October 23, 2024 Dinner Meeting and Presentation

On the evening of October 23, 2024, the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court held its first program meeting of the 2024-2025 Program Year. The meeting was held at Loft 84 in Downtown Riverside. President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, Hon. Joshlyn “Josh” Pulliam, welcomed all new and returning members to the Inn.

Josh announced that the Deegan Inn has a scholarship program, to invite those who are interested in learning more about the American Inns of Court and becoming members to an upcoming presentation and the Deegan Inn will cover their meals. If you know anyone who would be a perfect fit for the Inn, please contact your team leader aka Judicial Master.

Josh advised Deegan Inn members that Project Graduate, a program of Riverside County Bar Foundation, is looking for educational representatives to assist foster students struggling to graduate from high school. Additional information can be obtained from Emeritus Member Alexandra Fong.

Olympic torches were placed on each of the tables, as were mini Olympic flags.

Team Vance (named after the adorable service dog who is pictured below) presented on their topic “Common Mental Health Issues” which provided all members with one hour of specialty credits in the field of competence. The team is comprised of Hon. Matthew Forsse (Judicial Master), Chris Heikaus Weaver (Attorney Master), Matthew Kraus(Attorney Master), Diane Mar Wiesmann (Attorney Master), Malvina Ovanezova (Barrister), Bryan Owens Sahagun (Barrister), Alejandro Barraza (Associate), Maryann Briseno (Associate), Michael Geller (Associate), and Krystle White (Associate). Team members spoke about their favorite Olympian, all of whom struggled with mental health issues.

Guest speaker and Olympic Champion Staciana Winfield (2000 Summer Olympics, 4 x 100 medley relay) spoke about mental health issues she faced in her life. You can learn more in her book, Stolen Dance: An Olympian’s Perpetual Search for Healing from Trauma and Grief.

If you or someone you know is suffering from mental health issues and want to speak with someone, please call or text 988. If you are an attorney, you may also call The State Bar of California's Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) at 877-LAP-4HELP or 877-527-4435), or send an email to LAP@calbar.ca.gov.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Deegan Inn members were invited to score the presentation from a ranking of 1 (worst) to 5 (best). The team and winning presentation will be announced at the September 2024 Orientation Meeting.

September 25, 2024 Orientation

On the evening of September 25th, the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court held its yearly orientation meeting at the RCBA’s Gabbert Gallery.  New and returning members enjoyed an informal social hour, just getting to know one another over light refreshments. 

Current President Hon. Joshlynn Pulliam (“Josh”) welcomed all members to the meeting and introduced two guest speakers, Hon. Jacqueline Jackson and Hon. Judith Clark.

Hon. Joshlynn Pulliam

Hon. Jacqueline Jackson was President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court during the Inn’s 25th Anniversary in the 2017-2018 Program Year. She spoke about the history of our Inn.

Hon. Jacqueline Jackson, Assistant Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court (January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024).

Past President of Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court

Hon. Judith Clark, Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court (January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024), spoke to the members about civility in the legal profession.

Hon. Judith Clark

Josh announced the Winning Team Presentation for the 2023-2024 Program Year, Team F•R•I•E•N•D•S of the Court. Congratulations!

Team F•R•I•E•N•D•S of the Court: Danielle Linker, Jeremy Roark, Maryann Briseno, Summer Devore, Hon. Jennifer Gerard, Bryan Owens Sahagun, Summer Devore, Dani Mouri (L-R)

Josh thanked Sherri Gomez, our former Executive Director, for all her years of services with the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.

The teams were announced and this year’s theme is The Olympics. Each team met separately, for the first time, to get started on how to present their topic.

Josh reminded the members that the next meeting of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court will be held at Loft 84 in Downtown Riverside on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Social begins at 5:30 p.m. with the dinner and presentation to begin at 6:00 p.m.

May 22, 2024 Dinner Meeting and Team Presentation

At the May 22, 2024 Dinner Meeting, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, Hon. Stefanie Field, welcomed all new and returning members to the Inn. The meeting was held at our new location at Loft 84, conveniently located in Downtown Riverside.

Commissioner Field reminded Inn members that Board elections were ongoing and that candidate statements for the sole Board position had been emailed to all active members. Ballots were on the tables and must be returned to the ballot box at the entrance in order to be tabulated and the winner announced by the end of tonight’s meeting.

Commissioner Field thanked many people who helped her throughout her tenure as President of the Inn, including L. Alexandra Fong, Emeritus of the Inn. Ms. Fong answered many of her questions and a lot of information regarding the history of the Inn, as well as assisted in the requirements to maintain Platinum Distinction in the Achieving Excellence program of the American Inns of Court. Commissioner Field announced that the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court was able to maintain Platinum Distinction, which was first achieved during Ms. Fong’s tenure as President of the Inn in the 2018-2019 program year.

