CALIFORNIA
WOMEN LAWYERS THE 2018 CALIFORNIA WOMEN LAWYERS 44th
ANNUAL DINNER AND S I L E N T A U C T I O N STANDING TOGETHER AND STRONGER THAN EVER
SHERATON SAN DIEGO HOTEL AND MARINA SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2018 44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 1
Galente Law, APC* & Military Defender Congratulate Renée Galente Stackhouse on her successful year as president of California Women Lawyers *Galente Law, APC is soon to become Stackhouse, APC
GALENTE LAW, APC
950 Vista Village Dr. Vista, CA 92084 www.GalenteLaw.com Personal Injury Criminal & Military Defense
MILITARYDEFENDER 950 Vista Village Dr. Vista, CA 92084 www.militarydefender.com Global Military Defense
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 2
THE 2018 CALIFORNIA WOMEN LAWYERS 44th
ANNUAL DINNER AND S I L E N T A U C T I O N STANDING TOGETHER AND STRONGER THAN EVER
Thank you to our 44th Annual Dinner Committee Amee Mikacich, Chris Goodman, Jodi Cleesattle, Naomi Dewey, Jessica Lynn Rowe, Suzette Torres, Summer C. Selleck, Yahairah Aristy, Nicole Sugnet, Mercedes Sequoia, Michelle Barnett
CALIFORNIA
WOMEN LAWYERS
Thank you for joining us to celebrate and honor women in the legal profession and reflect on the achievements of California Women Lawyers and its members. Since 1974, CWL has represented the interests of more than 70,000 women in all facets of the legal profession, influencing lawyers, educators, students and judges. CWL has consistently provided a high level of support and commitment to their individual career goals, and to the collective goals of women in law and society. As the only statewide bar association for women in California, CWL maintains a primary focus on advancing women in the legal profession. CWL provides unique resources and support to its members. Whether it is helping new practitioners expand their client base or assisting experienced attorneys in securing positions on the bench, CWL is an invaluable resource for the professional advancement of women lawyers. CWL protects and advocates for women in the community via legislation and amicus advocacy, standing with issues that advance equality for women, fight violence against women and children and against those that would negatively impact reproductive justice and access to justice.
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 3
ANNUAL DINNER AND S I L E N T A U C T I O N P R O G R A M
O F
E V E N T S
WELCOME & PERSONAL REMARKS By Renee Galente Stackhouse, CWL 2017-2018 President, Galente Law, San Diego, California
2018 FAY STENDER AWARD PRESENTATION Presented to Sandra C. Muñoz, Law Offices of Sandra C. Muñoz, Los Angeles, California Introduced by Sonia Salinas, Andrade Gonzalez LLP, Los Angeles, California
ADMINISTRATION OF OATH TO CWL BOARD By California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye Introduced by Jessica Lynn Rowe, Aaron, Riechert, Carpol & Riffle, APC, Redwood City, California, and CWL President Elect, 2018-2019
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Lily Yan Hughes, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Public Storage, Glendale, California Introduced by Suzette Z. Torres, VP Regional Counsel, North American Title Company and 2018 CWL Chair, In House Counsel Network, Concord, California
CLOSING REMARKS By Amee A. Mikacich, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, San Francisco, California, and CWL 2018-2019 President
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 4
T H A N K Y O U T O O U R 2 018 DINNER SPONSORS TITLE SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
MILITARY DEFENDER
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS T R I A L
B Y
W O M A N
RECEPTION WINE AND BEER SPONSOR
SILENT AUCTION CHAMPAGNE SPONSOR
Jen Wald, Suzy Wilson, and Chris Chambers Goodman
AFFILIATE SPONSOR
Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Women Lawyers of Alameda County Lawyers Club of San Diego
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 5
WELCOME FROM
Th e 2 018 - 2 019 C W L P r e s i d e n t Amee Mikacich Dear Friends, Welcome to the California Women Lawyers’ 44th Annual Dinner, Standing Together and Stronger Than Ever. We truly appreciate your attendance tonight and know that we cannot do any of the things we do as an organization without the support of people like you, because we are stronger together. As summer fades into fall, and many other organizations begin to wind down the year, California Women Lawyers is just getting started. Through the outstanding leadership of Immediate Past President, Renee Galente, CWL had a banner year. We re-wrote our Strategic Plan, looking ahead to the year 2021 with goals aimed at building on our strong foundation to positively impact the role and status of women in the legal profession and society. We will do so through education, outreach, advocacy and inclusivity. We co-sponsored a record number of amicus briefs combatting issues which included discrimination toward women, children, immigrant families, and the LGBT community. We held a successful Annual Conference in San Francisco. In the coming year, we will continue to provide the outstanding programming for which we have become so well known. Elect To RunTM educates and encourages women to run for public office, featuring testimonials from some of California’s most successful elected officials. So You Want To Be A JudgeTM is CWL’s award winning program designed to offer insight and advice about the judicial appointment process in California, and to increase diversity on the bench. CWL’s signature judicial awards, the Rose Bird Memorial Award and the Joan Dempsey Klein Award will once again be presented to well-deserving women judicial officers who exemplify courage, compassion, and devotion to public service. And last, but certainly not least, the In House Counsel Network Puzzle Series brings together women from all aspects of the General Counsel’s office to share experiences, issues, goals and strategies unique to women lawyers holding in-house legal positions. Since 1974, CWL has been a voice for women in the legal profession and in society in general. I am extremely proud of that legacy and will do my best to steward this amazing organization through the coming year, with the assistance of a Board of Governors which is second to none. We are Standing Together and Stronger Than Ever.
Amee Mikacich CWL President, 2018-2019 Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP 44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 6
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 7
CALIFORNIA WOMEN LAWYERS September 13, 2018 It is my pleasure to offer a warm welcome to guests and members attending the California Women Lawyers’ 44th Annual Dinner and Silent Auction, themed “Standing Together and Stronger Than Ever.” Since it was established in 1974, CWL has championed progress for women in the legal profession and represented the interests of more than 70,000 women. As the only statewide bar association for women in California, CWL has consistently provided a high level of support and commitment to women’s individual career goals, and to the collective goals of women in law and society. Congratulations to the incoming president, Amee Mikacich, as well as all incoming board members. My best wishes for a successful tenure. Thank you to the outgoing President Renee Galente and all outgoing board members. Your hard work and dedication to the mission and values of CWL is truly appreciated. Special congratulations to this year’s Fay Stender Award recipient, Sandra C. Munoz. I join you in celebrating the achievements of California’s most notable women judges and lawyers. Cheers to another successful year! Warmly,
SENATOR TONI G. ATKINS President pro Tempore 39th District TGA:cn
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 8
September 13, 2018 California Women Lawyers Dear Friends, On behalf of the California Senate, it is my pleasure to extend my warmest welcome to the California Women Lawyers 44th Annual Dinner. Since its inception in 1974, California Women Lawyers (CWL) has championed the advancement of women in the legal profession and has represented the interests of more than 70,000 women. The CWL’s high level of support and commitment to individual career goals continues to promote the collective goals of women in law and society, spanning all facets of the legal system. As the only statewide bar association for women in California, the CWL continually advances its mission to advance women in the profession of law; improve the administration of justice; better the position of women in society; eliminate all inequities based on sex; and provide an organization for collective action and expression germane to the aforesaid purposes. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate incoming president Amee Mikacich and give the sincerest commendation to CWL’s outgoing president Renee Galente. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to this important organization. Congratulations to this year’s Honoree, Sandra C. Munoz, recipient of the Fay Stender Award and Keynote Speaker Lily Yan Hughes. Best wishes for a successful event. Sincerely,
KEVIN DE LEÓN President pro Tempore Emeritus Twenty-Fourth Senate District
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 9
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 10
COMMITTEES CHAIR: APPROPRIATIONS
STATE CAPITOL P.O. BOX 942849 SACRAMENTO, CA 94249-0070 (916) 319-2080 FAX (916) 319-2180 DISTRICT OFFICE 1350 FRONT ST, SUITE 6022 SAN DIEGO, CA 92101 (619) 338-8090 FAX (619) 338-8099 WEB SITE www.asm.ca.gov/gonzalez
SELECT COMMITTEES CHAIR: WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
LORENA GONZALEZ FLETCHER ASSEMBLYWOMAN, EIGHTIETH DISTRICT
September 13, 2018
th
Happy 44 Annual Dinner, California Women Lawyers! It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 44th Annual California Women Lawyers Dinner. I salute and congratulate the hardworking volunteers who make this special event possible each year. As a fellow woman lawyer, I share your mission to address issues that impact women in all communities, workplaces and facets of the legal profession, particularly women of color who are too often underrepresented. We must also continue to support and actively mentor young women who choose to pursue a legal career. Again, I thank you for all that you do, and I look forward to working with California Women Lawyers to help ensure the advancement of all women. Sincerely,
LORENA GONZALEZ FLETCHER Assemblywoman, 80th District
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 11
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 12
BETTY T. YEE California State Controller
September 13, 2018
Dear Friends: Welcome to the annual California Women Lawyers dinner. As the highest-ranking woman in the executive branch, I applaud CWL for dedicated advocacy for thousands of women in all areas of the legal profession. Thank you for more than 40 years of leadership and service to ensure the justice system works for everyone in California. Congratulations to tonight’s honoree, Sandra Munoz, and outgoing president Renée Galente for their commitment to equity and equality for women in the Golden State. I extend very best wishes to incoming president Amee Mikacich and all CWL members for continued success. Sincerely,
Betty T. Yee
300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1850, Sacramento, CA 95814 P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250 (916) 445-2636 Fax: (916) 322-4404 www.sco.ca.gov
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 13
K E Y N OT E S P E A K E R L I L Y YA N H U G H E S
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Public Storage Lily reports to the CEO and is a member of the Executive Team of Public Storage (NYSE:PSA) -- a component of the S&P 500 and FT Global 500. Lily provides leadership and oversight for all legal and internal audit matters, including board, corporate securities, governance, capital markets, litigation management, labor and employment, real estate, compliance, operations, intellectual property, M&A, business continuity, government affairs, investor relations and external communications. The 30+ legal and internal audit teams report to her.
