Gayle eskridGe provides mediator, arbitrator, and discovery referee services throuGhout california. located in rancho cordova
Conducted over 285 mediations and over 175 arbitrations. Member of American Arbitration Association Arbitrator and Mediator panels for both Employment and Commercial Law.
• Professional Member of the Southern California Mediation Association
• Senior Mediator with Mediate.com
• Certified in Mediation by the Los Angeles County Bar Association Dispute Resolutions Services (2002)
• Martindale Hubbell® AV Preeminent Attorney® (every year since 2003)
• California Super Lawyer® (every year since 2012)
• Martindale-Hubbell® Top Rated Lawyer in Litigation (Every year since 2015)
Trusted by 50,000 law firms, LawPay is a simple, secure solution that allows you to easily accept credit and eCheck payments online, in person, or through your favorite practice management tools.
INDEX Lawyer SACRAMENTO
SACRAMENTO COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
Vol. 2-2025 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Ellen Arabian-Lee
Arabian-Lee Law Corporation
EDITOR EMERITA
Heather Hoganson
editor@sacbar.org
PRODUCTION DESIGN, ADVERTISING
Milenko Vlaisavljevic milenko@sacbar.org
6 Honoring the Bench
FEATURE ARTICLES
8 Trailblazers of Justice: Judges Lawrence G. Brown and Jennifer K. Rockwell Lead Sacramento’s Collaborative Court Movement
12 Meet Local Trailblazer Ryan Harrison, Sr. COVER ARTICLE
16 A Justice That Travels: Celebrating the Hon. Bunmi O. Awoniyi, 2025 Judge of the Year
NEWS & EVENTS
20 SCBA and WLS Host International Women’s Day Event Honoring Trailblazing Women on California’s Courts of Appeal
22 A Night of Celebration and Inspiration: Honoring Judge Bunmi O. Awoniyi and the State of the Courts in Sacramento
STATE BAR & LEGISLATURE MUSINGS
26 A Two-Front Assault on Deceptive Lawyer Advertising EDITORIAL
Larry Doyle, Esq., Manager (916) 604-9726 • larry.doyle@sacbar.org
Cover Photo by Heirs of Threads Photography
8 30
Sacramento Lawyer welcomes letters and article suggestions from readers. Please e-mail them to editor@sacbar.org. The SCBA reserves the right to edit articles and letters submitted for publication. Please contact the SCBA at 916-564-3780 for deadline information. Web page: www.sacbar.org. Caveat: Articles and other work submitted to Sacramento Lawyer become the copyrighted property of the SCBA. Returns of tangible items such as photographs are by permission of the editors, by pickup at the SCBA office only. 17 12 22 26 20
Sacramento Lawyer (USPS 0981-300) is published by the Sacramento County Bar Association, 8950 Cal Center Drive, Bldg. 2, Ste. 346, Sacramento CA 95826. Issn 1087-8771. Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, California. Postmaster: Send address changes to Sacramento Lawyer, 8950 Cal Center Drive, Bldg. 2, Ste. 346, Sacramento CA 95826. Copyright 2025 by the Sacramento County Bar Association.
Honoring the Bench
By Angelina Ray
Angelina Ray is the President of the Sacramento County Bar Association. She can be contacted at angelina@pacemtempest.com.
t is my profound honor to welcome you to this very special edition of our magazine as we celebrate the 2025 Judge of the Year.
At a time when our profession and judiciary face relentless scrutiny and, at times, overt attack, it is more important than ever to recognize and uplift those among us who lead with integrity, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to justice. Our courts are filled with quiet heroes – trailblazers – who uphold the Constitution and the rule of law every single day. This year’s honoree exemplifies that ideal.
We stand in admiration of our judges, who bear enormous responsibility in the pursuit of justice. Despite mounting pressures,
limited resources, and a shifting public discourse, they remain anchored in principle, ensuring that every person who enters a courtroom is treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.
The Sacramento legal community is rich with talent, heart, and a deep dedication to service. As we honor our Judge of the Year, we honor all those who wear the robe and carry the burden of decision-making with courage and compassion. Their work fortifies the sanctity of our courts – our last bastion of truth, accountability, and order.
Let us remember: we are not just attorneys, judges, and legal professionals – we are stewards of democracy. We stand together, and
we stand tall. We remain committed to the rule of law and to the sacred trust placed in us by the communities we serve.
Thank you for continuing the good work of the legal profession. Thank you for your service. And most of all, thank you for standing with us, in unity and strength, as we celebrate excellence on the bench and reaffirm our shared commitment to justice.
Peace and Blessings, Angelina Ray, CFLS President, Sacramento County Bar Association
Trailblazers of Justice: Judges Lawrence G. Brown and Jennifer K. Rockwell Lead Sacramento’s Collaborative Court Movement
By Angelina Ray
Angelina Ray is the SCBA President. She can be contacted at angelina@pacemtempest.com.
n the often adversarial world of criminal justice, where punishment too often overshadows rehabilitation, Sacramento County is home to a quiet but powerful revolution. At its center are two judicial visionaries, Judge Lawrence G. Brown and Judge Jennifer K. Rockwell, who are transforming the local legal landscape through their leadership of Sacramento’s Collaborative Courts. Their efforts are not just reshaping court calendars – they are redefining the very purpose of the justice system: to restore, rehabilitate, and heal.
Pioneering Collaborative Justice in Sacramento
Collaborative courts, sometimes referred to as problem-solving or therapeutic courts, are designed to address the root causes of criminal behavior. These specialized dockets connect participants to intensive supervision, comprehensive treatment, and wraparound support services in lieu of traditional prosecution and incarceration.
Judge Lawrence G. Brown: Championing Mental Health and Veterans’
Support
Appointed to the Sacramento County Superior Court in 2010, Assistant Presiding Judge Lawrence G. Brown is a driving force behind some of the County’s most impactful courts. Assigned the nascent Mental Health Treatment Court in 2013, which had approximately 30 participants, today he presides
Hon. Jennifer K. Rockwell.
