• B U L L E T I N • - San Bernardino County Bar Association

6 San Bernardino County Bar Association May 2010President’s Desk (from page 2)agreement, such as District 6 counties hadfor a number of years, San Diego wouldhave enough votes to fill both seats onthe Board of Governors and the InlandEmpire counties would literally haveno voice at the State Bar level. A moredetailed discussion of the proposal andits ramifications is in J’Amy Pacheco’sarticle in the April 19 edition of the SanBernardino Bulletin. If you have not hada chance to see it, I commend it to yourreading.Several members of our Bar haveexpressed valid concerns that theproposed redistricting will only furtherdisenfranchise the Inland Empire fromparticipation at the State Bar. I can tell youthat if this measure is ultimately approved,Riverside President Harry Histen andI will endeavor to work out a rotationagreement with San Diego and ImperialCounty Bar representatives.Public comment on the proposal mustbe received by May 14, 2010 and shouldbe directed to Pat Bermudez, Office ofGeneral Counsel, State Bar of California,180 Howard Street, San Francisco,California 94105.Bar Business and Coming EventsApril was a busy month for Bar eventsand May is shaping up to be an evenbusier one. The Bench-Bar Symposiumon civil practice issues was held on April8. San Bernardino County Superior CourtPresiding Judge Douglas Elwell gaveus an update on the state of the courts.(Please see page 9 for a full report on thissegment of the symposium.) It was excitingto hear that construction of the new Countycourthouse in San Bernardino is slatedto begin next January. Construction isexpected to take about two years and theproject is “on schedule and under budget.”Justice Thomas Hollenhorst gave a talkon the Appellate Court’s tentative opinionprogram. Judge Donald Alvarez discussedlaw and motion issues with emphasis onrecent cases in the areas of attorney-clientand work product privileges and summaryjudgment motions, Judge Joseph Briscodiscussed writs of mandate and WayneTucker talked about alternative disputeresolution and civil practice.On May 4, the annual Red Mass will beheld at 6:00 p.m. at St. Francis de SalesCatholic Church in Riverside. FormerAssistant U.S. Attorney John Rayburnis slated to receive the St. Thomas MoreAward at a reception following themass. All members of the legal and lawenforcement communities are encouragedto attend.On May 6 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.,the Inland Empire Counties Legal Servicesand Public Service Law Corporation ofthe Riverside County Bar Association willco-host a wine and cheese benefit evententitled “Celebrating Equal Access toJustice.” It will include wine tasting anda silent auction and it takes place at theRiverside City Grier Pavilion, 3900 MainStreet, 7th Floor. Tickets are only $20per person. For more information, contactAnnette Johnson at (951) 368-2532 /ajohnson@icls.org.On May 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.,the Joseph B. Campbell Inn of Courtwill hold its monthly meeting and wherethe topic will be “Effective Advocacy inADR.” Also on May 12, the High DesertBar Association’s probate section willhold a noon meeting at the Victorville GolfCourse. I understand Attorney JeanneKennedy will talk about certificates ofindependent review.On May 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.,the Bar Association will hold the Bench-BarSymposium on family law practice issuesat the San Bernardino Hilton. Judge Elwellwill present his usual update on the state ofthe courts and I understand CommissionersDavid Proulx, Michael Gassner,Michael Torchia and Diane Andersonare the scheduled speakers, as is RobinSherman-Young, Director of Family andChildren Services. The topics will includethe Elkins’ Commission Report and childsupport modifications.On May 20, the Inland Empire LegalAssociation of Women, in celebration ofits first anniversary, will hold an eventfeaturing United States District CourtJudge Virginia Philips. The event willtake place at the San Bernardino Hiltonfrom 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.On May 25, the Federal Bar Association,Inland Empire Chapter, will hold its11th Annual Constitutional Law Forumfeaturing Dean and distinguished professorof law Erwin Chemerinsky. This eventwill be held at the San Bernardino Hiltonfrom noon to 1:30 p.m.Finally, the annual Kaufman/CampbellAwards dinner will take place on May27 at the San Bernardino Hilton wheretwo outstanding judges from the InlandEmpire, James C. McGuire and J.Michael Welch, will be honored.I encourage all of you to make plans toattend one or more of these events and getto know more of your colleagues.Lastly, be sure to mark your calendarsfor the Bar Association’s annual meetingwhich will take place in June at noonat the San Bernardino Hilton. Also, theannual Bar Association golf tournamenthas been scheduled for Friday, October22 at Shandin Hills Golf Course in SanBernardino. This is always one of ourbiggest social events of the year.