Thomas Clark Richard Papst Bob Joyce Robert Tafoya Bernard C. Barmann, Sr. Patrick Jennison James Hulsy Barry Goldner
Philip Ganong Robert Brumfield, III Ralph McKnight, Jr. Theresa A. Goldner John Stovall Suellen H. Anderson Ralph Wm. Wyatt Peter Lewis Richard G. McBurnie Phil Blanton John Petrini Louis Etcheverry Stan Simrin G. Neil Farr Sidney P. Chapin Gary Friedman William Kuhs Bob Patterson William Hulsy James G. Bowles Gabe Solomon Robert Self Warren Wetteroth Kenneth Hastin
Ralph McKnight, Sr. Jack Hislop Stephen Eyherabide Richard Hitchcock Henry Bianchi Jack Lund Richard Hosking Harvey Means Tom Davis Allen H. McFarland Walter Condley Bruce F. Bunker Kit Nelson Glenn Bultman Curtis Darling Jere N. Sullivan, Sr. Bennett Siemon John M. Nairn George Brown S. B. “Barney” Gill Walter Osborn, Jr. David Goldberg Lawrence Baker
KCBA Mission Statement The Kern County Bar Association provides leadership in advancing the professional interests of the members and serving the legal interests of the community. GOAL I: Promote professional development and improve participation by all members. GOAL II:
Foster cooperation and goodwill between the legal professional and the community and disseminate information to the public.
GOAL III:
Build and maintain programs to assure financial stability.
GOAL IV:
Facilitate the use of technology in the practice of law.