Hon. Lawrence G. Brown.
over five felony mental health courts with over 700 participants.
Judge Brown also presides over the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), established in 2014. This specialized court supports veterans charged with offenses stemming from trauma or mental health issues related to their military service. Participants undergo a 12 to 18-month program that includes treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs, case management, probation supervision, and regular court appearances. Upon successful completion, participants may have their cases dismissed, probation terminated early, or jail time lifted. The VTC has graduated over 170 veterans, and in 2024 celebrated its 10-year milestone with over 200 lives touched.
Judge Brown additionally oversees the DUI Treatment Court for third, fourth and fifth-time offenders and provides judicial leadership across Sacramento’s collaborative courts as their Supervising Judge and statewide as Chair of the Judicial Council of California’s Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee. His approach is rigorous yet compassionate, focused on public safety through structured rehabilitation rather than incarceration.
Judge Jennifer K. Rockwell:
Advocating for Vulnerable Populations
Since her appointment in 2014, Judge Jennifer K. Rockwell has become a steadfast advocate for collaborative courts. In recent years, she has focused on the needs of system-involved people potentially being trafficked and those individuals struggling with mental health and substance use issues. She presides over the Recovery Treatment Court, serving non-violent defendants charged with drug-related offenses, and the
Proposition 36 Court, which offers treatment in lieu of jail for drug possession charges. Judge Rockwell is also at the helm of the ReSET Court (Reducing Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking), which serves adults charged with prostitution and related offenses. ReSET, now in its tenth year, provides trauma-based therapy, peer mentorship, life skills training, and critical health services, seeking not to penalize but to empower.
In addition, Judge Rockwell oversees Alta Diversion Calendar, a calendar for those with developmental disabilities, and misdemeanor mental health calendars. Further, she oversees a military diversion program, aimed at addressing mental health and substance use challenges of veterans with real, evidence-based solutions.
Judge Rockwell’s courtrooms are run to reduce recidivism and connect participants to long-term treatment and assistance. The mental health diversion calendars have more than a 75% success rate and the military diversion even higher. These courts also measure impact by healing, by the restoration of dignity, and by the degree to which individuals are reconnected to themselves and their communities.
Transformative Impact on the Sacramento Community
These courts are not a detour from justice – they are justice realized in its most transformative form.
By emphasizing treatment, accountability, and human dignity, Sacramento’s collaborative courts significantly reduce recidivism, promote long-term stability, and alleviate the burden on the jail system and traditional dockets. Participants receive tailored support, including mental health treatment, substance abuse services, housing assistance, education, and employment support, all directed at resolving the root causes of criminal behavior.
The success stories from these courts are not abstract. They are veterans rebuilding trust with their families, women escaping cycles of exploitation, and individuals with severe mental illness returning to their communities stabilized and supported.
A Challenge to the Legal Community: This is Our Work, Too Judges Brown and Rockwell do not stand alone in this effort. Their work invites, indeed requires, the active engagement of attorneys, fellow judges, service providers, and policymakers. If these courts are to be more than pilot projects or passion assignments, they must be viewed as essential instruments of justice and public safety.
How Legal Professionals Can Support Collaborative Justice 1. Refer Eligible Clients
Thoughtfully: Defense counsel must become fluent in the
eligibility and referral process for these programs. Prosecutors, too, play a pivotal role in triaging appropriate cases into collaborative court.
2. Shift to a Problem-Solving Mindset: These courts require a different style of lawyering – one centered on solution-oriented, multidisciplinary teamwork. Lawyers must embrace this collaborative ethos, shedding adversarial posturing in favor of longterm client welfare.
3. Champion Expansion Within the Judiciary: Judges can advocate for the creation of new collaborative courts, incorporate rehabilitative alternatives into sentencing when appropriate, and use their convening power to build partnerships across sectors.
4. Invest in Training and Awareness: CLE programs, law school curricula, and bench-bar conferences should include trauma-informed advocacy, behavioral health training, and interdisciplinary approaches to justice.
5. Advocate for Systemic Investment: Sustainable funding for community-based treatment and judicial infrastructure is vital. The bench and bar must become policy advocates for legislation that supports diversion, recovery, and reentry initiatives.
Why This Work Matters Now More Than Ever
The criminal legal system is undergoing a reckoning. Across the country, we are seeing the limits of punitive responses to complex human problems. Judges Brown and Rockwell are not merely reacting to this shift; they are leading it. Through their work, Sacramento County is witnessing a transformation in its legal system; one that values dignity, accountability, and hope. These judges are not simply managing calendars – they are dismantling decades of institutional neglect and exclusion. And in doing so, they are restoring the promise that courts can, in fact, be places of healing.
From Innovation to Imperative
If justice is to be measured by more than conviction rates and jail sentences, and if we are to create a system that actually works for people, then collaborative courts must move from the margins to the mainstream. Sacramento has the blueprint. Judges Brown and Rockwell have shown us what is possible.
The question now is: What are we doing with our platform to carry this forward?
Because justice isn’t only about what we punish. It’s about who we restore.
Lawyer SACRAMENTO
Editor’s Note:
Meet Local Trailblazer Ryan Harrison, Sr.
For this edition of Sacramento Lawyer Magazine, we decided to recognize a local trailblazer and changemaker, Ryan Harrison, Sr. Despite his relatively young age (41), Ryan has been impacting state and local affairs for the past 15 years. Through his community service, Ryan has caught the attention of both local leaders and the press.
In 2011, the Sacramento Observer Newspaper recognized Ryan as one of its “30 under 30.” In 2017, California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) recognized Ryan as its “Distinguished Alumni, Rising Star,” and, that same year, the Sacramento Business Journal recognized him as one of the region’s top “40 under 40” leaders. In 2021, both the Wiley Manuel Bar Association of Sacramento County (WMBA) and the California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) honored him as their “Attorney of the Year.” This year, the Sacramento Bee recognized Ryan as one of the region’s “Top 20 Black Changemakers.”
