Sacramento Lawyer Magazine Vol. 1-2024

Connor Olson

2024 SCBA President

Photo by Eleakis Photography:

not sure why I waited so long to

Ellen

Heather

SCBA

Connor

Angelina

Brittany

Ben

MEMBERSHIP

Barbara

Theresa

Larry

Photo by

Adobe

Sacramento Lawyer welcomes letters and article suggestions from readers. Please e-mail them to editor@sacbar.org. The Sacramento County Bar Association 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 Sacramento County Bar Association. Returns of tangible items such as photographs are by permission of the Editors, by pickup at the SCBA office only.

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Answering the Call

By Connor Olson

Dear Members of the Sacramento County Bar Association:

As we embark on a new year, I am honored to extend my warmest greetings to each and every one of you. For this edition of our magazine, I am particularly excited to address a topic that lies at the heart of our association and is best reflected in the simple and powerful notion of “answering the call.”

In our best form, I believe that we are a society that thrives on interconnectedness and collaboration. Reflecting on my own journey as an attorney, I have had the pleasure and honor of serving our legal community in various capacities, with the most significant being my time with the SCBA. While I never actively sought out a role in the SCBA, I leaned into the pre-

sented opportunity to answer the call. And, looking back, I can say without reservation that I am forever grateful for the subsequent path it has led me on.

From my first year in practice, where a simple request from Caroline Colangelo to use the Downey Brand conference room led me to join the Barristers’ Club of Sacramento, to joining the Small/Solo Practice Division at the invitation of John Orcutt, and later stepping into leadership roles with the Board of Directors at the behest of Bryan Hawkins – each step has been a valuable chapter in my professional and personal growth.

I also can confidently say that my involvement in the SCBA has been instrumental in not just my survival, but my good fortune of having thrived as

an attorney. It has allowed me to learn from and forge meaningful connections with remarkable individuals like Judge David I. Brown (Ret.), Steve Duvernay, Vicki Jacobs, Bruce Timm, Andi Liebenbaum, and Jinnifer Pitcher – all of whom have answered the call. And as many of you know, the legal profession, particularly litigation, can be cold and harsh. Hence, the warmth of colleagues, mentors, heroes/heroines, and friends becomes indispensable.

Today, I am personally, and in my capacity as President, calling on YOU to increase your level of involvement with the SCBA. My journey hopefully stands as a testament to the fact that such involvement not only provides professional opportunities but also contributes to a richer and more fulfilling life.

Looking ahead, I believe that a strong and cohesive legal community will be more important than ever in addressing common challenges and championing shared values. In that sense, your active participation is not just an investment in your own growth, it is your contribution to society.

With all that in mind, let us collectively strive to make the SCBA a vibrant hub of collaboration, mentorship, and camaraderie. Together, we can strengthen our legal community and navigate the future with resilience and unity.

Thank you for your continued dedication, and I look forward to an exciting year!

Warm regards,

Connor Olson , 2024 President, Sacramento County Bar Association.

Your 2024 SCBA Board of Directors:

PRESIDENT

Connor Olson

Law Offices of Connor W. Olson connor@cwo-law.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Angelina Ray Pacem Tempestate Law angelina@pacemtempest.com

SECRETARY

Ben Codog Stoel Rives ben.codog@stoel.com

TREASURER

Brittany Berzin Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC bvberzin@gmail.com

MEMBER AT LARGE

Tara Crabill

Sacramento District Attorney’s Office tara.m.crabill@gmail.com

Mauriah Conway Meissner Joseph Ruggles, Inc. conway@lawofficeinc.com

Shari Covington California Medical Assn. scovington@cmadocs.org

Rosie Dhillon

Samra Dhillon & Associates rosie@samradhillonlaw.com

Gayle Eskridge Eskridge Law & Mediation geskridge@eskridgelaw.net

John Orcutt

Law Office of John C. Orcutt, III john@johncaleborcutt.com

Judge Alberto Rosas State of California albertorosas@yahoo.com

Michael Vargas Rimon Law, P.C. mvargasesq@gmail.com

Justin Ward

The Ward Firm thewardfirmca@gmail.com

SECTION REPRESENTATIVE

Jennifer Mouzis

Law Office of Jennifer Mouzis jm@jennifermouzislaw.com

SECTION REPRESENTATIVE

Dustin Amrein

Weintraub Tobin damrein@weintraub.com

SECTION REPRESENTATIVE

Larenda Delaini Larenda Delaini Law larenda.delaini@gmail.com

BARRISTERS’ CLUB OF SACRAMENTO DIVISION

Tatum Kennedy tatum_kennedy@yahoo.com

SOLO / SMALL PRACTICE DIVISION

Amber Bellante

The Law Offices of Amber Bellante amberbellante@msn.com

CONFERENCE OF CALIFORNIA BAR ASSOCIATIONS

Sean McCoy

Office of the Attorney General sean.mccoy@doj.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO LAW FOUNDATION

J. Edward Brooks

Gavrilov & Brooks ebrooks@gavrilovlaw.com

AFFILIATE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVES

Capitol Pro Bono

Heather Tiffee

Capital Pro Bono htiffee@capitalprobono.org

Asian/Pacific Bar Association

My Tien Doan mytiendoan@gmail.com

Capitol City Trial Lawyers Association

Daniel Glass U.S. Attorney’s Office dsglawyer@gmail.com

Federal Bar Association

Victoria Boesch

U.S. Attorney’s Office Victoria.Boesch@usdoj.gov

Leonard M. Friedman Bar Association

Eliezer Cohen Gavrilov & Brooks ecohen@gavrilovlaw.com

Cruz Reynoso Bar Association

Mayra Sandoval

CDF Labor Law email4mayra@yahoo.com

South Asian Bar Association

Lilly Mohanna Mohanna Development Co. l_mohanna@u.pacific.edu

SacLegal Bar Assoc.

Annette Rose

Gordon & Rees arose@grsm.com

J. Reuben Clark Society

Paul Hoybjerg

Hoybjerg Law paul@hoybjerglaw.com

St. Thomas More Society Association

Angela Lai

Department of Managed Health Care angela.lai@dmhc.ca.gov

Wiley Manuel Bar Association

Leon Dixson

Legal Services of Northern California ldixson@lsnc.net

Women Lawyers of Sacramento

Kathy Meola AALRR kathryn.meola@aalrr.com

CA Lawyers for the Arts VACANT

Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association

Alisa Razumovsky

Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association ARazumovsky@jamsadr.com

Legal Secretaries Association

Dawn Willis Downey Brand, LLP dwillis@downeybrand.com

Service with Distinction

By Andi Liebenbaum (she/ella)

For the first time in five years – and only the second time ever – the Sacramento County Bar Association (SCBA) recently announced two well-known Distinguished Service awardees. Recognized for careers that have spanned decades, improved thousands of lives, and consistently honored the practice and stewardship of the law, Justice Ronald B. Robie and Judge James M. Mize were presented with the SCBA’s Anthony Kennedy Distinguished Service Award on December 6, 2023, at the Annual Meeting of the association.

