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LAWYERS CLUB OF SAN DIEGO | 402 WEST BROADWAY, SUITE 1260, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101 | 619-595-0650 | LAWYERSCLUBSANDIEGO.COM
JUNE 2020 | ISSUE NO. 06
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 2019-2020 LEADERS!
YOUR COMMITMENT AND LEADERSHIP CONTINUES TO ADVANCE OUR MISSION.
2020
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Lawyers Club News is published monthly 11 times a year, with a combined
July/August issue.
Lawyers Club welcomes contributions to the newsletter, as well as your comments and suggestions regarding Lawyers Club
News; contact Suzanne Pollack at [email protected].
The deadline for articles is the 1st of the month prior to the month of publication.
Articles should be submitted in Microsoft Word. The advertising deadline is the 1st of the month prior to the month of publication. For advertising information, contact Ashley
Carbonell at [email protected].
President Elvira Cortez
Vice Presidents Yahairah AristyBrigid Campo
Tracy SchimelfenigMegan Walker
Directors Kimberly Ahrens
Katherine Lee CareyShannon Finley
Amanda LoCurtoJinsook Ohta
Maggie SchroedterAmanda Singer
Sara WallerJulie WolffArlene Yang
Executive Director Elaine Lawrence
Director of ProgrammingIvy Kosmides
Administrative CoordinatorAshley Carbonell
Lawyers Club of San Diego
402 West Broadway Suite 1260 San Diego, CA 92101
(619) [email protected]
lawyersclubsandiego.com
@lawyersclubsandiego
Thank You 2019-2020 ADVISORY BOARD
FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE!
MEMBERS OF THE 2019-2020 ADVISORY BOARD
TO PRESIDENT ELVIRA CORTEZ:
Hon. Olga Álvarez
Hon. Katherine Bacal
Hon. Cynthia Bashant
Jamie Beck
Hon. Wendy M. Behan
Nadia Bermudez
Charles Bird
George W. Brewster Jr.
Hon. Jill Burkhardt
Hon. Rachel Cano
Danna Cotman
Hon. Cindy Davis
Deborah Dixon
Christina Dyer
Stacy Fode
Hon. Irma Gonzalez (Ret.)
Hon. Maureen Hallahan
Patricia Hollenbeck
Hon. Tamilla Ipema
Hon. Judith McConnell
Lilys McCoy
Hon. M. Margaret McKeown
Hon. Paula Rosenstein
Hon. Lynn Schenk
Johanna Schiavoni
Abby Silverman Weiss
Hon. Randa Trapp
Vickie Turner
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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Elvira Cortez
DRIVING CHANGEAs I prepared my final address for the newsletter, I thought of the message I wanted to leave our members to conclude my service as president. Serving as our 48th president and reflecting on all of the achievements Lawyers
Club has accomplished since its founding, some important rights and legal protections remain out of reach for women, like paid family leave, protecting access to reproductive rights, and equal pay.
Despite our vigorous advocacy and the advocacy of others around the country, some of these goals seem unattainable. To change the status quo, I decided to focus my presidency on the goal of encouraging our members to become leaders in the legal community. When women become decision-makers, they can cause real change in the workplace and in society.
When I began my presidency, I focused on programming geared toward providing our members with the skills needed to become leaders in their places of work. With respect to our civil practitioners, this included tools and strategies for developing a book of business. To inspire our members, we called on various leaders in our community to provide guidance on how to become leaders, including San Diego City Council President Georgette Gomez, Carlsbad City Councilwoman Priya Bhat-Patel, San Diego County Superior Court Presiding Judge Lorna Alksne, and founding mother, Justice Judith McConnell. Recognizing that some women are unable to take the traditional paths into leadership positions, we turned to the inspirational journeys of attorneys Connie Broussard, Andrea Guerrero, and Heather Riley who explained how they undertook different paths to become leaders and stressed the importance of understanding that having set-backs do not define your success. In addition, some of our committees put on programming focused on developing trial skills and a book of business.
I am also proud of Lawyers Club’s other accomplishments. At our annual Fund for Justice fundraiser, due to the generosity of our members we raised over $28,000 thereby continuing our support of women in our community. Our Human Trafficking Collaborative was internationally recognized and met with nine officials from Bahrain to advise on strategies to curb human trafficking and provide support to survivors. As we began the new year, our newsletter team created a stylish, updated design for the newsletter.
In early March, we were all excited to participate in another successful Red, White and Brew event. Little did we know that the event would be our last in-person event of this
year. As you are aware, the events of the global pandemic precluded us from providing further in-person programming. Indeed, as a result of the pandemic, our society and way of life has changed. While initially our concerns were focused on the practicalities of the restrictions (like not having enough toilet paper), we soon understood that the greatest tragedy has been the significant losses of so many lives.