Lily is a trusted advisor to the two public company Boards, Public Storage and PS Business Parks. Prior to joining Public Storage in January 2015, Lily served in roles of increasing responsibilities for almost 18 years in the legal department of Ingram Micro, an Orange County based Fortune 100 and the world’s largest wholesale information technology & mobile devices distributor, with $46 billion in annual sales and over 30,000 employees, serving customers in 160 countries. Lily’s last role was Vice President and Associate General Counsel-Corporate, M&A & Finance, the #2 corporate lawyer of the company, with primary legal responsibilities for corporate securities, governance, finance, treasury, tax, executive compensation, and global leader on all M&A transactions.
Public Storage is a real estate investment trust, a REIT with market cap of $38+ billion and based in Glendale, California. It primarily acquires, develops, owns and operates self-storage facilities. At March 31, 2018, Public Storage had direct and indirect interests in 2,392 self-storage properties in 38 states, with approximately 159 million net rentable square feet, owned one selfstorage property in London England, and owned 49% interests in 222 storage facilities located in seven Western European nations with approximately 12 million net rentable square feet operated under the “Shurgard” brand. Public Storage also owns a 42% common equity interest in PS Business Parks, Inc. (NYSE:PSB) with $4+ billion in market cap. PS Business Parks owned and operated approximately 28 million rentable square feet of commercial space, primarily flex, multi-tenant office and industrial space at March 31, 2018.
Lily was also a corporate & securities partner with the national law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips focused on serving the financial services industry, including national and state community banks. Lily has been an active volunteer and leader with the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), the largest in-house bar association in the world, with over 40,000 in-house lawyers as members. Lily served as Secretary and Vice-Chair of the global ACC Corporate & Securities Committee with over 3,500 Committee members. Lily is serving her seventh year on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Chapter of ACC, a large chapter with a long track record of leadership and excellence. She has served in key leadership roles at the Chapter, including as Chair of the Membership Committee, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President – Services, Vice President – Programs, and most recently as President for the Southern California Chapter from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016.
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 14
Lily’s community leadership includes past service as a member of the Tournament of Roses Committee in Pasadena, California, as Secretary and as Chairman of the Board for the Greater Los Angeles Affiliate Chapter of the American Heart Association, and as a member of the Audit Committee of the national American Heart Association based in Dallas, Texas. Lily has also been recognized by numerous publications and organizations, including named as 2017 Public Company General Counsel of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal, in 2016 as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in the nation by the National Diversity Council, recipient of a 2016 Most Influential Women Award and a 2014 Multicultural Leadership Award from the California Diversity Council, the 2013 Orange County Rising Star General Counsel Award from the Orange County Business Journal, and named twice as one of the top 100 “Next Generation General Counsel” by Inside Counsel Magazine. Lily will also be honored by Corporate Counsel and InsideCounsel as the 2018 General Counsel of the Year at the National Women in the Law Awards in October 2018. Lily is an immigrant from Kowloon City, Hong Kong, moving to the U.S. when she was 11. Her husband farms in Upstate New York -- growing soy, wheat, corn and hay, operating a grain mill, and tending to 150+ heads of cattle.
We are proud to support California Women Lawyers and its dedication and committment to women in the legal profession.
www.caseygerry.com Dedicated to the Pursuit of Justice since 1947 SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY, MARITIME, AVIATION, PRODUCT LIABILITY, CLASS ACTION, MASS TORTS AND PHARMACEUTICAL LITIGATION
San Diego | North County | 619-238-1811
CONGRATULATIONS TO T O
T H E
2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9
CWL BOARD OF GOVERNORS
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND PASSION
AMEE A. MIKACICH
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 15
Amee A. Mikacich
2018-2019 CWL PRESIDENT
F AY S T E N D E R HONOREE
Sandra C. Muñoz The Fay Stender award was created in 1982 in honor of attorney Fay Stender, a founding mother of CWL and staunch supporter of underrepresented groups and individuals. This year California Women Lawyers is proud to present the 2018 Fay Stender Award to Sandra Muñoz. Sandra C. Muñoz is the owner of the Law Offices of Sandra C. Muñoz where she exclusively represents workers whose civil rights have been violated. For over 20 years, Sandra has worked on countless cases involving employment discrimination, workplace harassment, and unlawful retaliation. Sandra has extensive experience in wage and hour cases involving wage theft and failure to pay overtime. Sandra grew up in East Los Angeles where her offices are currently located. She is also a proud graduate of Garfield High School and a former student of renowned math teacher Jaime Escalante. Sandra graduated from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles in 1997 and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA. At Loyola, Sandra was President of La Raza Law Students Association and named National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Law Student of the Year. She was also a member of the Loyola team that won the 1996 Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) National Moot Court competition.
Her early career offered her a foundation in civil rights. As an Associate Attorney at Hadsell & Stormer (now Hadsell Stormer & Renick), Sandra represented numerous clients in a variety employment cases including victims of sexual harassment, whistleblower retaliation, and race discrimination. Sandra also successfully argued before the Ninth Circuit and the California Court of Appeal. She was also part of the Hadsell & Stormer appellate teams that represented the plaintiffs in Beyda v. City of Los Angeles, 65 Cal. App. 4th 511 (1998) and Blair v. City of Pomona, 223 F.3d 1074 (2000). Later, as an Associate at Moreno, Becerra, & Casillas, Sandra represented many victims of the LAPD Rampart Scandal and also successfully tried her first case, representing a young Mexican immigrant shot by a deputy of the County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. At her own law firm, Sandra continues to pursue her lifelong commitment to representing workers and protecting the civil rights of everyone. She also continues to be actively involved in the community. Currently, Sandra is the Membership Director for the Mexican-American Bar Association and also the HNBA Southern California Regional President. Sandra is also a member of the Education Committee for the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA). In 2016, Sandra received the Mary V. Orozco Abriendo Caminos Award from the Latina Lawyer Bar Association for her community service. Also in 2016, Sandra was the recipient of the California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) award for her work on Carillo v. Schneider, a wage and hour class action against Walmart and others on behalf of warehouse workers which settled for $22.7 million after years of litigation.
