Giving Back€¦ · Lawyers Club helps provide a voice for equality by raising awareness about...

Giving Back

December 2015

LAWYERS CLUB NEWS

INSIDE DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER for the Fund for Justice Holiday Luncheon

LAWYERS CLUB’S ENDORSED CANDIDATES sweep SDCBA board elections

FUND FOR JUSTICE HOLIDAY LUNCHEON

2 december 2015Lawyers Club News

Lawyers Club News 3www.lawyersclubsandiego.com

At this year’s luncheon, generously sponsored by Shustak Reynolds & Partners, P.C., the Fund for Justice will present a record-breaking $48,000 in grants to 14 local nonprofits this year. Each recipient applied for a specific grant to do work in the San Diego community that furthers Lawyers Club’s mission to advance the status of women in the law and society.

The Fund for Justice focuses on nonprofits working to address “domestic and sexual violence against female victims with emphasis on legal services, education, awareness and prevention”; “gender discrimination, harassment or bias against females”; and “the unmet legal needs of females, particularly programs that support and improve the administration of justice.” For the grant recipients, this funding can be transformative in helping seed, grow or sustain their programs and offerings. This year’s grants range from $1,250 to $5,000.

The Fund for Justice is a donor-directed fund at The San Diego Foundation (Fund #6137), and contributions made directly to the Fund for Justice

are tax deductible (as permitted by law). Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated and will be gladly accepted at the Holiday Luncheon.

Lawyers Club will also present scholarships to an outstanding law student from each of San Diego’s law schools: the Honorable Lynn Schenk Scholarship (University of San Diego School of Law), the Janeen Kerper Scholarship (California Western School of Law), and the Lawyers Club of San Diego and Law Project Scholarship (Thomas Jefferson School of Law). Lawyers Club’s Scholarship Committee is composed of local judges and attorneys who review numerous applications to select the recipients from each law school. Meeting the scholarship winners and hearing about their accomplishments is always an inspiring part of the event.

Johanna Schiavoni is an appellate attorney, past president of Lawyers Club and a member of the Fund for Justice Committee.

What: Lawyers Club Fund for Justice Holiday Luncheon

When: Friday, December 11, 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Doors open 11:30 a.m. for networking

Where: The US Grant Hotel, 326 Broadway, San Diego, 92101

Tickets: Members, $35; Students, $25; Non-members, $50

Register Online: No later than Friday, December 4, 4:00 pm: www.lawyersclubsandiego.com

What? When? Where?

Celebrate at the Holiday Luncheon, where the Fund for Justice will grant $48,000 to local nonprofits and Lawyers Club will present three law student scholarshipsBy Johanna Schiavoni

Join Lawyers Club members and friends for the Fund for Justice Holiday Luncheon on Friday, December 11. This annual event is a festive opportunity to reconnect with friends and celebrate the year’s end.

Lawyers Club of San Diego

701 B Street, Suite 224, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 595-0650 phone(619) 595-0657 fax

[email protected]

PresidentDeborah Dixon

Vice PresidentsEric Ganci

Shalini KediaJamie Quient

Bhashini WeerasingheTreasurer

Jennifer ChangSecretarySusan Swan

Assistant SecretaryAmanda Allen

DirectorsOlga Alvarez

Danna CotmanTara Duester

Rebecca KanterFrann Setzer

Sara SimmonsNorth County Chapter

PresidentDanielle Hultenius Moore

EditorTara Duester

Associate EditorCarla Sanderson

Staff Articles CoordinatorKate Langmore

Photo & Member Profile CoordinatorRoxy Carter

Executive DirectorElaine Lawrence

Programs & Events CoordinatorRhianna Maras

Administrative CoordinatorLauren Gillespie

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 Tara (Jacobson) Duester at [email protected] and Carla Sanderson

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 8th of the month prior to the month of publication.

For advertising information, contact Elaine Lawrence at [email protected].

Ms. Katherine BaiMs. Whitney Blackhurst

Ms. Kimberly BrooksMs. Michelle Carr

Mr. James de HaanMr. Kevin DeBruinMs. Jeanne Detch

Ms. Meghan DohoneyMrs. Jodi Green

Ms. Jenna HackettMs. Patricia HodgkinMs. Rebecca Jones

Ms. Stephanie KarnavasMs. Shannon Kitten

Ms. Christine KoMs. Elizabeth LouisMs. Jennifer Nelson

Ms. Alison NorrisMs. Alicia OrnelasMs. Erin Panichkul

Ms. Cecilia Rutherford

Welcome New Lawyers Club Members

http://www.lawyersclubsandiego.com


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4 december 2015Lawyers Club NewsPresident’s Message to Members

The power of givingBy Deborah Dixon

“I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard . . . we cannot succeed when half of us are held back” Malala Yousafzai.

This quote by a young woman who has overcome so much and inspired so many applies to Lawyers Club in many ways. Lawyers Club helps provide a voice for equality by educating the community about the real numbers and relevant issues that respond to the skeptics who say women have already achieved equality. Lawyers Club helps provide a voice for equality by raising awareness about issues that affect women’s advancement, including the wage gap, human trafficking, implicit biases in decision making, and unique obstacles

for women of color. Lawyers Club also provides a voice for equality by training its members to negotiate and develop skills to seek advancement, and by empowering its members to build business and, by extension, be in a position to control their finances, retirement and continued independence.

One aspect of Lawyers Club that deserves focus, is the power in financially helping other women less fortunate than us. There is true power in giving of our time, giving our money, and making sacrifices for others. During our holiday luncheon, we will highlight the power of giving by illustrating the incredible work of Lawyers Club’s charitable arm, Fund for Justice. The Fund for Justice Committee is diligent and responsible with Lawyers Club members’ donations. The committee spends an inordinate amount of time vetting each organization that applies for a grant by reviewing the applicant’s financial condition, history, mission statement, and proposed use of the funds. The committee understands the value in helping others and the empowerment Lawyers Club provides to these small local charities with each grant award.

