Orange County Women
 Lawyers Association
For Women Lawyers and Those Who Support Their Advancement

News

  • Friday, March 25, 2016 12:32 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Comments sought:
     
    Four (4) new proposals to amend the California Rules of Court and Judicial Council forms have been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm.
     
    The proposals are:
    SP16-02: Traffic and Criminal Procedure: Infraction Procedures Regarding Bail, Fines, and Assessments
    SP16-03: Traffic: Installment Payment of Bail Forfeiture and Traffic Violator School Fees
    SP16-04: Traffic: Online Installment Payment of Bail Forfeiture and Traffic Violator School Fees
    The deadline for these three proposals is 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, 2016.
     
    SP16-05: Judicial Administration: Judicial Branch Contracting Manual
    The deadline for this proposal is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 5, 2016.
     
    You are welcome to distribute this email to any other interested parties. If you have any questions, please contact Camilla Kieliger, at camilla.kieliger@jud.ca.gov, or at 415-865-7681.

  • Thursday, March 17, 2016 9:18 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    The nomination deadline for the Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award has been extended.
     
    NOMINATIONS DUE MARCH 18TH
     
    The Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award was first presented in 1994. At the time, it was the "Distinguished Jurist" Award and its first recipient was Joan Dempsey Klein, a Justice on the Second District Court of Appeal in California. Justice Klein is a champion of women's rights and a pioneer in the struggle to achieve equal opportunity for women in the law. She was a founder and provisional president of CWL and the first president of the National Association of Women Judges, and she has spent considerable time giving support and positive reinforcement to women in the legal profession. She is well known as an excellent judge who listens, encourages dialogue and fosters consensus. She accomplished all of this while raising five children.
     
    Candidates for the Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award are evaluated for excellence as jurists and for longstanding vigorous service and inspiration to the women lawyers of California. Those eligible for consideration are from the southern portion of the State.
     
    The Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award is presented annually at CWL's Southern California Judicial Reception to be held this year on June 24, 2016.
     
    Please click here for a list of past recipients.
     
    Nomination for the Joan Dempsey Klein award will be reviewed by the Awards Committee, and the Board of Governors will select the recipient of this honor by April 15, 2016. 
     
    THE FAY STENDER AWARD
     
    NOMINATIONS DUE APRIL 22, 2016

     
    CWL established the Fay Stender Award in 1982 in honor of Fay Stender, a Bay Area attorney who spent much of her professional life fighting for prisoners' rights.
    Fay Abrahams Stender was born in Berkeley in 1932, the third generation of her mother's family to be born in the Bay Area. She attended Reed College and graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a major in English Literature, going on to receive a law degree from the University of Chicago in 1956.
     
    After clerking for Associate Justice John W. Shenk, California Supreme Court, Ms. Stender associated with criminal defense attorney Charles Garry, where, over the next ten years, she founded the Prison Law Project and represented a number of prisoners, including George Jackson, whose prison letters were published in 1970 as Soledad Brother. She was also active in professional organizations on the national, state and local levels. She was a member of CWL's first elected board, and even after leaving the board remained actively involved in the organization's work. Fay chaired CWL's Joint Custody Project, and served on the advisory Committee of the Women's Litigation Unit. She also chaired the San Francisco Bar Association's Employment of Women Committee, and served on the charter board of Equal Rights Advocates' Lesbian Rights Project.
     
    In the early morning hours of Memorial Day, 1979, Fay was shot five times by an intruder who falsely accused her of betraying George Jackson. Gravely injured and seriously disabled, she committed suicide one year later. She was survived by her mother, sister, husband, two children, and by numerous friends and colleagues.
     
    Throughout her life, Fay undertook unpopular causes and worked with under-represented groups and individuals. Her tenacity, creativity, and compelling sense of justice were legendary, and her commitment, energy and integrity enriched all who were privileged to work with her.
     
    The annual award is given to a feminist attorney who, like Fay Stender, is committed to the representation of women, disadvantaged groups and unpopular causes, and whose courage, zest for life and demonstrated ability to effect change as a single individual make her a role model for women attorneys.

