News

You are invited to apply to be a TMBA Law School Ambassador ("LSA"). At least one TMBA LSA will be selected from Chapman University, Fowler School of Law, Western State College of Law, and University of California, Irvine School of Law.

Deadline to apply is September 30, 2018.

Find out more here: https://www.thurgoodmarshallbarassociation.org/page-18059

The American Bar Association (ABA) is conducting a focus group study for women of color (WOC) who have JDs and who have been out of law school for at least 15 years to assess the unique career dynamics facing women lawyers of color and to help identify key personal and structural factors that fostered or impeded their success in the legal profession. This study is part of a larger ABA Presidential Initiative, "Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in Law," that is approaching the topic of women's career trajectories in law from multiple angles.

As part of this project, focus groups will be conducted in Chicago, Atlanta, New York/New Jersey, and Los Angeles in the fall of 2018. For more information about the general scope of the ABA's research efforts, please click here.

Women of Color Focus Group Study Details

We are recruiting participants who self-identify as Women of Color and who are practicing or have practiced law and who graduated law school at least 15 years ago (Class of 2003 or earlier) to participate in 2 hour focus groups about their experience in the legal profession to be conducted in Chicago, Atlanta, New York/New Jersey, and Los Angeles in the fall of 2018. We are looking for women who are still practicing law, as well as women who were practicing law but have left the legal profession. Participants will have an opportunity to win a $100 Amazon gift card for their participation – one gift card will be awarded for each focus group and will be determined by a random drawing of session participants after each session.

City and Dates for Focus Groups
Chicago: September - mid October
Atlanta: August 30 - 31, 2018
NYC/NJ: September 24 - 26, 2018
Los Angeles: October 25 - 27, 2018

If you are interested in participating and/or would like to receive more information about the study, including times and locations of the focus groups, please contact the researchers, Destiny Peery, JD/PhD, and Ivory Mills, candidate for JD/PhD, at nulawsocialcognition@gmail.com. You are not agreeing to participate by emailing, so please don't hesitate to reach out with any interest or questions. Also, feel free to pass this information on to any individuals who fit the participation criteria and who may be interested in participating.

https://www.americanbar.org/…/office_o…/advisorycouncil.html

September 14, 2018

The Waterfront Hilton Beach Resort Hotel

Huntington Beach

Honoring Judge James Perez

RSVP to 714-841-3131 or sunserilaw@verizon.net.

http://www.cacd.uscourts.gov/news/changes-local-rules-proposed-become-effective-december-1-2018

The Rules and Forms Committee of the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, has proposed revisions to the Local Rules of Court.  Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 10.613, the Court invites you to comment on the following proposed changes to the local rules.  If approved, the proposed changes will be effective January 1, 2019.
 
Revised Local Rule 180 – Photographing, Recording and Broadcasting in Court.  The proposed revisions will allow the public to use their own cameras or other photographic equipment (e.g. cell phones) to photograph publicly available documents in the clerk’s office or at a court kiosk and only permit public access to view and/or photograph trial exhibits if there is a signed court order.
          
New Local Rule 185 – Civil Appellate Brief Electronic Service Pilot Project.  The proposed rule will allow the court to conduct a one-year pilot project consenting to accept electronic mail service of civil case appeal briefs filed in the appellate court.
 
New Local Rule 603.07 – Request for Bond Waiver.  The proposed rule will enable the court to make better informed decisions when determining whether a request for waiver of bond for an appointed personal representative should be granted.
 
Attached please find copies of the proposed revised and new rules, which are also posted on the Superior Court’s website at Invitation to Comment. A comment form is attached to download and submit comments by paper format, it is also available online.  All comments concerning a proposed rule must be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 1, 2018.
 
Comments submitted by U.S. mail should be directed to:
 
Honorable Ronald Bauer
Chair, Rules and Forms Committee
Superior Court, County of Orange
P. O. Box 1994
Santa Ana, CA 92702-1994
 
A hard copy of any proposed rule is available upon request.
 
Please contact me if you require additional information.
 
Best Regards,
 
Sheri
 
Sheri A. Bull
Lead Staff, Rules and Forms Committee
Judicial Assistance Group (JAG)
P: 657-622-7872
E: sbull@occourts.org

New proposals have been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm.
 
Item Number: SP18-12
Criminal: Rules and Forms: Qualification of Counsel for Appointment in Death Penalty Appeals and Habeas Corpus Proceedings (adopt rules 8.601 and 8.652, amend rule 8.605; amend rule 8.600 and renumber as 8.603)
Summary: The Proposition 66 Rules Working Group is proposing amendments to the rule relating to the qualifications of counsel in death penalty appeals and habeas corpus proceedings, including moving to a new rule the provisions regarding the qualifications of counsel in death penalty–related habeas corpus proceedings. These proposed rule changes are intended to fulfill the Judicial Council’s obligation under Proposition 66 to reevaluate the competency standards for the appointment of counsel in death penalty direct appeals and habeas corpus proceedings.
 