This money is your money. Each of you empowers a charity to provide resources to other women including, resources for domestic violence victims; an advocate or safe house for human trafficking survivors; books for young women to further their education; programs to provide visas for women escaping violence; and programs to provide mentorship for young immigrant women. The committee does not exist without our members’ hard-earned donations and understanding of the importance of giving to raise

others up and help other women achieve more.

Anne Frank is quoted as saying, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” This sentiment is true - not just with our money - but with our other resources, too, such as time, mentorship and brain power. Collectively, Lawyers Club can do so much more than each of us can do individually. When we donate our money to Fund for Justice, our money goes further. When we donate our time to charities, or to Lawyers Club to help plan an event or program, we reach so many more people and are able to present a bigger and more impactful event than each of us alone.

It is my hope that during our December luncheon, each of us can be empowered to give, to engage, and to support not only Lawyers Club, but also the local charities that are carrying out the mission of Lawyers Club. Together, we are all raising our collective voices for the women who have been silenced by circumstances, violence or tragedy. I hope to hear your voice at the holiday luncheon on December 11, 2015 and throughout the year.

Deborah Dixon is a Senior Attorney at Gomez Trial Attorneys and President of Lawyers Club.

Visit www.lawyersclubsandiego.com for more information on Lawyers Club Events.



ElectedSan Diego Superior Court Judge Tamila Ipema was elected Vice

President of Districts for the National Association of Women Judges at NAWJ’s annual conference in October. She previously served a two-year term as director of District 14, covering California and Nevada. San Diego Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp will serve as the regional chair for San Diego County, assisting the new district director.

HonoredPast Lawyers Club board member Michelle Ialeggio, a deputy

district attorney, was honored with the 2015 San Diego District Attorney Outstanding Achievement Award in September. She received the award for the prosecution of People v. Trehan, a case tried in January against a Marine who killed his six-week-old baby.

Lawyers Club co-founder and former U.S. Rep. Lynn Schenk has been named a National Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”) Board Leadership Fellow. Schenk serves on the boards of directors of companies including Sempra Energy, and Biogen IDEC.

Carlsbad law firm Cahill & Campitiello’s website took first place in October in the San Diego Press Club’s 42nd Annual Excellence in Journalism Awards category for General Interest Websites. Lawyers Club members Madeline Cahill and Larry Campitiello are founding partners of the firm.

Best LawyersFour Lawyers Club members were named Lawyers of the Year in

their practice areas for 2016 by Best Lawyers in America magazine. The listed lawyers include: Charles Bird, a partner with Dentons, US LLP, for appellate practice; Sharon Blanchet, partner with Ashworth, Blanchet, Christenson, LLP, a Lawyers Club 2015 platinum annual sponsor, for family law; Virginia Nelson, Law Offices of Virginia C. Nelson, for medical malpractice law-plaintiffs; and Claudette Wilson, a partner with Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP, a Lawyers Club 2015 gold annual sponsor, for employment law-management. Best Lawyers compiles its lists through nominations, which are then reviewed by attorneys previously named to the lists.

On the MoveLawyers Club 2015 platinum annual sponsor Gomez Trial Attorneys

has expanded to North County, opening an office in Solana Beach. Senior trial attorney Russ Gold and trial attorney Victoria Lazar will be based in the new offices located at 603 N. Coast Highway.

Jodi Cleesattle is a deputy attorney general with the California Department of Justice and Lawyers Club’s Press Liaison.

About Us

Lawyers Club members making newsBy Jodi Cleesattle

Michelle Ialeggio

Hon. Lynn Schenk Charles Bird Sharon Blanchet

Virginia Nelson Claudette Wilson

Hon. Tamila Ipema Hon. Randa Trapp

Thursday, February 11, 2016San Diego Wine & Culinary Center

200 Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

More registration details to follow at www.lawyersclubsandiego.com




19th annual Halloween Read-In at Central ElementaryBy Christine M. Chacon

The tradition continued on October 30 when Lawyers Club’s Community Outreach Committee organized the 19th annual Halloween Read-In at Central Elementary in City Heights.

Central Elementary is a pre-kindergarten through grade five school wherein many of the students face economic, social, immigration, and linguistic obstacles. Many of the children do not have the good fortune to celebrate Halloween, and the Read-In is the main celebration of their day. Volunteers included local attorneys, law students, family and friends, all dressed in fun and spirited Halloween costumes to contribute to the merriment. San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association worked with Lawyers Club to offer bilingual volunteers.

Michele Macosky, Chair of the Community Outreach Committee, has coordinated the Read-In since its inception almost 20 years ago. Macosky kicked off this year’s Read-In with a welcoming introduction and help from her 11-year-old son. She introduced the 69 volunteers to student guides who eagerly led volunteers to the classrooms.

Each volunteer spent time in the classroom reading a fun story to the children and interacting with the students. It was an opportunity for volunteers to serve as role models, encouraging and inspiring the children to strive to do well in school and pursue a career. Topics of conversation in the classrooms included “what it is like to attend college and law school”, “what it is like to work in an office”, and of course “what it is like to be a lawyer!”

Nicole Heeder of Law & M[ocean] is a repeat volunteer who described the Read-In as “always incredibly rewarding. Until you spend some time with these kids, you don’t realize how much they need you as a role model. Not only do you get to share in their interests, but they are truly receptive to your guidance and are overwhelmingly appreciative for your time.”