    Candidates for the award are judged on the basis of the following attributes which were characteristic of Fay Stender:

    • Zest, humanity, personal courage, forceful presence and non-conformity;
    • Demonstrated commitment to under-represented or disadvantaged groups or unpopular causes.
    • Demonstrated feminist perspective;
    • Vigorous advocacy on behalf of women litigants which serves as a model for women attorneys; and
    • Demonstrated ability to effect change as a single individual.
    • Please click here for a list of past recipients.

     
    The Fay Stender award is presented annually at CWL's Dinner, which is held in conjuction with the California State Bar Annual Meeting. This year, the Dinner will be held at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, on September 29th.
     
    Nomination for the Fay Stender award will be reviewed by the Awards Committee, and the Board of Governors will select the recipient of this honor by May 13, 2016. 
     
    NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS
     
    Nominations should consist of the following:

    • Nominee's Resume/Bio
    • Nominee's Photo
    • Supporting Statement
      A letter supporting the nominee as a worthy recipient of this honor with  a description of the candidate's qualifications for this award.
    • Articles and Letters
      To present a comprehensive picture of the nominee, you may include news/magazine articles written by or about the candidate and letters of support from individuals or organizations.

     
    The nomination and supporting materials should be sent to co-chairs of the Awards Committee,  Amee Mikacich at Amee.Mikacich@sedgwicklaw.com and Renee Galente at renee@galentelaw.com or mailed to:
     
    California Women Lawyers
    700 R Street, Ste. 200
    Sacramento, CA 95811
    916-930-9020

  • Monday, March 07, 2016 8:03 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Date & Time: 14 May, 2016 at 6pm

    Venue: The St. Regis Monarch Beach

    Address: 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, CA 92629, USA

    More information: http://humanoptions.org/events-page/rooted-in-love-an-evening-of-serious-fun-celebrating-vivian-clecak/

    Join us for Rooted with Love, a very special night of Serious Fun, as we present the DOVE award to Vivian Clecak in honor of 35 extraordinary years as founding CEO of Human Options. Vivian Clecak retired from Human Options on January 30. She founded the organization in 1981 with Carolyn Churm, Margaret Thoreau, and Anne Wright. From her first makeshift office in the trunk of her car, Vivian has led the organization through an incredible journey of growth.

    Please join us for an inspirational night of dining and dancing, as we honor her legacy. For sponsorship and ticket information, please contact Melissa at mwalker@humanoptions.org or (949)737-5242 ext. 317.

  • Monday, March 07, 2016 7:59 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Classification Level: JSP 11/01 - JSP 13/10

    Salary Range: $66,137 - $122,549

    Location: Los Angeles

    Opening Date: Thursday, March 3, 2016

    Closing Date: Open Until Filled

    Number of Positions: 1

    Vacancy Number: 16-14

    Job Type: Full Time

    Position Overview: 

    The U.S. District Court is seeking to fill one full-time law clerk position, available immediately and lasting until September 30, 2016. The position’s duties include, but are not limited to, drafting legal memoranda, opinions, and orders and analyzing statutes, regulations, and substantive issues in all areas of civil and criminal law. The position also requires case management and other administrative duties. Meticulous attention to detail is required. The law clerk must carefully and thoroughly review briefs and trial records; thoroughly research and analyze existing law; draft clear, concise and well-organized memoranda and proposed decisions; and make thoughtful recommendations regarding the resolution of legal issues before the court.

    More information >

  • Thursday, February 25, 2016 9:54 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Position: Term Law Clerk to a U.S. Magistrate Judge Designee
    Classification Level: JSP 11/01 – JSP 14/10
    Salary Range: $66,137 - $144,811
    Location: Los Angeles, California
    Opening Date: February 22, 2016
    Closing Date: Open Until Filled
    Estimated Start Date: April, 2016
    Number of Positions: 2
    Vacancy Number: 16-12