Ryan represents employers during the day at Fisher Phillips, LLP and in the evenings and weekends he commits himself to impactful community service. We asked Ryan to provide commentary on his service, leadership and trailblazing activity.
ome inquire about why I am so extensively involved in community affairs. The answer is two-fold. First, I model the behavior demonstrated by my personal hero, my grandfather, who was a Tuskegee Airman (James E. Harrison); and second, a decade ago, I committed to personally investing my time to benefit our community as a fellow in Class II of Sacramento’s Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program (NELP)..
My grandfather served our country and his community throughout his life, most notably as a military pilot during World War II and thereafter. After he retired from the armed forces, he became one of a handful of Black residents in Lakewood, Colorado, where he flew for United Airlines for 30 years. Eight years after my grandfather’s passing in 2018, at the James E. Harrison Park dedication ceremony when Lakewood
Ryan Harrison Sr.
honored him, I learned additional inspiring things about him. Of particular interest, I learned that he taught the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) how to fly, and that he purchased a car for my grandmother so she could be among a team of parents who drove the Little Rock Nine to integrate Central High School.
There is one incident I learned about that has left an indelible mark on my self-conscience and inspires me to live up to his example. When my grandfather was a new Lakewood resident, he awoke one morning to witness a burning cross in his front yard. His response to this threat is telling of the man he was and one I aspire to be. My grandfather responded not by hiding, moving, or becoming fearful. Rather, he became more visible with the intent and purpose of showing the local white residents who he was and what he stood for. Not long after that, through his civic engagement, my grandfather became a beloved community figure.
Before his passing, he asked me to carry on the Harrison tradition of public service.
As a NELP fellow in 2010, I learned how to become an effective leader and that the most positive impact I could make is through board service. NELP helped me become more civically engaged, first as a Board Member for Cottage Housing, which provides housing services to the homeless, and second, through my service on the UC Davis Health Community Advisory Board, where I was able to provide critical input on local healthcare policy and programs. This was a launching pad for additional service opportunities.
As Chair of the Community Advisory Board for the CSUS Department of Criminal Justice, my graduate school alma mater, I helped develop undergraduate recruiting pipelines with federal law enforcement agencies. As a board member of the California Lawyers Association, Public Law Section, I helped fortify the nascent trade organiza-
tion after it split from the California State Bar; and later, as a board member for the California Lawyers Foundation, I helped develop charity initiatives to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession.
My service on the State Bar’s Council on Access and Fairness (COAF) buoyed my legal profession diversity work. I eventually became Chair of COAF. As Chair, I committed COAF to address Imposter Syndrome in our profession by creating an Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Toolkit. We secured substantial legislative funding for public interest loan repayment assistance, and we addressed disproportionate State Bar prosecution against minority attorneys, among many other initiatives. The California Supreme Court subsequently appointed me to the Blue-Ribbon Commission on the Future of the California Bar Exam, where I advocated for creating a bar exam that better reflects legal practice in California and
James E. Harrison, Ryan's father.
one that promotes diversity, inclusivity, and civility. The California Lawyers Association also appointed me to the California Access to Justice Commission and the GLA Government Affairs Committee, where I can address policy issues impacting California attorneys and people who need more access to justice. Just recently, the California Supreme Court appointed me to the State Bar Board of Trustees, which oversees State Bar policy and attorney regulation.
I have also participated in Black bar associations, including WMBA and CABL. I often tell newly minted attorneys I mentor, “If you hang around long enough and don’t miss any meetings, eventually they will make you president,” which is what happened with WMBA. I took advantage of this position by advocating with the support of notable high level stakeholders for UC Law San Francisco to dedicate its new 10,000 square foot Scholarly Publications
Center in Justice Wiley W. Manuel’s honor, which it did. It wasn’t difficult to get the law school to move on this because it wanted to honor Justice Manuel and meaningful dedication was long overdue. Additionally, the wheels were already greased. When I was a law student at UC Law SF (formerly UC Hastings), I co-created a student lobbying corps that successfully advocated for increased legislative funding to halt tuition increases for a decade and construct the first new building of what is now a multi-complex “Academic Village.” Personal connections forged through student leadership in 2012 fostered meaningful impact for the legacy of my bar association’s namesake in 2022.
Not too long ago, I was part of a SCBA task force established to honor one of our very own, Nathaniel Colley, during Black History Month. It is important to honor those whose shoulders we stand on.
One of my most trailblazing ini-
tiatives I participated in occurred after tragedy. In the wake of the George Floyd incident, CABL appointed me its primary legislative advocate on police reform. In this role, I worked with Assemblymember Mike Gipson to pass several laws designed to hold law enforcement accountable for improper conduct. My work included testifying as a technical expert on several bills where I leveraged my past law enforcement experience and master’s degree in criminal justice. I was the right person for the moment.
At my core, I have never been one to back down when called to pursue a noble cause. I challenge myself to always live up to the moment. After all, this is part of the Harrison tradition my grandfather imparted to me. I look forward to contributing to our region at higher levels in the future. It is a blessing to have been in the positions I have been in, and it is a blessing to be regarded as a “trailblazer.”
Ryan Harrison Sr. at Third District Court of Appeal.
c
Wanger Jones Helsley PC is proud to welcome the following experienced, recognized practitioners to its Water and Natural Resource Practice:
Mr. Robert E. Donlan, Shareholder Mr. Craig A. Carnes, Jr., Of Counsel
Ms. Shawnda M. Grady, Of Counsel
Mr. Kevin W. Bursey, Associate
As part of this exciting expansion, WJH is thrilled to announce the opening of its new office in Sacramento:
Wells Fargo Center
400 Capitol Mall, Ste. 2550 Sacramento, CA
www.wjhattorneys.com
A Justice That Travels: Celebrating the Hon. Bunmi O. Awoniyi, 2025 Judge of the Year
By Angelina Ray
Angelina Ray is the SCBA President. She can be contacted at angelina@pacemtempest.com.
y any measure, the Honorable Bunmi O. Awoniyi’s career is distinguished. But telling her story through a list of achievements alone would miss the remarkable character and commitment that have shaped a life spent in service to justice. This year, the Sacramento County Bar Association is honored to name Judge Awoniyi its 2025 Judge of the Year – a celebration not only of her judicial excellence, but of her integrity, humanity, and global vision.