The books brought in by volunteers were donated to the classroom libraries. The students were so excited about the new books, and it was wonderful to see both their enthusiasm for reading and how much happiness such a simple donation could bring.

Michelle Pacis, a recent graduate of California Western School of Law and a Lawyer’s Club member, describes the children’s enthusiasm: “It was obvious that they loved interacting with lawyers and sharing part of their day with us. I will definitely volunteer for the spring Read-In!”

With the read-in occurring on Halloween, volunteers planned to take treats to the students as well. However, due to budgetary restraints, the school was lacking basic school supplies. When the Community Outreach Committee learned of this need, word spread amongst the volunteers.

Bags of supplies such as paper, pens, glue, crayons, markers, notebooks, antibacterial wipes, pencils, and more filled the auditorium where the volunteers met for the Read-In. The volunteers were generous and brought in far more than the school expected. For example, Merrianne Dean of the Dean Law Group, APC, walked in with a dolly loaded full of supplies. When George Brewster, Chief Deputy Counsel of San Diego County, learned that the broken air conditioner in his assigned classroom had not been replaced for two years due to budgetary restraints, he contributed two large cooling fans to help ease the heat.

Also, a special thanks to Jennifer Suberlak of Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz who brought in a $500 gift card donation from her firm. This generous donation will greatly assist Central Elementary in purchasing much-needed supplies this school year.

Central Elementary staff and students greatly appreciate the volunteers’ time and donations. As a thank-you, the students wrote personal messages on the hand-packed lunches they prepared for volunteers.

The Read-In is an event that brings fun, mentorship, and fiscal assistance to a community in need. The Community Outreach Committee will be hosting another Read-In this spring to continue this wonderful partnership with Central Elementary School.

Contact Michele Macosky at [email protected] to sign up for the Spring Read-In which takes place on Friday, March 11 from 11:45 am to 1:15 pm.

Christine M. Chacon is an attorney at Foster Walsh, LLP, and a member of the Community Outreach Committee.

The Community Outreach Committee’s 2015 Halloween Read-in was well attended by enthusiastic Lawyers Club members!



Ben Aguilar

*Catherine Asuncion

Mary Bajo

Christin Batt

Hon. Matthew Braner

George Brewster Jr.

Linda Brown

Christine Chacon

*Christina Ciceron

Crystal Culhane

Derek Dailey

Melodie Dan

Justin Davis*Merrianne Dean

Lenna Doyle*Tara Duester

Joseph Dunn*Jane Engelman

Michelle Evenson

Kristy Engler Forteza

Bree Garcia

John Garcia

Susan Gathman

Christine Goldsmith

Sadaf Hane

Jimmy Harris

Kelly Harrison

Christina Hebert *Nicole Heeder

Danielle Hickman

Kim Houston

Rafael Hurtado

Hector Jimenez*Kate Kowalewski

Nicole Le Hudson

Kareli Lugo*Michele Macosky

Arcelia Magana

Frances Maldonado

Hon. Margaret Mann

Joseph Martinez*Jylan Megahed

Lori Mendez

Jennifer Mendoza

Susan Miller

Ravi Mohan

Rosa Mora

Renee Lande-O’Malley*Peggy Onstott

Luis Osuna*Michelle Pacis

Stephanie Reynolds

Heather Riley*Anna Romanskaya

Rosario Santoyo

Daniel Schmeichel

Renee Schor

Angelica Sciencio

Junichi Semitsu*Tracy Skaddan

Christy Somerville

Jennifer Stewart*Jennifer Suberlak

Sylvia Tenorio *Amanda Thompson

Rachel Travis

Jennifer Truong

Danielle Vallone

Michele Walbrett

Thank You to All the Halloween Read-In Volunteers

*Community Outreach Committee members

Christin Batt, Heather Riley and Danielle Vallone make a repeat appearance in Mrs. Robinson’s first grade classroom.

Danielle Hickman and Stephanie Reynolds engage their classroom at the Annual Halloween Read-in.

Ben Aguilar and Angelica Sciencio take questions from their crowd.



Speaker of the California State Assembly Toni Atkins empowered and inspired members of Lawyers Club to take leadership positionsBy Lea Fields-Bernard

The US Grant Hotel’s Palm Court was filled to capacity as Lawyers Club members heard from Atkins during the October 15 luncheon presented by the Diverse Women’s Committee. Sarah Boot, past-president of Lawyers Club and current policy consultant for Atkins, introduced Atkins, who began her presentation with a story about her background.

Lawyers Club past president Johanna Schiavoni contributes to the conversation.

Members of the Diverse Women’s Committee gather for a photo with Speaker of the Assembly, Toni G. Atkins.

Raised in rural Appalachia, where residents are often referred to as “Mountain People,” Atkins encountered various obstacles including poverty, a lack of resources, and negative stereotyping.

Atkins relayed how coming from a part of the country that is “depressed, disadvantaged and looked down upon” affected her priorities and fueled the passion with which she fights. With this perspective, she was able to force her colleagues to consider issues from an angle that they otherwise may not have considered.

Commented attendee Candace Carroll: “I have supported Toni Atkins for years, but I’ve never had a clearer picture of how completely the issues she fights for are women’s issues. Childcare and affordable housing – that certainly is what we need!”

Atkins shared how her experience as Speaker has led to her interest in helping more women - especially women of diverse backgrounds - enter public office. Atkins cited her reciprocal mentor Dr. Shirley Weber, Assembly Member for the 79th District and a women of color, as an example of how diverse leaders can highlight and address issues significant to diverse women. Some of these issues include increasing access to quality child care, establishing paid sick leave, and advancing protection for survivors of domestic violence. Atkins believes that by increasing awareness of these issues, we advance the needs of all women and society as a whole.

