Happenings April 2012
The Riverside County Bar Association is hosting a
leadership summit in May to establish a forum for the legal profession,
including those in public agencies and the judiciary. The goal is to discuss
topics that affect the practice of law and the administration of justice in
Riverside County.
The Lawyers
Club of San Diego will mark “40 Years of Making Dreams a
Reality” at its annual dinner, 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, US
Grant Hotel, 326 Broadway, San Diego. The keynote speaker is scheduled to be
California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. For more information: Vicky
619-595-0650, vicky@lawyersclubsandiego.com.
The Marin County Bar Association has created a Pro Bono
Committee to help support and improve existing pro bono programs; foster the
development of new programs; encourage a culture of public service within the
MCBA; educate members about pro bono work; and to coordinate local legal aid organizations
with MCBA members.
The San Diego County Bar Association’s Children at Risk Committee held
its annual Literacy Day event, March 2, at Porter Elementary School in San
Diego. More than 25 San Diego-area lawyers and judicial volunteers read to students
in 36 classes, grades 1-5. Each reader also left several brand-new books with
their classes as gifts.
SDBA
also recently created a mentoring program in partnership with San Diego La
Raza Lawyers Association. The joint-effort matches experienced lawyers with
new attorneys as well as law students. “The goal,” said SDBA
President-elect Marcella McLaughlin, “is to enhance our members’
ability to practice law and to help them be the best and most productive lawyers
possible.” The partnership will also strengthen the memberships of both
organizations, she added.
For
Law Day, Tuesday, May 1, 2012, SDBA has planned several events, including a
community service luncheon as well as a Law & Justice Job Shadow, where high
school, college and law school students “shadow” volunteer lawyers
through a day in court.
Several
other bar associations statewide are planning activities marking Law Day 2012.
The Sonoma County Bar Association has expanded its 2012 Law Day schedule to
cover the last two weeks of April. Some 80 lawyers are scheduled to speak at 25
high schools countywide on the topic of the First Amendment and free speech.
SCBA worked with the Sonoma County Office of Education, school administrators
as well as individual teachers.
The Kern County Bar Association’s main event is Law Day, May 1, at
Valley Plaza Mall in Bakersfield. In addition to several booths, there will be
an area where anyone can meet with volunteer lawyers, who will provide insights
(no legal advice) into situations.
The Ventura County Bar Association is marking Law Day with its 29th annual 5K race and 1-mile family run, May 19. Both events are also fundraisers
for the association’s pro bono programs.