For the past four decades, SCBA has annually recognized a distinguished attorney-member of our association at the Annual Meeting, and a judge of the year at the

Bench Bar Reception. The professionals who receive these awards consistently demonstrate a commitment to the law and to our fabulous local legal community that justifies their recognition. And, importantly, these awards mean as much to the association as to those who are selected. Our “hall of fame” attorneys and judges of the year make an impressive list. So, it is no small thing for the SCBA to recognize someone for more than their recent or current work, but rather for the entirety of their careers. That is the essence of the Anthony Kennedy Distinguished Service Award – it is a large, bold statement by the directors of the SCBA that these awardees merit more than we regularly present.

Andi Liebenbaum is the immediate past president of the Sacramento County Bar Association. A Dodgers fan, she is a registered lobbyist representing the County of Los Angeles, which makes sense because she is also a native of Los Angeles. Andi can be reached at aliebenbaum@lacounty.ceo.gov.

Justice Ronald B. Robie, Third District Court of Appeal

True public servants are rare indeed. They are not simply professional bureaucrats or subject matter experts. These are individuals who find their calling focused on and dedicated to the public good. And even rarer is the public servant who can move from one branch of government to another with seeming ease and no diminished commitment. So, it is indescribably unique that our very own Justice Robie has been a dedicated public servant not just in the California Legislature where he started his government service with the Assembly Water Committee in 1960, but also in the executive branch with the State Water Resources Control Board followed by seven years as Chair of the Department of Water Resources, followed

Judge Mize, Justice Robie, and SCBA President Andi Liebenbaum, upon presentation of the Anthony Kennedy Distinguished Service Award (photo credit Roger Elder).

Justice Robie with his award (photo credit Justice Shama Hakim Mesiwala).

again, for the last 40-plus years, by his service to the judicial branch as both judge and justice for the State of California. And, it will not surprise anyone who knows Justice Robie that he started his court service on the municipal court bench, was elected to the superior court, and in 2002, was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to the Third District Court of Appeal, where he continues to serve with distinction after 22 years. In a 2012 article in this publication, Justice Shama Mesiwala wrote, “In his 19 years on the trial bench, Justice Robie became known for the same qualities he brought to the legislative and executive branches -- his intelligence, leadership, and his seemingly limitless energy.” And, of course, those qualities certainly define Justice Robie’s tenure on the appellate bench, too.

As a justice of the Third District Court of Appeal, Justice Robie has had an impressive career. During his tenure so far, he has issued 2,975 opinions, 320 (nearly 11%) of which are published. While (as with any appellate justice) the vast majority are criminal appeals (2,069, or 69%), a significant number of Justice Robie’s decisions have been civil cases (593, or 19%), and many (313, or 10%) have been juvenile cases. And given his strong roots in California water policy, many of his most significant published decisions have profoundly impacted water law in the state of California. Again, from Justice Mesiwala, “In 2006, Justice Robie authored a trio of water decisions… It was the third… however, that gave Justice Robie the greatest opportunity to further his ongoing contribution to water law and policy in California.” In that case, “State Water Resources Control Bd. Cases (2006) 136 Cal.App.4th 674, which spans 168 pages in the Official California Appellate Reports, the court addressed numerous important

issues arising out of an omnibus water rights proceeding before the Board addressing the long-standing water quality problems in the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary.” As Justice Mesiwala reminds us, this decision was so profound for state water policy that the decision is commonly referred to as the Robie decision.

Of all of Justice Robie’s many accomplishments, and there are, in relative order, many (here is a much-abbreviated list:

• Graduated Phi Beta Kappa in journalism from UC Berkeley;

• Helped draft the Burns-Porter Act;

• Graduated number one in his class from McGeorge School of Law;

• Helped draft the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act;

• Appointed to the State Water Resources Control Board;

• Named Director of the Department of Water Resources;

• Created the Office of Water Conservation;

• Secured legislative approval for the peripheral canal;

• Served as Presiding Judge of the Sacramento County Supe-

rior Court;

• Authored the pivotal People v. Murrison (2002) 101 Cal. App.4th 3491; and

• Honored by California Water Commission which named the Ronald B. Robie Thermalito Pumping-Generating Plant in his honor.

Perhaps the most durable accomplishment in Justice Robie’s incomparable career has been mentoring young lawyers. He has invited over 100 Court of Appeal externs to work with and learn from him over the past 20 years. All of this – and other achievements, accomplishments, and decisions too numerous to list – provided the foundation for the SCBA Board’s decision to recognize Justice Robie with our highest and most exclusive honor, the Anthony Kennedy Distinguished Service Award. Justice Robie’s career has indeed been distinguished. His accomplishments – distinguished. His kindness, compassion, and commitment to service – distinguished. And his humility is unmatched. When his award was announced, Justice Robie provided these thoughts:

“I am very honored to be giv-

From left to right: Garrett Bergthold, Malinda Moore, Justice Shama Mesiwala, Melissa Robie, Justice Ron Robie, Todd Robie, Rebecca Whitfield, John Hope, Louinda Lacey and Betha O’Neal.

en an award named for Justice Anthony Kennedy. I was a lucky student who took Constitutional Law from Justice Kennedy at McGeorge School of Law. And I was doubly lucky to have been asked to grade exams for Justice Kennedy for several years. Whatever I have accomplished, I did not do it alone. I have been blessed for my entire career with incredible mentors and supporting staff.” Of course, he thanked by name one of his very important and impactful chamber attorneys. We know her as Justice Shama Hakim Mesiwala. (Thank you, Justice Mesiwala, for the details that made this article possible.)

And on a final note, in a personal reflection, Justice Robie’s long-time colleague, Justice Art Scotland (ret.), had this to say: “Ron’s professional life has been dedicated to public service at high levels in all three branches of government. His extraordinary contributions to good governance, the rule of law, and mentoring have enriched our state and our community.” Distinguished service, indeed.

Judge James M. Mize, Sacramento County Superior Court

Judge Mize told me that he was retiring to take advantage of good wine and the opportunity to travel. I reiterated that SCBA was not recognizing his achievements because he was retiring, (I told him he could probably change his mind and stay), but nevertheless, we both understood in the moment that the SCBA’s Anthony Kennedy Distinguished Service Award was quite a fitting final recognition for his amazing career. Judge Michael Bowman said Judge Mize was “a perfect choice.”

I don’t think I have ever met a person who was not a member of the clergy who embodied the tenets of

compassion, kindness, and selflessness as significantly and profoundly as Judge Mize. We first crossed paths when I was new to the staff of the Judicial Council and Judge Mize was just recently appointed Sacramento’s Supervising Family Law Judge. Judge Mize was immediately helpful and generous with his time. He always had a smile to share and words of encouragement. And I learned that was precisely who Judge Mize is.

Prior to law school, Judge Mize completed his Masters of Social Work. After law school, he was in private practice as a certified family law specialist for over 25 years before joining the Sacramento bench. And from everything I can glean, Judge Mize loved family law. He loved helping families with tools to pursue the best possible outcomes even in the toughest of circumstances. He cared about the mothers and fathers, the children and grandparents… all the people who were impacted by the gravity and the enormity of the decisions made in court. “Judge Mize, a distinguished figure on the bench, holds the legacy of being one of the longest-serving family court judges in Sacramento. His unwav-

ering commitment to the Sacramento community and its families was truly remarkable. Throughout his tenure, he demonstrated a profound dedication to the principles of family law, advocating for the well-being of individuals and ensuring justice prevailed,” said family law attorney and SCBA Vice President Angelina Ray about his career. “Judge Mize’s courtroom was known not only for its legal rigor but also for the joy he brought to the practice. Attorneys found it a pleasure to appear before him, attributing his amiable demeanor to creating an environment conducive to effective legal proceedings. As a mentor and leader, he played a pivotal role in shaping the legal community, inspiring others with his wealth of experience and passion for the law.”