Item Number: SP18-13
Criminal: Criminal and Appellate Procedure: Superior Court Appointment of Counsel in Death Penalty–Related Habeas Corpus Proceedings (adopt rules 8.654 and 8.655; and adopt forms HC-100 and HC-101)
Summary: The Proposition 66 Rules Working Group is proposing the adoption of two new rules and two new forms relating to the superior court appointment of counsel in death penalty–related habeas
corpus proceedings. These proposed rules and forms are intended to partially fulfill the Judicial Council’s rule-making obligations under Proposition 66 by providing procedures for superior courts to determine if an attorney meets the minimum qualifications for counsel in death penalty–related habeas corpus proceedings and to appoint such counsel for indigent persons subject to a judgment of death.
 
You are welcome to distribute this to any other interested parties. The deadline for comment is 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 24, 2018.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Benita Downs, at benita.downs@jud.ca.gov, or at 415-865-7957.

The law firm of Kimura London & White LLP is now open for business. Joshua M. Kimura, William O. London, and Darrell P. White join forces to provide high-quality legal representation and results to the Southern California community and beyond. Based on the belief that lawyers have an important civic role as facilitators of the law and legal system, the firm will provide hourly, flat fee, and contingency fee structures. The firm’s headquarters are located at 3 Park Plaza in Irvine, CA.

Kimura London & White LLP concentrates on five main areas:

• Business
• Real Estate
• Personal Injury
• Estate Planning and Administration
• Litigation

Mr. White has represented national restauranteurs, logistics companies, financial institutions, and manufacturers in high-stakes litigation. He recently obtained a dismissal for a national distributor of sporting equipment in Proposition 65 litigation, where the Plaintiff sought more than $67.5 million. After spending nearly a decade at prominent national and local law firms, Mr. White saw the need for cost-effective, results-oriented advocates. “The opportunity to team up with Josh and Bill was one I could not pass up. Our collective expertise provides the firm with a platform for growth in the Southern California market as well as out of state. With competitive market rates and fierce advocates, our clients can expect efficient and effective legal representation.” Mr. White is an active leader in the Orange County legal community and currently serves as the President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County.

Fluent in Mandarin, Mr. London has emerged as go-to legal counsel for Chinese businesses entering the United States market. He recently represented, and closed, the purchase of a $65 million commercial building in Los Angeles. Mr. London has experience in entity formation, contracts, employment, purchases and sales, mergers and acquisitions, and all major phases of business transactions.

Joshua Kimura is a highly effective trial attorney. He recently negotiated a $4 million dollar settlement in a catastrophic injury case on the first day of trial. Mr. Kimura has recovered more than $10 million for his clients since September 1, 2014. While diligently fighting for his clients, Mr. Kimura prides himself in guiding clients through the high-stress and often emotional experiences associated with their cases. He focuses his practice on catastrophic injuries and wrongful death matters.

For additional information, please visit: www.klw-law.com or contact (949) 474-0940

jkimura@klw-law.com, wlondon@klw-law.com, dwhite@klw-law.com.

Comments sought:
 
The Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions has approved for posting for public comment its 33st release of proposed revisions and additions to the civil instructions (CACI). This release includes proposed new and revised instructions including some revocations and renumbering, in response to developments in the law over the last six months. The committee is 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.
 
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 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
 
The deadline for receiving comments is Friday, August 31, 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
 
Bruce Greenlee, Staff Attorney: Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions
Legal Services | Leadership Services Division
Judicial Council of California
455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102-3688
415-865-7698 | bruce.greenlee@jud.ca.gov | www.courts.ca.gov

The HBA congratulates Sheila O. Recio on her appointment to a judgeship in the Orange County Superior Court. The HBA Judicial Evaluation Committee interviewed Ms. Recio and the Board endorsed her application for appointment. We are delighted that the Governor saw what we did: a committed and dedicated judicial officer. We wish the soon-to-be Judge Recio the very best as she embarks on this new journey.

From the Governor's press release:
 
Sheila O. Recio, 46, of Long Beach, has served as a commissioner at the Orange County Superior Court since 2016. She served in several positions at the Orange County Superior Court from 2005 to 2016, including deputy general counsel, senior research attorney and counsel to the presiding judge. She was an associate at Morrison and Foerster from 2000 to 2005 and a research attorney at the Los Angeles County Superior Court from 1998 to 2000. Recio earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Thierry P. Colaw. Recio is a Democrat.
 
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2018/07/20/governor-brown-appoints-12-superior-court-judges/