Commissioner Field announced the winner of the Leo A. Deegan Outstanding Jurist Award, Hon. Irma Asberry, who has devoted the past seventeen years of her career to various community activities. Congratulations Judge Asberry!

Commissioner Field announced the winner of the Terry D. Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award, Jeremiah Raxter of Raxter Law, P.A. Jeremiah is chair of the Probate Section of the Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA) and active in many community efforts, including donating to Project Graduate, a philanthropic program of RCBA that assists foster youth in graduating from high school. Congratulations Jeremiah!

Commissioner Field announced the winner of the Biddle Book Award, Natalie Hollis of Holstrom, Block and Parke, APLC. Natalie received a book, chosen by the President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court. The book she received is My Own Words, by Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Congratulations Natalie!

Team “All In the Family” presented on Demystifying Implicit Bias and showed clips of Norman Lear’s “All in the Family” television series, featuring the Bunker family, including Archie’s racial ranking, bigots vs. liberals, and Edith’s worth.

After the team presentation concluded, Commissioner Field announced the winner of the Board elections, Malvina Ovanezova! Congratulations Malvina!

Commissioner Field reminded all Inn members that applications to return to the Inn for the 2024-2025 program year needed to be completed by July 15, 2024.

Commissioner Field passed the torch of the presidency to Judge Joshlynn Pulliam, who will be the Inn’s president for the 2024-2025 program year.

Judge Pulliam thanked Commissioner Field for all her hard work during the 2023-2024 program year and told the Inn members that she hoped to see them all return in the next program year.

Enrobement Ceremony of Commissioner Stefanie Field

On the morning of May 15, 2024, Stefanie G. Field, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court for the 2023-2024 Program Year, was sworn in as Riverside County Superior Court’s newest commissioner. Hon. John Vineyard administered the oath of office to Ms. Field.

Hon. Stefanie Field and Hon. John Vineyard

Commissioner Field’s family was present to watch the ceremony.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Stefanie Field!

Stefanie Field, Attorney Master and President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (2023-2024 Program Year), has been elected a Commissioner of the Riverside Superior Court. She will be sworn in on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in Department 1 of the Historic Courthouse and be assigned to Department 21 in the Hall of Justice.

Congratulations Stefanie!

March 27, 2024 Dinner Meeting and Team Presentation

At the March 27, 2024 Dinner Meeting, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (“The Deegan Inn”), Attorney Stefanie Field, welcomed all new and returning members to the Inn. The meeting was held at a new location, Loft 84, located in Downtown Riverside, within walking distance of the courthouses.

Stefanie began the evening with a somber announcement concerning the death of Hon. Mona Nemat’s son and announcement of his service, set for Saturday, March 30, 2024. Additional information regarding Adam Nemat can be found here:

Stefanie announced that the April and May meetings of The Deegan Inn will be held at Loft 84. April’s meeting will be focused on the Community Service Team and May’s meeting will consist of one hour of Implicit Bias credit, a new requirement for California attorneys, imposed by The State Bar of California.

Stefanie reminded Deegan Inn members that notices will be sent out to remind members of upcoming deadlines to express interest in returning for the 2024-2025 program year, as well as recruiting new members to the Deegan Inn. It is also the time of year to consider nominations for the Leo A. Deegan Outstanding Jurist Award and The Terry Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award. Please submit your nominations to any Board Member or Executive Director Theresa Collins.

After a brief break for the dinner buffet, Team Schitt$ began their presentation. Team Schitt$ is comprised of Hon. Jay Kiel (Judicial Master), Marlene Allen Murray (Attorney Master), D.W. Duke (Attorney Master) Michelanna Hrubic (Barrister), Jeremiah Raxter (Barrister), and Natalie Hollis (Associate). Each presented a clip of a scene from the television series Schitt$ Creek and spoke about different areas of the law in relation to the clip.

Multiple choice questions were posed to members of the Deegan Inn of Court and winning teams received a paddle. The team with the most paddles won Peeps.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Deegan Inn members were invited to score the presentation from a ranking of 1 (worst) to 5 (best). The team and winning presentation will be announced at the September 2023 Orientation Meeting.

Chamber Chats - Probate Law

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (“Deegan Inn”) hosted Chamber Chats, a continuing series of chats by Riverside County judicial officers to answer any questions our Inn members may have. Chamber Chats began in 2018-2019 program year, as the official mentoring program of The Deegan Inn.

Hon. Jacqueline Jackson, Assistant Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court, hosted the Chamber Chats in Hon. Kenneth Fernandez’ courtroom, which is located in Department 11 of the Historic Courthouse, located at 4050 Main Street, Riverside, California.