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 16
Fay Stender Award List of Past Recipients: 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 2000 1999 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982
Leslie F. Levy Elaine A. Alexander Cynthia Chandler Hon. Lynn Schenk Patricia K. Gillette Jane Kahn Sen. Hanna Beth Jackson Victoria Jacobs Sharmin Esraghi Bock Hon. Julie Conger (Ret.) Hon. Kim R. Hubbard Tanya Neiman (Dec.) Lilia S. Velasquez Bonnie Rose Hough Kate Yavenditti Lilly T. Spitz Nancy K. D. Lemon Hon. Sharon Kalemkiarian Beth H. Parker Meredith Blake Carol Churchill Tina Rasnow Donna Bashaw Abby Leibman Gay C. Grunfeld Abby J. Silverman Hon. Nancy L. Davis Drucilla Stender Ramey Pauline W. Gee Patricia Herzog (Dec.) Margaret Crosby Winter Dellenbach Hon. Marsha Berzon Susan McGreivy Marian M. Johnston Amanda Hawes Eva Jefferson Patterson Karen Kaplowitz
Queen’s Bench would like to ‡š–‡�† ‘—” …‘�‰”ƒ–—Žƒ–‹‘�• –‘
ƒ•– ”‡•‹†‡�–
Amee Mikacich
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 17
‘� „‡‹�‰ –Š‡ —’…‘�‹�‰ ”‡•‹†‡�– ‘ˆ Ǩ
2 018 - 2 019 B o a r d O f G o v e r n o r s CWL President Amee Mikacich is a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in San Francisco where she is a general litigator and trial attorney specializing in the defense of cases involving product and premises liability, environmental torts, breach of contract, labor and employment, and other business disputes. Ms. Mikacich is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Bar Association of San Francisco, and a Past President of the Queen’s Bench Bar Association. CWL President-Elect Jessica L. Rowe is an estate planning and probate litigation attorney, and a shareholder at the law firm of Aaron, Riechert, Carpol & Riffle, APC in Redwood City, Ca. Jessica serves on the board of the San Mateo County Bar Association Women Lawyers Section and the Trust and Estates Section. Jessica is a certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Jessica lives in San Carlos, Ca with her husband, two kids and French Bulldog, Mac. Immediate Past President/President, CWL Foundation Renee Galente Stackhouse is an award-winning lawyer and Founder of Stackhouse, APC (formerly Galente Law, APC). She is a trial lawyer with a focus on advocacy for women and LGBTQ+ individuals who have been injured or charged with a crime in state, federal or military courts. She serves as a mediator, public speaker, and community leader. Renee is the incoming Chair of the California Lawyers Association Solo and Small Firm Section and sits on the Board of the San Diego County Bar Association. She is a Past President of San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association. She teaches trial skills nationally with the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College. Most recently, Renee founded “M-She-LE” a business geared towards providing MCLEs geared towards challenges women face in the legal profession. First Vice-President Naomi Dewey is a Partner at Buynak Fauver Archbald & Spray, where she leads a litigation, business and real estate practice based on the trusted advisor model. Naomi serves a diverse client base ranging from government entities to international aid agencies to high net worth families. Naomi is a past president of Santa Barbara County Bar Association and Santa Barbara Women Lawyers, and currently serves as Chair of Women’s Economic Ventures’ League of Extraordinary Women. She received her law degree from Santa Barbara College of Law, and her undergraduate degree from University of Sheffield, England. She has three daughters. Second Vice-President Michelle Ialeggio is a San Diego Deputy District attorney specializing in ethics and crimes against children. She has tried over 75 cases to verdict. This year she was awarded the San Diego County Bar Association Service by a Public Attorney Award. She is a prior board member of Lawyers Club of San Diego and this year served as co-chair of CWL’s Elect to RunTM program. Secretary Summer Selleck is a solo practitioner at S.C. Selleck Law in Walnut Creek, California where she practices primarily in the areas of Estate Planning and Probate. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Contra Costa County Bar Association. She is a member of the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging and was recently named a Super Lawyer Rising Star for 2018. She was named by Diablo Magazine as “40 under 40” for 2018. She has served on the California Women Lawyers Board since 2015. Treasurer Nicole Sugnet is a Senior Staff Attorney at the California Supreme Court. Prior to that, she was a partner at Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann, and Bernstein, where she represented consumers in class action cases involving false advertising, bait-and-switch schemes, bad faith conduct, and violations of the right to privacy. While a litigator, Nicole was named as a Super Lawyer Rising Star every year from 2013 through 2016, and was named a Super Lawyer in 2017. She graduated from University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2006.
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 18
- DISTRICT BOARD OF GOVERNORS
- AFFILIATE GOVERNORS
DISTRICT 1 (Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, and Yuba counties)
Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
Vacant DISTRICT 2 (Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Napa, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, Tuolumne and Yolo counties)
Michelle Kazadi – Law Office of Michelle L. Kazadi Contra Costa County Bar Association – Women’s Section Appointment Pending Fresno County Women Lawyers Association
Theresa Barfield- Somach Simmons & Dunn
Melissa Marsh – Fresno County District Attorney’s Office
DISTRICT 3 (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties)
Lawyers Club of San Diego
Beth Mora- Mora Employment Law
Long Beach Women Lawyers
Jessica Lynn Rowe- Aaron Reichert Carpol & Riffle, APC DISTRICT 4 (San Francisco and Marin Counties)
Mercedes Sequoia - Caroll, Kelly Trotter, Franzen, McKenna & Peabody
Melissa Gardner- Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP
Marin County Women Lawyers
Nicole Sugnet- California Supreme Court
Roni Pomerantz, Office of the Attorney General
DISTRICT 5 (Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, and Tulare counties)
Orange County Women Lawyers
Sabrina Ashjian – Chairperson, Cannabis Control Appeals Panel DISTRICT 6 (Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, San Bernardino counties)
Yahairah Aristy – San Diego Office of the Public Defender
Jaimi Groothuis- Bentley & Moore, LLP Queens Bench Bar Association Sophia Andritsaki- Revel Systems San Mateo Women Lawyers Michelle Barnett- Aaron, Riechert, Carpol & Riffle, APC
Danielle De Smeth – Bamieh & Erickson, PLC
Santa Barbara Women Lawyers
DISTRICT 7 (Los Angeles County)
Naomi Dewey- Buynak, Fauver, Archbald & Spray
Janet Hong- The Hong Firm
Santa Clara County Bar Association
Ellen McGlynn- Clyde & Co.
Wendy Krog- Hopkins Carley
Courtney Puritsky- Grodsky & Olecki LLP
Truckee-Tahoe Women Lawyers
Ana Storey- Levitt & Quinn Family Law Center
Peggy Ann Headley- Peggy A. Headley, Esq.
Alison Kleaver- California State University
Women Lawyers of Alameda County
DISTRICT 8 (Orange County)
Gina Boer- Haapala, Thompson & Abern LLP
Betty Fracisco – Garrett & Jensen
Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo County
DISTRICT 9 (Imperial and San Diego counties)
Jaqueline Frederick- Frederick Law Firm
Michelle Ialeggio – San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Women Lawyers of Los Angeles
Jodi Cleesattle- Department of Justice, State of California
Women Lawyers of Sacramento
- AT LARGE GOVERNORS
Kristen Blocher- Angelo Kilday & Kilduff,
Summer Selleck, S.C. Selleck Law
Women Lawyers of Ventura County
Mika Domingo, M.S. Domingo Law
Jaclyn Smith – County of Ventura
Susan Formaker- Office of Administrative Hearings
- JUDICIAL LIAISONS Northern California Hon. Elena Duarte – Associate Justice, California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District Southern California Hon. Yvonne Campos – Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 19
CWL JOAN DEMPSEY KLEIN D I ST I N G U I S H E D J U R I ST AWA R D Southern California Judicial Reception – Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award
Honorable Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Beverly Reid O’Connell sat as a judge in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. She was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2013. Judge O’Connell chaired the Court’s Technology Committee. She served as a faculty member at the B.E. Witkin Judicial College, teaching new judges about the admissibility of electronic evidence. She also served on the Ninth Circuit Technology Committee and the Ninth Circuit Jury Instruction Committee, and she was appointed to the national Information Technology Advisory Group.
In 2014 Judge O’Connell received the Distinguished Service Award from the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles for her commitment to public service. In 2015, the South Asian Bar Association awarded Judge O’Connell its Judicial Appreciation Award for her creation of the “Power Lunch” program, which exposes high school students to the justice system. In 2015, Pepperdine University School of Law awarded Judge O’Connell its Distinguished Alumnus Award. Judge O’Connell graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in political science, and she received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Pepperdine University School of Law, where she served as the managing editor of the Pepperdine Law Review. She lectured as an adjunct professor of law at both Pepperdine University School of Law and Loyola Law School, teaching basic and advanced trial advocacy skills. Judge O’Connell holds the distinction of being the first graduate of the School of Law to be appointed to the federal bench.