Atkins graciously entertained questions from the audience on a variety of topics, including tips on how women of color and members of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community can overcome barriers to achieve leadership roles and enter the political arena.

Speaker Atkins shares her insights on diversity with Lawyers Club Members.

“Her answers reveal the value she places on hard work, collaboration, diverse perspectives and pragmatic problem solving,” said attendee Kimberly Ahrens.

Atkins explained that reciprocal mentoring is an integral component for increasing diversity in leadership roles. She stressed that we all need mentors and role models, at any age, and we all have the ability to mentor each other in different ways, every single day.

Atkins encouraged Lawyers Club members to “reach out, share, help, and empower others,” to bring more diversity to leadership positions.

Special thank you to luncheon sponsor, Sullivan Hill Lewis Rez & Engel. The Diverse Women’s Committee, co-chaired by Elvira Cortez and Tilisha Martin, meets on the second Wednesday of every month at noon.

Lea Fields-Bernard is an Adjunct Professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and a member of the Diverse Women’s Committee.


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Stephanie ChowChow is a deputy

attorney general in the California Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, in the Appeals, Writs, and Trials section. She represents the People of

the State of California in criminal appeals, federal habeas corpus matters, and conflict criminal trial cases. Chow was president of the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego from 2012 to 2013. From 2013 to 2014, she served as vice chair of the Ethnic Relations and Diversity Committee of the San Diego County Bar Association, and has been serving as chair of that committee from 2014 until the present. Chow enjoys working with and mentoring law students and new attorneys. In that vein, she has been involved in the county bar’s Diversity Fellowship Program – a pipeline program for first year law students – reviewing applications, interviewing, and sitting on career panels. She also volunteers as a judge or attorney scorer in law school, collegiate, and high school moot court and mock trial competitions. Recently, she was named a San Diego Daily Transcript Top Attorney for 2015.

Srinivas Hanumadass

Hanumadass is a trial lawyer at Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield. He is the current President of the South Asian Bar Association, the

Chairperson for Lawyers Club’s Scholarship Committee and an active member of the SDCBA’s Ethnic Relations and Diversity Committee. A native of Chicago, Hanumadass graduated from Jefferson School of Law in 2003 and has practiced in San Diego during his entire legal career.

Hanumadass is committed to opening doors for diverse attorneys and law students.

When not practicing law, Hanumadass enjoys live music and attending performances at the Old Globe Theater and the La Jolla Playhouse as a season subscriber.

Anna Romanskaya Romanskaya is a Partner

with Stark & D’Ambrosio, LLP, where she manages the firm’s family law practice. Romanskaya is a former Lawyers Club board member, where she

helped develop and co-chaired the inaugural Red, White and Brew event. Romanskaya also co-chaired the 2014 Annual Dinner, with keynote speaker Hon. Sandra Day O’Connor. On the Lawyers Club Board, she served as both Secretary and Vice President of Public Relations. Romanskaya’s distinguishing factor is her leadership in the American Bar Association, where she is the incoming Chair-Elect of the Young Lawyers Division and sits on the Center for Human Rights Advisory Council.

Romanskaya aspires to bring her diverse leadership experience and background to the SDCBA board. She believes that SDCBA board members must be able to lead and advocate for and on behalf of all members of the San Diego community. To advance that directive, Romanskaya’s service on the SDCBA board would focus on: Innovation, Relationship Development, Diversity and Inclusion, and Service and Collaboration. She is committed to our community and aspires to enhance the legal profession through her service.

Johanna Schiavoni Johanna Schiavoni is

an appellate attorney and founder of the Law Office of Johanna S. Schiavoni. A 2002 graduate of the UCLA School of Law, she specializes in appellate

litigation and strategic counseling in high stakes

matters. Before opening her own practice in 2013, Schiavoni served as a law clerk to two federal judges (district court and Ninth Circuit), worked at AmLaw 100 firm Latham & Watkins LLP, and was an appellate litigation partner with a boutique San Diego firm.

Schiavoni served from 2013-2014 as president of Lawyers Club. Under her leadership, the organization grew to its largest membership in its prior 42-year history, and hosted the Hon. Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice, as its annual dinner keynote speaker. In 2014, the San Diego County Bar Association awarded Schiavoni its prestigious Community Service Award for her commitment to serving the community, particularly in the areas of advancing women and girls, leadership development and the performing arts. Among other honors, she also has been named to San Diego’s “Super Lawyers” list for appellate litigation in 2015 and 2016.

Schiavoni has outlined several priorities she would strive to elevate if elected to the SDCBA Board: (1) delivering practical, strategic, cutting-edge, and affordable educational and career development offerings for members in all stages of their legal careers; (2) internally and externally supporting diversity—both demographic and experiential—in various aspects of the SDCBA’s work, including programming, leadership opportunities, and public outreach; and, (3) deploying best practices in governance at all levels of the SDCBA, so it is a model of leadership development, transparency, and engagement in our community. As a bar leader, Schiavoni has demonstrated her commitment to each of these issues, and has attended state and national conferences bringing back and implementing best practices in organizational governance and member service.

Congratulations to all!Deborah Dixon is a Senior Attorney at Gomez Trial Attorneys and President of Lawyers Club.

Lawyers Club of San Diego congratulates the newly elected San Diego County Bar Association’s 2016 board members!By Deborah Dixon

All four of the candidates Lawyers Club endorsed won the San Diego County Bar Association Board elections! Congratulations to Stephanie Chow, Srinivas Hanumadass, Anna Romanskaya and Johanna Schiavoni, all of whom will continue to advance the status of women while serving on the SDCBA Board. Lawyers Club members continue to educate, advocate and enact change through their participation and votes!