To borrow a metaphor from sports – a known passion of Judge Mize’s – he was as giving and invested in humanity off the court as he was on it. “Judge Mize co-founded Sharing God’s Bounty, a community group that provides meals and other support for the poor through a local church. He served meals there every Tuesday, without fail,” past SCBA Board Member and retired Capital Pro Bono Managing Attorney Vicki Jacobs told me. “He also organized an annual Christmas extravaganza at the church where, in addition to meals being served, children talked to Santa and received Christmas gifts that they might otherwise not have received.” He also was a founder of Voluntary Legal Services Program (VLSP) of Sacramento (now Capital Pro Bono) to “provide a way for local attorneys to help indigent people pro bono with their civil legal matters,” said Ms. Jacobs. In all ways, Judge Mize was “a role model for so many in our legal community. He looks for ways that he can help people live

Judge Mize in gratitude (photo credit Justice Hakim Mesiwala).

better lives. He has spent most of his legal career in family law resolving disputes among family members so that they can stabilize their lives.” Compassion. Kindness. Selflessness.

Judge Mize was an accomplished and dedicated family law expert, as both an attorney and a judge. By his own inexact accounting, he wrote over 100 columns and articles and taught over 100 courses, seminars and institutes in Family Law and other related legal topics. Additionally, Judge Mize counts the following among his professional contributions (this list was radically shortened from his professional CV):

• Presiding Judge, Sacramento County Superior Court, 20082009, and Assistant Presiding Judge, Sacramento County Superior Court, 2006 - 2007;

• Supervising Family Law Judge twice: 2013 - 2017; and 2022retirement;

• President, Anthony M. Kennedy Inn of Court, 2007 - 2009;

• Member, California Judges Association, 2002 - 2006 (president 2004 - 2005), and CJA Family Law Committee, 2002 - retirement;

• Judicial Council member, 2004 – 2005, and member of the Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee to the Judicial Council, 2002-2008;

• Member, CJER Family Law Committee, 2002 – retirement, and CJER Faculty, Family Law Update Broadcast, 2012 - retirement;

• Faculty, CEB, Developments in Family Law, annually, 1985 - 2010;

• Faculty, Continuing Judicial Studies Program, Family Law Overview, 2000-2006, Team Leader 2004-2010;

• Faculty, B.E. Witkin Judicial College, 2003 to 2018, and

Seminar Leader, 2003-2004 and 2007-2008;

• Faculty, Family Law Institute, 2002 - retirement; and

• Judicial Author, California Practice Guide, Family Law, The Rutter Group. Literally, the list goes on.

I have no doubt that even in his retirement enjoying good wine and travelling, Judge Mize will find ways to connect with people, provide relief and support, and contribute to whatever community he finds himself in. His commitment to the law, and significantly, its use as a tool for making the world better for families in crisis, was unwavering. Judge Mize did not need to retire to be worthy of the SCBA’s Anthony Kennedy Distinguished Service Award. But in so doing, we get to reflect on how much he gave and the legacy he left us with. A toast to the very compassionate, kind, and selfless Judge Mize.

Epilogue…

The 2023 directors of the SCBA were moved to recognize Justice Robie and Judge Mize with an award that only one time prior had been presented. In 2018, Justice Anthony Kennedy was honored with a distinguished service award by the SCBA in honor of our 100th Anniversary serving the Sacramento legal community. Subsequently, the SCBA board named the award for Justice Kennedy. SCBA and our members throughout the region are fortunate to have worked with and learned from Justice Robie and Judge Mize, two giants of an outstanding legal community.

1 In People v. Murrison (2002), the court held that even appropriative water rights acquired before 1914 (when the Water Commission Act was enacted to provide an orderly administrative process for the appropriation of unappropriated waters within the state) are subject to reasonable regulation by the state, including exercise of the regulatory powers of the state to protect endangered fish.With AI.

Unlock Your Potential with SCBA: A Gateway to Growth and Community in Sacramento's Legal Sphere

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• Access to a Legal Network: Connect with over 2,000 local attorneys, judges, paralegals, and legal secretaries.

• Professional Development: Participate in annual events, MCLE seminars, and mixers for networking and learning

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• Committees and Divisions: Join or create committees to get more involved and work towards a better association; divisions allow networking with peers in similar practice areas

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Meet the New SCBA President, CONNOR OLSON

By Steve Duvernay

Steve Duvernay is an attorney in private practice, a past president of the Barristers’ Club of Sacramento, and a former tenant of

Several years ago, when I was still young enough to attend such things, we had a Barristers’ Club event at a midtown Sacramento wine bar. Usual crowd: Young lawyers mixing with seasoned ones. Several SCBA board members working the room. Some law students—summer associates, maybe—getting their footing. A few judges, and a lot of aspirant ones.

Connor Olson came in a bit late, dressed casual, freshly showered. He had texted the Barristers’ board: “Running late—got a tennis match.”

Fast forward a glass of wine (maybe two). Connor’s in a conversation circle with some older lawyers and a law student. Somebody asks Connor how work was going. “Good,” he said, “loving it.” Connor explained that he had

recently left a national firm to start a solo practice focused on employment law.

The 1L followed up: “Why did you leave the big firm? That must’ve been a hard choice.”

If it was, Connor was at peace. “The firm was fine—it was good, great lawyers, interesting work. But, you know, I got tired of living somebody else’s dream.”

A few minutes later, Connor excused himself. “Driving to S.F. early tomorrow—there’s a casting call for this Macy’s ad.” Turning to me, he added, “If you’re around this weekend, I’ll drop off the banana bread I owe you.”

As Connor walked outside and rode into the darkness on his Onewheel, a soon-to-be law student, who had been observing the scene from just outside the circle,

muttered: “Who is that?”

* * *

As the crow flies, Connor grew up close to Sacramento. Spiritually, it was a different world. His family lived on 10 acres in unincorporated Sonoma County, nestled between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. It wasn’t a farm, exactly. But over the years, there were a lot of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, and sheep. His neighbors had Mediterranean burros, emus, and peacocks. Animals are sort of a family legacy. Connor's grandfather, Jack Woolsey , was a large-animal veterinarian. Woolsey was a legend in the California horse racing community and is credited with introducing the Australian Cattle Dog to the United States in the 1950s.

Connor Olson.

While strange and exotic facts are in Connor’s blood, lawyering wasn’t. He didn’t know any lawyers growing up. Well, technically, he knew one: His dad’s friend Gary, who lived in Forestville. Connor and his dad would go over to Gary's place sometimes to hang out -- he had Star Wars on LaserDisc. Turns out Gary practiced insurance law, but that’s not the sort of thing you talk about with your friends’ kids. You talk about Star Wars.