    POSITION OVERVIEW
    The United States District Court, Central District of California, invites applications for the position of Term Law Clerk to a United States Magistrate Judge Designee located in Los Angeles. The Law Clerk appointment shall begin on or about April, 2016. Each position will be approximately 12-15 months with the possibility of extension.
    Principal duties of the position include administrative work and traditional law clerk responsibilities such as researching substantive issues of federal and state law, drafting legal memoranda, opinions and orders, and attending court proceedings. Additional duties include overseeing the daily operation of the Judge’s chambers, interacting with chambers staff, court personnel, litigants and/or the public, and generally providing trusted legal support to the Judge. The successful candidate must exhibit the highest standards of excellence and integrity, and display, at all times and to all persons, a courteous, professional and cooperative attitude.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
    Excellent academic credentials from an ABA-accredited law school, superior analytical ability, research and writing skills are required. Strong computer and word processing skills are desirable. Bar membership, clerkship experience and/or some post-law school work is preferred.
    The successful candidate must also be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States currently seeking citizenship or intending to become a citizen upon meeting the eligibility requirements.

    INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
    Due to the volume of applications received, the Court will only be able to communicate with those individuals who will be interviewed. Please do not call or email to inquire about the status of an application.
    The Court requires employees to adhere to a Code of Ethics and Conduct which is available to applicants for review upon request. The Court is not authorized to reimburse candidates for travel or relocation expenses. The selected candidates will be provisionally hired subject to successful completion of a background investigation by law enforcement agencies.

    HOW TO APPLY
    Interested persons should apply through OSCAR (https://oscar.uscourts.gov/).
    Note: Judge Patrick Walsh’s OSCAR account is being used for this recruitment on behalf of the magistrate judge designee.
    In the alternative, please submit the completed application packets to: apply_CACD@cacd.uscourts.gov.
    Incomplete applications may not be considered. E-mail documents must be in Word or PDF format. Zip files and faxes will not be accepted. Refer to: Vacancy number 16-12 – Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Designee.

    Visit the court’s web site at www.cacd.uscourts.gov to download the Application for Federal Branch Employment. Applicants must email the following documents to be considered: Application for Federal Branch Employment, a resume or curriculum vitae, two recent writing samples, unofficial law school transcripts, and at least three references (preferably current or former employers).

    The Federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

  • Thursday, February 25, 2016 9:53 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    REGISTER NOW for a complimentary CLE offering sponsored by the American Bar Association Health Law Section Breast Cancer Task Force and the Task Force on Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health on March 1 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Cancer patients face a variety of legal problems related to their illness, such as issues with insurance coverage and payment, treatment, employment, family, and mental health and end of life arrangements. There are support organizations that use volunteer attorneys to help cancer patients with issues like these.

    Our distinguished panel will review relevant laws and practices to provide attorneys with awareness and understanding of issues patients face to enable them to volunteer and provide legal assistance to cancer patients, as well as to provide support to family members or friends going through diagnosis and treatment.

    Panelists include:

    Case Management - Allison M. Bungardas, Allison M. Bungardas PLLC, Dearborn, MI
    Employee Benefits/Insurance - Jason P. Lacey, Foulston Siefkin LLP, Wichita, KS
    Labor/Employment - Janet Grumer, Davis Wright Tremaine, Los Angeles, CA
    Mental health issues v. end of life decision-making, point/counterpoint:
    Kathryn L. Tucker, Esq., Executive Director of the Disability Rights Legal Center (and formerly Director of Advocacy and Legal Affairs for Compassion & Choices)
    Thomas Strouse, MD, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
    How to be an advocate & what the CLRC does - Stephanie Fajuri, Esq., Cancer Legal Resource Center, Los Angeles, CA
    CLE Credit: 4.2 hours of CLE credit have been requested in 50-minute states and 3.5 hours of CLE credit have been requested in 60-minute states.

    Be sure to sign up in advance!

  • Friday, January 29, 2016 8:26 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Deadline is Tuesday February 16, 5pm.  Any diverse 3L who plans to practice public interest law in California, and who plans to take the July 2016 California Bar Exam, is eligible. Winners receive a free Barbri bar prep course along with a living stipend. Application can be found here: http://www.calbarfoundation.org/3l-diversity-scholarship.html
     
    And for the first time, the Foundation is thrilled to offer co-sponsored 3L Diversity scholarships with the following five affinity bar associations throughout California:
     
    Asian American Bar Association Law Foundation
    Orange County Asian American Bar Association
    East Bay La Raza Lawyers
    Black Women Lawyers Foundation
    The Charles Houston Bar Association
     
    In partnering with these groups, we are connecting with even more diverse law students throughout California. Specific criteria for these special co-sponsored scholarships are available on the application registration page.

