John
Van de Kamp takes the helm
The cluttered study in John Van de Kamp’s Pasadena home bears witness
to a life lived in the public eye. The walls are covered with photos of his
years either in elected office or working for the government: the swearing-in
ceremony when he became district attorney of Los Angeles, a White House photo
with President Johnson, a framed newspaper article.
‘Noblest’
in the profession win pro bono awards
A coalition of bar groups and law firms assisted fire victims in the aftermath
of last year’s deadly San Diego County wildfires. A judicial staff attorney
who serves in the California State Military Reserve prepared wills and handled
other legal matters for 2,500 deploying soldiers at no charge. And a Los Angeles
law firm devoted hundreds of hours of pro bono legal services to help improve
the working conditions for laborers in the garment industry. These are just
a few of the attorneys honored with the 2004 State Bar President’s Pro
Bono Service Award.
‘Status
quo never enough’ for Loren Miller winner
Although Bruce Iwasaki was born after his Japanese-American parents were interned
during World War II, their experience in the concentration camps was a formative
part of his life. His mother was sent to Arizona, his father to Wyoming. They
rarely spoke of that time, but “they were, with no reason to be, ashamed,”
Iwasaki said recently.
Abused
seniors turn to Alameda court for help
The terrified, elderly woman stood facing the judge. From the other side of
court, her son angrily shouted that he could speak for his mother, that she
wanted to drop the case. But Alameda County Superior Court Judge Julie Conger
recalls looking directly into the frightened woman’s eyes and saying:
“I want to hear from you.”
Lawyers
who scaled dues pay another $273,000
Nearly 2,800 of some 20,000 active lawyers who scaled their 2004 membership
fees based on financial hardship have reviewed their scaling under statutory
criteria and have sent an additional $273,000 in dues to the State Bar.
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