30 Years Ago in Lawyers Club NewsBy George W. Brewster Jr.

As happens during the holidays, the pace at work and play slows down. This is evident in the Lawyers Club News (December 1985), both by its content and size (barely four pages, with lots of photos and graphics).

A holiday luncheon for Lawyers Club members was announced, with donations sought (clothing, food, toys) for the Battered Women’s Services. The event took place at the Harbor House Restaurant, which is still up and running, for $12 (which will now buy you a tea). Lawyers Club president Lynne Lugar declared the final two weeks of December as a time to take a break from the responsibilities of being a Lawyers Club member, although she urged members to do other activities to feed their feminist souls. And attend the holiday luncheon. Oh, and pay dues.

Associate Editor Helen Rowe wrote about then-Superior Court Judge (and now Court of Appeals Justice) Patricia Benke and then-Deputy District Attorney (and now District Attorney) Bonnie Dumanis, both honored by California Women in Government at its fifth annual Tribute to Women awards ceremony. The awards were given to “stimulate increased awareness of managerial, professional and technical resources represented by women and to encourage women to continue to choose public service as an important and rewarding career.”

Rowe also wrote about Midge Costanza, who gave the keynote

speech “Unite to Influence the Future” earlier in the fall at the Women & the Law Conference at the University of San Diego. Costanza had been a top advisor (one of nine) to President Jimmy Carter, and resigned under pressure 20 months later, reportedly for inflammatory rhetoric and highly aggressive lobbying she conducted within the administration for unpopular causes such as gay rights.

Costanza, who described herself as a “loud-mouthed, pushy little broad”, later moved to Los Angeles (managing Shirley MacLaine’s “Higher Self” seminars). She moved to San Diego in 1990, where she worked on several political campaigns, including those of Senator Barbara Boxer and Representative Lynn Schenk. From 2000 to 2003, Costanza was a special assistant to Gov. Gray Davis, and in 2005, she became a public affairs officer for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Costanza also was active in Lawyers Club, and remained so until her death in 2010.

George W. Brewster Jr. is Chief Deputy, Office of County Counsel and a member of the History and Archives Committee.



October’s Fall Judicial Reception ruled a successBy Frantz C. Farreau

Lawyers Club members conversed with the judiciary, reconnected with colleagues and friends, made new connections, and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and wine at the Bench Bar Committee’s Fall Judicial Reception on October 22. This year’s event attracted a diverse group of state and federal judges, attorneys, and law students. The event was a tremendous success thanks to the generosity of title sponsor and host, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP.

Lawyers Club president Deborah Dixon commented: “Every year we have more support from the bench. That helps continue our mission. The judicial reception allows us to thank the bench for their continued support.”

Magistrate Judge Karen Crawford stated, “I always enjoy coming to the Lawyers Club events. They are a wonderful opportunity to reconnect.”

The event presented a unique opportunity for judges and lawyers to connect outside of the courtroom.

Superior Court Judge Michael Groch enjoyed “the collegiality—this event gives the bench and the bar a chance to talk to each other about topics other than cases.”

Attorney Rebecca Reed echoed this sentiment: “I love this event because it is one of the only events in town that brings the bench and the bar together.”

Magistrate Judge Jill Burkhardt concurred: “The Lawyers Club Judicial Reception is one of the best opportunities for San Diego lawyers and judges to engage on a more personal level in a warm and collegial environment.”

“This is one of my favorite events,” Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp said. “Lawyers Club was one of the first organizations to bring the bench and the bar together in a meaningful way. All of my colleagues look forward to this quality event with one of the best bar associations in the city.”

Lawyers Club thanks its committed members who devote countless volunteer hours to advance its mission and make events such as this possible.

The Bench Bar Committee’s next event is the East County Judicial Reception on Wednesday, December 2. Registration is now open at www.lawyersclubsandiego.com. Please contact co-chairs Stephanie Poli at [email protected] or Roxy Carter at [email protected] with any questions and/or to volunteer.

Frantz Farreau is a volunteer attorney at the Office of the City Attorney and is a member of Lawyers Club’s Bench Bar Committee.

Bench Bar Committee Members Dionne Mochon, Frantz Farreau, Shelley Carder, and Sara Simmons gather with co-chairs Roxy Carter and Stepha-nie Poli to kick-off the festivities.

Board members, members of the bench and Lawyers Club members were all smiles at the October 22 Judicial Reception.

Hon. Randa Trapp and Lawyers Club President Deborah Dixon mingle with new Bench Bar Committee Members Alisha Wood and Vanessa Natividad.

New and seasoned members alike took advantage of the gorgeous view and inviting space.




Legislative updates from the Reproductive Rights and Women’s Advocacy CommitteeBy Danielle Short

California Reproductive FACT (Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive

Care, and Transparency) Act (AB 775) – Introduced by Assemblymember David Chiu (D) in February, the bill passed the Senate on September 3 and is now on the governor’s desk waiting for approval or veto. The bill would require state-licensed clinics that provide family planning or pregnancy-related services to share with all clients information regarding available public programs in California that provide, to eligible women, immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services, prenatal care, and abortion. Covered clinics that are not licensed by the state would be required to give notice to all clients that they are not a medical facility licensed by the State of California. Proponents of the bill hope to ensure women are well informed and protected from misleading information when making decisions about their reproductive health. This bill is backed by NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood California.

Lactation Accommodation for Parenting Students (AB 302) – Introduced by Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D), this bill was passed by the Senate in early September and is now awaiting the governor’s signature. The bill would amend the California Education Code. The amendment would require public schools to make reasonable accommodations to provide private space on school grounds and time necessary to allow student mothers to breastfeed their infant children or express breast milk. Among the requirements, schools must provide “access to a private and secure room, other than a restroom” in which mothers can breastfeed, as well as “a reasonable amount of time to accommodate [the student’s] need to express breast milk or breast-feed an infant child.” The bill also mandates that a “pupil shall not incur an academic penalty as a result of her use, during the school day, of the reasonable accommodations specified in this section.” These requirements would apply to any school that has at least one lactating student on campus.

