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 were honored on October 7 to be joined by an all-star roster of speakers for our annual Dialogue on Diversity program—Right to Vote! History of Voting Rights, Legal Challenges, and Current Concerns. San Diego City Councilmember Monica Montgomery gave special welcome remarks, Fourth Appellate District Justice Eileen Moore provided the legal and jurisprudential background of key voting rights developments, voting rights litigators Mimi Marziani and Chad Dunn provided an on-the-ground analysis of current litigation and issues percolating through the states and various courts right now, and finally our San Diego Registrar, Michael Vu, added a don’t-miss update on voting in San Diego County. Thank you to all of our speakers, our sponsors, and to my co-facilitator Fanny Yu for presenting this timely and informative dialogue. And the best part is—if you weren’t able to join us (or if you left early to watch the VP debate), you can catch the replay here and get 1.5 hours of free Elimination of Bias MCLE (self-study credit).
On another important election-related note—the SDCBA Board has voted to support Measure B on the November 3, 2020 ballot for the City of San Diego, which measure would amend San Diego’s City Charter to establish an independent Commission on Police Practices. As the largest law-related organization in San Diego County, taking a position on independent police oversight and accountability is closely related both to our mission and to our commitment to fairness, equity, and equal access to justice under the law. You can read our full news release about the SDCBA’s support for Measure B here. And if you’d like to join SDCBA members in a roundtable discussion about other measures or initiatives on your ballot, check out tomorrow’s lunchtime program BYOM: Bring Your Favorite Ballot Measure. Register here.
The SDCBA Board of Directors election is under way now through November 13. You can learn more about each of our outstanding candidates here. To vote electronically, please check for an email from vote@simplyvoting.com with the link to your ballot. If you have any questions about the logistics of voting, or to request a paper ballot, please email Olga Blankson at oblankson@sdcba.org.
And, in case you missed it, you can catch the replay here of our September 30 Awards Ceremony & Celebration of Community Service. At this moment, it is particularly important to celebrate the good in our community and in one another. At the event, California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins provided inspiring welcome remarks and we were honored to receive a proclamation from San Diego City Council President Georgette Gómez declaring September 30, 2020 “San Diego County Bar Association Law Day.” (See the proclamation here.) It was an honor getting to know our Service Award recipients and student civics contest winners. A special thank you to our sponsors, presenters, speakers, and of course, our honorees. Again, click here to view the celebration.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20 at 10:00 a.m., we are kicking off a four-part Tech Tuesday course on Building and Understanding Your Firm Website with an Introduction to Website Builders and which to use. Technology and Practice Management Advisor Adriana Linares and SDCBA Director of Marketing Ron Marcus will guide you through starting and managing your firm's site from start to finish, to better promote your firm and serve your clients. Register here.
Next Monday, October 26 at 12:00 p.m., the Appellate Practice Section will host Got Amici? Strategic and Technical Considerations in Amicus Participation in Litigation. This CLE event will offer an insightful discussion on the fundamentals of amicus briefing and strategic considerations of how briefs can be most impactful. Plus, it offers both 1.0 CLE credit and 1.0 Specialization credit in Appellate Practice. Register here to join us.
It's not only election season—it's membership renewal season too. I'm pleased to let you know you can renew your membership for 2021 at the 2020 rate! With all the other challenges (and opportunities) 2020 is bringing our way, we want to make keeping your SDCBA member benefits in 2021 easy. You can renew here.
We wish you a wonderful week!
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 »
Section and New Lawyer Division Leadership elections are open now through October 22 at 5:00 p.m. Learn about the candidates and cast your vote here.
Board election season is underway. You can read the candidates’ statements and learn all about the voting process here. Polls are open until Nov. 13. Paper ballots are available by request.
Board Update
This Board Update is designed to provide members with a summary of the monthly Board of Directors meeting. If you have any questions about Board Updates or wish to learn more about Board service, please contact President Johanna Schiavoni at johanna@schiavoni-law.com.
After months of work by the SDCBA’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and on their recommendation, the Board adopted a new purpose statement for CDI as follows: “to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and improved access to justice in all aspects of the legal profession and the community.”
The Board elected Nicholas Fox as the Association’s 2021 Secretary and Marissa Bejarano as the 2021 Treasurer.
The Board voted to support Measure B on the November 3, 2020 ballot, which measure would amend San Diego’s City Charter to establish an independent Commission on Police Practices. As the largest law-related organization in San Diego County, taking a position on independent police oversight and accountability is closely related both to our mission and to our commitment to fairness, equity, and equal access to justice under the law.
The pilot program MCLE Annual Pass is now available for $100 for new and renewing members. This pass provides unlimited access to all live and on-demand MCLE programming. Members who purchase the pass in 2020 will have unlimited access effective immediately, through December 31, 2021.
The next Board of Directors meeting is November 10, 2020.
Events This Week
CLE events are highlighted in red.
Tue, Oct
20
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
FREE Webinar / Tech Tuesday Series
Tech Tuesday: Introduction to Website Builders: Choosing Your Website Platform
Join Technology and Practice Management Advisor Adriana Linares for a look at the popular website platforms Wix and Squarespace, as well as basic training in WordPress for both beginners and those who have used it before.
Tue, Oct
20
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
FREE Webinar
BYOM: Bring Your Favorite Ballot Measure
Join the Environmental Land Use Section and the Government Law Section for a roundtable discussion that will analyze local measures on the November ballot. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite measures so we can all learn more about the many important issues on the ballot.
Thu, Oct
22
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
CLE Webinar / Specialization in Estate Planning
Now What? Enforcement and Collection of a Surcharge Order
Join the Estate Planning, Trusts & Probate Section for a review of the requirements to determine whether a surcharge order is non-dischargeable in bankruptcy as a "defalcation of trust," how the standard is different from the California law standard for fiduciary breach of trust, and the procedural issues that result. This program offers 1.0 CLE credit & 1.0 Specialization in Estate Planning credit.