Prior to her federal appointment, Judge O’Connell sat on the Los Angeles Superior Court, appointed in 2005 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. She was the supervising judge of the North Valley District, supervising three courthouses and 26 judges. As a sitting judge, Judge O’Connell tried over 150 cases, including special circumstance murders, gang, and fraud cases. Before she was appointed to the bench, Judge O’Connell served as an assistant United States attorney for the Central District of California. She was the deputy chief of the General Crimes Section, training all new assistant U.S. attorneys in the Greater Los Angeles area. She first began her legal career as an associate at the law firm of Morrison & Foerster, specializing in litigation matters.
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 20
CWL JOAN DEMPSEY KLEIN – DISTINGUISHED JURIST AWARD 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon.
Marguerite D. Downing, Los Angeles County Superior Court Holly Fujie, Los Angeles County Superior Court Yvonne Campos, San Diego County Superior Court Kathleen E. O’Leary, Fourth District Court of Appeal Teresa Estrada-Mullaney (Ret.) Audrey B. Collins, Chief Justice of Central District of California Lee Smalley Edmon, Second District Court of Appeal Irma E. Gonzalez (Ret.) Deborah B. Andrews, Los Angeles County Superior Court Eileen C. Moore, Fourth District Court of Appeal Patricia Yim Cowett (Ret.) Consuelo B. Marshall, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Wendy S. Lindley (Ret.) Sandra A. Thompson, Los Angeles County Superior Court (Dec.) Judith L. Haller, Fourth District Court of Appeal Pamela Iles (Ret.) Fumiko Hachiya Wasserman, Los Angeles County Superior Court Vaino Spencer (Dec.) Veronica Simmons McBeth (Ret.) Meredith C. Taylor (Ret.) Judith C. Chirlin (Ret.) Candace Cooper (Ret.) Arleigh Maddox Woods (Ret.) Judith McConnell, Fourth District Court of Appeal Joan Dempsey Klein (Ret.)
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 21
ROSE BIRD Memorial Award
Northern California Judicial Reception – Rose Bird Memorial Award
Judge Claudia Wilken Claudia Wilken is a judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland division. She was appointed in 1993 by President Clinton. Prior to her appointment to the district court, she served as United States Magistrate Judge on the same court for ten years. She served as Chief Judge of the District from 2012 to 2014, when she assumed senior status. Judge Wilken graduated with honors from Stanford University, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif. She served as an assistant federal public defender in the Northern District of California for three years, and then opened a law practice with a partner. She also taught criminal trial practice at Boalt Hall as an adjunct professor.
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 22
CWL ROSE BIRD MEMORIAL AWARD 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon.
Carol Brosnahan, Alameda County Superior Court Elizabeth K. Lee, San Mateo County Superior Court Clare Maier, Contra Costa Superior Court Rebecca Wiseman (Ret.) Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian, California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District Diana Becton, Contra Costa County Superior Court Isabella Horton Grant (Dec.) Ramona Garrett (Ret.) Peggy Fulton Hora (Ret.) Emily E. Vasquez, Sacramento County Superior Court Brenda Harbin-Forte, Alameda County Superior Court Judith Ford (Ret.) Alice Lytle (Ret.) LaDoris Cordell (Ret.) Marilyn Hall Patel, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Jacqueline Taber (Ret.) Joyce Luther Kennard (Ret.)
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 23
JUDITH SOLEY Lawyer as Citizen Award Judith Soley as Citizen Award Honoree – Pearl Gondrella Mann Pearl Gondrella Mann has a solo practice in Fullerton, California which emphasizes elder law, estate planning, conservatorships and probate. She is a recognized leader in the legal community and the community at large. In addition to being eligible to practice in all Courts of the State of California, Ms. Mann has been admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Ms. Mann served on the State Bar of California Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2014, where she chaired the Board’s Member Oversight Committee, the RAD/MOC Working Group on Senior Lawyers and the Task Force on Sections and also served on the following Board committees: Audit, Board Operations and Planning, Program, Development & Budget. She previously served on the State Bar’s Committee on Administration of Justice and the Committee on Women in the Law, which she chaired. Ms. Mann is a life member and past President of California Women Lawyers (2005-2006) and Orange County Women Lawyers (2003) and has been a lecturer or panel participant at programs about gender equity, glass ceiling, and diversity issues at county, affiliate and women’s bar associations throughout the state. Ms. Mann has been a frequent volunteer for many years with the Orange County Bar Association (“OCBA”) and served several terms on its Board of Directors (1990-1991, 1993, 2007-2013). She has been a Co-Chair of the Pro Bono Committee (2006-2011) and the Bridging the Gap Committee (1987-1990), and served on the Judiciary Committee and the Nominations Committee. She has chaired the Appellate Law Section (1997), Elder Law Section (2000) and Trusts and Estates Section (2012); served on the Speaker’s Bureau, the Legal Survival
Skills Task Force, LEAP (Lawyers for Elder Abuse Prevention) and as a Mandatory Fee arbitrator. The OCBA honored Ms. Mann with the Harmon G. Scoville Award in 2013, given to an attorney whose career exemplifies the highest standards of the legal profession and champions our constitutional system of justice. Ms. Mann has represented numerous pro bono clients through the Public Law Center and its predecessors (1990 to date) and was named the PLC Attorney of the Year in 2010. She also has received the State Bar Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Service Award (1998, 2011). Ms. Mann has presented and participated on panels which provides training for volunteer attorneys in preparing wills, powers of attorneys and conservatorships. She frequently speaks to the public and writes about these topics, as well as about elder abuse, probate, trusts, identity theft, and scams targeting seniors. For the Orange County Probate Court, she volunteers as a Temporary Judge for settlement conferences and as a Conservatorship Clinic worker and receives frequent appointments as a Guardian ad Litem in elder abuse restraining order and trust cases. Ms. Mann has also been active in the community at large with the Orange County League of Women Voters ILO, the North Orange County League of Women Voters where she serves currently as CoPresident, the Council on Aging O.C. Board of Directors, the Fullerton Library Board of Trustees where she was President, O. C. Family Violence Council, City of Fullerton Mayor’s Infrastructure Advisory Committee, Stay in School Program and Dare to Say No Program.
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 24
Prior to 1998, Ms. Mann’s solo practice emphasis was civil litigation and criminal appeals. In 1986 and 1987, she was an associate with the Law Offices of Fred Anderson in Tustin with an emphasis on civil litigation and some criminal matters. In 1985, she served as a judicial extern for Judge Warren Ferguson of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and she was the 1983 Law and Motion intern at the West Orange County Municipal Court. Ms. Mann received her Juris Doctor degree in 1985 from Western State University School of Law in Fullerton where she served as Editor-in-Chief of Law Review. She has been a lecturer, exam grader and teaching assistant at the law school, was its Alumni Public Service Honoree in 2010 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. She has been President of the Western State Alumni Association and was named Alumni Attorney of the Year in 2005. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Mann had a career as a librarian. She holds a Masters degree in Library Science from the University of Illinois and a Masters of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Hawaii.
Law firm insurance specialists with over 5,000 law firm clients.
800.282.9786 Designated by five bar associations, AHERN offers members AHERNINSURANCE.COM superior service, professional representation and the most comprehensive programs. CA LIC #0K07568 800.282.9786 AHERNINSURANCE.COM CA LIC 0K07568 | AZ LIC 1800012964
AHERN is a proud supporter of California Women Lawyers
List of Past Recipients: 2017 Tracy Skaddan 2016 Pauline A. Weaver 2013 Mary-Christine (“M.C.”) Sungaila
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 25
AHERN_CA Women Lawyers_Qtr Page Ad r1.indd 1
7/13/1
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL NETWORK California Women Lawyers’ In-House Counsel Network (IHCN), the Presidential Initiative of Eliza Rodrigues, is comprised of in-house lawyers providing legal services or serving in corporate executive positions solely for the company which employs them, including counsel of public, private, large and small companies, non-profits, and educational institutions. The IHCN seeks to provide a network where often-isolated women lawyers can share insights and strategies on advancement and success within the unique cross-section of law and business such as advancing women in law and business, gender pay equity, diversity in corporate legal and executive departments, leadership training, networking, and community service opportunities.