In addition, the pandemic has highlighted the inequalities and challenges that continue to exist for women: incidents of domestic violence against women have increased, some state governments have placed substantial barriers to reproductive rights, and some women working from home have simultaneously been tasked with childcare. As a consequence, our mission for Lawyers Club has not changed and our mission is more important than ever. As we continue to push for social policies that support women, we must remember not to pause during these difficult times. The best way to shape the river of social change is to continue to use our tools of advocacy, especially when society gets off track. Together, as so many women before us, I know we will continue to carry the torch of the women’s movement to ensure that we protect the hard-fought gains from the backsliding of complacency and move our society towards finally achieving equality for all women.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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Yahairah Aristy, the current vice president of Community Relations and liaison for the Centennial Celebration Coalition, will officially begin her 2020-2021 term as president of Lawyers Club on July 1.
Aristy joined Lawyers Club in 2012, after being encouraged to join by a mentor and attending monthly luncheons. In 2015, Aristy became more active in Lawyers Club by joining several committees, including the Diverse Women Committee, the Women’s Advocacy Committee, and the Annual Dinner Committee. As a member, she served as the Lawyers Club liaison for the San Diego County Bar – Committee for Diversity and Inclusion. As an active committee member, she helped coordinate events and volunteers, published articles, served as secretary, vetted legislation, and developed the legislation vetting form. In 2016, Aristy joined Lawyers Club’s leadership pipeline as a co-chair for the Law Student Outreach Committee—the committee held the first annual Speed Mentoring event for law students the same year.
Aristy was elected to serve on Lawyers Club Board of Directors in 2017. During her tenure on the board, she was appointed to serve a two-year term as the Lawyers Club Affiliate Governor for California Women Lawyers (CWL). In this role she ensured Lawyers Club was a voting affiliate, helped coordinate the 2017 CWL Annual Conference and co-chaired the 2018 Elect to Run program held at the Women Museum of San Diego. Also, during her tenure on the Lawyers Club board, she co-chaired the Membership Development Committee setting a new membership record of 1,330 members and co-chaired the Diverse Women’s Committee.
Aristy has been a Deputy Public Defender in the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office since 2005. She presently handles a wide array of felony cases ranging from murder to theft. During her tenure at the Public Defender’s Office, Aristy has handled a variety of cases in the adult and juvenile courts. Aristy led the office’s countywide participation in the annual Feeding San Diego Food from the Bar competition that resulted in the office receiving the Rookie of the Year award in the first year of competition.
Aristy earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2004, while working full-time as a policy analyst for the San Diego County’s Child Welfare Services (CWS)
Meet Yahairah Aristy LAWYERS CLUB 2020-2021 PRESIDENT
LAWYERS CLUB 2020-2021 PRESIDENT
YAHAIRAH ARISTY
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Suzanne Pollack is an attorney at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith and editor of the Lawyers Club News.
department. During her tenure in CWS, Aristy spearheaded the County’s initial implementation of the Child Welfare System Improvement and Accountability Act, and she also served as the agency’s Legal Procedures Liaison evaluating claims against the CWS department.
Prior to law school, Aristy earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University while working as a high school teacher and clinical social worker. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Marist College. Aristy is an alumna of The Campaign School at Yale University.
Separate from her active involvement in Lawyers Club, Aristy is committed to being of service to the community, to promoting diversity, increasing the presence of women in elected and appointed positions, and helping youth succeed. To achieve these service goals, Aristy volunteers for legal and non-legal organizations. Aristy serves as the immediate past president and scholarship chair for the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation. She previously served as the vice president, secretary, chair of the 2018 Annual Gala and co-chair of the 2017 Annual Gala with both galas resulting in new attendance records. Aristy is an attorney coach for the Lincoln High School Mock Trial team. She also serves as treasurer for transcenDANCE Youth Arts Project; served
as a steering committee member and vice president for the Political Action Committee for the revival of the National Women’s Political Caucus – San Diego Chapter; and served as co-campaign manager for the first African American elected to the La Mesa City Council.
Reflecting upon her upcoming year, Aristy commented, “I am truly honored, humbled and excited to lead this incredible organization as the first Deputy Public Defender to do so. I am excited to work this year with the phenomenal board, amazing staff, and wonderful committee co-chairs to be of service to all we encounter, promote inclusion of every kind and advocate to continue to move the needle forward for women’s reproductive justice. It is going to be a year of innovation as we adapt to the new normal in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I, however, have no doubt that together with our board, staff, committee leaders, members, and sponsors, we will rise to the challenge and succeed. In doing so I will seek to follow in the footsteps of our founding mothers who persevere in their plight to advance the status of women in the law and society and our past presidents who have carried the torch since.”
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Like countless other professional and charitable organizations nationwide, Lawyers Club leadership and members worked through the fall and winter of 2019 to plan a busy spring 2020 calendar of programming and events. But once COVID-19 social distancing became mandatory, all those well-made plans had to be adjusted. Lawyers Club was quick to pivot, making all of its committee meetings virtual. To increase the opportunity for in-person connection and programming during this difficult time, Lawyers Club also launched a new concept: Virtual Connections.