Judge Awoniyi’s journey from a low-income immigrant neighborhood in inner-city London to the helm of one of California’s largest courts is the story of resilience, humility, and transformative leadership. Her presence on the bench has elevated Sacramento’s judiciary, and her work in California and across the globe has made her a quiet but powerful force for equity
and access to justice. She is, quite simply, the kind of jurist our profession needs and one our community is proud to celebrate.
From Tottenham to Sacramento: A
Journey of Purpose
Bunmi Awoniyi was born and raised in Tottenham, England, a place as vibrant as it was challenged. A dense immigrant enclave in London, Tottenham shaped her
early sense of community and justice. Her parents, Nigerian immigrants, had arrived in the UK in the late 1950s with little money but an unwavering belief in education. They worked hard to instill that same work ethic in their children, including a deep cultural pride and commitment to service without fanfare.
That value system carried Judge
Awoniyi through Essex University, where she earned her Bachelor of Law, and through Leicester University, where she earned a Master of Laws. She was then admitted to the Inns of Court School of Law, one of the UK’s most prestigious institutions for barristers, known for its exclusivity and rigorous bar examination. Admission required academic excellence; success required even more. In a system where less than half pass the bar, and even fewer secure pupillage, Judge Awoniyi’s success was both hard-won and exceptional.
Her academic excellence and passion for international law led her to apply for the Pegasus International Law Scholarship established by the Right Honorable Lord Goff of Chieveley in 1987. Awarded to top young barristers in England and Wales, the program allowed recipients to study legal systems abroad. She chose the US and more specifically, Sacramento, as her destination. That decision would set in motion a lifelong commitment to justice in our region.
Building a Practice; Building a Legacy
Arriving in California as an accomplished barrister, Judge Awoniyi was nonetheless a stranger to the norms and rhythms of American legal practice. Bypassing US Law School she decided to challenge the California Bar Exam and
passed and was, so she thought, positioned for a career as an attorney. The transition was initially difficult. She eventually secured employment with family law practitioner, Steven Wessels. Family law was far removed from commercial real estate and agricultural law. The learning curve was steep, but Judge Awoniyi embraced it. Over the next 18 months, she immersed herself in California family law – its complexity, its pace, its human weight. She fell in love with her work and the ability to make a tangible difference in the lives of families and children.
She launched her own practice, became a Certified Family Law Specialist, and built a career grounded in precision, professionalism, and empathy. Known for her exacting preparation and respectful courtroom demeanor,
Parents at Nigerina wedding registry.
Judge Awoniyi's parents.
Judge Awoniyi, the Barrister.
she quickly became one of Sacramento’s most respected family law attorneys. She also served as a temporary judge in family, traffic, and small claims court and volunteered with Capital Pro Bono. The Court appointed her to serve as minor’s counsel in difficult, high conflict cases, trusting her with the most sensitive matters involving children’s safety and wellbeing.
Even before her appointment to the bench, she was already a pillar
Words of support from the legal community:
I enthusiastically endorse Judge Awoniyi!
She is a pillar of our court.
I truly feel the legacy of good work that she has done for our community in this courtroom.
Her genuine heart for others and desire to serve our community and others across the world is remarkable.
She is a stalwart in promoting greater access to the judicial system, selflessly giving her time to build bridges to often marginalized members of our region.
Her ability to balance judicial leadership, community service, and global humanitarian work is extraordinary, and a testament to what is possible when one leads with purpose and compassion.
of the legal community. She served on the board of the Wiley Manuel Bar Association in every leadership capacity, including treasurer, sergeant at arms, vice president, and president, while also serving on the SCBA Board, chairing committees, and co-hosting its annual Bench Bar Reception. Her work was never about titles – it was about building spaces where others could thrive.
A Judge of Distinction
In 2012, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Awoniyi to the Sacramento County Superior Court. From her first day on the bench, she brought with her the values that had shaped her life: civility, diligence, fairness, and service. She quickly rose through judicial leadership roles, serving as Supervising Judge of the Family and Probate Division for four years, followed by a contested election to Assistant Presiding Judge, and ultimately being unanimously elected as Presiding Judge of the Sacramento Superior Court in 2023, the first Black woman to hold that position in the court’s history.
Judge Awoniyi’s judicial assignments have encompassed a broad spectrum of responsibilities, including overseeing civil and criminal Master Calendar assignments, presiding over criminal trials, and managing cases related to criminal domestic violence and family law, areas known for their emotional intensity and procedural complexity. In each of these roles, she consistently has balanced compassion with decisiveness, listening attentively to the concerns of litigants while delivering clear and fair rulings.
As Presiding Judge, she has guided the court through significant transitions, including the expansion of e-filing systems and the implementation of “MyCitations,” a program designed to
assist low-income litigants. She is actively involved in overseeing the integration of updated court processes associated with the new courthouse. Under her leadership, the Court has introduced innovative initiatives such as the “Dawn to Dusk” justice program at the Carol Miller Justice Court House, allowing litigants to address traffic, small claims, and unlawful detainer matters during extended hours. These longer court hours, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, have significantly improved access to justice for court users, enabling them to attend to legal matters without compromising their work commitments.
Judge Awoniyi also is dedicated to restructuring divisions within the Court, advocating for additional judicial resources to better address the workloads and delays in both family law and the civil divisions. She has championed the consolidation of juvenile dependency and justice into a single division, facilitating growth opportunities and cross-training for judges in both areas. Recognizing the complexities of family law, she has relocated trials lasting three to five days to the Family Law Division to ensure continuity in adjudication and to prepare the division to handle all long-cause trials. Simultaneously, the Civil Division is being restructured under her tenure, all while navigating budget constraints and the onboarding of a record number of new judges.