Thu, Oct
22
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
FREE Webinar
When Mentee Met Mentor:
Labor and Employment Speed Networking Mixer
Join the Labor and Employment Law Section for a fun and informal speed mentoring event. Law students and junior lawyers (less than 5 yrs) interested in labor and employment law will be paired with more experienced labor and employment attorneys (6 yrs+) to talk shop about the practice area, lawyering in San Diego, share stories and make networking contacts.
Next Week
Mon, Oct
26
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
CLE Webinar / Specialization in Appellate Practice
Got Amici? Strategic and Technical Considerations in Amicus Participation in Litigation
Join the Appellate Practice Section for an insightful discussion on the fundamentals of amicus briefing, what briefs should contribute, and strategic considerations of how briefs can be most impactful. This program offers 1.0 CLE credit & 1.0 Specialization credit in Appellate Practice.
Tue, Oct
27
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
FREE Webinar / Tech Tuesday Series
Tech Tuesday: Introduction to the WordPress Interface (Part 1 of 3)
Join Technology and Practice Management Advisor Adriana Linares for this three-part course on how to create or improve your own website using the publishing platform WordPress.
Wed, Oct
28
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Appellate Practice Section Meeting
Join us via Zoom for our monthly meeting to discuss matters relating to law practice in state and federal appellate courts. The Section discusses rules of appellate procedure and practice, best practices in appellate litigation, and interesting cases. All are welcome to join the Appellate Practice Section listserv and monthly meetings.
Wed, Oct
28
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
FREE Webinar
Exchange on Equity Roundtable:
Ava DuVernay’s Documentary 13th
Join us for a thought provoking discussion of the 2016 American documentary film 13th, directed by Ava DuVernay, which explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. Attendees will be lead through a general introduction, followed by facilitated virtual breakout discussions.
Fri, Oct
30
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting / Signature Event
New Lawyer Division Face-Mask-erade
Get out your most extravagant face mask, or any unique facial attire, and join the New Lawyer Division for costume contests, prizes, and our new Remo networking platform where you can jump between virtual breakout rooms! This event is FREE and all SDCBA members are welcome.
Member Benefit Highlight
Exclusive member discounts from our trusted partners
E-FILING TRAINING SESSION
AND 30 DAY FREE TRIAL
SDCBA Members can take advantage of all of CourtFiling.net’s benefits free for 30 days. Learn more »
Sponsored Content from SDCBA Member Benefit Partner: Faster Law
Clients not paying? Here's why.
It doesn’t matter how much work you do if your clients aren’t paying. We’ve compiled some tips for creating effective time entries that will make sure your clients feel good about the work you’ve done and actually WANT to pay you.
The Protection Paradox: Do Gender Lines Keep Women on a Pedestal or in a Cage?
By Pooja D. Pujara
In issues of fact, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg challenged the legal community and educated us on how gender disparity, even under the guise of protecting women, led to gender discrimination. Read »
Permissible and Impermissible Attorneys’ Liens in California
By Steve Berenson
After putting in all of the time, effort, and expense involved in bringing a matter to a conclusion, little can dampen the sense of accomplishment more than a client's inability – or unwillingness – to pay the agreed-upon fees. Read »
Leadership Opportunities
Site Managers Wanted for General Election Polling Places
The San Diego County Registrar of Voters is seeking poll workers (particularly bilingual poll workers), in addition to temporary full-time site managers(which oversee teams of poll workers) to operate assigned polling places for the General Election. Both the poll worker and site managers position are paid and training is provided.
ABA Launches Poll Worker, Esq. Initiative
The American Bar Association, in partnership with the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors, has launched the Poll Worker, Esq. initiative. Lawyers and law students across the nation are encouraged to ensure the safety and efficiency of the voting process by becoming poll workers in their communities.
Legal Community Events
California Women Lawyers Lunch with Leaders Join CWL on October 20 at 11:30 a.m. for its monthly Lunch with Leaders series. This month, they will be joined by Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager. Register here »
California Western Women’s Community Event Focused on Social Justice Join California Western Women's Community for its inagural event on October 22, focused on social justice. The event will feature speakers Hannah Brenner Johnson, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Law; San Diego Superior Court Judge Tilisha T. Martin; Alissa Bjerkhoel, Litigation Coordinator for the California Innocence Project, and Kimberly Long, Exoneree. The discussion will be moderated by attorney Patti Zlaket. Register here »
Lawyers Club's Community Service Committee Virtual Halloween
Read-In Help us read to the Central Elementary students. Due to the Pandemic, we will be unable to read to the students in person. There are two options this year. You may pre-record a video reading a book and send it to the teacher (the video should be no more than 8-10 minutes in length) or you may read to the students live via Zoom from 12:00-12:15 p.m. on October 30, 2020. Register here »
Of Note
Get Assistance with Your Civil Appeal at Virtual CASHW Webinar Join the San Diego Law Library, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, and the San Diego County Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section for their monthly Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop online. This workshop is designed for individuals with civil cases they want to appeal or have appealed their case to the 4th District Court of Appeal and who are not represented by an attorney. Register here.
Watch the 2020 SDCBA Service Awards See a recording of the virtual Annual Awards Ceremony & Celebration of Community Service here.
Watch Dialogue on Diversity: Right to Vote! See a recording of the SDCBA signature event, Dialogue on Diversity: Right to Vote! History of Voting Rights, Legal Challenges, and Current Concerns here.
SDCBA Member Suggestion Box We value your feedback! Share your ideas, comments, and more, here.
President's Message