FederalPain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36/ S.

1553-Campion Bill) – A bill introduced by House Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ) was brought to the Senate floor in September after passing the House back in May. Senate Democrats blocked the bill after it failed to receive the 60 votes necessary to break the Democrat-driven filibuster by a vote of 54 to 42. This bill would have banned abortions after 20 weeks. Proponents argued that 20 weeks is the point at which a fetus is capable of feeling pain. Opponents attacked it on the grounds that it was unconstitutional, it had no exceptions for rape or incest victims, and it would have imposed criminal penalties on doctors who did not comply.

Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015 (H.R. 3134/S. 764) – House Representative Diane Black (R-TN) introduced this bill back in July, and it has passed the House and is now being introduced in the Senate. This bill would prohibit federal funding to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates or clinics for one year, unless Planned Parenthood certifies that it will not perform abortions and will not provide funds to any other entity that performs abortions. Funding originally earmarked for Planned Parenthood would be redirected to community health centers for that one-year period. This controversial bill has garnered expansive media coverage due to associated threats of shutting down the government. In response, Planned Parenthood has embarked on a media campaign to assemble support for their organization and the services it offers the community.

Women’s Public Health and Safety Act (H.R. 3495) –House Representative Sean Duffy (R-WI) introduced this bill and the House passed it on September 29 with a vote of 236 to 193. The bill amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to modify requirements regarding a state plan for Medicaid. The bill would allow states to remove health care providers from their Medicaid programs if the health care providers performed abortions or were connected to facilities that provided abortion services.

Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act ( H.R. 3504) – In September, the House passed this bill introduced by House Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ), which amends the federal criminal code. Under this amendment, a healthcare practitioner would be criminally liable for murder if the practitioner “is present when a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion” and fails “to: (1) exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) ensure that such child is immediately admitted to a hospital.” Practitioners found in violation of the law would be subject to a criminal fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The ACLU and American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have spoken out against this bill. Like the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015, this bill was introduced in response to the undercover videos featuring Planned Parenthood officials involved in fetal-tissue procurement operations.

Danielle Short is a third-year law student at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and a member of the Lawyers Club’s Reproductive Rights and Women’s Advocacy Committee.



Jonah Toleno’s advice for new Lawyers Club members is to be genuinely interested in everyone you meet instead of simply focusing on the perceived short-term networking benefits. “To me, Lawyers Club is about connections and collaboration. Everyone has something to offer, including you, no matter the phase of your career,” said Toleno.

As a partner at Shustak, Reynolds & Partners P.C., Toleno practices securities and financial services litigation and arbitration, as well as business and corporate law. Her motivation for joining Lawyers Club in 2013 was that the diverse, welcoming group of professionals put their money where their mouths were, and she wanted to be part of it.

The Lawyers Club memory that tops Toleno’s list of favorites is seeing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor speak at the Annual Dinner in 2014. “She was so astute and down-to-earth. I appreciated her passion for educating our youth about civics,” said Toleno.

Toleno spends her free time with her husband and two children at sporting events, reading, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends. She is also looking forward to getting back to dance lessons soon. Her favorite phrase is “I think I can” from The Little Engine that Could. “I say it to my kids constantly,” said Toleno.

If Toleno could have dinner with anyone she would pick Cecilia Suyat, the spouse of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. She says she would love to hear all about Suyat’s life as a Civil Rights activist, her experience as a Filipina woman, and being married to the man who argued for desegregation in Brown v. Board of Education.

Toleno is a graduate of UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, CA.

Michelle Evenson is a 2015 graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

MemberAshley M. Peterson, a California Western School

of Law graduate, has been involved in Lawyers Club since 2008. Peterson has been a long standing member of the Networking Events Committee and has helped plan Spring Golf Lessons the past two years. “I have met so many amazing attorneys through Lawyers Club, many of whom are now close friends of mine,” Peterson commented. Peterson practices Real Estate, General Business, and Probate and Trust Administration law and recently opened her own solo practice.

Peterson has found Lawyer’s Club to be an invaluable resource during her transition to solo practice, with many Lawyers Club attorneys acting as mentors and guides as she navigates her new career path.

Peterson believes opening her own practice is the best decision she could have made because “it is the greatest feeling to have clients thanking me

for helping them achieve the result they wanted in their case, and I am overwhelmed with a feeling of pride when I get a referral for a potential case from a fellow attorney because of my networking efforts.”

In addition to running her own practice, Peterson volunteers with SDCBA’s Children at Risk Committee and plans alumni events for the UCSD Alumni Club of San Diego. Born and raised in Southern California, Peterson is an avid tennis player and has “a wicked cross-court forehand and serve.” If Peterson could have any talent, she thinks it “would be really cool to have the ability to teleport.”

Jacqueline Kallberg is the primary attorney at the Kallberg Law Group and is a member of Lawyer Club’s Professional Advancement and Networking Event Committees.


Karine Faure Wenger finds her work as a partner at Fragomen Worldwide rewarding for many reasons, one of which is because she brings a personal perspective to practicing Business Immigration that allows her to relate to clients and take some of the stress off. Faure Wenger became a Lawyers Club member in 2000, after she joined Fragomen. She finds the supportive environment unique, because no matter how involved you are, or what stage in your career, Lawyers Club is inclusive. She also appreciates the programming, which she says gives her insight into best practices at her firm. Faure Wenger enjoys the relevant topics and panels Lawyers Club offers, such as work life balance programming, as well as the mission to advance women in the law and society.