Connor graduated from Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa. The Class of 2006 voted him “Most Likely To Copy Your Homework.” True to that end, he is memorialized in the yearbook with this senior quote: “If the minimum wasn’t acceptable, it wouldn’t be called the minimum.” So it goes.

For college he stayed close to home. Connor played four years’ varsity tennis for Sonoma State; he spent two of those years as the Seawolves’ No. 1 singles player, was the school’s freshmen athlete of the

year, and won the 2009 ITA West Region singles championship. And in the summer? Connor spent his summers working as a live-in butler of sorts at the Bohemian Grove. Connor is wise and discreet.

Onto the legal stuff. Connor went to law school at Santa Clara

University School of Law. After working as a summer associate at Downey Brand, Connor moved to Sacramento full time in 2013 and spent two years in Downey’s litigation practice group, then moved on to Stoel Rives. These stints were short but impactful. Connor credits his attention to detail to Scott McElhern’s red pen. Meghan Bake r and Bill Warne continue to stand as paragons for what it means to be an attorney. Hard to beat that pedigree.

Seven years ago, Connor started a solo practice focusing on employment and consumer protection litigation. That’s when he started living in his own dream—and it’s quite something.

At the outset, it is worth acknowledging that Connor is, without a doubt, a talented lawyer. I’ve heard it from clients, former co-workers, colleagues, adversaries. He’s got the familiar hardware (e.g., Super Lawyer, Best of the Bar, Top Lawyers, the stuff we hand out to each other). I can attest that he works hard—I’ve witnessed first-hand the passion Connor puts into his work.

Connor calls himself a “true believer,” which I suppose is perfect for a plaintiffs’ attorney. You can see it when he talks about his work, in the way he approaches a case, in how he handles opposing counsel. Connor’s found a home advocating for employees and consumers. This is the vocation they talk about in law school. An honest-to-goodness calling. Push Connor just a bit, and he’ll cover you in seemingly trite metaphors. Yesterday’s case was David v. Goliath; today’s victory is the Miracle on Ice. But he means it. Point is,

Connor with his favorite cowboy hat circa 1992.

Connor in grade school.

Connor relishes the fight, and he’s often battling the country’s largest law firms single-handedly. And he’s winning.

Throughout his work, Connor has remained committed to the Sacramento legal community. He served on the Barristers’ board for a record 11 years; was an ABAS board member and, officer for a half-decade; and is a past co-chair of the Solo/Small Practice Division. Connor joined the SCBA Board in 2019 and has worked his way up the leadership ladder while serving on the Executive Committee since 2022, when he took over treasurer duties. Connor even met his wife, Erica , at an SCBA event. In short, he’s committed to the cause.

Connor’s service extends beyond the legal community to the Sacramento community at large. He’s volunteered his time at the Sacramento County Public Law Library’s “Lawyers in the Library” program and given 100s of pro-bono hours to non-profits in our region. He’s also been a longtime board member and advocate for Project Lifelong, a Sacramento-based non-profit that empowers youth through skateboarding, out-

door adventures, and other experiential programs.

Beyond that, Connor’s interests and talents are eclectic and impressive.

For the first few years of his solo practice, Connor took “lifestyle” modeling gigs every now and again. You may have seen him in advertisements for Thunder Valley (playing a buffet chef) or Geico (lounging in a boat). He showcased Macy’s finest Father’s Day apparel on Fox 40. He even dressed as Santa for a local Bad Mom’s Christmas premier party. Through his time in front of the camera, Connor learned one important lesson: “How bad of an actor I am. Truly.”

And then there’s the banana bread. After years of honing the perfect recipes, he’s sold Connie’s Banana Bread widely through Tupelo and Naked Coffee locations with every dollar earned going directly to non-profits. (Connie offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.) He won a Blue Ribbon at the Sacramento County Fair. Best in town, vegan or otherwise.

That’s not all: A picture of Connor and his cat once went viral and made it to the first page of Reddit.

He’s a talented seamster who has hand-sewn gifts for a generation of Barristers’ presidents dating back to Reid McLeod . He’s an elite Super Smash Bros. player, and he plays the game the way it was meant to be played: on Nintendo 64 hooked up to a 27” Sony Trinitron. He’s hiked the Inca Trail and summited Mount Kilimanjaro.

And, of course, Connor still plays competitive tennis—last year, he won a major regional singles tournament. He boasts a perfect record against Mayor Steinberg. You can see it on a billboard: “No matter the court, Connor does not like losing.”

* * *

As your SCBA President, you’ll hear from Connor a lot over the coming year. In his first official address at the Annual Meeting, Connor laid out his priorities for the SCBA: nurture and support the Association’s Sections and Divisions; grow membership; strengthen the Association’s pipeline to the local law schools; and rejuvenate the Barristers’ Club to its pre-COVID glory.

As Connor puts it, the SCBA has made a remarkably positive impact on his life. He has gained mentors,

Connor’s “viral” before and after cat photo.

Connor (right) with his doubles partner in college.

made friends, and, of course, received referrals. And just as the SCBA has been maintained and handed down to him from a long list of hardworking attorneys, Connor considers it his job to do the same. With an impressive cadre of staff and dedicated board members, Connor is confident it will happen. All of the stuff above is interesting. And while it tells you a little bit about Connor, it doesn’t fully capture who he is. To help fill in the remaining gaps, I asked some folks who know Connor well what comes to mind when they think of him:

A true original!

Perfect blend of casual and serious.

Connor is a dedicated and irreplaceable member of the legal community.

Connor’s a good dude. He has helped out several boards I sit on with limited finances for basically zero fees.

Driven and passionate. And also fun.

Connected and personable: He has a huge network and builds relationships wherever he goes. Whether it’s a peer or a stranger off the street, Connor is always eager to connect with someone new.

Driven:

I’ve never seen someone as dialed in as he got when he was working on a case. No matter if it was work or play, Connor is committed to excellence. Definitely try his banana bread and definitely don’t bet against him at tennis.

Adventurous:

Whether he’s finding new hidden spots near the river in Sacramento or summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro, Connor is always getting the most out of life.

Connor’s incredibly committed to whatever he dedicates his time to—be that his clients, pro bono matters, modeling, banana bread, the Barristers’ Club. When others would give up or take the easy way, he keeps pushing and through his tenacity gets the best result.

The Sacramento community is better off for having him, and I am better off for knowing him.

So where does that leave us? I’m contractually obligated to end this sort of a profile at the beginning: Who is Connor Olson? I hope you get the chance to find out for yourself.

Connor with his wife Erica and their dog Brody.

California State Bar Musings

By Larry Doyle

It’s been many years since the State Bar of California was considered an entity in thrall to the state’s lawyers. Today, it seems the organization holds the views of its licensees in something approaching disdain.

A glaring example of this shift in attitude is demonstrated by the Bar’s recent (December 2023) re-

quest to the California Supreme Court for approval of a pilot Portfolio Bar Examination (PBE) to supplement – and perhaps eventually supplant – the traditional Bar Exam that we lawyers have long known and mostly hated.

The PBE would replace the current two-day test with a system where aspirants to practice would

perform legal tasks (at full salary) under the supervision of a licensed attorney for a period of four to six months during which they would compile a portfolio of work, such as client memos, briefs, etc., that would be evaluated to see if the candidate should be admitted to the practice of law.