Judge Awoniyi consistently emphasizes the collaborative nature of her achievements, crediting her success to the dedicated team of supervising judges and the executive team that supports her. While she acknowledges the importance of teamwork in realizing their collective goals, it is essential to recog-
nize her as a visionary leader who has significantly shaped the direction of the Sacramento County Superior Court under her tenure. Her leadership has inspired not only her judicial colleagues, but her students and mentees. She teaches community property at Lincoln Law School, where she has mentored law students from underrepresented backgrounds. As noted by Lincoln Law Dean Filomena Yeroshek, “Judge Awoniyi goes far beyond her role as an educator. She is a mentor, guide, and source of inspiration... instilling values of perseverance, integrity, and empathy.”
Recognized by Her Peers
Judge Awoniyi’s excellence has not gone unnoticed. Letters of support for her nomination poured in from across California’s legal community. Judge Awoniyi’s consistent impartiality and thoughtful approach, even under immense pressure, was highlighted in the nominations. From the Bench to the classroom, from chambers to the community, Judge Awoniyi has been a light of integrity and compassion. Her work has not only improved the court system, but it has changed lives. The Wiley Manuel Bar Association, a storied organization committed to the advancement of Black attorneys, praises Judge Awoniyi for her decades of leadership and community investment.
A Global Vision of Justice
Yet perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Judge Awoniyi’s service is that it does not stop at the courthouse door, or even at the California border.
For over 25 years, she has participated in international humanitarian missions to Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Namibia. She has taught skills workshops to women fleeing violence, presented lectures at schools
and colleges, and mentored orphans and at-risk youth. Most recently, her team has been able to fund and build an elementary school in a rural Ugandan village, providing a permanent structure, desks, and materials to children who previously learned in temporary facilities.
Her work is sustained, not symbolic. She returns year after year, leading a team of volunteers, and engaging in hands-on work.
Her global mission work isn’t separate from her identity as a judge; it’s an extension of it. Her understanding of justice transcends systems, and it’s rooted in the belief that dignity, access, and hope must be made real for all people, everywhere.
The Embodiment of Servant Leadership
In every sense, Judge Awoniyi embodies servant leadership. She has lived her life at the intersection of intellect and humility, authority and empathy, tradition and transformation. She has elevated the judiciary, inspired generations of
lawyers and judges, and opened pathways for voices too often excluded.
She leads not for acclaim, but out of a quiet, steady commitment to doing what is right.
A Historic First, A Most Worthy Honor
In naming Judge Awoniyi the 2025 Judge of the Year, the SCBA not only recognizes a lifetime of service, but also welcomes Judge Awoniyi to a roster of esteemed jurists whose leadership and legacy have shaped Sacramento’s legal community.
Her presence has changed our legal culture for the better. Her decisions have advanced justice. Her leadership has ushered in modernization, access, and reform. Her mentorship has lifted the next generation of leaders. And her global work reminds us that law, at its best, is a force for dignity, healing, and hope.
Congratulations, Judge Awoniyi. You are not only Judge of the Year; you are a judge for the ages.
Judge Awoniyi on the Bench with her father.
SCBA and WLS Host International Women’s Day Event Honoring Trailblazing Women on California’s Courts of Appeal
On March 7, 2025, the Sacramento County Bar Association and Women Lawyers of Sacramento co-hosted more than 100 attendees for International Women’s Day at The Urban Hive in downtown Sacramento.
Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977 and marked annually on March 8th in many countries around the world, International Women’s Day honors the achievements of women across the social, economic, cultural, and political spectrum, while also advocating for gender parity.
This year, the United Nations followed its annual tradition of announcing a theme for International Women’s Day: “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
The March 7th event began with an insightful presentation by Associate Justice Shama Hakim Mesiwala on seven historic women forging paths through California’s Courts of Appeal, followed by a panel discussion moderated
By Natalie Fujikawa
by Justice Mesiwala and featuring Associate Justice Stacey Boulware Eurie, Associate Justice Elena J. Duarte, Associate Justice Aimee A. Feinberg, and Administrative Presiding Justice Laurie M. Earl
During her presentation, Justice Mesiwala shared the stories of women justices making history, including: (1) Hon. Annette Abbott Adams (b. 1887 – d. 1956), the first female justice in California; (2) Hon. Arleigh Woods (b. 1929 – d. 2022), the first Black female justice; (3) Hon. Sheila Prell Sonenshine (ret.), the first Jewish American female justice in California and youngest California intermediate appellate court justice; (4) Hon. Joyce Kennard, the first of several categories on a California appellate bench, including Asian American female, first-generation immigrant female, non-native English speaking female, and female with a disability; (5) Hon. Ramona Godoy Perez (b. 1946 – d. 2001), the first Hispanic female justice; (6) Hon. Eileen Moore, the first and only
Natalie Fujikawa is the WLS President and a partner with Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, where she represents businesses in employment-related disputes, including wage and hour class action/PAGA cases. She can be reached at nfujikawa@grsm.com.
female military veteran justice; and (7) Hon. Therese M. Stewart, the first openly lesbian justice in California.
Those pursuing a legal career often learn early to seek mentorship and role models in our careers, and most impactful are legal figures who represent our own unique life experiences and identities. Each of the esteemed panelists shared their own experiences in similarly inspiring fashion, reflecting on, for example, what it means to serve as a visible role model for Sacramento youth, how to tackle some of the most challenging aspects of the seemingly illusory work-family balance, the value of support systems, and the resilience necessary to continue believing achievements are deserved.
For the second consecutive year, SCBA and WLS concluded the International Women’s Day event with an all-attendee photograph depicting the camaraderie and support forming the bedrock of our Sacramento legal community.
A Night of Celebration and Inspiration: Honoring Judge Bunmi O. Awoniyi and the State of the Courts in Sacramento
By Krista A. Lister
n May 15, 2025, the vibrant heart of Sacramento pulsed with anticipation and enthusiasm as the Sacramento County Bar Association hosted its annual Bench Bar Reception at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. This wasn’t just another mixer; it was a celebration of progress, community, and the inspiring individuals shaping the future of justice in the region.