The Virtual Connections meetings are designed and hosted by Lawyers Club leadership and open to all members to join. Topics were rapidly but thoroughly developed, with wide-ranging and creative meetings taking place in the morning, lunch hour, and during happy hour. Session topics have included Parenting During a Pandemic, Creating and Maintaining a YouTube Channel to Enhance Your Firm’s Online Footprint, Tips and Tricks for Working Remotely, and a meet-and-greet with the Membership Development Committee. Lighter, more social topics included Mask Making and TGIF: Tell Me Something Good.
Mike Weathers, a director with U.S. Legal Support, and Deanna Lucci, an associate with Duane Morris, attended the Carpe Diem: Networking and Business Development During a Crisis session hosted by Jennifer Oliver via Microsoft Teams. Members shared advice for networking and deepening professional relationships during a crisis with tact, empathy, and compassion. Tips included reaching
out to connect one-on-one with law school classmates and professional contacts, preparing and presenting articles and webinars while many are catching up on CLEs, and taking this opportunity to consider how to pivot your practice to adjust to a new normal.
“The virtual connection was a nice way to see some familiar and new faces and network in a much more intimate environment. It was also my first experience using Microsoft Teams, which worked really well. I appreciated the discussion and tips about marketing in the time of COVID-19,” said Lucci.
Virtual social events have also gained traction with Lawyers Club members. “Being on those short video chats breathes a little life into my days,” added Weathers. Mikhak Ghorban concurred, “During these times of mandatory home-quarantine, I’ve had the opportunity to finally attend the different LC committee meetings. The time involved commuting from North County always presented challenges. Although I previously had the option to call in to the meetings, I missed the face-to-face interactions with the committee members. These past few weeks of Zoom meetings have given me a chance to see the many members I would normally only hear. The connections made during the virtual social gatherings, group meditation and round tables on how to advance my business skills have been invaluable.”
Quick to PivotLAWYERS CLUB CONTINUES TO CONNECT
Jennifer Oliver is a partner at MoginRubin LLP, and is co-chair of the North County Committee.
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Virtual Luncheon LAWYERS CLUB’S 2020 GENERAL
COUNSEL ROUNDTABLE VIA ZOOM
Each year, the Professional Advancement Committee invites local general counsel and in-house lawyers to discuss the importance of diversity in their leadership roles at the General Counsel Roundtable Luncheon. This year’s event will be held virtually via Zoom on June 30. Lawyers Club is thrilled to announce that Carol C. Lam, consultant and former Deputy General Counsel for Qualcomm Incorporated, will deliver the keynote speech.
Following Lam’s keynote address, attendees will be placed virtually into smaller group meetings with prominent in-house counsel from various corporate sectors including energy, technology, and education. Participants will have the unique opportunity to network with their small group and discuss topics inspired by Lam’s keynote speech from the comfort of home.
Lam has no shortage of impressive career milestones. She graduated from both Yale University and Stanford Law School and began her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Irving R. Kaufman of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Lam went on to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of California. In this position, she convicted several high-ranking members of the Chicago organized crime family La Cosa Nostra; obtained a guilty plea and a civil settlement of $110 million from National Health Laboratories, Inc. in a Medicare fraud case; and briefed and argued the first appellate case upholding the constitutionality of “roving” wiretaps.
In 2000, Lam was appointed a judge on the San Diego Superior Court, where she presided over a criminal trial calendar.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
CAROL C. LAM
Tuesday, June 30, 2020 12:00-1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom $15 members; $25 non-members
RSVP: lawyersclubsandiego.com
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In 2002, Lam was confirmed by the United States Senate as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California, where she directed 300 employees charged with enforcing federal criminal and civil laws. An experienced prosecutor and trial attorney, Lam was a nationally-recognized leader in Medicare and other health insurance fraud cases and contributed to sections of the HIPAA legislation.
Lam’s next position was as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Qualcomm. As Deputy General Counsel, Lam oversaw all operations reporting to the General Counsel, including legal, government affairs, intellectual property, internal audit and compliance, and legal IT systems. Lam also supervised Qualcomm’s legal department in China and frequently traveled to Asia in furtherance of this role.
Lam remains a consultant for Qualcomm. She also serves on the Stanford Board of Trustees, where she is a member of the Finance Committee, the Audit and Risk Committee, and the Special Committee on Investment Responsibility. Lam is a legal analyst for MSNBC and, not surprisingly, is an accomplished flutist.
Join Lam, other distinguished in-house counsel, and the Professional Advancement Committee for this year’s General Counsel Roundtable Luncheon on June 30 virtually via Zoom.
Maggie E. Schroedter is a partner at Higgs Fletcher & Mack, LLP, and a member of the Lawyers Club Board of Directors.
Winnie Weil is an associate at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, and co-chair of the Professional Advancement Committee.