Proponents of the proposal argue that performing actual legal work may be a better indicator of a candidate’s ability to practice law successfully and competently than the ability to memorize legal rules and concepts and apply them to theoretical situations under the stressful conditions of a two-day Bar Exam.

However, while the traditional Bar Exam is far from perfect, it has stood the test of time for roughly a century in California. In contrast, the PBE proposal seems to be yet another effort by the recently reconstructed State Bar to jam through not-fully-formulated ideas over the objections of the lawyers it regulates.

The history of the PBE in California effectively began in 2021, when the California Supreme Court cre-

Larry 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.

ated a Blue-Ribbon Commission on the Future of the Bar Examination (BRC), which was charged with “developing recommendations concerning whether and what changes to make to the California Bar Exam and whether to adopt alternative or additional testing or tools to ensure minimum competence to practice law.” The Supreme Court and the State Bar appointed nineteen members to the BRC. The first question on the BRC’s charter was, “Whether a bar exam is the correct tool to determine minimum competence for the practice of law, and specifications for alternative tools should the commission recommend that alternatives be explored and adopted.”

The commission met numerous times over the next two years to consider this question, along with many others. Several recommendations for improving the bar examination process were adopted. However, the BRC failed to endorse any alternatives to the traditional bar exam, including the PBE.

The Board of Trustees was not dissuaded. Rather, it appointed a second committee composed exclusively of those BRC members who had voted to approve the PBE concept (none currently a practicing lawyer). To absolutely no one’s surprise, the new committee approved the creation of a portfolio bar exam pilot project limited to 113 provisionally licensed lawyers (granted provisional licensure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic). These lawyers can become fully licensed under current law upon passage of the bar exam. This was far less broad in scope than the initial PBE proposal.

The new proposal was sent out for public comment and, according to the Bar’s transmittal memo

to the Supreme Court, “extensive public comment was received” –2,814 responses in total, which is an extraordinarily high number for a State Bar proposal. The breakdown of the comments was also extraordinary. Nearly three out of four (71%) of the commenters, including 86% of those self-identifying as California attorneys, opposed the recommendation. Only 29% of the commenters supported it, including nearly 87% of those self-identifying as non-attorneys.

Out of 134 organizations that commented on the proposal, 74 disagreed with it, including 61 state, local and affinity bar associations, many of whom signed on to a thoughtful letter drafted by the Los Angeles County Bar Association (including SCBA), which stated:

[P]racticing attorneys oppose the establishment of the PBE or any program that circumvents the California Bar Exam as a requirement for licensure. In sum, we are concerned that the PBE would be contrary to the State Bar’s mission to protect the public. The PBE would eliminate the ability of the State Bar to ensure that all licensed attorneys possess the minimum competence to practice law.”

60 organizations supported the proposal.

Now, the State Bar is not a democracy, and the fact that a vast majority of lawyers feel a particular way about an issue should not necessarily be dispositive. But their opinions should not be ignored, either. The lawyers who take the time and energy to comment on items sent out for public comment are, by definition, engaged in the justice process and willing to share the wisdom that comes from experience. To dismiss their collective insights as motivated solely – or even mostly – by greed is not only

arrogant, but also foolish.

This split of opinion is consistent with public comment on an earlier State Bar proposal in 2019 to increase the number of trained non-lawyers permitted to provide legal services. In that case, supporters of the proposal dismissed opponents as a bunch of greedy lawyers trying to protect their bottom line at the expense of those who cannot afford high legal fees. That argument was rejected rather emphatically by legislative leaders.

Nor does the argument have merit. While some attorneys may argue because of self-interest, most are truly concerned about the health and reputation of the profession, and most particularly about the well-being of the people who turn to the justice system for help and relief.

Proponents of the PBE argue that compiling a portfolio of legal work may be a better indicator of a law school graduate’s abilities than a two-day exam, and there may be merit to the argument – provided that the portfolio is compiled under conditions that guarantee its validity. But that’s a problem. The traditional Bar Exam is administered under conditions of the greatest security, and even then, there are frequent efforts to beat the system. In contrast, a PBE would be comparable to an open book, open notes, open-AI takehome exam.

We will see what the Supreme Court does with the PBE proposal. And we will also see if there is feedback from the legislature, which so far has shown little inclination to support the State Bar’s efforts to put public protection on the back burner.

A Very Brief History of the Sacramento County Public Law Library

Peter K. Rooney

When Sacramento County Bar Association (SCBA) President Connor Olson, a bit of a history buff, requested I write a history of the Sacramento County Public Law Library (SCPLL) for bar membership

consumption, admittedly, I was skeptical. Contentious jury trials make it to the big screen, while law libraries are not exactly epicenters of legal news. Surprisingly, even to me, that has not always been the case here in Sacramento

County. President Olson assured me that including some photos would make our history even that much more enthralling. Well, buckle up folks, here is a very brief history of the Law Library, with photos!

Peter Rooney is the Director of the Sacramento County Public Law Library.

Various buildings that have housed the SCPLI over the years.

Photos courtesy of Sacramento County Public Law Library /The Sacramento Bee

SCPLL has been a fixture of the Sacramento legal community since 1891, when the legislature mandated that a public law library be located in each California county. Since then, our library has been running pretty much continuously for over 133 years! We certainly operate for the benefit of attorneys and judges, but also for the public navigating the legal system. It is not uncommon for a member of the public to cautiously approach our reference desk and ask: is this a library anyone can use? Our answer: yes, anyone. In fact, last year, 84% of our library users were non-attorneys.

The Board

Though SCPLL has “county” in its name, it is an independent agency and has always been governed by an independent Board of Trustees comprised of sitting superior court judges, a representative of the county, and a county appointed member of the bar. The earliest retained board minutes from 1903 identified the board as Judge

Peter J. Shields, J.W. Hughes, M.J. Dillman, and W.F. George as trustees. Throughout most of its early history, it was the practice of the board for judges to stay on until they retired or were elevated to the Court of Appeal. Judge Shields retired in 1949 after serving on the board for more than 46 years! This was possible because of both his longevity as a jurist and as a person; he lived to be 100. Now, judges are asked to commit to four-year terms and may continue for additional terms. This gives the library continuity to work on long-term improvements.

A Nomadic Resource

The Law Library has always had a vagabond existence when it comes to its physical space. In the early days of the old courthouse located on I street, the library regularly moved between floors and

the basement during court expansion. As space quickly dwindled in the courthouse, the library collection occupied space in several of the surrounding office buildings. Upon the completion of the Schaber Courthouse in 1965, the library again cohabited with the court. SCPLL was supposed to be housed prominently on the sixth floor of the building. However, due to construction issues, it returned to its perennial spot in the basement. And in the basement it remained until 2001 when it moved into the first two floors of the newly renovated Hall of Justice building. It was expected that the Hall of Justice would become the permanent home for the library, but a disagreement with the then landlord led the library to move to its current location here at 609 9th street. Someday, we will find a permanent home, but that is a discussion for another time.