During the cocktail hour, the atmosphere was electric with positivity, reflecting the spirit of collaboration and camaraderie that defines the Sacramento legal community. Warm embraces, laughter, and lively discussions filled the room, accompanied by delightful appetizers, desserts, and refreshing drinks.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the recognition of the remarkable Judge Bunmi O. Awoniyi as Judge of the Year. SCBA President Angelina Ray greeted attendees warmly, setting the stage for an inspiring introduction by the Hon. Kara K. Ueda. During her introduction, Judge Ueda beautifully captured Judge Awoniyi’s essence, highlighting her “servant leadership” – a dedication to community that shines through in all her endeavors. Thereafter, SCBA President Ray presented Judge Awoniyi with the SCBA’s 2025 Judge of the Year award.
When Judge Awoniyi took the stage to accept her award, her words resonated deeply. In a moving acceptance speech, she spoke of the profound meaning of the award, symbolizing both progress and represen-
Krista A. Lister is an attorney in Sacramento, and is the secretary for the Women Lawyers of Sacramento. She can be contacted at kristalister3@gmail.com.
Krista’s headshot by Diana Jahns Photography
Hon. Bunmi O. Awoniyi, 2025 SCBA Judge of the Year, and Angelina Ray, SCBA President, 2025.
tation. She shared her journey, reflecting on times when she didn’t see anyone who looked like her in college or later in the courtroom. Her powerful message was clear: “Visible representation matters.”
Judge Awoniyi’s hope, she expressed, is that when people enter the courthouse, they see a reflection of their community’s diversity. Her vision is one of inclusion and representation.
Listening to Judge Awoniyi, one couldn’t help but be inspired by her foresight, unwavering commitment to representation, and thoughtful leadership. Her dedication to teaching, mentoring, and being a visible role model for people of color striving for success in the legal profession is truly admirable. While it goes without saying, Judge Awoniyi is more than the first Black presiding judge of Sacramento Superior Court and a trailblazer. She is a beacon of hope and excellence, illuminating the path for future generations of lawyers and judges.
The evening continued with the State of the Courts Address, featuring insights from esteemed ju-
dicial leaders. Judge Troy L. Nunley, Chief United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California, started his address by recognizing and thanking several distinguished attendees, including Luis Céspedes, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Judicial Appointments Secretary, and United States District Judge Dena Coggins, whom he affectionately referred to as “brilliant!” Judge Nunley then shared that while the Eastern District is the busiest and most productive court in the nation, there are ongoing challenges, like backlogs and the need for more judgeships and court reporters.
Justice Laurie M. Earl, Administrative Presiding Justice for the Third Appellate District, provided an optimistic update, highlighting the Third District’s efficiency and full staffing. She proudly noted the court’s productivity, with an impressive 100 opinions per justice in 2024, and praised Justice Shama Mesiwala and Justice Elena Duarte’s work with students and externs.
Judge Awoniyi concluded the address by sharing that the Sac-
ramento Superior Court recently added ten new judges and two new commissioners. She pointed out that a significant 60% of the bench has been appointed since 2023, indicating a period of considerable change. Judge Awoniyi also commended Judge Steven M. Gevercer for his work in overhauling the civil division and noted that fewer criminal cases are proceeding to trial due to mental health diversion. Additionally, the Carol Miller Justice Center has enhanced its service to the community by adding one hour to the beginning and end of its service hours. Furthermore, the court has expanded its law and motion departments and consolidated the juvenile courts.
In a time when some legal communities might waver on publicly embracing diversity, the SCBA and Sacramento’s legal community stood firm, proudly showcasing that its strength lies within its diversity. This event was a powerful reminder: visible representation matters and celebrating those diverse voices championing justice will lead to a more equitable and just future for all.
Hon. Troy L. Nunley, Eastern District of California.
Hon. Laurie M. Earl, 3rd District Court of Appeal.
A Two-Front Assault on Deceptive Lawyer Advertising
By Larry Doyle
ALarry Doyle, veteran of decades of experience with the California Legislature, including 18 years as Chief Legislative Counsel for the California State Bar, former member of the State Bar’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct, and currently a staffer for the SCBA. He can be reached at larry.doyle@sacbar.org.
ttorney advertising has become a hot topic in California this year, with both the state bar and the legislature considering substantive revisions to the governing statutes and rules, respectively.
About 70 years after deeming advertising to be beneath the dignity of the legal profession and thus prohibiting it, the US Supreme Court held in Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, 433 U.S. 350, 383-84 (1977) that lawyer advertising is protected commercial speech but may be subject to reasonable restrictions. The intervening years between then and today has been a process of determining the reasonableness of imposed or proposed restrictions.
There are two primary sources of restriction: The California Rules of Professional Conduct and Articles 9.0 (Unlawful Soliciation) and 9.5 (Legal Advertising) of the State Bar Act (Sections 6150-6159.2).
The California Rules of Professional Conduct relating to advertising are found in Chapter 7 (Information about Legal Services). This section, like virtually all of the current rules, took effect November 1, 2018, when the Supreme Court approved a total overhaul of the California rules designed to make them correspond better to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct promulgated by the
American Bar Association and followed in every other state. Some of the ABA rules were adopted wholesale to replace their California counterparts, some California rules were simply renumbered, and some were changed substantially to reflect parts of both. The advertising rules, formerly numbered 1-320 and 1-400, were among the latter.
The advertising-related California Rule of Professional Conduct (CRPC) potentially subject to change is Rule 7.3, relating to Solicitation of Clients. In response to requests from domestic violence legal service providers across California about serious problems with attorney solicitation practic-
es in domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) cases, the State Bar’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (COPRAC) is seeking public comment on a proposed change to the CRPC to prohibit the solicitation of clients in domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) cases before they have been formally served. This conduct is concerning to COPRAC because it can alert alleged abusers to the existence of the DVRO request prematurely, at a time recognized by law as particularly dangerous for victims (Fam. Code § 6309(a) (1)(A)-(B)). Comments should be submitted using the online Public Comment Form. Deadline: July 18, 2025, 11:59 p.m..