If she could spend time with any person, Faure Wenger would have dinner with Eleanor Roosevelt. Roosevelt was an influential humanitarian and activist and reminds Faure Wenger of her maternal grandmother. However, if she could put a woman

on the $10 bill, Faure Wenger would choose Rosa Parks; she feels we need diversity beyond gender on something people have contact with so regularly, such as currency.

When Faure Wenger was 12, she and her family immigrated to Orange County from France.

In her free time, she can be found either on the sidelines at rugby matches or poolside at swim meets. Her three sons keep her and her husband’s schedules full. However, she also enjoys hot yoga (but not Bikram) and sculpt yoga fusion; the practice allows her to maintain a balanced center.

Faure Wenger attended UCSD for her undergraduate and Golden Gate University Law School.

Michelle Evenson is a California bar candidate and faculty member at Franics W. Parker School in San Diego.

Profiles

Instead of seeking employment in a traditional law practice, California Western School of Law graduate Sean Elo decided to work for the common good. He worked on one of the nation’s most hotly contested races to elect Scott Peters to United States Congress for the 52nd District of California.

After the campaign, Elo began working for Mid-City CAN, a non-profit that works on quality of life issues for residents in City Heights. Elo oversees community organizers on food/transportation issues, juvenile justice reform, and access to healthcare. His idea of perfect happiness is being with those you cares about and working toward a shared goal. He uses his talents to help others find the happiness that he has found.

Elo joined Lawyers Club because he feels that it is important to support organizations that advance the status of women. He particularly enjoyed the presentation by former Senator Olympia Snowe and looks forward to attending more Lawyers Club events in the future.

Jillian Fairchild is a Senior Associate at Fredrickson, Mazeika & Grant, LLP.



L E A D I N G T H E W A Y

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The Awards Committee has some fantastic opportunities to nominate Lawyers Club members for awards in 2016. Please take a moment to review these awards and their criteria.

Please email [email protected] if you know a Lawyers Club member who deserves to be nominated for one of the following awards, or if you would like to join the Awards Committee.

California Bar Awards

President’s Pro Bono Service Awards

Award recipients must either be: Lawyers who provided pro bono legal services from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016 and: (1) are members of the State Bar of California; (2) were not employed on a full-time basis, during the period when the pro bono work was performed, by an organization that has as its primary purpose the provision of free legal services to clients who fall within current federal poverty guidelines, unless the legal services staff attorney provided the pro bono work outside the scope of his/her employment; (3) have volunteered a significant amount of time, with no expectation of being paid by the client or receiving attorney fees (unless they have agreed in advance to donate all fees received) to providing or enabling the delivery of legal services in civil or criminal matters for a client, client group or charitable organization (whose primary purpose is to provide services to the poor and that does not have the resources to pay for services); (4) have made such contribution independently or preferably through organized pro bono programs, including legal services programs, legal

aid societies, local bar association-sponsored pro bono programs, lawyer referral services’ no fee panels or other organizations whose primary purpose is to serve the poor, and (5) whose voluntary contributions have resulted in increased access to legal services for the poor; or,

Law firms, teams of lawyers, associations of California lawyers, California law schools accredited by the American Bar Association or State Bar of California, and law students currently enrolled in those law schools who did not receive any form of compensation, clinical or other academic credit for performing pro bono work, and the work was not public service (e.g. building houses for Habitat for Humanity, serving meals in a soup kitchen).

For more information,visit: www.calbar.ca.gov/AboutUs/Awards/PresidentsProBonoService.aspx

Loren Miller Legal Services Award

To nominate for this award: Describe overall accomplishments of the nominee toward the development of delivery of legal services. Describe successful precedent-setting litigation (including complete citations to legislation) that benefitted the poor, including scope of impact. Describe successful local, state and/or national legislative advocacy (including complete citations to legislation) on behalf of under-represented persons and scope of impact. Describe any community organizing that increased access to the legal system and scope of impact. Explain the nominee’s demonstrated long-term commitment to providing legal services.

For more information, visit: www.calbar.ca.gov/AboutUs/Awards/LorenMillerLegalServices.aspx

Cal Bar Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year Award:

Nominees for this award will have demonstrated commitment of the nominee to the practice of public law, use of innovative or creative problem solving by the nominee in the practice of public law, exceptional accomplishments by the nominee in the practice of public law, provisions of legal services by the nominee to the public above and beyond what is considered ordinary.

For more information, visit: http://publiclaw.calbar.ca.gov/PublicLaw/LawyeroftheYear.aspx

Award criteria not yet listed by the State Bar of California website. All information provided based on 2014-2015 criteria.

Alara Chilton is Co-Chair of the Awards Committee and the owner of the Law Office of Alara T. Chilton.

Greetings from the Awards Corner!

By Alara Chilton

The Awards Committee is committed to recognizing Lawyers Club members by nominating those who have made important contributions to the community and the legal profession, or who otherwise best fit the specific award criteria. The Awards Committee’s work elevates and acknowledges those who actively support Lawyers Club’s mission to advance the status of women in the law and society.



http://www.calbar.ca.gov/AboutUs/Awards/




http://publiclaw.calbar.ca.gov/PublicLaw/

http://publiclaw.calbar.ca.gov/PublicLaw/


December 2015 Wednesday, 12/2/15

East County Judicial Reception 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Ronald Reagan Community Center195 East Douglas Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020Register at: www.lawyersclubsandiego.com

Friday, 12/11/15Lawyers Club Holiday Luncheon12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.US Grant, 326 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101Register at: www.lawyersclubsandiego.com

January 2016 Thursday, 1/14/16

Lawyers Club Thirsty Thursday: Networking Events Committee

Wednesday, 1/20/16Lawyers Club Mock Interview Program: Student Development and Law School Relations Committee

