At the SDCBA, community and inclusion are two of our core values. To bring those values to life, diversity and inclusion efforts must be a daily practice. And while there is always more to do, I am proud of the steps we have taken to support and increase diversity in the legal profession. Among these efforts, the SDCBA adopted in 2018 a leading-edge policy setting out requirements for diversity among our educational programming speakers, available here. The policy aims to create a more inclusive legal community, including providing speaking opportunities and encouraging the full and equal participation of our members.
Additionally, our Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (previously the Ethnic Relations and Diversity Committee) meets monthly, typically the second Friday of the month, as a way for the SDCBA and members of the local diversity and specialty bar associations to gather, facilitate dialogue, and focus strategic efforts on advancing diversity within the profession. If you are an SDCBA member interested in advancing diversity and inclusion in the profession, you can apply to join the Committee through our newly revamped committee appointments process. Click here for more information.
And, importantly, another of our signature efforts is the Diversity Fellowship Program, which the SDCBA runs in partnership with the Association of Corporate Counsel, San Diego Chapter. The Diversity Fellowship Program was launched in 2009 to increase the participation of diverse attorneys practicing law in San Diego County. Each summer, diverse law students are placed in participating law firms and corporate legal departments throughout the County. This provides an amazing opportunity for the participating fellows to gain hands-on legal experience and for employers to benefit from the unique talents and perspectives that law students from diverse backgrounds bring to the table.
If you are part of a law firm or corporate legal department interested in participating in the Diversity Fellowship Program as an employer, please reach out to DFP Director Bhashini Weerasinghe at bw@bhashinilaw.com. For more information, please visit the Diversity Fellowship Program webpage here. And, if you haven’t already read it, check out the latest issue of San Diego Lawyer magazine, which focused on diversity.
Finally, don't forget, the Bar Center will be closed next Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Have a great week!
Johanna Schiavoni
2020 SDCBA President
Events this week
CLE events are highlighted in red.
Thu, January
16
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Monthly Meet-up
New Lawyer Division Toast to the New Year
Celebrate the New Year at a '60s-themed bar in North Park.
Fri, January
17
8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
CLE event / 3rd Annual
Law + Tech Summit 2020
Join us for this one-day, knowledge-packed summit to learn from technology experts, network with industry peers, and obtain MCLE credit while gaining valuable insight to the latest legal technology trends, tools, and topics.
Next week
Wed, January
22
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Section Meeting
Appellate Practice Section Meeting
Join the section to discuss matters relating to state and federal appellate courts and the Appellate Divisions of the Superior Courts.
Thu, January
23
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Roundtable Discussion
The Art of Billing
Please join us as we discuss considerations, practice ideas, and tips in the area of pricing and charging.
Ethics in Brief Article
Ethical Implications of Client Testimonials
By Meredith Montrose and Andrew Servais MORE»
Would you like to be featured in San Diego Lawyer magazine?
Our "Why I Belong" section is open for submissions. See the latest column here. To be considered, please complete this form.
Of Note
Our Tech Guru, Adriana, is at the Bar Center this week! Schedule an appointment here.
The State Bar seeks public comment on Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 17-0001 (Advising a Cannabis Business). The 60-day Public Comment Period ends February 24, 2020. Please refer to the public comment notice posted on the website for information on the process for submitting a comment.
The U.S. Attorney's Office is currently seeking experienced attorneys for one or more positions as an Assistant U.S. Attorney ("AUSA") in the Criminal Division. See job description »
In light of amended California Rule of Court, rule 8.74, the Electronic Formatting Requirements of the Fourth District will no longer be posted. Parties are directed to rule 8.74 for any questions regarding electronic formatting requirements.
The U.S. District Court, Southern District of California will be upgrading its CM/ECF software to the Next Generation of CM/ECF (NextGen) on March 02, 2020. Click here to learn more.
Civics Contest 2020 Announcement: An essay and video contest for high school students in the western United States and Pacific Islands. Entries accepted beginning February 15, 2020. Deadline for entries is March 25, 2020.
President's Message