List of IHCN Founding Members: Olga Balderama, General Counsel of Ruiz Food Products, Inc. Michelle Banks, General Counsel of Gap, Inc. Lynne Carrithers, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Aera Energy, LLC Catherine Lacavera, Director of Litigation at Google, Inc. Catherine McEvilly, Vice President and General Counsel of Honda North America Suzan “Sam” Miller, Vice President of Legal & Corporate Affairs and Deputy General Counsel, Intel Sally Narey, General Counsel of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company
2018 marked the third year of the popular IHCN Puzzle Piece Series. Created in 2016 by Past President Neda Mansoorian, this vibrant and popular program brings in-house counsel together over four sessions allowing participants to build relationships in a confidential intimate setting and culminates with an exclusive invitation-only retreat to share respective conclusions, reflections and best practices.
Natalie Panossian, Senior Counsel with Ricoh Printing Systems America, Inc. Eliza M. Rodrigues, Associate General Counsel & Ethics Counsel, Sedgwick LLP Erika Rottenberg, Former General Counsel of LinkedIn Dawn Smith, General Counsel of VMware
If you are an in-house lawyer seeking a meaningful and supportive group of similarly-situated women, please contact us at ihcn@cwl.org.
Laura Stein, General Counsel of The Clorox Company Debra Zumwalt, General Counsel of Stanford University N3 SIO 2018 SEASUGUST 23,
2 ION ESS 26, 2018
S
JULY
BOX,
INC.
PM
- 8:30
TOTO
PM
ZLE
UZ 8P
AM
201
GR
PRO
ZLE
PUZ 018
DW
- RE
6:00
O, CA
CISC
CA TY,
D CI
OO
AN N FR 0 - SA PM PT 19 - 8:30 NCE 00 PM 6:
CO
AM
GR
PRO
2
bit Nes ps en illi Krist her Ph ps s& illi o, Fis Coat Francisc Fisher Ph n y uire les, l Pa dits McG unsel, Sa Ange Los Equa E cre endy te Co rtner, for r MCL g W Appella n: Pa Day 1hou urin & Kriste New Feat : Partner A dy
Wen
sive
Exclu
Gold
sor
ps nshi a latio ild re als in to to bu on go treat Re state comm the only d ross es, an vitationnc m ac in l fro experie sive, tices. se exclu prac coun ared ouse ues, sh with an d best -h in ther itive iss lminates ctions an 190 toge ns cu EPT refle ings ring se ram TBD NC ns, om ve m br prog nclusio , CO -CAL nat.c ogra ries co . The T 23 18, SO rres@ e co le Pr ng t se GUS R szto Puzz ur-par ate setti spectiv n• 3 AU EMBE The e re a fo tim atio ION 4 SEPT shar over ential in form SESS ION e In id or nf M SS co r SE s Fo Torre tte Suze hair, NC IHC tact Con
Spon
Ku n tio e H. erin e Litiga Kath rnanc ve n& erso rate Go es Hend Corpo Securiti ine er, rate & ther Partn uts g Ka erson, er, Corpo dO nd urin rtn s an ns Feat rine He Ku, Pa e In io Kathe rine H. Th at stig Fan: Kathe
sive
Exclu
Gold
sor
Spon
Inve the Hits rnal Inte n it Whe ndling dits cre of Har MCLE 1hou
ps nshi latio a ild re als in to go at to bu state common ly Retre the on d ross es, an ationvit nc m ac l fro experie sive, in es. se tic un clu ared an ex st prac se co be -hou ues, sh with d in ther itive iss inates ons an D lm cti ns toge - TB ings ring se ram cu ns, refle CA om ve og m br sio ERN nat.c ogra series co . The pr conclu UTH rres@ e le Pr t ng , SO szto Puzz ur-par ate setti spectiv R 18 n• The a fo e re atio tim EMBE shar over tial in form SEPT e In iden N4 r Mor conf IO Fo s SESS Torre zette Su r, Chai IHCN act Cont
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 26
2 017 - 18 C W L A D V O C A C Y / A C T I O N Amicus Briefs on Women’s Issues and Equality
Karnoski, et al v. Trump
The advancement of a women’s rights agenda depends heavily on court decisions for success. Since its inception, CWL has devoted significant energy to an active amicus program in which CWL prepares or joins in amicus briefs relevant to CWL’s core issues, including equal justice for all. CWL appears as amicus curiae in state and federal appellate cases. CWL is regularly solicited to lend support in a variety of matters thanks to an active Amicus Committee.
In opposition to dissolving the preliminary injunction halting the government’s ban on transgender men and women serving in the military.
This year, CWL has signed onto the following amicus briefs: Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission To prohibit business owners from disregarding nondiscrimination protections in the name of religion and free speech. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Donald J. Trump To immediately block the Trump administration rules that broadly exempt employers and universities from complying with the ACA’s contraceptive coverage requirement. State of California et al v. Eric D. Hargan et al (Sister brief to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, supra) Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 To decide whether employees who enjoy union benefits -including antidiscrimination protections and greater pay equity- should be required to contribute to the cost of securing them. At stake is the decades-old Supreme Court precedent, Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, which held that public sector collective bargaining agreements may include these “fair share” provisions. NIFLA v. Becerra To argue that the disclosures required by California’s Reproductive FACT Act comply with the First Amendment, since that Act reasonably requires Crisis Pregnancy Centers to avoid misleading women and inform them of the availability of low-cost or free family planning services provided by the state. Jock v. Sterling Jewelers This case is a class action challenge to pervasive sex discrimination in pay and promotion opportunities under Title VII and the Equal Pay Act. State of California, et al v. Health and Human Services, et al In support of the preliminary injunction entered against the Trump administration’s rules that broadly exempt employers and universities from complying with the ACA’s contraceptive coverage requirement. Parker v. Reema Consulting Services, Inc. This case defines the legal contours of both sex harassment and retaliation. 44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 27
If you would like CWL to consider drafting or signing onto an amicus brief, please contact us at amicus@cwl.org Legislative Committee Activity for 2018 CWL’s legislative priorities are: 1) ensuring reproductive justice, including choice, maternity care, access and privacy; 2) preventing violence against women and children, including domestic violence, human trafficking, gun violence and sex crimes; 3) supporting human rights and equality, 4) court funding & access to justice; and 5) economics. We use this as the framework to review proposed legislation in order to select bills to support or oppose which further these legislative priorities. This year CWL supported 5 bills that were most aligned with our mission. We sent letters of support and met with legislators to explain our positions on the impact of the proposed legislation. Our 2018 Legislative Agenda included: SB 937. This bill would require employers to provide a lactation room or location to include certain features, including access to a sink and refrigerator. The proposed legislation also would prohibit an employer from discharging or retaliating against an employee for exercising her rights under these provisions. SB 224. The law currently establishes liability for sexual harassment when the plaintiff proves, among other things, that there is a business, service, or professional relationship between the plaintiff and defendant. This bill would expand titles to include “investor, elected official, lobbyist, director, and producer” among those listed persons who may be liable to a plaintiff for sexual harassment. AB 2282. Existing law prohibits an employer from paying any of its employees at wage rates less than the rates paid to employees of the opposite sex for substantially similar work, when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, and performed under similar working conditions, unless the employer demonstrates that one or more specific factors, reasonably applied, account for the entire wage differential. Existing law also similarly prohibits an employer from paying any of its employees at wage rates less than the rates paid to employees of another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work. Existing law prohibits prior salary, by itself, from justifying a disparity in compensation under these provisions. This bill would authorize an employer to make a compensation decision based on an employee’s current salary as long as any wage differential resulting from that compensation decision is justified by one or more specified factors, including a seniority system or a merit system. The Governor has signed this bill into law.
