South Dakota measure puts judges
on edge
While much of the nation is focused on who will win control of Congress in this month’s midterm elections, the state of South Dakota has become an unlikely testing ground for a judicial accountability measure that opponents charge will destroy the rule of law. And because it was written by a North Hollywood man who has tried unsuccessfully three times to place the measure on the ballot in California, it has state jurists worried that they may be targeted next. UPDATE: South Dakota judicial measure defeated.

Fee statements mailed this month;
Feb. 1 deadline
State Bar fee statements for 2007 will be mailed this month to all California attorneys, and all fees must be paid online or postmarked by the statutory due date of Feb. 1.

Bar diversity effort moves to a higher level
Determined to put a laser-like focus on achieving diversity in the legal profession, State Bar leaders and members of the bar’s Pipeline Task Force are asking the board of governors to replace five legal access committees with one council that would dedicate itself to recruitment, retention and advancement of underrepresented groups.

Former jurist Elwood Lui receives Witkin Medal
Justice Elwood Lui, partner-in-charge of the San Francisco office of Jones Day and a former municipal, superior and appellate court judge, received the State Bar’s Bernard Witkin Medal last month for his significant contributions to the quality of justice and legal scholarship.

Cancer patients are this lawyer’s pro bono focus
Health issues aren’t always the thorniest concerns of cancer patients. Legal rights frequently come into play in such areas as insurance, employment discrimination, child custody and estate planning. As an extern with the Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) during her Loyola Law School days, Christine Hayashi learned of the legal issues facing cancer patients, their families and caregivers and health care professionals and helped people work through them.

Pro bono honors for lawyers dedicated to helping needy
Sept. 11, 2001, galvanized Shirin Sinnar. A Stanford University law student at the time, Sinnar and a handful of other Muslim students had heard worrisome stories about hate crimes, employment discrimination and inappropriate government interrogations of Muslim community members in the wake of the terrorist attacks. In response, the Bay Area Association of Muslim Lawyers (BAAML) was born within weeks of 9/11, with Sinnar as its first president.

2006-07 Exhibitor Directory
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.

Sheldon Sloan (L) was sworn in as the 82nd president of the State Bar last month by Chief Justice Ronald George.