John Van de Kamp sworn in as
bar’s 80th president
Former Attorney General John Van de Kamp, who at 68 has devoted nearly his entire adult life to public service, took yet another oath last month as State Bar president and immediately set out to raise both public and lawyer perception of the bar and the legal profession.

State Bar moves to enforce rule requiring mediators to maintain active practice status
Santa Cruz mediator Chip Rose keeps his law license active because some of his work entails tasks that require him to wear an attorney hat. But he doesn’t much like the idea that if one is a mediator who happens to be an attorney, active status is a necessity.

For a career spent defending the underdog, Henderson receives Bernard Witkin Medal
If one is judged by the company he does and doesn’t keep, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson believes he has a right to be proud. “I consider it a badge of honor to have the enemies I have,” said Henderson, who didn’t name names in a recent interview but who was well known as one of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s impeachment targets in the late 1990s.

What every business lawyer needs to know about outsourcing
As outsourcing becomes more widespread, lawyers are increasingly likely to find themselves enmeshed in preparing, reviewing or negotiating – or resolving disputes regarding – outsourcing agreements. Here are the basics that every business lawyer should know about outsourcing agreements.

In a second career, special education advocate wins
Jack Berman Award
The convergence of personal circumstances and a progressive curriculum led to a 180-degree turn in Margaret Adams’ career. A well-established commercial real estate consultant, Adams decided to go to the University of San Diego School of Law “to advance and do something a little bit different in real estate.” But just as she was beginning her studies, the medical issues that had plagued her younger daughter since infancy began showing themselves as serious learning difficulties.

Diversity awards go to Judge Takasugi, L.A. Lesbian & Gay Lawyers Association
Los Angeles is home this year to the individual and bar association recipients of the 2004 Diversity Awards presented annually by the State Bar of California. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Takasugi received the Individual Diversity Award and the Lesbian & Gay Lawyers Association of Los Angeles received the Bar Association Diversity Award.

57 law students win Foundation scholarships
As president of Whittier Law School’s Public Interest Law Foundation, third-year student Katherine David spends up to 20 hours a week helping raise money to enable other students to accept summer placements in public interest work. A fund-raising auction she headed last year raised $42,000 that provided grants for 15 students.

Three honored for commitments to public law,
women and children
Longtime public lawyer Roderick E. Walston received the 2004 Public Lawyer of the Year Award last month in recognition of his contributions to the fields of water law, natural resources and environmental law.

148 longtime legal specialists honored
Lillian Wyshak, a California attorney for 48 years, has completed her coursework towards a PhD in art history at UCLA and three months of field work in Egypt. Her resume includes membership in numerous professional and public service organizations. And last month, she was one of 22 certified legal specialists who were honored for 30 years in the State Bar’s specialist program.

Ethics update
Highlights of recent developments in attorney professional responsibility, including new cases, advisory ethics opinions, pending legislation and proposed rule amendments.

Online Exhibit Hall
The businesses and services listed here support the State Bar through various means, most notably as exhibitors at the State Bar's Annual Meeting. Visit them online or via phone to serve your individual needs.