2 017 - 18 C W L A D V O C A C Y / A C T I O N AB 2124. This bill would authorize and allocate funds for up to 11 District Attorney offices that employ a vertical prosecution methodology for the prosecution of human trafficking. AB 900. This bill would clarify human trafficking victims’ eligibility to receive compensation from the California’s Victim Compensation Board (VCB) for economic losses incurred as a result of their trafficking. Currently, human trafficking victims, like other victims of violent crime, are able to recover crime-related expenses, such as medical and mental health services or relocation costs, from the VCB. However, most trafficking victims—unlike other victims— cannot receive compensation for lost income suffered as a result of the crimes committed against them. This bill would allow for such recovery. We also partnered again this year with A Stronger California, which seeks to secure economic opportunity for women and families by focusing on four pillars: 1) fair pay and job opportunities; 2) access to childcare; 3) familyfriendly workplaces; and 4) eradicating poverty. This year partners of A Stronger California gathered together on April 25th and 26th to meet with legislators to express support of their priority bills. Members of California Women Lawyers joined with the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and spent time speaking with legislators and aides. The Legislative Committee welcomes CWL members to join this committee and encourages member input to the CWL legislative agenda. If you are interested in working with the Legislative Committee, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved as members write letters of support, attend hearings, provide testimony, and meet with legislators across the state. Please contact the Legislative Committee at legislative@cwl.org. This year’s legislative co-chairs: Sabrina Ashjian serves on the CWL Board of Governors as District 5 Governor, representing Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus and Tulare counties. Melissa Marsh serves on the CWL Board of Governors as Affiliate Governor for Fresno County Women Lawyers. Elect to RunTM In 2014 CWL introduced Elect to RunTM (ETR), a program that educates and encourages women to run for public office. The event invites women in elected office to share their experiences, insight and advice with attendees who are considering running for office. The event also provides information from women’s candidate support and training organizations to show women a path to public office. In August of 2016, ETR was honored with the Outstanding Member Program Award from the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations at the American Bar Association’s Annual Meeting.
This year, California Women Lawyers held the program June 22 at the Women’s Museum in San Diego. The event kicked off with San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliot, who in November 2016 became the first woman and first Latina City Attorney for the City of San Diego. The program continued with two panel discussions. The first panel, “Empowered to Run for Office: The Ins and Outs,” featured San Diego City Council member Georgette Gomez, political consultant Eva Posner, and campaign treasurer Stephanie Sanchez. The second panel, “Election Success: Being of Service as an Elected Official,” featured Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Titus, California State Assembly member Todd Gloria, and former San Diego City Council member Marti Emerald. California Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins gave the keynote address. Atkins is the first woman and the first openly LGBTQ person to lead the California State Senate. Search @cwl_tweets on Twitter to see pictures and live-tweet quotes from the event. So You Want to Be A Judge?TM This popular program is designed to offer insight and advice about the judicial appointment process in California and to help increase the number of women and diverse candidates who seek and obtain appointment to the bench. SYWTBAJ began in 1985 when it was hosted by Judge Marie B. Collins in her own home. Since then, it has become one of CWL’s Signature Events and was honored with the Outstanding Member Program Award from the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations at the American Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in 2009. This year the program was split into two parts. The first part, A Conversation with Josh Groban and David Fermino, took place on January 23, 2018 in the beautiful Skyroom at UC Hastings and was supported by local group AABA and affiliate Queen’s Bench Bar Association. Josh Groban is the Senior Advisor for Appointments to Governor Brown and David Fermino is the incoming Chair of the Judicial Nominee Evaluation Committee of the State Bar of California, more commonly known as “JNE” which assists the governor in the judicial selection process by providing independent, comprehensive, accurate and fair evaluations of candidates for judicial appointment and nomination. With almost 2,000 nomination packets submitted statewide, one of the biggest take-away from the event was that anyone seeking review under the current administration must get their packets in within the next 4-6 weeks. Other topics discussed included candid feedback on which questions Messrs. Groban and Fermino gave the most weight, the proper amount and substance of letters of 44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 28
reference, the appropriate times and substance of updates, and the depth and breadth of what experience makes an applicant an ideal candidate for appointment. The second part of this event took place on March 9 at the State Capitol in Sacramento where State and federal judges and attorneys involved in the judicial nomination process shared insights into the path to the bench. The panel featured current JNE Commission chair David Fu; David S. Casey, Jr., chair of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s judicial advisory committee; Venus Johnson, a member of the California Commission on Access to Justice; and five judges – Ninth Circuit Judge Consuelo Callahan; Alameda County Superior Court judges Tara Desautels and Barbara Dickinson; Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Laurie Earl; and Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Leslie Landau. California Women Lawyers partnered with California Lawyers Association’s Litigation Section for this year’s So, You Want to be a JudgeTM (SYWTBAJ). The panelists emphasized the importance of conveying a personal story during the judicial application process, sharing how one’s life has been shaped by adversity and other challenges that have contributed to an applicant’s strength and capacity to serve on the bench. The program included an overview of the state and federal nomination processes, as well as panels focusing on “Understanding the Written Application,” “Developing Your Career Towards a Candidacy,” and “The Interview Process.” If you are interested in seeking appointment to the bench you can request a judicial evaluation from CWL by emailing judicial@cwl.org. CWL’s 2018 Annual Conference – Inspiration, Achievement and Recognition: Rise by Lifting Others On Friday May 4, 2018 CWL held its Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. CWL members and friends carried the momentum of the #metoo movement as they gathered for MCLE programs including inspirational speakers. The conference featured two powerhouse keynote speakers. The conference kicked-off with morning keynote presentation “Advocating for Ourselves and Our Peers: How to Gain Ground and Maintain Momentum in the Era of #metoo” with Beth W. Mora, Attorney and Owner of Mora Employment Law. Beth Mora gave an innovative breakfast talk urging everyone to find confidence to present their genuine selves and to lift up their peers to build a network of strong, confident lawyers. Lunch keynote speaker Jan Kang, Chief Legal Officer of Chronicle, inspired the crowd by sharing her personal story and her techniques for overcoming invisible obstacles and ingrained perceptions to move from “I can’t” to “I will!”
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 29
Speakers and programs throughout the day focused on balancing work/life commitments as general counsel, having your voice heard in the courtroom, building your professional brand online, and more. The conference wrapped up with a reception honoring CWL past president Pearl Gondrella Mann with the 2018 Judith Soley Lawyer as Citizen Award. CWL Committees We welcome member participation in all of our committees. Please email us at info@cwl.org if you are interested in joining our work. Affiliates Committee * Amicus Committee Annual Conference Annual Dinner Awards Committee Bylaws Committee* Communications Committee Gender Equity Committee Governance Committee In-House Counsel Network Committee Judicial Committee* · So You Want to be a Judge? Subcommittee Legislative Committee · Elect to Run Subcommittee * signifies committees open only to Board Members.
2 018 C W L F O U N D A T I O N SILENT AUCTION DONORS Ahtossa Fullerton Alegra Lowenstein Alison Kleaver Jordan Alvarado Institute of Skin Care Amee Mikacich Amelia Boroughs Ana Storey Aquarium of the Pacific Ariel Lee B & B Certificates Bamieh & Erickson Betty Fracisco Capital Geneology Carol Hoyt/Hoyt Family Wines Catherine Bidart Cheryl German/Epiphany Soaps and Blends Christine Goodman Clyde & Co. Connie L. Chen, Jackson Lewis P.C. Dagne Dover Danielle De Smeth Dorothy Chou Proudfoot Dr. Rebecca Joseph Ellen McGlynn FitPros LA/Lara Karapetian Gen 7 Wines Gina Boer Hopkins & Carley Jaclyn Smith Jacqueline Frederick Jennifer Wald Jessica Rowe Jodi Cleesattle John Fanaris/Rustic Kitchen Kris Knapland Kristen Blocher L.A. Sparks Lise Pearlman Lois Prentice Maderas Golf, Poway Marc Goodman Maureen Weston Melissa Marsh Mercedes Sequoia Michelle Barnett
Michelle Ialeggio Michelle Kazadi Michelle Philo Nancy O’Malley Naomi Dewey Nicole Sugnet Nina McClemore/Mary Casey Oakland Zoo Olga Alvarez of Heisner Alvarez, APC Pasadena Playhouse Paul Gamba- Gioei PRP Wine International Renee Galente Stackhouse Sabrina Ashjian Sacramento Zoo San Diego Film Fest San Diego Natural History Museum San Diego Reperatory Theater San Mateo County Bar Assn Women Lawyers Section Sarah Davis and Ken Steinmetz Shelley Saxer Shelly Aronson Sophia Andritakis Steve Nissen/NBC Universal Surf Diva Susan Formaker Susanne de la Flor Suzette Torres Suzy Wilson The Broad Museum Theresa Barfield Tieks by Gavrieli/Erin Turner Transition State Interior Design Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Dennis Franks UltraZone Laser Tag USS Midway Museum Villa Encanto Wendy Behan Wendy Krog Whaley House Museum Wines for Humanity/Nicole Sugnet Yahairah Aristy And thank you to all of you who continued to donate after this program’s print date.