Library Directors

There have been approximately 12 County Law Librarians (Directors) in the 133 year existence of the Law Library. I say approximately because the records about the early days of the Law Library have some unfortunate gaps and some rather curious conflicting information. You see, there were several people who claimed to hold the position but may not have been employed

Judge Peter J. Shields and the photo of the Sac Bee article about the board flexing power over the board of supervisors and appointing Norman Doan.

by the Law Library, and a couple that publicly disavowed their status as law librarian, but who may have actually held the position. I am not sure if this was because there were a number of sketchy people involved in the Law Library at the time, that the position was not nearly as glamorous as I view it, or for some other mysterious third reason.

Some of the notables to hold the position of law librarian over the years:

• F.C. Van Walbeck was the first confirmed Sacramento County

Law Librarian. He was also a practicing attorney, and, interestingly enough, ran a personal loan business as well out of the library.

• Rosalie Asher was Director from 1944-1962. When not performing her library duties, Asher also practiced law. She prepared appeals for Caryl Chessman, the “Red Light Bandit.” In 1960, Chessman was the first person to be executed after the death penalty was reinstated in California. She was portrayed by Talia

Shire in the 1977 CBS movie “Kill Me if You Can.” Alan Alda played Caryl Chessman.

• Shirley David was our longest serving Library Director (1983-2004). She was responsible for most of the growth and expansion of the Law Library, a winner of numerous awards and professional recognitions, and helped usher in many of our technological innovations. It is no secret that David built the library into what it is today—one of the best public law libraries in the state and a resource throughout, with a highly skilled and professional staff.

Making Headlines

Though many perceive the Law Library as a quiet, contemplative place, this couldn't be further from the truth. Being open to the public means you never know what can happen throughout the course of the day. Even back in the olden times, rowdy goings-on could occur in the library. In 1937, members of the Inns of the Court claimed there was rampant spitting, throwing of lit cigarettes, and constant uncalled for noises at the library. They eventually asked the County Board of Supervisors to help impose some stricter rules to “dignify” the county Law Library. They argued that behavior should be the same in the Law Library as it is in the courtroom, and that the current Law Librarian, Merlin Stewart, had allowed this bad behavior to go unchallenged. This accusation hit local news and became a minor scandal. I can only assume it greatly raised public awareness of the library’s accessibility.

Naturally, Stewart vehemently denied the charge when questioned by the Sacramento Bee. He said the library strictly forbids spitting and

the careless tossing of cigarette butts. He also said that he was not in the room every minute of every day, so he had no control of what goes on in his absence. Concluding with “After all, the attorneys who use the library principally, are men of high intellect and should know how to conduct themselves. Their decorum largely is their responsibility.” Even with his pointed comment about the moral fiber of attorneys, the scandal ultimately died down and Stewart went on to have a long career as the Law Librarian.

Relationship with the SCBA

The Law Library would not be where it is today without its long partnership with the Sacramento County Bar Association. The SCBA consistently advocated on the li brary’s behalf over the years. It es tablished a law library committee in 1949 to advocate to county officials for adequate law library facilities. SCBA leadership assisted the li brary in securing many of its spaces and buildings, and was instrumen tal in getting the library into the Hall of Justice location. We are cer tainly grateful for SCBA’s unwaver ing support in our operation.

To the Future!

There is your very brief, with pictures, history of the Law Library. We look forward to many more years of successful operation and hope you will all join us in celebrating our Sesquicentennial in 2041! We also look forward to continuing to grow and develop our partnership with the SCBA for the benefit of the legal community and Sacramento County. All SCBA members are eligible for a SCPLL user card, access to our physical and digital collection, and our many programs and MCLE’s. For more information, visit www.saclaw.org.

Let’s Get Naked

(Mediation & Stripping Yourself of Preconceptions and Implicit Biases)

By Gayle L. Eskridge

Mediators are called “neutrals.” Almost every article or standard you read about the role of a mediator mentions that mediators must be impartial. It is also often discussed that mediators must not be prejudiced or biased (even implicitly), or that mediators must be without pre-conceptions. Just what does all this mean, and what can mediators do to assure they are meeting these requirements?

Every mediator comes to the process with a lifetime of experiences, and often, with decades of experience with legal disputes. Mediators may themselves have been a party to a dispute. Attorney mediators may have spent much of their careers representing only defendants, or only plaintiffs, and may therefore have an inherent distrust of the opposing side. A person who has daughters may be particularly sympathetic to female plaintiffs. A

person who is disabled, or is close to someone who is disabled, may be particularly sympathetic to disabled plaintiffs. A person who has owned their own business may be sympathetic to businesses which have been sued. A person who has been wrongly accused, in litigation or elsewhere, may be sympathetic toward defendants. A person could even be prejudiced against or biased in favor of someone based on such seemingly arbitrary things such as the color of their hair or their height.

The Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators (which is a joint publication of the American Arbitration Association and the Association for Conflict Resolution) provides the following guidance on this topic:

A. A mediator shall decline a mediation if the mediator cannot conduct it in an impartial manner. Impartiality means free-

Gayle L. Eskridge is a full-time arbitrator and mediator in Sacramento County and the principal of Eskridge Law & Mediation. Gayle serves as a director of the SCBA, and on the leadership committees of the Labor and Employment Law Section and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Law Section.

dom from favoritism, bias or prejudice.

B. A mediator shall conduct a mediation in an impartial manner and avoid conduct that gives the appearance of partiality.

1. A mediator should not act with partiality or prejudice based on any participant’s personal characteristics, background, values and beliefs, or performance at a mediation, or any other reason. . . .

C. If at any time a mediator is unable to conduct a mediation in an impartial manner, the mediator shall withdraw.

[Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators, 2005, Standard II.] The first sentence, “A mediator shall decline a mediation if the mediator cannot conduct it in an impartial manner,” sounds easy enough. But the second sentence defines impartiality as “freedom from favoritism, bias or prejudice.” Can anyone be truly and completely free of these things? And where do preconceptions fit in? Shouldn’t mediators be free of those as well? Studies have shown that when asked to picture an American, most people envision a white male. [Banaji, Mahzari & Anthony G. Greenwald (2013) "Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good

People," New York, NY: Bantam, p. 83.] Does this mean all these people are sexist and racist? Surely not, but it does mean we all have preconceptions. Although there are many female judges these days on courts at every level, when picturing a judge, don’t the majority of people still picture a man in a black robe and not a woman? In the early days of my legal career, I was sometimes mistaken for the court reporter. I had a male secretary for a few years, and callers would sometimes refuse to speak with me and insist on speaking with “Mr. Rhodes.” Most of these people were probably not actually prejudiced against female attorneys, but they had a preconception that in a male/female situation, the man would be the attorney and the woman would be in the support position.

Our brains are not blank slates, and we would not be much good to people if they were. It is our years of experience which make us skilled at what we do. Unfortunately, by-products of all that experience include preconceptions and implicit biases. (An implicit bias occurs automatically and unintentionally, but nevertheless affects judgments, decisions, and behaviors.) We must do our best to strip our minds of biases, prejudices, and preconceptions. We must be especially vigilant in searching for implicit biases within our own thinking and stamping them out.

Many people may be quick to adjust their preconceptions and implicit biases upon receiving new information, but is it possible to avoid them to begin with? Our preconceptions and implicit biases are formed over a lifetime based on the values we were taught and the experiences we have had. Stripping our minds of such things is very difficult, but we must learn to do so. Just how does one go about that? Here is a list, which is definitely not exhaustive, but which

will hopefully be helpful to you:

1. Continually remind yourself to keep an open mind. First, stop and ask yourself whether you have any preconceptions or implicit biases which could affect your thinking concerning this particular dispute or these particular parties. Take a moment to try to clear your mind of preconceptions and implicit biases before you start reading the mediation briefs, and again before you begin the actual mediation.