Thursday, 1/21/16Lawyers Club Monthly Luncheon: Leadership Development Committee 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.US Grant, 326 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

February 2016 Thursday, 2/11/16 Red, White & Brew

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Drive, San Diego, Ca 92101

Thursday, 2/18/16Lawyers Club Monthly Luncheon: Bench Bar CommitteeUS Grant, 326 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

Wednesday, 2/24/16Professional Advancement Committee Event

March 2016 Thursday, 3/3/16

Lawyers Club Thirsty Thursday: Networking Events Committee

Thursday, 3/17/16Lawyers Club Monthly Luncheon: Reproductive Rights and Women’s Advocacy Committee 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.US Grant, 326 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

Tuesday, 3/29/16International Women of Color Reception TBD

www.lawyersclubsandiego.com 18

Lawyers Club of San Diego is a State Bar of California-approved MCLE provider. (619) 595-0650. Email: [email protected].

Lawyers Club Calendar of EventsInformation for your calendar. All dates subject to change. For latest information, contact Lawyers Club

at (619) 595-0650 or visit our website at www.lawyersclubsandiego.com.







Lawyers Club Annual Supporters 2015

Lawyers Club News

Diamond Annual SponsorCasey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield LLP

Platinum Annual SponsorABC Family Law

Duane Morris LLP

Gomez Trial Attorneys

Jones Day

Gold Annual SponsorBest Best & Krieger LLP

Fisher & Phillips LLP

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP

Silver Annual SponsorAllen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP Aptus Court ReportingBrown Law GroupCalifornia Western School of LawDLA Piper LLP (US)Fish & Richardson, P.C. Foley & Lardner LLPHeisner Álvarez, APCHiggs Fletcher & Mack, LLPJones Lang LaSalleKirby Noonan Lance & Hoge LLPKlinedinst P.C.Knobbe, Martens, Olson and Bear, LLPLatham & Watkins LLP

Littler Mendelson, PC Millennium Settlements, Inc.Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo P.C.Procopio Cory Hargreaves & Savitch LLPSan Diego Gas & ElectricSullivan Hill Lewin Rez & Engel, APLC Union BankUniversity of San Diego School of Law

Annual Corporate SponsorsDolan Xitco

DTI Global

Esquire Deposition Solutions

PatronsMr. Marc AdelmanMs. Ann DynesMs. Joan FriedenbergMs. Danielle HickmanMs. Patricia HollenbeckHon. Evan KirvinHon. Sharon Majors-LewisHon. Judith McConnellHon. Paula RosensteinMs. Tracy SkaddanMs. Susan Swan

Sustaining MembersHon. Cynthia AaronMs. Denise AsherHon. Katherine BacalHon. Jeffrey BartonHon. Cynthia BashantMs. Wendy BehanMs. Leslie BenderMr. Harvey BergerHon. Laura BirkmeyerMs. Gayle BlattMs. Sarah BootHon. Jill BurkhardtMr. Guillermo Cabrera

Ms. Lesa ChristensonMs. Linda CiancioloMs. Jodi CleesattleMs. Diana CokerMs. Judith CopelandMs. Danna CotmanHon. Patricia CowettHon. Karen CrawfordMs. Cynthia CwikHon. Robert DahlquistHon. Cindy DavisMs. Darragh DavisMs. Deborah DixonHon. Bonnie DumanisMs. Ann DurhamMs. Christina DyerMs. Amber EckMs. Elizabeth EldridgeHon. Selena EpleyHon. Susan FinlayHon. Patricia GarciaHon. Christine GoldsmithHon. Irma GonzalezMs. Camille GuerraMrs. Kristin GuthrieHon. Judith HallerMs. Cassandra Hearn

Ms. Karen HewittMs. Erika HiramatsuMr. Lawrence HuertaMr. Richard HuverHon. Joan IrionHon. Carol IsacksonMs. Angela Jae ChunMs. Jessica JagirMr. Jay JeffcoatHon. Anthony JosephMs. Rebecca KanterHon. Julia KeletyMr. Gregory KnollMr. James KoerberMr. Peter LynchMs. Kathryn MaasMs. Michele MacoskyHon. Barbara MajorMs. Jerrilyn MalanaMs. Lilys McCoyMs. Denise McGuireHon. M. Margaret McKeownHon. Pennie McLaughlinMs. Julie MebaneMs. Michelle MierzwaMs. Danielle MooreHon. Dwayne Moring

Ms. Sandra MorrisMr. David NoonanMr. Ron OberndorferHon. Christine PateMs. Anne PerryMs. Regina PettyMs. Jamie QuientMs. Carra RhamyMs. Heather RileyHon. Charles RogersMs. Tracy RogersHon. David RubinHon. Janis SammartinoMs. Johanna SchiavoniMs. Elizabeth SchulmanMs. Abby Silverman WeissMs. Jacquelyn SlotkinMs. Beatrice SniderHon. Stephanie SontagMr. Todd StevensMs. Kimberly StewartHon. Ronald StynMs. Vickie TurnerHon. Theodore WeathersMs. Claudette WilsonHon. Joel WohlfeilHon. Margie Gunthardt Woods

We appreciate our annual sponsors and events sponsors! To learn more about sponsoring Lawyers Club, contact Elaine Lawrence at 619-595-0650 or [email protected]

President’s Circle Mr. Charles BirdMs. Betty BooneMs. Candace Carroll

Mr. Ezekiel CortezMs. Heather ForwardMr. Josh Gruenberg

Ms. Virginia NelsonHon. David OberholtzerHon. Lynn Schenk

Ms. Tamera WeisserMs. Deborah Wolfe



20 december 2015

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