David J. Pasternak of Los Angeles took the helm of the State
Bar board last month, pledging to advocate for increased funding for the
judiciary and increased access to legal services.
Pasternak pointed out that funding for legal services has
not significantly increased in 16 years in California. California’s attorneys
voluntarily give more money to fund legal services than the state contributes.
“We think of ourselves as a progressive state, but we are
anything but when it comes to legal services funding,” said Pasternak, 64, of Pasternak & Pasternak in Los
Angeles.
Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye introduced the incoming
president – who previously served as president of the Los Angeles County Bar
Association and Bet Tzedek Legal Services – as having “one foot in private practice
and one in legal services.
“You really know what that means based on your many years of
service as a lawyer and a professional,” she said.
Pasternak surprised
his wife, Cindy, by having Cantil-Sakauye invite her to the stage to stand by
his side as the chief administered the oath of office.
He acknowledged Cindy’s support, calling her “my partner in
every sense of the word,” and introduced their son Kevin, who is in his third
year at Loyola School of Law.
Then Pasternak did what is believed to be a first at a State
Bar induction ceremony. He asked his oncologist to stand and be recognized: Sumanta
K. Pal, co-director of the Kidney Cancer Program at City of Hope.
Pasternak has made no
secret that he has been undergoing treatment since last year for kidney
cancer that spread to his lungs. Pasternak said he pursued the one-year term as
president of the largest State Bar in the country with his doctor’s blessing.
Pasternak also used the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony
to announce that Chief Trial Counsel Jayne Kim would seek a second four-year
term. By statute, Kim, 46, must be approved by the Board of Trustees and the
state Senate.
Pasternak acknowledged a California
State Auditor’s report last year that made recommendations for improving
the discipline system as well as the bar’s reporting of the system’s backlog.
“There will be no misunderstandings of our reporting in the
future,” he said.
Pasternak also pledged to continue the board’s focus on its
key regulatory activities – the admission and discipline of attorneys.
“Every member of the board understands our sole mission is
public protection,” he said.