2. Be respectful to all the parties and really listen to them; what they say might surprise you. Also, people have different styles of communicating based on education, gender, and where they grew up. If the parties’ manner of communicating is different from yours, do not let that influence your thinking.

3. During the mediation, try not to assume anything. One of the key ingredients of a successful mediation is getting to the details and causes of the dispute, as well as to the goals of the parties. If you make assumptions, you skip over this critical step. Sometimes the sole cause of a dispute is a legitimate miscommunication or misunderstanding. Although that is not common, it happens. If you assume one side is telling the truth and the other is not, you will miss the opportunity to get to the heart of the matter. Also, if the case does not settle at the mediation, the parties should at least leave with a better understanding of the case and of the other parties, which can hopefully lead to a resolution at a later date. This is not likely to happen if you approach the mediation with assumptions. Additionally, something you thought was of paramount importance to a party may actually not be the primary factor in

their decision making, but you may miss this important information if you allow preconceptions and implicit biases to cloud your thinking.

4. During the mediation, make sure you are treating all parties with impartiality and neutrality in mind. Make it a point to remind yourself of this. If a party believes you are favoring the other side, they will not trust you, and the chances of achieving a resolution are lessened. At best, it will take longer to get there.

5. Show an equal amount of respect to all parties. I have seen mediators call my client by their first name and refer to the opposing party as “Mr.” or “Ms.” or “Dr.” This can send the message that you have more respect for the other party. If you want to call parties by their first names, ask their permission, and then make sure you do the same thing with the other side. I once conducted a mediation where all the parties were doctors. They all invited me to call them by their first names except for one, who insisted on being called “Dr.” To make sure I was not sending the message that I valued this person’s position more than that of the others, I explained to the other parties that I was calling everyone by what they preferred, and this particular person preferred to be addressed as “Dr.”

Can mediators completely eliminate prejudice, bias (including implicit biases), and preconceptions from their minds? Hopefully we can all eliminate prejudice and explicit bias. I doubt whether all mediators can completely eliminate implicit bias and preconceptions, but by making a conscious attempt to identify and then eliminate our implicit biases and preconceptions, we can all be better mediators.

The Schwartz-Levi Inn of Court Awards the Judge Emily E. Vasquez Community Service Award to Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes

By Justice Shama Hakim Mesiwala

With great joy, the Schwartz-Levi American Inn of Court in Davis awarded the Emily E. Vasquez Community Service Award to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes on January 10, 2024. The award honors its namesake, Judge Emily Vasquez, and her ascent from a humble hard working farm

girl in the fields of California to the first Latina on the Sacramento County Superior Court. While rising to the heights of the legal profession, Judge Vasquez kept service to our beloved legal community at the forefront while always putting down the ladder for those coming behind her. Engraved on the award is a colorful picture of Dr. Martin Luther King with his famous

quote, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Secretary Céspedes embodies these values. He cofounded the Sacramento Unity Bar almost 40 years ago, which has grown to a statewide movement with 13 Unity Bars up and down California. At the inaugural Unity Bar dinner, Secretary Céspedes gave the key-

Justice Shama Hakim Mesiwala sits on the Third District Court of Appeal.

Dean Kevin Johnson, Judge Emily Vasquez, Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes, Kym ReidReynoso, Len ReidReynoso.

note address stressing, “the dual paths of working together and . . . ensuring professional progress for all ethnic bar associations and their members,” including “end[ing] ethnic bar competition for judicial appointments.” Secretary Céspedes has also continued the work of California Supreme Court Justice Martin Jenkins (recipient of the 2022 Lewis F. Powell Jr. American Inns of Court Award for Professionalism and Ethics) creating the California Judicial Mentor program that pairs aspiring judicial officers with judges and justices to demystify the judicial application process. And for the last two years, Secretary Céspedes has been at the helm of the Judicial Appointments Unit for Governor Newsom bringing forth the most qualified and diverse candidates. His work shows in the data.

As of December 31, 2023, Governor Newsom has appointed 404 judges and 40 justices. Of these 444 judicial officers, 53 % are women, 58% are ethnic minorities (20% Latinx, 16% African American, 16% Asian American, 6% Other), 8.5% are LGBTQ, and 2.4% are veterans.

Joining the festivities and pictured here were the son and

daughter-in-law of the late Justice Cruz Reynoso (who was the first Latino to serve on the California Supreme Court and a member of the Schwartz-Levi Inn of Court), Len and Kym ReidReynoso, Dean Kevin Johnson of University of California at Davis Law School, and Judge Vasquez herself. During the award presentation, Judge Vasquez shared that in the spring of 1977, which was her 3L year at Boalt Hall (now Berkeley Law), she ran into an aspiring law student named Luis Céspedes. She showed him around the law school and persuaded him to attend, and he began his legal studies there in the fall of 1977. She marveled that the two have remained the best of friends all these years. It

was a moving tribute to Secretary Céspedes whose work creating a California for all has spanned many decades and counting.

Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes with the Emily E. Vasquez Community Service Award plaque.

Judge Emily Vasquez, and Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes.

Barristers’ Club of Sacramento: Meet the 2024 Board

By Carly M. Moran, Barristers’ Club Executive Vice President

The Barristers’ Club of Sacramento is pleased to welcome its new officers and Board of Directors for 2024: President, Tatum Kennedy; Executive Vice President, Carly M. Moran; Treasurer, Marisa C. Gonzalez; and Secretary, Savanna Corr. The Club also welcomes its Board Members at Large: Brandon Jack; Danielle Nafekh; Tanner Ary; and Trent Nelson.

A Special “Thank You” & Farewell to Outgoing Barristers’ Club President, Connor Olson.

The 2024 Board of Directors extends its sincerest “thank you” to outgoing President, Connor Olson, for all of his hard work and dedication to the Barristers’ Club. The Board wishes him well as he steps into his new position as acting Sacramento County Bar Association President.

Introducing Barristers’ Club President, Tatum Kennedy.

The Barristers’ Club is proud to introduce its 2024 President, Tatum Kennedy. Tatum is an associate attorney at Delfino Madden O’Malley Coyle & Koewler, LLP, practicing in the firm’s corporate law, commercial real estate, intellectual property and privacy practice groups. Tatum attended the University of the Pacific, McGeorge

School of Law, where she graduated with great distinction and honors, and was elected to the Order of the Coif.

Tatum brings significant experience to her role as Barristers’ Club President, having previously served as Treasurer for the Board in 2023. In her new role as President, Tatum’s goal is to further the spirit of the Barristers’ Club by continuing to offer opportunities and events focused on education, mentorship, connection, and growth within the legal community. Tatum is particularly looking forward

to the Club’s 29th annual Summer Associates’ Reception, a cherished event known for providing law students, summer associates, and young attorneys with the opportunity to connect with seasoned attorneys, esteemed judges, and legal luminaries in the Sacramento region.