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Law Student Outreach Committee Innovates and Moves Speed Mentoring To Virtual MentoringIn the face of unprecedented restrictions on gatherings throughout the world due to the spread of COVID-19, Lawyers Club’s Law Student Outreach Committee saw an opportunity for innovation. In furtherance of Lawyers Club’s commitment to providing mentorship opportunities for local law students, instead of cancelling or postponing the annual Speed Mentoring event, the committee co-chairs (Audrey Surridge, Christine Fitzgerald, and Jaclyn Reinhart) and Lawyers Club leadership decided to re-format the event so it could go forward as scheduled. Instead of hosting the usual evening of in-person mentoring and networking, a two-part series was born entitled “Mastering Mentorship.” Part One of the Mastering Mentorship series, “Virtual Mentoring,” took place on Wednesday, March 25—what would have been the night of the in-person Speed Mentoring event. Part Two of the Mastering Mentorship series, “Meet Your Mentors Mixer,” will be scheduled later in the year.
Virtual Mentoring paired each law student mentee with several mentors from the legal profession. In advance of the event, the Law Student Outreach Committee provided mentees with the names and email addresses of their assigned mentors. Step one involved mentees connecting with their mentor via email by introducing themselves, providing their contact phone numbers, and submitting their resumes for their mentors’ review and feedback. The evening itself began with mentees “checking in” virtually for the event as they would for an in-person event, followed by a brief video conference presentation for the law students led by the Law Student Outreach Committee co-chairs. During the presentation, the co-chairs reviewed a PowerPoint presentation and shared anecdotal experiences about the importance of networking and mentorship in the San Diego legal community. Following the presentation, mentors called each of their mentees at their assigned 15-minute
Innovative NetworkingMASTERING MENTORSHIP
DURING UNPRECEDENTED TIMES
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timeslots. The one-on-one conversations included advice on networking, career paths, and resume building. The Law Student Outreach Committee encouraged mentors and mentees to maintain the relationships initiated during Virtual Mentoring by keeping each other updated either virtually or in person, when it becomes advisable to do so.
The Virtual Mentoring event successfully hosted over 50 mentees and mentors. Participants were thrilled the event was able to continue, albeit in a different format. Mentor Arlene Yang noted that she was “so glad that [the Committee was] continuing with this event,” and mentor Johanna Schiavoni described the new, virtual format as “a truly remarkable logistical feat,” and she felt “honor[ed] to participate.” Likewise, mentor Kara Siegel said in advance of the event that she was impressed by how the Committee was “able to speedily coordinate a virtual event” and was “look[ing] forward to connecting with [her] mentees.”
The event itself provided everyone with a chance to divert their attention away from the current difficult circumstances and an opportunity for law students to initiate valuable mentorship relationships and direction in their careers. Stephanie Germani, a third year at Thomas Jefferson Law School, described the event as “a bright spot in such uncertain times.” Mentee Tanya Khiatani, an incoming first year law student, echoed that sentiment, calling Virtual
Mentoring “a fantastic event . . . a great idea and way to bring people together in the current times.” Khiatani further noted that she would recommend the Virtual Mentoring format to other organizations with which she is involved.
Mentee Jessie O’Malley, a second year at University of San Diego Law School, was “impressed by how quickly [the Committee was] able to change the style of the event from in person to completely virtual.”
Several mentors also applauded the organization of the event, especially in light of the short-time frame involved in its re-formatting. Mentor Anna Romanskaya thought the event was well-organized, and saluted the Committee for the amount of time put into coordinating the event in the virtual format. Likewise, mentor Tristan Higgins applauded the Committee for its “speedy transition to the new format and for sailing into uncharted territory with the virtual set up.”
Part Two of Mastering Mentorship is slated for later this year, a follow-up event for which mentors and mentees voiced their excitement. Mentee Patricia Clark, a second year at University of San Diego Law School, voiced that she “look[s] forward to Part 2 to meet everyone in person.” Mentor Eric Ganci also stated he was looking forward to the upcoming mixer. During the Meet Your Mentors Mixer, mentees will have the opportunity to work on their in-person networking skills and continue to foster the connections they made during Virtual Mentoring. The Law Student Outreach Committee is looking forward to Part Two of Mastering Mentorship and the opportunity to meet all of the mentees and mentors in person.
Christine Fitzgerald is an associate at Jackson Lewis PC.
Jaclyn Reinhart is an associate at Shepherd, Finkeman, Miller & Shah LLP.
Audrey Surridge is an associate at Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP.
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MEMBERS MAKING NEWS
AWARDS — Congratulations to all Lawyers Club members who were recognized as San Diego 2020 Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers include Lawyers Club members, Board of Directors (past and present), and previous presidents. The attorneys recognized represent San Diego’s finest, and we are proud to also call many of them members.
