The SDCBA Bar Center is closed at this time. We are closely monitoring the situation to determine when we can reopen. Meanwhile, all in-person events and meetings during this time – both at the Bar Center and off-site – have either been re-scheduled as webinars or conference calls, postponed, or canceled. Please read our latest update about these changes here »
President's Message
We know that your connections to the courts are vital to your practice. If you’re a family law attorney, or a new attorney or law student, please feel welcome to join us on Thursday at 12:00 p.m. for the third installment of our Breakouts with the Bench series—Family Law. After some introductory remarks by court leadership, you’ll join a breakout room where you can connect with Family Law judges from across the County. Space is limited, so register now »
You won’t want to miss Tuesday’s program, Race, Civil Liberties, and the Legal Profession, at 12:00 p.m. At this program, Michele Goodwin, award-winning author, advocate, professor, and social commentator, will discuss why recognizing law as an accomplice and facilitator of racism is overdue, and why law's role and responsibility in dismantling discrimination and racism are crucial in promoting the rule of law. Special thanks to the 39 co-sponsoring organizations who have elevated the event’s reach into broader diverse communities. Limited space remains. Register soon.
Next week, we are co-hosting, along with the San Diego Superior Court and the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists, the Annual Bench-Bar Media Event: Meeting This Moment—How the Bench, Bar, and Media are Addressing the Intersection of COVID-19 and the Social Justice Movement.The year 2020 first brought stay-at-home orders and unprecedented closures of the court system due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then sustained protests over police treatment of African-Americans. During this extraordinary year, the Bench has grappled with how to maintain access to the courts. The Bar has confronted COVID-related challenges to the practice of law and its role in ensuring equal access to justice. Finally, Media outlets have worked overtime to cover it all while managing unusual new obstacles to newsgathering. Panelists will discuss local efforts to confront these issues from their respective roles as legal community activists, journalists, and law enforcement officials. Register here »
We will also continue our Tech Tuesday series with the following events:
Finally, do you know school-aged kids in search of a project? We currently are accepting submissions from K-12 students for our Law Week Poster & Video Contest, which is centered around the theme “Our Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy—the 19th Amendment at 100.” All entries will be evaluated by a committee of attorneys based on originality, creativity, and impact. Submissions are due by September 4. There are cash awards for the first, second, and third-place entries, and winning entries and runners-up will be displayed on our website and at the Edward J. Schwartz United States Courthouse. Learn more about this year's contest and submit the student’s entries here »
We hope you take some time to enjoy the final weeks of summer!
Johanna Schiavoni
2020 SDCBA President
COVID-19 Updates
Updates from Courts Across California:To view updates from state and federal trial and appellate courts across the state,click here »
Legal Community Updates and Resources: For related news and helpful articles from the community at large, including a section on, "Reopening Your Business," click here »
A Look Ahead at the SDCBA
Subject to change based on health and safety considerations.
September 23: Dialogue on Diversity, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
September 30: Annual Awards Ceremony & Celebration of Community Service, 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Events This Week
CLE events are highlighted in red.
Tue, Aug
11
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
FREE Webinar
Tech Tuesday: Microsoft Word —
Headers, Footers & Complex Page Numbering
The key to working successfully with headers, footers, and page numbers is to understand Sections and Sections Breaks. Attend this session to learn how to manage headers and footers from simple to complex, as well as page numbering and more.
Tue, Aug
11
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
FREE Webinar
Race, Civil Liberties, and the Legal Profession
Join Michele Goodwin, award-winning author, advocate, professor, and social commentator, as she discusses why recognizing that law is an accomplice and facilitator of racism is overdue and why law's role and responsibility in dismantling discrimination and racism are crucial in promoting the rule of law.
Tue, Aug
11
5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
FREE Webinar
Roundtable: The Business of Law and Diversity — Diversifying Entrepreneurs in IP Law and Tech Transfer
Join expert panelists as they dive into various reasons why diversity in IP and Tech is lacking, as well as provide evidence-backed suggestions for firms and companies in order to promote, attract, and maintain diversity in the workplace.
Wed, Aug
12
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
FREE Webinar / Wellness Series
Wellness Wednesday:
Mindful Meditation Series
Learn and practice a breath-based meditation technique with facilitator Amy Lepine, a practicing attorney and meditation enthusiast.
