News

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

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

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

The Eleventh Annual UCLA Law Firm Diversity Reception will take place Wednesday, February 24, 2016, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
 
Last year about 200 diverse students from UCLA, USC, and Loyola attended the reception.
 
Please find attached an invitation for the Eleventh Annual Law Firm Diversity Reception and information about UCLA’s Law Fellows Program.
 
Geneva Thompson
UCLA School of Law
Academic Outreach Resource Center
mentor@law.ucla.edu
(310) 825-0699

Santa Ana, Calif. – The judges of the Orange County Superior Court have elected Hon. Kirk Nakamura as Assistant Presiding Judge, announced the Court’s Presiding Judge, Hon. Charles Margines. Judge Nakamura begins serving immediately as he is filling a vacant position for the term that ends December 31, 2017.
Judge Nakamura graduated from Duke University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 1980 and from the University of California, Irvine, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science in 1977, where he was a Chancellor’s Scholar. Judge Nakamura grew up locally in Orange County and attended Walt Disney Elementary School, Brookhurst Junior High School, and Savanna High School in Anaheim. Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Nakamura practiced civil litigation for 19 years.
He was appointed as Planning Commissioner for the City of Yorba Linda. He is past president of the Orange County Japanese American Lawyers Association and the Orange County Asian American Bar Association. He was also a director of the Orange County Bar Association and a member of the Duke Alumni Interview Advisory Committee.
Judge Nakamura was appointed to the Orange County Superior Court bench by Governor Gray Davis 2001. In his first assignment, he heard civil and criminal cases at the West Justice Center in Westminster. Since 2004, he has been assigned to the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana and has heard limited and unlimited civil cases.
As a judge, he has served as a member of the Superior Court Executive Committee, chair of the Temporary Judge Committee, chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, member of the Grand Jury Selection Committee, and member of the Jury Orientation Committee. He was an adjunct professor for Chapman Law School teaching Construction Law in 2004. He received the Outstanding Service Award from the Orange County Asian American Bar Association in 2008, the Constitutional Rights Foundation-Orange County Judge of the Year in 2010, and the Trailblazer Award from National Asian Pacific American Bar Association in 2011. He has presided over numerous mock trials for high school, college, and law students and has supervised more than 20 law school interns at the Court.

Presented by THE NEWPORT-HARBOR BAR ASSOCIATION

Judge Cheri Pham, will provide her observations about all aspects of felony trials from the Bench perspective.
Bring your questions, your friends and associates for this very informative presentation.

Wednesday Jan. 20, 2016 – 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
1 Hour MCLE (Networking from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. in the Palm Garden Room with a HOSTED BAR)

When & Where
DATE: Wednesday January 20, 2016
TIME: 5:30pm - 8:00pm
LOCATION: Radisson Hotel – Newport Beach
4545 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92660
COST: PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR DINNER PRICES HAVE INCREASED:
Member - $50 with RSVP
Member without RSVP - $55
Non-Member with RSVP and advance payment $55
Non-Member without RSVP pay at door $60
Sitting & Retired Bench Officers $45

Questions: Contact John R. Cogorno, President NHBA
(714) 892-2936
SEE YOU ALL THERE!!

Organization Description
The Public Law Center (PLC), Orange County's non-profit pro bono law firm, is
committed to providing access to justice for low-income residents. Through
volunteers and staff, PLC provides free civil legal services, including counseling,
individual representation, community education, and strategic litigation and advocacy to challenge societal injustices. Now in its 34th year of service, PLC works with more than 1,600 volunteer lawyers, paralegals and law students from throughout the county who volunteer their time and expertise.

The Immigration Unit provides assistance in the following areas: U visa, T visa,
asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, DACA, naturalization, and some
deportation defense. The staff attorney would be expected to provide assistance in these areas through direct representation and providing technical assistance to our pro bono volunteers.

Qualifications

• Active membership in the California State Bar
• Bilingual English/Spanish required
• 1-3 years demonstrated experience in immigration law, including case preparation,
  legal research, and client representation before USCIS and EOIR
• Demonstrated commitment to working with immigrant communities
• Excellent oral/written communication skills
• Strong public speaking skills and ability to train a variety of audiences, from
  clients to pro bono attorneys
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work independently
• Must have own transportation, valid CA Driver’s license, insurance and good
• driving record

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide direct legal services to low income clients in the areas of: SIJS petitions,
  asylum applications, U visa, T visa, DACA, and naturalization
• Help organize and coordinate immigration legal services through clinics and
  workshops throughout Orange County
• Provide training to pro bono attorneys and volunteers as needed
• Represent PLC at legal networking and community outreach events
• Full time position; occasional evening and weekend work required
• Other duties as assigned

Salary & Benefits

•  Salary dependent on experience
• Excellent benefits provided
• State and local Bar dues paid

Please submit resume, cover letter and writing sample (10 pages or less) to
glanda@publiclawcenter.org. Please no phone calls.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled

The OC HBA posts job opportunities for members. To read more postings, join now!

Revision #14 to the 2008 Edition of the Local Rules – Superior Court of California, County of Orange became effective January 1, 2016.  An electronic copy of the rules is available on the Court’s website at www.occourts.org or you may view them by clicking here.  Relevant rule changes are identified in the attached filing instructions.

Santa Ana, CA – Hon. Charles Margines, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, has extended the deadline to apply to be on the next Grand Jury to January 29, 2016. Judge Margines said, “The Court empanels a new 19-member Grand Jury each year to serve a one-year term that begins July 1. We are hopeful that by extending the application deadline, additional qualified individuals will apply, especially residents from the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Santa Ana and Westminster.”

The Grand Jury performs civil oversight of local government by reviewing and evaluating county, city, and other local agencies, including jails, schools, and special districts within Orange County. The Grand Jury writes a final report with its findings and recommendations for improvement. In addition, the Grand Jury considers evidence for possible indictment of individuals in criminal cases and reviews complaints submitted by citizens.

The current stipend for Grand Jury service is $50 per day, up to five days per week. The panelists receive reimbursement for mileage at the current County of Orange rate and free onsite parking.

Superior Court judges interview qualified applicants and choose the top candidates. Final selection of the 19-member Grand Jury is accomplished by a random drawing of the 25 to 30 nominees who represent a cross section of the County. Current members of the Grand Jury and their advisors provide training to the panelists.

The requirements to serve are:
• At least 18 years old
• United States citizen
• Resident of Orange County for at least one year
• Sufficient knowledge of English
• In possession of sound judgment and a sense of fairness

The application form and more information are available online at www.ocgrandjury.org, by calling 657-622-6747, or in person at the Jury Commissioner’s Office, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana.

Comments sought:
 
Sixteen (16) new proposals to amend the California Rules of Court and Judicial Council forms have been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm.
 
The attached list provides a summary of the proposals and contains direct links to each individual proposal. You are welcome to distribute this to any other interested parties. The deadline for comment is 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 22, 2016.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Camilla Kieliger, at camilla.kieliger@jud.ca.gov, or at 415-865-7681.