Of particular note, Lawyers Club members made a strong showing on the San Diego 2020 Super Lawyers – Top 25 Women. This list specifically recognizes the top women attorneys in San Diego, a truly phenomenal group of women and Lawyers Club supporters, including Nadia Bermudez (Lawyers Club past president, 2008-2009), Gayle Blatt, Deborah Dixon (Lawyers Club past president, 2015-2016), Amber Eck, Alreen Haeggquist, Patricia P. Hollenbeck (Lawyers Club past president, 2014-2015), Valerie Garcia Hong, Janice Mulligan, Teodora Purcell, Heather Rosing, Johanna Schiavoni (Lawyers Club past president, 2013-2014), Renee Schor, Rupa Singh, Susan Swan, Jonah Toleno, Karin Vogel, and Claudette Wilson.
Additionally, congratulations to all the Lawyers Club board of directors who were named as 2020 Rising Stars, including Shannon R. Finley, Maggie Schroedter, Megan E. Walker, and Julie O. Wolff.
CORRECTION — In a previous edition of About Us, we published that the Honorable Patricia Garcia was elected to the California Judges Association Executive Board, representing District 12 (San Diego). We erroneously published that Judge Garcia is the third Latina/Mexican-American to sit on the San Diego Superior Court. She is in fact the fourth Latina/Mexican-American to hold this accomplishment. Our apologies to Judge Garcia.
ON THE MOVE — Rebecca Van Loon joins Soloman Ward Sedenwurm & Smith, LLP as a partner. Van Loon is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, with her practice focusing on estate planning, trust and probate administration, and taxation law. Van Loon attended the Willamette University College of Law.
PROMOTED — Heisner, APC promoted Rafael Bonilla to partner. Bonilla’s practice focuses on Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Litigation.
ABOUT US
Carla Sanderson is asociate counsel at LPL Financial LLC and a former board member of Lawyers Club.
Submit news of you or your colleagues’ career accomplishments to
Rebecca Van Loon
Rafael Bonilla
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2020 CARES ACT
OUR DIVERSITY MAKES US STRONGER
The novel coronavirus “COVID-19” first appeared in China in December 2019. The first United States case of COVID-19 was reported on February 26. Since then, the
federal government has taken several measures, including unprecedented federal legislation estimated to expend over $2 trillion dollars, in an attempt to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and provide stability to those affected.
On March 4, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act was enacted. The law provided $8.3 billion dollars in emergency funding for federal agencies responding to COVID-19. These funds were designated to develop a vaccine, medical supplies, grants for public health agencies, small business loans, and assistance for health systems in other countries. The law also allows for a temporary waiver of Medicare restrictions regarding telehealth services.
On March 18, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was enacted. This act assured free coronavirus testing, established paid leave for certain public employees and private employers with fewer than 500 employees, significantly expanded unemployment insurance, and increased federal Medicaid funding.
On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security “CARES” Act was enacted. The act provides direct funds to various individuals and entities. Individuals in the U.S. receive a one-time stimulus payment. Individuals making less than $75,000 a year receive $1,200. Couples making under $150,000 receive $2,400, in addition to $500 per child. The CARES Act added $600 per week to unemployment benefits for a period of four months and gave $100 billion dollars to hospitals and health care providers. In addition, the CARES Act provided $500 billion dollars for loans or investments into businesses, states and municipalities.
Although these legislations have been a relief for many, there are still thousands of people who are left without any relief and continue to struggle to provide for their families. Undocumented immigrants and their families are not protected by most of these new measures, including the financial relief that households need at this time. U.S. citizens with a social security number, who have a spouse or child who is undocumented claimed on their income taxes, will not receive a stimulus payment. Moreover, to receive the stimulus payment, immigrants must have a social security
number. The additional funding for unemployment insurance will also be untouchable for some undocumented immigrants as qualifications include having a valid work permit.
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom took steps to address the limitations of the federal legislations that negatively impact immigrants in California. On April 15, Governor Newsom announced $125 million dollars in disaster relief to provide financial support to undocumented immigrants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. California invested $75 million of its statewide Disaster Relief Assistance funding with the remaining $50 million committed to be raised by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR). Under this relief package, approximately 150,000 undocumented adult Californians will receive a one-time cash benefit of $500 per adult with a cap of $1,000 per household.
Governor Newsom also announced that California is taking steps to ensure care and treatment for all residents regardless of their immigration status. On March 18, the Governor issued an executive order to extend the eligibility period for anyone receiving benefits through Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKS, or the Cash Assistance program.
The Governor is committed to continued relief and support for immigrant Californians, stating “California is the most diverse state in the nation. Our diversity makes us stronger and more resilient. Every Californian, including our undocumented neighbors and friends, should know that California is here to support them during this crisis. We are all in this together.”
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Sydney Cadwell is an associate attorney at Antonyan Miranda, LLP and is a member of the Women’s Advocacy and
Reproductive Justice Committee.