Upcoming Events

The Barristers’ Club is looking forward to offering an array of programming in 2024, including MCLE’s, social mixers and the annual Summer Associates’ Reception. Stay tuned!

Carly M. Moran is the 2024 Barristers’ Club executive vice president and an associate attorney specializing in civil litigation at Mastagni Holstedt, A.P.C.

Tatum Kennedy , 2024 Barristers’ Club of Sacramento.

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A Night of Celebration and Recognition at the Sacramento County Bar Association 2023 Annual Meeting

By Angelina Ray

The Sacramento County Bar Association (SCBA) held its highly anticipated 2023 Annual Meeting on a memorable evening, bringing together legal professionals and enthusiasts alike. With a remarkable turnout of 287 attendees, the event promised a blend of camaraderie, recognition, and a glimpse into the future direction of the SCBA.

The festivities kicked off with two pre-Annual Meeting activities. In one, SCBA President Andi Liebenbaum welcomed Judges and newto-SCBA members to an exclusive reception to learn about the benefits of SCBA membership. In the other, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Law section hosted members for a special social hour event. The evident enthusiasm and engagement of the participants set a positive tone for the rest of the evening.

As the evening progressed, attendees were treated to a gastronomic delight, with the food receiving high praise. The combination of well-attended sessions and delightful cuisine created an ambi-

ance of contentment and satisfaction among the guests.

President Liebenbaum called the meeting to order to commence the business portion of the event with the approval of the 2022 meeting minutes, ensuring transparency and adherence to procedural protocols. A significant moment followed as the SCBA members ratified the association’s bylaws, underlining their commitment to governance and adherence to established principles.

The pinnacle of the evening was the introduction of the newly elected SCBA leaders: Connor Olson (President); Angelina Ra (Vice-President); Brittany Berzin (Treasurer); Ben Codog (Secretary). Also presented were newly elected members at large: Rosie Dhillon; Gail Eskeridge; and John Orcutt. The swearing-in ceremony and keynote address were presented by Hon. Laurie Earl of the Third District Court of Appeal, adding a touch of judicial gravitas to the

Angelina Ray is the vice president of the SCBA. She can be contacted at angelina@pacetempest.com

SCBA New Member Reception.

Photos by Eleakis and Elder Photography

Justice Robie and Judge Mize Kennedy Distinguished Service Award Recipients.

Justin Ward, Distinguished Attorney of the Year.

proceedings.

Awards and recognition played a central role in the event, with several individuals receiving well-deserved accolades. President Liebenbaum presented Angelina Ray with the SCBA President’s Award, a testament to her exemplary contributions to the SCBA. Two Anthony M. Kennedy Distinguished Service Awards were presented, to Justice Ronald B. Robie of the Third District Court of Appeal, and the other to Judge James Mize (ret.)

of the Superior Court Sacramento Coynty, recognizing their enduring commitment and service to the legal profession.

Capital Pro Bono took the stage to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of attorneys Camille Hemmer and Margaret Shannon, presenting them each with the 2023 service award, for their years of dedicated commitment to low-income families in Sacramento.

And, to highlight the evening's awards, Sacramento Attorney Jus-

tin Ward was recognized as the Nancy Sheehan Distinguished Attorney of the Year for his noteworthy achievements and dedication to the legal field. You can read more about Ward and his achievements in the November 2023 issue of this magazine.

As the evening unfolded, the newly elected President Connor Olson took center stage to outline his vision and plans for the SCBA in 2024. His address provided insights into the intended direction of the association, emphasizing collaboration, inclusivity, and a commitment to serving the legal community. The attendees left the event with a sense of optimism, inspired and motivated to contribute to the success of the SCBA in the coming year.

By all accounts, the SCBA’s 2023 Annual Meeting was a resounding success, marked by camaraderie, recognition, and a forward-looking vision for the future. The event showcased the strength and unity of our local legal community, setting the stage for a promising year ahead.

2023 SCBA Annual Meeting attendees.

Camille Hemmer, Capitol Pro Bono Service Award.

Margaret Shannon, Capitol Pro Bono Service Award.

Valentine Run/Walk, Race for Justice

By Nanette Aubut

The weather cooperated beautifully on Saturday, February 10, 2024, for the 21st Annual Valentine Run/Walk, Race for Justice, as the rain took a break and allowed participants to enjoy a wonderful morning. The run/walk has been benefiting Legal Service of Northern California (LSNC) for 21 years now, and it continues to be a unique opportunity for attorneys and legal professionals to gather with their families, have fun, catch up with friends, network, and support the community’s local non-profit legal aid organization. The Valentine Run attracts a diverse group of people in the legal profession, including both serious runners and casual walkers. The event offers a 4-mile timed run, a 1.8-mile untimed run, and kids’ races. Attorney participants in the 4-mile event compete for the title of Sacramento’s Fastest Attorney!

The Valentine Run’s success is thanks to the support of the 25 organizations, local law firms, and solo practitioners who sponsored the event. Leading the way, Mur-

phy Austin and Shoenfeld LLP, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, and Dignity Health were the Gold sponsors.

This annual event promotes health consciousness and welcomes participants of all kinds, including runners, walkers, wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and even canine companions. It truly is a family-friendly occasion that brings the community together.

Both people and dogs dressed up in Valentine-themed clothing to compete for the best-dressed award. Axel LaPlante won the under-18 best-dressed category and Christina Nokes and Melissa Penwell tied for the over-18 bestdressed prize. Team Ainsley’s Angels won best-dressed team, and the best-dressed “paw pal” was Allie Dunmoyer, whose human is Joanne Hufford.

The overall race winners were Nick Tostu, male, with a time of 20:51, and Leiana Van Vorhis of Ainsley’s Angels for the adaptive wheelchair with a time of 35:07; Nicole Lane, female, with 21.21; and Beka Kraemer, non-binary,

Nanette Aubut, Development Director, Legal Services of Northern California.

with a time of 32:07. Overall winners of the attorney race were Danielle Keller, female, at 26:58, Rebecca Diddams, nonbinary, with a time of 49:21, and William Downer, male, at 26:56.

“It was a beautiful morning for the 21st Annual LSNC Valentine Race for Justice, the yearly fund raiser for LSNC. The legal community turned out in force for this fun event, and we are grateful to our generous law firm sponsors, as well as to the many lawyers who participated in the race and thus supported LSNC’s delivery of critical legal services in the areas

Alexander Munoz, Downey Brand and his girlfriend, Kris Adee.

Photos by Kevin Graft Photography

Best dressed under 18 Axel LaPlante.

of housing, health, public benefits and civil rights to low-income and other vulnerable individuals, families and communities throughout northern California,” said LSNC Executive Director Gary F. Smith

LSNC extends its sincere gratitude to all its participants, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, donors, fundraisers, and the Sacramento County Bar Association for its help promoting the event.

LSNC is a legal services organization serving the poor, older adults, and people with disabilities, facing legal obstacles related to housing, healthcare, public benefits, and civil rights. More than 50 advocates in eight field offices provide advice, assistance, and representation to clients who otherwise

Winners of Best Dressed Team, Ainsley’s Angels.

Best dressed dog Allie Dunmoyer with Joanne Hufford. Danielle Keller, Cohen Defense Group.

UC Davis King Haulers.

Team Murphy Austin Adams and Shoenfeld LLP.

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