On the legislative front, major changes are proposed to the State Bar Act via Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Tom Umberg’s SB 37
The articles of the State Bar Act governing attorney advertising and solicitation were initially enacted in 1993 through the enactment of AB 208 by then-Assemblymember Paul Horcher. The new statutory provisions were, for the most part, very similar to the then-existing CRPC. The bill was intended to provide additional clarity at a time when lawyer ads on TV were often less dignified than used car ads and to make it easier for the standards to respond to societal changes like the development of online media (statutes are usually much faster and easier to change than the CRPC). Another major feature of the bill as it moved through the legislative process was to provide a more effective enforcement mechanism than was available under the CRPC in the form of establishing a
private right of action for violations of the statutory provisions. Rather than depending on the state bar’s disciplinary procedures to administer penalties, which historically have been minimal for breaches of advertising regulations, the bill would have enabled other attorneys to initiate lawsuits on behalf of the defrauded or misled public, with the possibility of obtaining significant damages.
The private right of action provisions did not stay in AB 208. The principal concern was that it would become a weapon of competition between law firms, with firms, or individual lawyers, suing each other to obtain competitive advantage. There also was concern that it would flood the courts with lawsuits of lesser importance at the expense of more serious matters.
Originally, the bill would have added a private right of action similar to that which was taken out of AB 208 thirty-two years be-
fore, permitting any person who claimed to have been misled or deceived by an ad to sue for damages of between $5,000 and $100,000 for each broadcast. However, it was subsequently (on 5.29.2025) amended to require an initial complaint over a “bad ad” to be filed with the state bar, with a copy of the complaint to the advertiser. If the state bar determines that substantial evidence of a violation exists and the licensee or certified lawyer referral service who broadcasts the advertisement fails to withdraw it, the suit may proceed and damages may be imposed of $5,000 to $100,000 for “each unique advertisement or three times the amount of actual damages, whichever is larger,” plus attorney’s fees, injunctive or declaratory relief, and other relief the court deems proper. The private right of action provisions of SB 37 also are specifically made applicable to lawyer referral services registered under
B&P Code §6155. The registration requirement is designed to ensure that referrals are not paid for and are made to pair the consumer with an appropriate and competent attorney to address the consumer’s specific legal issue. Requiring lawyer referral services to adhere to standards for accurate advertising makes sense.
The new amendments seem to address the most substantial reasons against the private right of action – that it will be misused for anti-competitive reasons. SB 37 also would make several modernizing and clarifying changes to the law, including many that were added to the Rules of Professional Conduct as overhauled in 2018. From the Senate Judiciary Committee analysis of the measure:
“This bill seeks to enhance the existing prohibitions on advertising by additionally prohibiting certain misleading and unverifiable statements. These include prohibiting an advertisement from containing or referring to any of the following: a prediction of success regarding the legal matter; references to past results, unless the information is objectively verifiable
and does not omit facts that would make the purported results misleading; and misleading, deceptive, or false statements, words, or phrases regarding a lawyer’s or law firm’s skills, experience, reputation, or record.”
SB 37 is sponsored by the Consumer Attorneys of California and supported by a host of local trial lawyer associations. Significantly, the bill is not opposed by any entity. Members of the “business lobby” who traditionally oppose private right of action measures appear to be working with the consumer attorneys and trial lawyers to produce a consensus measure.
At this writing, SB 37 passed both Senate committees it was assigned to and is awaiting a vote on the Senate floor.
Before we get to know your finances, we get to know you. Our bankers understand the unique needs of our local law community. They speak your language, specializing in legal services to create tailored solutions right for your business.
Visit us today, or go to umpquabank.com to learn about the tools and loans available for all stages of your practice.
Buan
In my opinion…
By Andi Liebenbaum
Andi Liebenbaum is a past-president of the SCBA. She can be contacted at liebenbaum@gmail.com.
The view and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Sacramento Lawyer Magazine or all members of the SCBA or its Board.
t is hard to equate the current threats to lawyers, law firms, and judicial officers with anything we or the professionals who came before us have ever experienced in the US during the past century and a half.
As early as March, the President issued a series of executive orders against law firms (see here and here and here; there are others), labeling the work of those targeted law firms as supporting the “weaponization of the Federal Government.” Concurrently, the President began revoking security clearances for attorneys affiliated with those same targeted firms.
What followed was a series of deals. The President demanded deals to reinstate security clearances with the offending firms so long as the firms agreed to provide pro bono services to causes champi-
oned by the President.
Question for you: Are you confident that causes championed by the President are inherently for the public good?
Nine multinational law firms agreed to provide legal services for the public good of the President’s choosing:
1. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
2. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
3. Willkie Farr & Gallagher
4. Latham & Watkins
5. Milbank
6. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
7. A & O Shearman
8. Kirkland & Ellis
9. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
As described by the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University, Paul Weiss took a deal “agreeing to provide substantial pro bono work to defend challenges against the government in exchange for the government ceasing its actions.” Putting a less extortionist perspective on things, The New York Times reported
that, “Brad Karp, the chairman of Paul Weiss, was very clear with the firm’s top leadership that his agreement with President Trump was essentially a codification of work that Paul Weiss already does, a message echoed by leaders of other firms about their agreements.”
“Mr. Trump, it turns out, has a far more expansive view of what those firms can be called on to do,” according to that same Times article. “Over the last week, [President Trump] has suggested that the firms will be drafted into helping him negotiate trade deals. He has mused about having them help with his goal of reviving the coal industry.” In fact, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was quoted as saying these firms have “committed to hundreds of millions in pro bono work and other free legal services.”
Among the consequences of these firms taking/making deals with the Administration has been a public outing campaign – letters of defiance, association resolutions like the one SCBA endorsed at their April 2025 meeting (see below), and the resignations of numerous
partners and associates formerly with those firms (here and here).