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 30
C A L I F O R N I A W O M E N L AW Y E R S F O U N D AT I O N The CWL Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization serving to educate lawyers and the general public regarding women in the legal profession and legal issues pertaining to women. The 2017 – 2018 President of the CWL Foundation, Chris Chambers Goodman, will be succeeded by incoming Foundation president Renee Galente Stackhouse, for the 2018 – 2019 term. The Board’s members are the executive committee of CWL.
Thank you to the Foundation Silent Auction Committee: Chris Chambers Goodman, Silent Auction Chair Yahairah Aristy
CWL Foundation’s Treasurer, Summer C. Selleck, has fashioned a fantastic vehicle for the Foundation to educate women lawyers, women in society, and okay let’s say it, everyone, about women’s roles, challenges and future leadership in law and society. With grace and humor, Summer hosts “A Seat At The Table”, which brings CWL luminaries to the microphone and allows us all to learn from their stories of the past and their thoughts on the future. Don’t miss the entire collection, at cwlseatatthetable. blogspot.com. Color of Justice
MIchelle Barnett Wendy Behan Mercedes Sequoia Nicole Sugnet Suzette Torres Scholarship Update! The Foundation is pleased to announce its second awardee for the Nancy E. O’Malley Scholarship. Nancy O’Malley was the 2009-2010 CWL president and is a nationally recognized advocate for the elimination of illegal sex-trafficking. Last year’s scholarship award recipient Jenna Klein, from U.C. Berkeley School of Law, also immersed herself into the difficult field of illegal sex-trafficking through the Boalt Anti-Trafficking Project (BATPro). This year’s scholarship winner, Edrina Nazaradeh, is a first-generation American, and recent graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law, with a demonstrated commitment to fighting sex trafficking. Edrina served as a summer intern with International Justice Mission, working with local prosecutors in the Philippines to rescue children from online sexual exploitation, and facilitated conferences in Uganda on the advancement of women and protection of children from sex-trafficking. She also worked in the Juvenile and Sex Crimes Divisions of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. In support of Edrina and her dedication to gender equality, California Women Lawyers Foundation has proudly selected her to receive this year’s $5,000 Nancy E. O’Malley Scholarship. She received the award at the CWL Northern California Judicial Reception in San Francisco on July 13, 2018.
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 31
Podcast Alert!
Once again, in collaboration with the National Association of Women Judges, Queen’s Bench and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, the CWL Foundation supported the impactful and award-winning Color of Justice program for high school students in both the San Francisco and Los Angeles area schools. This program brings judges and lawyers together with high school girls and minorities, to engage in an interactive program designed to encourage the girls and minorities to consider legal and judicial careers. Please support the important work of the CWL Foundation, including the Nancy E. O’Malley Scholarship, through a monetary donation or participating in our silent auction. Donations are tax-deductible, where permitted by law. Checks can be made payable to “CWL Foundation” and sent to: California Women Lawyers, 700 R St., Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95811. For more information about the CWL Foundation, please contact the CWL office at (916) 930 – 9020 or info@cwl. org
CWL MEMBERS & LEADERS CWL Life Members
Comm. Sue Alexander Amy Anderson Margalo Ashley-Ferrand Hon. Judith M. Ashmann-Gerst Stephanie Atigh Nedra Austin Hon. Althea Baker Hon. Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian Lindy F. Barocchi Hon. Betty Barry-Deal ((Dec.)) Hon. Cathy A. Bencivengo Mary E. Berke ((Dec.)) Blanche C. Bersch Rebecca ‘Reba’ Birmingham Hon. Glenette Blackwell ((Dec.)) Hon. Russell A. Bostrom (Ret.) Hon. Angela M. Bradstreet Lisa E. Brandon Ann V. Brick Hon. Nancy C. Brown Barbara S. Bryant Hon. Trena Burger-Plavan Tami J. Buscho Elizabeth J. Cabraser Renee Campbell Andrea S. Carlise Candace M. Carroll Hon. Marjorie Laird Carter Sandra Carter Joanne F. Casey Deborah J. Chase Gertrude D. Chern ((Dec.)) Pamela G. Chin Frances K. Christiansen Hon. Carol Codrington Hilary Huebsch Cohen Hon. Isabel R. Cohen (Ret.) Hon. Audrey B. Collins Hon. Marie B. Collins Arlene Colman-Schwimmer Carol C. Copsey ((Dec.)) Joseph W. Cotchett Mary B. Cranston Christine Curtis Hon. Frank C. Damrell, Jr. (Ret.) Angela J. Davis Victoria J. De Goff Eileen M. Decker Anita DeFrantz Maria Del Rio Low Helen Diamond Wendy J. Dier Hon. Marguerite D. Downing Grace E. Emery (Dec). Hon. Sheila Fell
Nancy L. Fineman Ernestine Forrest Alan H. Friedenthal Hon. Catherine A. Gallagher (Ret.) Nancy A. Gee Hon. Ronald M. George (Ret.) Ruth V. Glick Hon. Allan J. Goodman Karen M. Goodman Jo-Ann W. Grace Elinor B. Grant (Dec.) Hon. Isabella H. Grant ((Dec.)) Samantha Grant Hon. Mary Ann Grilli Hon. Adrienne Grover Rebecca L. Gunn Ruth C. Gupta (Dec.) Mary E. Hackenbracht Jacqueline Harding Nicole Hancock Hon. Brenda Harbin-Forte Sharon Lybeck Hartmann Shirley Henderson Mika Hilaire Hon. Nancy Hoffman Hon. Eugene M. Hyman (Ret.) Hon. Susan Illston Hon. Joan K. Irion Hon. Marianne D. Isaeff (Ret.) Ara Jabagchourian Hon. Barbara J.B. Johnson (Ret.) Marian M. Johnston Hon. Barbara J. R. Jones Commissioner Jewell Jones (Ret.) Janice Kamenir-Reznik Karen Kaplowitz Elizabeth C. Kaufman Hon. Joyce Luther Kennard (Ret.) Hon. Kathleen Kennedy-Powell Charity Kenyon Judith G. Kleinberg Melodie M. Kleiman ((Dec.)) Hon. Joan Dempsey Klein (Ret.) Pauline Farmer-Koppenol Adrienne Konigar Vivian L. Kral Hon. Marlene Kristovich (Ret.) Barbara J. Kuehn Hon. Brian Lamb Louise A. LaMothe Lynne R. Lasry Hon. Mary Jo Levinger Audrey Stephanie Loftin Brenda J. Logan Hon. Susan Lopez-Giss Hon. Patrick T. Madden
Pearl Gondrella Mann Sharon L. Mason Hon. Tomar Mason Eulanda Lynn Matthews Niall P. McCarthy Anne D. McGowan Hon. Joan L. McIntosh (Ret.) Malissa Hathaway McKeith Marsha McLean-Utley (Dec.) Michele Ballard Miller Sydney A. Minnerly Virginia S. Mueller Ann Marie Murphy Deanna S. Myhre Linda M. Nelson Nanci E. Nishimura Hon. Kimberly Nystrom-Geist Niki B. Okcu Joan S. Ortolano Ellen A. Pansky Hon. Joanne C. Parrilli Margaret Anne Payne Letitia E. Pepper Hon. Ramona Godoy Perez (Dec.) Audrey A. Perri Patricia Phillips Wilma Pinder Frank M. Pitre Carla Durham Pittman Hon. Sheila Pokras (Ret.) Trudy Polsky Rebecca L. Prater Roberta Ralph (Dec.) Drucilla S. Ramey Marjorie M. Randolph Tina L. Rasnow Jill L. Ratner Ruth E. Ratzlaff Belynda B. Reck Robin D. Reisdorf Toni Rembe Rhonda Reaves Anne Rio Comm. Jill S. Robbins (Ret.) Donal Ruth Robison Yvette Roland George Ronald Anne M. Ronan Gillian M. Ross Hon. Glenda Sanders Hon. Lynn Schenk Hon. Paula Schlichter (Ret.) Dawn M. Schock Laura J. Scott Elizabeth Scott-Graham Diane Spencer Shaw 44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 32
Dominique Shelton Patricia A. Shiu Hon. Fern M. Smith (Ret.) Sherry H. Smith Judith Leslie Soley (Dec.) Star S. Soltan Hon. Sheila Prell Sonenshine (Ret.) Patricia V. Spencer Hon. Vaino Spencer ((Dec.)) Sandra J. Springs Catherine C. Sprinkles Kathryn Cooper Stahnke Paula B.E. Star Anastasia L. Steinberg Karen Pedersen Stevens (Dec.) Belinda Stith Susan R. Stockel Hon. Elaine Streger Hon. Alice D. Sullivan (Ret.) Commissioner Deborah M. Talmage (Ret.) Hon. Meredith C. Taylor (Ret.) Hon. Sandra Thompson Hon. Bobbi Tillmon Hon. Patricia J. Titus Hon. Randa Trapp Hariette Treloar Susan Trescher (Dec.) Charlene Usher Diana Sutton Van Cleve Hon. Judith A. Vander Lans Joanne A. Velman Ann Wansley (Dec). Dorothy L. Washington Hon. Madge Watai Howard K. Watkins Pauline Weaver Hon. Diana M. Wheatley Dr. Elizabeth Y. Williams Hon. Charlotte W. Walter Woolard (Ret.) Hon. Carol C. Yaggy Jacqueline Yates Lynne Yates-Carter Diane C. Yu Rosalyn S. Zakheim Nancy Hoffmeier Zamora
2018 CWL Affiliates
Black Women Lawyers of Los Angeles Contra Costa Bar Association Women’s Section Fresno County Women Lawyers Lawyers Club of San Diego Marin County Women Lawyers Orange County Women Lawyers Queen’s Bench Bar Association San Mateo County Bar Association Women’s Section Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Santa Clara County Bar Association Women Lawyers Committee Truckee-Tahoe Women Lawyers Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Women Lawyers of Alameda County Women Lawyers of Long Beach Women Lawyers of Sacramento Women Lawyers of San Luis Obispo County Women Lawyers of Ventura
WOMEN LAWYERS OF ALAMEDA COUNTY C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! Incoming CWL President Amee Mikacich & The WLAC Board Members who will serve on her Board of Governors:
Governor-At-Large Mika Domingo Affiliate Governor Gina Boer THANK YOU! 2017-2018 President Renée Galente Stackhouse for another great year for CWL! Affiliate Governor Gina Boer for a fantastic two-part installment of CWL’s Award-Winning program, So, You Want to Be A Judge? ™ District 3 Governor ALJ Dorothy Chou Proudfoot for your commitment to diversity and your five years of dedicated service on the Board!