Wed, Aug
12
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
FREE Webinar
State Boards and Commissions with Appointment Secretary
Cathryn Rivera-Hernandez
This Zoom webinar will feature the Governor’s Secretary of Appointments Cathryn Rivera-Hernandez discussing how and why to seek appointments at the State level. To attend this special program, please RSVP to Zach.Bunshaft@gov.ca.gov by August 10 and indicate that you heard about this opportunity from the SDCBA.
Thu, Aug
13
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
FREE Signature Virtual Event
Breakouts with the Bench:
Family Law
Please join us for the Family Law edition of our virtual Breakouts with the Bench series, where you'll get to personally connect with Family Law Judicial Officers from across San Diego County. Following a brief welcome, you'll join a Zoom "breakout room" with fellow attorneys and one or more judicial officers for a smaller group discussion. Space is limited for this one-of-a-kind event, so register now to secure your spot!
Thu, Aug
13
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
FREE Webinar
New Lawyer Division Book Meetup: White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
Join Stephanie Atkinson, Member at Large with the New Lawyer Division, for a discussion on Robin DiAngelo's White Fragility, a book about the difficulty and discomfort of conversations about race in the United States.
Next Week
Tue, Aug
18
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
FREE Webinar
Tech Tuesday: Microsoft Word —
Helpful Tools from the "Review" Ribbon: Comments, Track Changes, and Restricting Editing
The Review Ribbon in Word contains several helpful tools for legal professionals. Attend this session to become a pro in working with comments, dealing with track changes and compared documents, and how to protect parts or all of your Word doc from being edited.
Featured Event
Wed, Aug
19
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
FREE Signature Virtual Event
Annual Bench-Bar Media Event:
Meeting This Moment — How the Bench, Bar, and Media are Addressing the Intersection of COVID-19 and the Social Justice Movement
The year 2020 first brought stay-at-home orders and unprecedented closures of the court system due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then sustained protests over police treatment of African-Americans. During this extraordinary year, the Bench has grappled with how to maintain access to the courts. The Bar has confronted COVID-related challenges to the practice of law and its role in ensuring equal access to justice. Finally, Media outlets have worked overtime to cover it all while managing unusual new obstacles to newsgathering. Panelists will discuss local efforts to confront these issues from their respective roles as legal community activists, journalists, and law enforcement officials.
Ethics in Brief Article
A Lawyer’s Ethical Obligation to Convey Settlement Offers and Abide by the Client’s Decision (Even When it Hurts)
By Richard D. Hendlin More »
Featured Articles
Helpful information from the SDCBA.
Myth Busters: Practicing Cyber Law is Not Just Zeros and Ones
By Justine M. Phillips and Jessica Gross
Throughout San Diego, cyber attorneys are finding themselves advising clients on issues related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data privacy, eCommerce, information governance, third-party service agreements, and insurance, among other things. Read »
Building Resilience in Isolation
By Julie Lopez
With lawyers experiencing some of the highest incidences of burnout, mental health challenges, and suicides before the pandemic, how do we find resilience in this time of increased isolation? Read »
Legal Community Events
California Women Lawyers is holding its annual So, You Want to be a Judge? program Tuesday, August 11 at 1:00 p.m. The program is virtual, open to all, and includes break-out sessions with small groups of attendees paired up with judges based on the attendees’ practice areas and work experience. Register here »
The Federal Bar Association, San Diego Chapter, presents a FREE CLE event, The Power Act: Promoting Pro Bono Legal Services to Survivors of Domestic Violence, on August 20 at 12:00 p.m. Register here »
National Conflict Resolution Center invites you tojoin them on August 20 at 7:00 p.m. for A Path Forward, a virtual event addressing today's most urgent issues. Speakers will include Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist, Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility, and Wesley Lowery, author of They Can't Kill Us All: The Story of the Struggle for Black Lives. This event also includes an opportunity to support NCRC's essential community work with a virtual raise-the-paddle. Attendance is free. Learn more here and register here »
Of Note
Visit the newly revamped Community Volunteering and Pro Bono pages on the SDCBA website. You can find them in the “About SDCBA” dropdown menu under “Community Involvement.”
President's Message