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On April 7, Lawyers Club collaborated with the Tom Homann Law Association (THLA) to present an MCLE on recent United States Supreme Court cases related to LGBTQ rights. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and related shelter-in-place ordinance, the organizations held the event via videoconferencing software—marking the beginning of a wave of virtual offerings by Lawyers Club during this time.
Speakers Melissa DeLeon of the ACLU and Mattheus Stephens, Of Counsel at Schor Vogelzang & Chung LLP, provided a framework of noteworthy U.S. Supreme Court cases impacting the LGBTQ community, including the Masterpiece Cakeshop case from last term, as well as the trio of Title VII cases before the Supreme Court this term: Bostock v. Clayton Co.; Zarda v. Altitude Express; and RG & GR Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC.
The Scrutiny of “Sex”MASTERPIECE CAKESHOP AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY DECISIONS AFFECTING
THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY
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DeLeon and Stephens opened their presentation by exploring the evolution of the meaning of the word “sex” as used in anti-discrimination legislation since the dawn of the civil rights era. While sex discrimination was initially only considered unlawful when it resulted in different treatment between men and women, the Court held in its 1989 plurality decision in Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins that a sex discrimination claim could be made from gender-based stereotyping. This paved the way for the present-day cases, which examine whether or not Title VII prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation and whether or not it prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity. The presentation concluded with an examination of how last term’s Masterpiece Cakeshop case may alter the lens of decisions going forward. In Masterpiece Cakeshop, the Supreme Court held that Colorado Civil Rights Commission violated the Establishment Clause when it expressed hostility to Cakeshop owners’ religion in evaluating whether the Cakeshop violated state anti-discrimination laws in refusing to place a message on a cake for a same-sex wedding. DeLeon and Stephens examined both the majority opinion and the dissenting opinion to dissect the role of Freedom of Religion under the First Amendment in LGBTQ-rights cases, cautioning that the impact across doctrinal lines could disproportionately impact women and the LGBTQ community.
The closed event, which was free to Lawyers Club and THLA members, was well-attended and well received.
The LGBTQ Committee’s purpose is to identify, acknowledge and address the unique challenges faced by women who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer members of the legal community. For more information on how to get involved with the LGBTQ Committee, contact co-chair Julie Wolff at julie@jwolfflaw.
Julie Wolff is co-chair of the LGBTQ Committee, serves on the Lawyers Club Board of Directors, and is owner of the
San Diego Law & Mediation Office of Julie O. Wolff.
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ALEX MARJANOVIC [email protected] TOWERS [email protected]
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ALEXANDRIA HOPSON
As a current law student at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Alexandria Hopson is one of the outstanding student members of Lawyers Club. Hopson has been committed to being a
part of Lawyers Club since the start of her law school career and hopes to keep contributing as she continues to move forward on her path to becoming a lawyer.
Hopson grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and earned her undergraduate degree from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. She originally had dreams of becoming a police officer, since her father was a deputy sheriff. Her parents ultimately pushed her to consider alternative career options. While attending college, a new dream formed for Hopson—to attend law school. Hopson pushed toward that dream and became very involved in the Student Law Association. She also landed an internship with the Attorney General’s Office in Washington D.C. her junior year. While interning, she worked with the child protection section and was able to help with both legal writing and assisting in court. Hopson said this internship was invaluable and served to propel her further toward her new goal of becoming a lawyer.
After graduating from college, Hopson made the move to Portland, Oregon, and began working full time as a paralegal at a law firm that specialized in construction defect, insurance defense, civil litigation, and medical malpractice. Hopson worked heavily in the areas of civil litigation and insurance defense. During her time in Portland, Hopson also began working with CASA as a volunteer, since she had been fortunate enough to work with the organization during her internship in D.C.
After five years as a paralegal working in Portland, Hopson was ready to make the move to law school. At the time, her sister was considering moving to San Diego, so Hopson began looking for law schools in the San Diego area. Loving the diversity that Thomas Jefferson had to offer, she made the move to San Diego to begin her law school career. Hopson currently attends law school as a part time student, while also working full time for the California Department of Transportation, and is on track to graduate spring of 2021. When choosing where to work during law school she stated, “I wanted to do something that could have a positive change and effect on the community.” After working in private practice for a year, she stumbled upon an opportunity in the public sector and eventually ended up in her current position at the Department of Transportation, where she’s been for over a year now. She continued, “I had been in the private sector for over six years, and I wanted to get my foot in the
door for where I might want to be after law school.”
While still considering what she wants to do after law school, she has enjoyed her time working for the Department of Transportation. Since working there, Hopson has been the lead push to get the over 20,000 employees at Caltrans on direct deposit for paychecks. Hopson said, “I noticed that some of the employee rules needed to be changed because they were hurting employees. Now every employee at Caltrans can get direct deposit for paychecks. Previously, it had been unfair to certain kinds of employees. I wanted it to be fair and equal for everyone.”
