SACRAMENTO
Karen Goodman, President
The Chapter’s goals this year are as follows:
1) Increase engagement amongst Chapter member
2) Increase visibility in the legal community
3) Enhance ABOTA’s relationship with judges
4) Improve relations with law schools and law students
5) Strengthen our relationship with other CAL-ABOTA chapters
6) Promote ABOTA’s national programs.
The Executive Committee has enthusiastically led the Chapter’s activities. John Demas is Chair of Civility Matters and has already scheduled a Civility Matters program with UCD King Hall on September 30, 2021. Judge David Abbott is Chair of the Chapter’s Education Committee. The Chapter presented a program on improving advocacy through Zoom on March 18, 2021, and a program on Advocating for Diversity of Trial Teams through Zoom on April 15, 2021. Letty Litchfield is Chair of the Chapter’s Diversity Committee which is developing a member survey and planning on outreach to local legal communities. Dan Kohls is the Chapter’s Sponsor Liaison and is working hard to ensure that Sponsors are engaged and valued by the membership. John Demas is the Membership Chair and continues to outreach to bar associations and attorneys about potential nominees.
The President’s Dinner Dance was held at Northridge Country Club on June 19, 2021 with special guests, CAL-ABOTA President Wally Yoka, his wife Andrea and National ABOTA President Grace Weatherly. The Chapter awarded their Judge of the Year for 2020 (Placer County Superior Court Judge Michael Jones) and Judge of the Year for 2021 (Sacramento County Superior Court Judge David DeAlba), and also celebrated the Chapter’s 2021 Trial Lawyer of the Year Dominique Pollara.
On June 21, 2021, the Chapter hosted its annual golf tournament to a sold-out crowd. The Chapter received tremendous support and contributions from members and colleagues to support the event’s beneficiary, Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Annual Legends of ABOTA event was held on August 14, 2021, where we recognized three long-standing ABOTA members: Leo “Butch” Schuering, Thomas Wagner and Bradley Thomas.
The Chapter continues to recruit new members and promote ABOTA’s mission to the legal community.
SAN BERNARDINO/RIVERSIDE
Margie Warner, President
The Chapter was gratified by being able to provide a Level 3, $1,500 sponsorship to the National Teachers Law School program.
Congratulations to SB/R Chapter President-Elect, The Honorable John Pacheco, as this year’s recipient of the prestigious San Bernardino County Kaufman-Campbell Award for exemplary judicial service. The award was presented via a zoom gathering on May 27, 2021. Many fellow ABOTA members were present and celebrated this honor with Judge Pacheco.
Expedited Jury Trial Seminar held June 10, 2021: Jay Korn, immediate past president, created a PowerPoint presentation incorporating portions of Mike Maguire’s PowerPoint, Eric Trout’s PowerPoint (Orange County ABOTA) and some of the information recently provided by Judge John Pacheco (SB/R President-Elect). The presentation contained a considerable amount of Jay’s own research, time and effort. After collaboration among the presenters, Eric V. Traut, Esq., Cortney Carr, Esq., The Honorable John M. Pacheco, and Jay S. Korn, the PowerPoint presentation entitled “The Nuts and Bolts of Expediated Jury Trials in California” went forward under the auspices of ABOTA. The presentation was such a success that some San Bernardino County judges and some Orange County judges are referencing the seminar to attorneys in their courtrooms who are interested in proceeding to an expediated jury trial. The materials are now available in the Resources area on the CAL-ABOTA website.
James Otis Lecture Series - Bryan Reid, with the assistance of his daughter, Katie, who is an 11th grade English teacher at Yucaipa High School, was able to obtain permission to present a segment of the James Otis series on Constitution Day, September 17, 2021. Judge John Pacheco has enthusiastically agreed to take the lead in putting together the program which will be held live, telecasted, and recorded.
General Membership Meeting – June 24, 2021 – The Chapter’s first in-person meeting since the installation dinner of December, 2019 took place, and Bill Shapiro graciously opened his offices to accommodate the members. For those who have not had the pleasure, a portion of Bill’s remodeled office space is the former Tri-City airport hanger. Bill has remodeled a portion of the hanger into a re-creation of the once infamous Court Street West. The members had the pleasure of communing in the atmosphere of this legendary meeting place as well as among Bill’s classic car collection -- approximately 45 members, past members and judges attended.
The ABOTA golf tournament, held with the Los Angeles Chapter, had close to 100 golfers at Red Hill Country Club on May 24 and was a huge success. ABOTA IE was able to take back this year’s trophy. Attendees included newest judge/ABOTA member Douglas Mann who joined them at the reception as well as Mike Bidart and Ricardo Echeverria who were generous lunch donors. I personally would to thank Pauline White for her relentless golf calls and getting us a $10k donation as well as Jenny Blevins and her staff for making everything extra special. Looking forward to next year!
The Judges' Dinner will take place at the Riverside Art Museum on October 20, 2021 honoring Judge Irma Poole Asberry as the Chapter’s Judge of the Year.
Finally, membership remains an issue, and personal outreach is ongoing.
SAN FRANCISCO
Wilma Gray, President
Promoting the ABOTA Brand Among the Judiciary & Legal Community - On September 16, the Chapter will host their annual Judges Appreciation Reception, in person, at The Lake Chalet in Oakland. The award for the “Trial Judge of the Year” will be presented at the event.
Diversity & Membership -- On April 29, the Chapter approved seven new members, of which four were women.
The Chapter presented its first ever “Dismissed with Prejudice: A Discussion on Race and the Trial of Civil Cases” ™, on July 15. Panelists included Amee Mikacich, Khaldoun Baghdadi and Judge Monica Wiley who presented a fantastic program.
Membership Meetings – The Chapter hosted its annual membership election meeting on April 29 remotely and plans to host their next membership dinner in person at The City Club of San Francisco on October 28.
Civics Education - The annual James Otis Lecture Series will be presented in person for high school students in San Francisco on October 22nd. The Chapter has held some remote and scheduled four more Civility Matters! programs so far. They have learned that these programs are well-received using a remote platform, which allows for a larger audience and even broadcast nationwide to large law firms. San Francisco plans to complete at least nine Civility Matters! programs by the end of 2021.
The Chapter’s annual Masters in Trial will be held remotely and will be a four-part series held on October 6, 13, 20 and 27 (everyone will be welcome to register).
Continuing Education Programs - On May 7th the Chapter presented “Pandemic Will Not Stop Live Trials – Lawyers and Judge Tell All” with Panelists, Judge Barbara Kronlund, Randy Andrada, Chris Nedeau and Peter Nedeau who provided an in-depth look at their experience presenting one live jury trial during the pandemic.
The Chapter hosted a remote program on ADR Remote vs. In Person – Pitfalls and Positives on July 20 for a frank discussion of some of the advantages of remote or hybrid mediations and arbitrations to be used in the future, and they are planning a remote Expedited Jury Trial program for attorneys to be held on September 22.
Holiday Gala - The annual holiday gala will be on December 17, in person, at the Westin St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco.
The San Francisco Chapter is full of optimism and excited to hold in person events!
