At the SDCBA, we are keenly focused on supporting our members during this crisis, while also bringing together and supporting the broader legal community. That is why we have teamed up with 47 co-sponsor organizations to bring you an event with pertinent information for all legal practitioners. The San Diego Superior Court: State of the Court Address will be held virtually, this Wednesday, April 29 at 12:00 p.m. San Diego Superior Court Presiding Judge Lorna Alksne, Assistant Presiding Judge Michael Smyth, and Court Executive Officer Michael Roddy will discuss recent changes to court operations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and answer your questions. This event will provide vital information on the operations of the Court as we all grapple with significant changes in serving our clients. Please register here »
The SDCBA also is co-sponsoring a program presented by the Federal Bar Association – San Diego Chapter, where the Chief Judges of the Southern District will address the Court’s operations during COVID-19 and answer questions from registered attendees. The webinar is Friday, May 1 at 10:30 a.m. Register here »
For appellate court updates, please join us for the State of the Appellate Courts CLE event next Tuesday, May 5 at 12:00 p.m. During this annual program, Presiding Justice Judith McConnell and Circuit Judge Margaret McKeown will provide an update on new rules and procedures, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the court systems, and other trends and developments affecting appellate practice in the Fourth Appellate District and Ninth Circuit. The event is a joint program presented by the SDCBA’s Appellate Practice Section and the San Diego Appellate Inn of Court. The Appellate Practice Section offers many helpful resources including the Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop, which is a multi-organization effort to provide important information to pro se litigants about what is required at the Court of Appeal, and the Access to Appellate Justice Program, which helps indigent civil appellate litigants connect with potential pro bono counsel.
As I mentioned last week, the SDCBA heard and appreciated your suggestions to include volunteer opportunities in our communications. Last Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced California Volunteers’ #CaliforniansForAll service initiative. This program connects Californians with safe volunteer opportunities and encourages Californians to think creatively about ways to make a difference in their communities. You can learn more about the initiative here and sign up to volunteer by visiting CaliforniansForAll.ca.gov.
For more volunteer opportunities, our community updates page now includes a list of San Diego organizations seeking volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud to have so many SDCBA members willing to lend a hand in these uncertain times, and we hope this resource assists you in doing so.
In closing, I’d like to extend our sincere gratitude to the 60 estate planning attorneys from the SDCBA who have volunteered to provide pro bono services to more than 400 local first responders and healthcare workers through our Wills for Heroes program. You can read more about the new virtual Wills for Heroes program here »
Johanna Schiavoni
2020 SDCBA President