Hopson has been an active member in the San Diego community since arriving here. When she is not working tirelessly at her full-time job and also attending law school, she is volunteering for the many groups she participates in, such as Lawyers Club, the California Women Lawyers Group, the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, and the San Diego County Bar Association. Since joining Lawyers Club, she has helped facilitate the Red White and Brew event, helped with the Student Outreach program, has written articles for the monthly newsletter, and has been a member of the Women’s Advocacy Committee.
When Hopson can find some spare time, and outside of the pandemic, she likes to spend it in the gym, enjoying time with friends, and traveling with her boyfriend around the world. Hopson and her boyfriend have been able to travel to such places as Cabo, Germany, and Switzerland. If she had to pick anywhere to live in the world, she said it would definitely be Switzerland, though she does love being in her new city of San Diego.
MEMBER PROFILE
Alexandra Valentine is a Deputy Public Defender in San Diego, member of the Bench Bar Committee and the
LC News’ member profiles coordinator.
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GET INVOLVED & ADVOCATEThe adage that “everything old is new again” sadly applies to the first part of this historical reflection. In the June 1990 edition of the Lawyers Club News, the lead article focused on the sexual harassment charges brought
by staff members against then United States Congressman Jim Bates—who served four terms in the House of Representatives from 1983-1991.
In October 1989, the House Ethics Committee voted to reprove Bates for his conduct toward female staff members and issued a 58-page report regarding the same. Bates was the first congressman to be disciplined for sexual harassment. That report recounted current and former staff testimony stating that Bates regularly initiated unwanted physical conduct, including hugging female staff members and touching their breasts, legs, and buttocks. A witness indicated that on one occasion, Bates was observed by other staff members to take a staff member’s leg between his legs and move up and down.
Bates and his primary challenger, Byron Georgiou were invited to address the May 1990 Lawyers Club luncheon attendees to address the sexual harassment charges. Georgiou and Bates’ campaign coordinator, Dena Holman attended. At the luncheon, Holman focused on Bates’ past voting record—including his support for women’s issues. When pressed, Holman said that while Bates did not admit to all the sexual harassment charges he did “kid around and flirt around”, but now realizes that his behavior was inappropriate.
Bates is now 78 years old and lives in Denver. In 2017, he founded the United States-Bangladesh Friendship Group, of which he is currently Executive Director. The group promotes the delivery of clean water supplies and medical equipment.
The June 1990 issue also presented Janice Ranson’s final column as president. In reflecting back on her year, Ranson wished she had devoted more time to encourage members to get involved. “I strongly believe that there is much more for us to do to improve the status of women in the law, to promote equality of the sexes and to improve the administration of justice. Each and every member of LC should take a turn working on our Work Options and Gender Bias Committees as these committees are the core of our organization,” she wrote.
On the judicial front, it was announced that San Diego Municipal Judge Janet Ide Kintner, San Diego County’s third female judge, was elected president of the San Diego County Judges Association. Kintner was appointed to the bench in 1976 at the age of 31—then the youngest judge ever appointed in California. It was also announced that Judge Melinda Lasater had been promoted from the Municipal Court to the Superior Court. Judge Lasater was the first female and public attorney president of the San
Diego County Bar Association. The editor of the June 1990 edition of the Lawyers Club News was Cynthia Bashant, who is now a U.S. District Court Judge with the Southern District of California.
Then, as now, while advocating for the elimination of sexual harassment, Lawyers Club also celebrates the accomplishments of its members
A LOOK BACK
George W. Brewster Jr. has been a Lawyers Club member for over 30 years, including two stints as a Board member, a member of various committees and a regular contributor to the Lawyers Club News. He
is now happily retired from the practice of law after 35 years, the last 30 with the Office of County Counsel.