In contrast, three law firms – Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block; WilmerHale; and Susman Godfrey – have pushed back. As reported in the Washington Post on March 12, Perkins Coie and Jenner & Block immediately asked courts to block executive orders permanently. Susman Godfrey filed a lawsuit asserting that the President’s actions were “unconstitutional, retaliatory and an effort ‘to discourage law firms and their clients from challenging abuses of government power.’”
As reported in by Middle Tennessee State University and other news outlets, “On May 2, 2025, a federal district judge issued a permanent injunction against the government, saying the executive order against Perkins Coie violated First Amendment rights of speech and association and was an unlawful retaliation against the
firm's protected speech.”
Those of us who signed up to be engaged and active participants in this system of justice were ostensibly drawn to society’s gray areas upon which much of the practice of law is concerned. If everything was easy-peasy, black-and-white, with bright line rules, we wouldn’t need courts. But the world, and our democratic' system of justice, are anything but that.
Justice is complicated and messy. The representation of clients “distasteful” to political leadership, or even the greater population, has been an important element of our justice system from our earliest days. This was made most notable when, in 1770, John Adams famously defended British soldiers and their captain, Thomas Preston, in the trials following the Boston Massacre. The captain and his soldiers were entitled to, and received, due process (an element missing from His Majesty’s English
court at the time). Every American History and first year law student learns about this case, and about the role of the courts in a civil society.
Lawyers and law firms defend people, places, and things against tyranny and abuse. When nine of the nation’s leading, name brand law firms, employing over 10,000 attorneys, buckle under the pressure of a bully, even if he is the President, and agree to perform “pro bono work and other free legal services” because that President threatened to punish them for their service to other clients, or for employing people against whom he holds grudges, I’m disappointed. No, scratch that. I’m actually disgusted. You are allowed to disagree – with me, with the Paul Weiss partners, with any of the outrage about what I view as the extortion of legal services by the Trump Administration – but it’s my firmly held view that lawyers are the ul-
timate tool to stand up to bullying and extortion, not cave to it.
I understand that the President feels aggrieved that he has been sued. I further understand that the act of filing a lawsuit can be a weapon of sorts, used at times to frighten those with less, with the power and might of those who have more. Even in the most just of cases, a filed lawsuit represents one party versus another. There has never been a time that the American practice of law was anything other than an inherently antagonistic process. Having outlawed duels and vigilantism, we want parties that oppose one another to use the formality and dignity of the court system to address their opposition.
And yet, here we have the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, on March 6, issuing an executive order threatening law firms like Perkins Coie LLP, claiming the firm was “dishonest” and
“dangerous” because the firm represented Hillary Clinton in 2016, and because it encourages diversity among the lawyers it employs.
And on March 22, 2025, the President issued another executive order in which he claimed that law firms that represent his political opponents, undocumented persons, and others antagonistic to him are “grossly unethical,” and that such representation is inherently filled with “rampant fraud and meritless claims… and unscrupulous behavior.”
Lawyers, judicial officers, and other members of the legal community do not, as a body, agree on everything, not even close. But we should be able to agree that our system of law, and the procedures that make the system work, should not result in extortion of law firms and lawyers, who, in the lawful, ethical, and professional practice of law, represent people antagonistic to the President. Attorneys and
firms that, in their legal capacities, challenge the President’s conduct, behavior and activities in court, also should not be subjected to harassment, threats, and defamation.
Contrary to the President’s earlier claim that he would “end forever the weaponization of government and the abuse of law enforcement against political opponents,” The President’s actions show that he wants and tried to weaponize the United States Department of Justice to harm legitimate law firms and lawfully practicing attorneys. In coercing legitimate law firms and lawfully practicing attorneys to provide unpaid legal services to clients and causes favored by him, the President is upending the rule of law and adding to the general distrust faced by the courts and the legal community. These nine law firms that thought they struck deals with the President are remarkably naïve if
A Proud Sponsor of the Sacramento County Bar Association 2025 Bench Bar Reception
they somehow thought that they would be spared ongoing manipulation and threats by signing these Faustian deals.
As referenced above, at its April 16 meeting, the Directors of the Sacramento County Bar Association voted to sign a letter drafted and circulated by the New York City Bar Association condemning the President’s actions. That letter, in full, is reprinted here:
We, the undersigned bar associations, stand united in condemning the President’s orders targeting law firms. These actions violate fundamental principles of our legal system and undermine the right to counsel, the independence of the le gal profession, and the rule of law.
Our justice system is premised on the principle that all individu als and entities – regardless of their political, social, or economic stand ing – are entitled to representation. This foundational principle is not a
privilege granted at the discretion of those in power; it is a cornerstone of democracy, enshrined in our Constitution, and protected by our courts. Attempts to intimidate or penalize lawyers for representing clients whose interests do not align with those of the government are antithetical to our democracy, violate the rule of law, chill attorneys from fulfilling their ethical and professional obligations, and undermine our system of justice.
We call upon all branches of government to support the rule of law and the essential role of lawyers in
There are 52 other legal associations that joined the New York City Bar Association in calling out the President’s tactics.
At some point, it must be us, as individuals, not just our associations, but those of us with the privilege of a law school education, a black robe and/or a license to practice law, who stand up for the profession that has given us so much. That time is now.
I am disheartened that nine of the world’s largest, most powerful firms headed by some of the nation’s most recognizable names
Lawyer
SPECIAL SUMMER MAGAZINE EDITION
How Do You Recharge?
Traveling, hiking, reading, gaming, spelunking, playing amateur sports—or just relaxing at home—how do you unwind?
For our special summer magazine edition, we want to showcase the many ways our members relax and recharge.
Share your stories, favorite escapes, or summer vacation photos! (If you submit a photo, please include a caption.)
We’d love to feature you in our next issue.
Send your stories and captioned photos to: Ellen C. Arabian-Lee at editor@sacbar.org
Special Edition Advertising: SCBA members receive a 50 percent discount on advertising in this special edition.
TWO-DAY TWO-DAY
August 22-23, 2025 August 22-23, 2025
8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law 3200 5th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95817
