We know that your connections to the courts are vital to your practice. If you’re a family law attorney, or a new attorney or law student, please feel welcome to join us on Thursday at 12:00 p.m. for the third installment of our Breakouts with the Bench series—Family Law. After some introductory remarks by court leadership, you’ll join a breakout room where you can connect with Family Law judges from across the County. Space is limited, so register now »
As we continue to meet this moment and advocate for racial equity in our society, the SDCBA invites you to take the “21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge©,” originally created by Eddie Moore, Jr. and recently adapted and updated by the ABA. The three-week syllabus contains educational readings, podcasts, and videos to reflect on. Each day’s assignment will take just 15-30 minutes. The goal is to heighten awareness and understanding of this critical problem in our country and to accelerate creating and implementing solutions. The challenge runs from August 12 – September 1. To learn more and register for the challenge and culminating roundtable event, Exchange on Equity: 21-Day Challenge, on September 14 at 5:30 p.m., click here »
You won’t want to miss Tuesday’s program, Race, Civil Liberties, and the Legal Profession, at 12:00 p.m. At this program, Michele Goodwin, award-winning author, advocate, professor, and social commentator, will discuss why recognizing law as an accomplice and facilitator of racism is overdue, and why law’s role and responsibility in dismantling discrimination and racism are crucial in promoting the rule of law. Special thanks to the 39 co-sponsoring organizations who have elevated the event’s reach into broader diverse communities. Limited space remains. Register soon.
That same day, August 11, the Intellectual Property Law Section is hosting a Roundtable at 5:30 p.m. focused on The Business of Law and Diversity: Diversifying Entrepreneurs in IP Law and Tech Transfer. And on Friday at 6:00 p.m., the New Lawyer Division is hosting a Book Meetup via Zoom to discuss White Fragility. Register here »
Next week, we are co-hosting, along with the San Diego Superior Court and the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists, the Annual Bench-Bar Media Event: Meeting This Moment—How the Bench, Bar, and Media are Addressing the Intersection of COVID-19 and the Social Justice Movement.The year 2020 first brought stay-at-home orders and unprecedented closures of the court system due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then sustained protests over police treatment of African-Americans. During this extraordinary year, the Bench has grappled with how to maintain access to the courts. The Bar has confronted COVID-related challenges to the practice of law and its role in ensuring equal access to justice. Finally, Media outlets have worked overtime to cover it all while managing unusual new obstacles to newsgathering. Panelists will discuss local efforts to confront these issues from their respective roles as legal community activists, journalists, and law enforcement officials. Register here »
We will also continue our Tech Tuesday series with the following events:
- August 11, 10:00 a.m. – Tech Tuesday: Microsoft Word — Headers, Footer & Complex Page Numbering
- August 18, 10:00 a.m. – Tech Tuesday: Microsoft Word — Helpful Tools from the “Review” Ribbon: Comments, Track Changes, and Restricting Editing
Finally, do you know school-aged kids in search of a project? We currently are accepting submissions from K-12 students for our Law Week Poster & Video Contest, which is centered around the theme “Our Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy—the 19th Amendment at 100.” All entries will be evaluated by a committee of attorneys based on originality, creativity, and impact. Submissions are due by September 4. There are cash awards for the first, second, and third-place entries, and winning entries and runners-up will be displayed on our website and at the Edward J. Schwartz United States Courthouse. Learn more about this year’s contest and submit the student’s entries here »
We hope you take some time to enjoy the final weeks of summer!
Johanna Schiavoni
2020 SDCBA President