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LAWYERS CLUB WELCOME ITS NEWEST MEMBERS:
Beth Faber Jacobs
Meghann Floyd
Scott Frazee
Sheila Grela
Kelsey Henry
Nellie Klein
Keith Mautner
Mark Radoff
Lauren Wood
Hayley Zech
PatronsMr. Marc AdelmanMs. Joan FriedenbergMs. Danielle Hickman
Ms. Patricia HollenbeckHon. Judith McConnellHon. Paula Rosenstein
Ms. Tracy Skaddan
Sustaining MembersHon. Cynthia AaronMs. Alison AdelmanMs. Amanda AllenMr. Steve AllenMs. Alicia AquinoMs. Yahairah AristyMs. Denise AsherHon. Jeffrey BartonHon. Cynthia BashantHon. Wendy BehanMr. Harvey BergerMr. Charles BirdHon. Laura BirkmeyerMs. Gayle BlattHon. Jill BurkhardtMs. Brigid CampoHon. Rachel CanoMs. Maria ChavezMs. Linda CiancioloMs. Diana CokerMr. Andy CookHon. Karen CrawfordHon. Robert DahlquistHon. Cindy DavisMs. Deborah DixonHon. Bonnie DumanisMs. Christina DyerMs. Amber EckMs. Roseline FeralHon. Susan FinlayHon. Barbara GamerHon. Patricia GarciaHon. Irma GonzalezMs. Roxanne GovariMs. P. Camille GuerraHon. Maureen Hallahan
Hon. Judith HallerMs. Judy HamiltonMs. Elaine HarwellMs. Jillian HayesMs. Maria HerediaMs. Karen HewittMs. Erika HiramatsuMr. Richard HuverHon. Joan IrionMs. Angela Jae ChunMr. Jay JeffcoatMr. Knut JohnsonMs. Melissa JohnsonMs. Kitty JuniperMs. Laura Kass-MorenoHon. Julia KeletyMr. Gregory KnollMs. Kate KowalewskiMs. Amanda LoCurtoMr. Peter LynchMs. Michele MacoskyHon. Barbara MajorMs. Jerrilyn MalanaMs. Lilys McCoyHon. M. Margaret
McKeownHon. Pennie McLaughlinMs. Julie MebaneMs. Danielle MooreHon. Dwayne MoringMs. Sandra MorrisMr. Ron OberndorferMs. Katie ParkerHon. Pamela ParkerHon. Christine PateMs. Patti Perez
Ms. Regina PettyMs. Karla PinckesMs. Rebecca PraterMs. Jenna RangelMs. Stephanie ReynoldsMs. Carra RhamyMs. Heather RileyHon. Charles RogersHon. David RubinHon. Janis SammartinoMs. Carla SandersonMs. Johanna SchiavoniMs. Tracy SchimelfenigMs. Maggie SchroedterMs. Elizabeth SchulmanMs. Frann SetzerMs. Abby Silverman
WeissHon. Stephanie SontagMr. Todd StevensHon. Ronald StynMs. Susan SwanMs. Vickie TurnerMs. Meagan VerschuerenMs. Megan WalkerHon. Theodore WeathersMs. Karin WickMs. Claudette WilsonHon. Joel WohlfeilHon. Margie WoodsMs. Arlene Yang
NEW MEMBERS 2020 SUPPORTERS
Hon. Olga ÁlvarezMs. Betty BooneMr. Jose CastilloMr. Ezekiel CortezMs. Danna CotmanMs. Ann DynesMr. Josh GruenbergHon. Sharon Majors-LewisMs. Virginia NelsonHon. David OberholtzerHon. Lynn SchenkMs. Tamera WeisserMs. Deborah Wolfe
LC NEWS TEAM
EDITOR Suzanne [email protected]
ASSOCIATE EDITORLauren [email protected]
STAFF ARTICLES COORDINATOR Alina [email protected]
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Event CalendarWHAT’S GOING ON
JUNEFor the time being and to the extent possible, the LC News calendar will include information on upcoming Committee meetings that have guest speakers or CLE credits. Meetings with CLE credits must be registered for in advance to obtain login information. For the most up-to-date schedules, see the LC Weekly!
Bench Bar CommitteeTuesday, June 2nd at 5:30 PMZoom video conference with the Honorable Judge Tilisha Martin will be joining.
Trial Advocacy Committee Wednesday, June 3rd at 12:00 PM MCLE meeting featuring Jin Ohta. Jin, a Supervising Deputy Attorney General in the Attorney General’s office.
Diverse Women’s Committee Wednesday, June 10th at 5:30 PMVirtual desserts and dinner evening with Judge Saba Shebani. RSVP
Cybersecurity during COVID-19 CLE with Ankura Consulting Group Wednesday, June 17th at 12:00 PMPlease join Lawyers Club and Ankura Consulting Group for an informative CLE presentation from top Cybersecurity experts where they will discuss key trends and threats that exist in Cybersecurity in a remote work environment. RSVP
Lawyers Club continues to follow the recommendations and regulations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health, and San Diego county and city officials, and we encourage you to do the same. All meetings continue to take place via teleconference or videoconference. We are committed to
maintaining and enhancing our programming and services to our members. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns—staff can be reached via email or phone. We will continue to adapt as the situation demands and give you as much advance notice as possible.
Human Trafficking Collaborative “Witnessing Human Trafficking, Narrating Lives Beyond Violence”
Wednesday, June 24th at 12:00 PMHTC will host a Zoom webinar to discuss what it means to be a witness to human trafficking with speakers Dr. Annie Isabel Fukushima and Dr. Julietta Hua. RSVP to [email protected].
Equality & Action Book Club Meeting Thursday, June 25th at 7:00 PMEAC’s Book Club will be reading “Around the Way Girl” by Taraji P. Henson. Join the discussion at the next meeting via Zoom. RSVP
Virtual General Counsel Keynote and Roundtable DiscussionTuesday, June 30th at 12:00 PMKeynote Speaker Carol C. Lam, consultant and former Deputy General Counsel for Qualcomm Incorporated, presents at the Professional Advancement Committee event, followed by break-out Zoom room sessions with local in-house counsel. RSVP
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