  • Wednesday, January 27, 2016 1:00 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    The WLALA Foundation of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting applications for its Fran Kandel Public Interest Grant program for current law students.  Grant applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2016.  Additional information and application materials are available at https://wlala.site-ym.com/?66.

    The Fran Kandel Public Interest Grant will fund one or two projects to be completed during the summer of 2016.  Grants are awarded to law students for projects that make governmental and social service agencies more accessible and responsive to individuals or groups whose needs are not adequately met. The maximum amount of the Grant is $5,000. The Grant may be received in addition to school-based or other summer public interest funding, but may not be used to duplicate a project that would otherwise already be covered by existing funding.

    The WLALA Foundation is specifically interested in proposals that will produce some tangible materials or other "product," such as information booklets, brochures, educational curricula, and videos. Projects must benefit residents of the greater Los Angeles area. Strong preference is given to applicants who have the support of a sponsoring organization, but the Grant is not intended to fund a summer clerkship or externship at an organization. It is advantageous, however, for an applicant to have arranged in advance for an organization or suitable individual to supervise and guide his or her work on a project.

    Questions about the WLALA Fran Kandel Public Interest Grant should be directed to the Co-Chairs of WLALA's Grant Committee:

    Ruth Pinkel
    Phone: (213) 894-6077
    ruth.pinkel@usdoj.gov

    Meehan Rasch
    Phone: (213) 830-7317
    meehan.rasch@jud.ca.gov

  • Wednesday, January 27, 2016 12:09 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    The Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions has approved and posted its 28th release of proposed revisions and additions to the civil instructions (CACI) for public comment. This release includes proposed new and revised instructions and verdict forms in response to developments in the law over the last six months. We are very interested in your input.
     
    The proposed changes and additions are available for viewing on the internet at (http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm). 
    Only these currently proposed changes and additions are being submitted for comment at this time. We will gladly accept other comments, but the committee will not be able to consider them until the next release cycle.
     
    Our preferred way of receiving your comments is in a Word file attached to an e-mail sent to civiljuryinstructions@jud.ca.gov. However, you may also respond online.  And we have also posted a comment form that you may use to comment on individual instruction or groups of instructions. Please do not comment by Reply All to this e-mail.
     
    Comments by letter or fax should be sent to:
     
    Mr. Bruce Greenlee, Attorney
    Judicial Council of California
    Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions
    455 Golden Gate Avenue
    San Francisco, CA 94102
    Fax:     415-865-7664
    The deadline for receiving comments is Friday, March 4, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.

    All comments will be reviewed by the advisory committee, which will make recommendations to the Judicial Council's Rules and Projects Committee and then to the full council. Comments received will become part of the public record of the council's action.
     
    When submitting comments, please:
    Indicate whether you agree with the proposal, would agree with the proposal if it is modified, or do not agree with the proposal.
    Clearly identify the specific language in the instruction that you are commenting on.
    Suggest alternative language, if appropriate.
    Provide any applicable authority for your position.
     
    We encourage your comments and critique because they help us refine both the particular instructions and the more global choices about format and approach.  We appreciate your participation in this effort.
     
    On behalf of the Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions
    Hon. Martin J. Tangeman, Chair
     
    Camilla Kieliger, Analyst
    Legal Services | Leadership Services Division
    Judicial Council of California
    455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102-3688
    415-865-7681 | camilla.kieliger@jud.ca.gov | www.courts.ca.gov

  • Wednesday, January 27, 2016 9:47 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    For additional information, please Contact Jordon P. Steinberg at JORDON@KAUFMANSTEINBERG.COM or Brian Gurwitz at BRIAN@GURWITZLAW.COM. Please RSVP at www.OCJBA.org

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