Women Lawyers of Alameda County A Voice For Women In The Law wlaconline.org
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 33
F O U N D I N G C W L M OT H E R S We gratefully acknowledge the women lawyers whose passion for the advancement of women contributed to the establishment and leadership of California Women Lawyers. The Founders of CWL include Carol Agate Edna R. S. Alvarez Dagny Winkler Andreassen Blanche C. Bersch Hon. Justice Rose E. Bird (Dec.) Betty Bryant Jeanette Christy Judith E. Ciani Arlene Colman-Schwimmer Hon. Patricia Yim Cowett (Ret.) Georgia Franklin-Shutan Joanne M. Garvey (Dec.) Sue Hone Hon. Barbara ‘Barnhouse’ Johnson (Ret.) Carolyn Kammler Melodie M. Kleiman (Dec.) Hon. Joan Dempsey Klein (Ret.) Janice E. Koll Hon. Lucy Kelly McCabe Judith G. McKelvey (Dec.) Olga A. Miller Ruth Rymer Miller Marjory Winston Parker Barbara Price Hon. Roberta Ralph (Dec.) Drucilla Stender Ramey Hon. Louise H. Renne Renee Rubin Beverly Savitt Hon. Lynn Schenk Candis Scott Carol Ruth Silver Mary-Louise Smith Fay Stender (Dec.) Karen Pedersen Stevens (Dec.) Diane Wayne Dr. Elizabeth Yahn Williams Norma Zarky (Dec.)
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 34
PA S T C W L P R E S I D E N T S The CWL gratefully acknowledges its past presidents who have inspired, maintained and led CWL for the past 40 years. We thank each woman below for her contributions, accomplishments and leadership. Christine Chambers Goodman 2016-2017 Kelly Robbins 2015-2016 Wendy Behan 2014– 2015 Neda Mansoorian 2013– 2014 Eliza M. Rodrigues 2012– 2013 Patricia Sturdevant 2011 – 2012 Jennifer Webber 2010-2011 Nancy E. O’Malley 2009-2010 Jean M. Pledger 2008-2009 Karen M. Goodman 2007-2008 Angela J. Davis 2006-2007 Pearl Gondrella Mann 2005-2006 Hon. Marguerite D. Downing 2004-2005 Candace M. Carroll 2003-2004 Andrea S. Carlise 2002-2003 Belynda Reck 2001-2002 Carol C. Copsey 2000-2001 (Dec.) Nancy Hoffmeier Zamora 1999-2000 Gillian M. Ross 1998-1999 Grace E. Emery (Dec.) 1997-1998 Vivian L. Kral 1996-1997 E. Jean Gary 1995-1996 Dawn M. Schock 1994-1995 Lisa E. Brandon 1993-1994 Hon. Angela Bradstreet 1992-1993 Anne D. McGowan 1991-1992 Doris Coleman (Dec.) 1989-1991 Hon. Marjorie Laird Carter (Ret.) 1988-1989 Janice Kamenir-Reznik 1987-1988 Pauline Weaver 1986-1987 Patricia A. Shiu 1985-1986 Pamela J. Jester 1984-1985 Hon. Meredith C. Taylor (Ret.) 1983-1984 Christine Curtis 1982-1983 Susan R. Stockel 1981-1982 Eileen Cochran (Dec) Marjorie M. Holmes 1980-1981 Hon. Barbara T. Gamer (Ret.) 1979-1980 Hon. Isabel Cohen (Ret.) 1979 Melodie M. Kleiman (Dec.) 1978-1979 Hon. Louise Renne 1977-1978 Hon. Barbara J. Johnson (Ret.) 1976-1977 Judith McKelvey (Dec.) 1975-1976 Co-Chair, Organizing Committee 1974 1975 Hon. Joan Dempsey Klein (Ret.) (Provisional President) Joanne M. Garvey (Dec.) Co-Chair, Organizing Committee 1974 1974 Hon. Roberta Ralph (Dec.) and Joanne M. Garvey (Dec.) (Co-chairs, Organizing Committee)
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 35
The Solo & Small Firm Section of the California Lawyers Association Congratulates Fay Stender Honoree Sandra Muñoz. She exemplifies the strength and passion of solo practitioners.
2 018 A N N U A L D I N N E R C O M M I T T E E Annual Dinner Committee Members Amee Mikacich, Chair Chris Chambers Goodman, Silent Auction Chair Jessica Rowe Naomi Dewey Summer Selleck Suzette Torres Jodi Cleesattle Yahairah Aristy Nicole Sugnet Mercedes Sequoia Michelle Barnett
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 36
ADVERTISE IN THE CWL NEWSLETTER!
Each digital issue of the California Women Lawyer’s newsletter is shared with over 4,000 people across the U.S. This digital publication connects industry experts to relative legislation news, valuable events for networking and professional development as well as opinion editorials from CWL leaders and members. Space is limited, ad space is determined first come, first serve. All ads subject to approval by CWL.
Quarter Page $250
Full Page Ad $500 • • •
8.5”W x 11”H Full Color Interactive Links To Your Website, FB, etc.
• • •
4.25”W x 5.5”H (Must Be Vertical) Full Color Interactive Links To Your Website, FB, etc.
Half Page Ad $375 • • •
4.25”W x 11”H (Must Be Vertical) Full Color Interactive Links To Your Website, FB, etc.
6 issue bulk rate available” ($2000, 1500, 1000)” CWL Affiliates receive a 15% discount on any advertisement.
GENERAL AD & LOGO SPECIFICATIONS PDF/300dpi Art Only Full-page display (vertical) 8.5”W x 11”H - full dimensions Half-page display (vertical) 4.25”W x 11”H - full dimensions Quarter page display (vertical) 4.25”W x 5.5”H - full dimensions Business card (horizontal) 3.5”W x 2”H - full dimensions Logos must be sent in an eps or vector file format.
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 37
Since 1974, CWL has been a voice for women in the legal profession and in society in general. I am extremely proud of that legacy and will do my best to steward this amazing organization through the coming year, with the assistance of a Board of Governors which is second to none. We are Standing Together and Stronger Than Ever.
Amee Mikacich
CWL President, 2018-2019 Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 38
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 39
CALIFORNIA
WOMEN LAWYERS
44th Annual CWL Dinner | PAGE 40