Picture credit to Steinberg Hart Designs, who restored the Historic Courthouse

Our Deepest Sympathies to Hon. Mona Nemat and Family

The members and Board of Directors of The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court extend their condolences to the Hon. Mona Nemat, Judicial Master, and her family for the loss of their beloved son and brother. The following statement was provided by Judge Nemat on a public post on Facebook:

There is no easy way to do this. On Friday night, March 22, 2024, our world was shattered. There was an accident. Our amazing 17 year old son, Adam Nemat, and some of his friends were riding a large golf cart in a dirt area behind a friend’s house when it flipped. Everyone was thrown out. Adam was in the front passanger side, and unfortunately, the cart landed on him. He passed away instantly. Our baby boy didn’t suffer. Fortunately, nobody else was hurt, at least not physically.

The outpouring of support has been tramendous. We hurt a lot. Unbearably a lot. It’s hard to breathe. But we hurt not only for ourselves and our family, but also for his friends who are likewise shattered. We love you guys.

Adam was so much more than his death. Here are some things about this amazing soul, who did so much good in such a short time:

He was kind, wild, always smiling, and beyond adventourous. He was a thrill seeker. He went bungee jumping and he thought himself how to snowboard, skateboard, and play the guitar.

He was the treasurer of the Thirst Project Club at Santiago, which raises awareness for the global water crisis.

He was the vice president of the Physics Club.

He was a big advocate of donating blood and helped run blood drives. He personally donated whole blood and power red since he turned 16.

He broke down over the sheer poverty he saw in South Africa and was considering how to help that region. Ali and he were talking about doing a Habitat for Humanity type trip this summer as their solo trip.

He spent time feeding those in need, both during Covid and through Unity.

He just wanted to make the world better.

He didn’t believe in a hierarchy- he didn’t think Unity should even have an e-board and everything should be done by collective agreement.

He refused to take prep classes for his AP exams, SAT, or get a coach for college applications because he genuinely and whole heartedly believed that it is unfair that people with resources can gain advantage in the process where someone just as intelligent or dedicated would miss out on their dream college simply because of their socioeconomic status. He didn’t even let anyone review his personal statements (to this day I don’t know what he said) because he didn’t want an unfair advantage. And again, not every one has parents educated enough to help with them.

He had a 1510 on his SATs, took seven AP exams, including two that he self studied for, and got 5s on several of them. He was set to take three more in May.

He had just received his acceptance to UC San Diego with a major in physics. He had a passion for physics and math. He was still waiting to hear from Berkeley and the Ivys.

Ali took him last weekend to get a tux fitted for senior prom. He was going to graduate on May 29th, with honors, a cord for Unity, a cord for being chief lab assistant for AP chem, and being a teaching assistant for AP physics.

He died three months to day of his 18th birthday, which would be June 22nd. He and I were going to go skydiving to celebrate. That has been planned since he was 15 and reaffirmed last week, much to my chagrin.

Instead…

We spent an excruciating 45 mins yesterday giving consent, body part by body part, for organ and tissue donation because he was a minor and that’s what he wanted. Through personal absolute torture, we carried out his wish.

People keep asking if we need anything. What we need, what we will never have again, is our baby boy.

We just don’t understand how we are expected to survive this.

Some amazing friends of mine have created a gofundme to continue his mission of making the world a better place. All proceeds will go to Unicef in Adam’s name. Here is a link if you are interested. https://gofund.me/76ac9cb0

I’m making this post public. Please feel free to share. He was loved by so many people - we just aren’t capable of personally informing everyone.

You may also view more of Judge Nemat’s courage at this video here and Adam’s story here.

Congratulations to Sophia Choi

Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court Member and Past President (2019-2020) Sophia Choi has been appointed a judge!

Sophia Choi, of Riverside County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Riverside County Superior Court. Choi has served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office since 2020 and has served as a Senior Deputy District Attorney since 2023. She served as a Deputy County Counsel at the Riverside County Counsel’s Office from 2007 to 2020. Choi earned a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John G. Evans. Choi is a Democrat.

The compensation for this position is $238,479.

CREDIT: Governor Newsom Announces Judicial Appointments 3.12.24

Joint Inn Meeting - The Wisdom of Walt

On the evening of Wednesday, February 21, 2024, The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (“Deegan Inn”) hosted the Joint Inn Meeting of the Inland Empire Chapters of the American Inns of Court. Members from The Hon. Joseph Campbell Inn of Court (“Campbell Inn”), Southwest Inn of Court (“Southwest Inn”) and The Warren Slaughter-Richard Roemer American Inn of Court (“Slaughter-Roemer Inn”) met at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture - Riverside Art Museum (“The Cheech”) to celebrate the second Joint Inn Meeting that has occurred since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cheech. Photograph courtesy of L. Alexandra Fong, Emeritus member and Past President of The Deegan Inn.

Prior to dinner, guests enjoyed light cocktails, served by Lavish Cocktails of Pomona, CA. Drinks were sponsored by The Law Office of Dawn M. Saenz.

Guests were also able to tour The Cheech’s exhibits before and after dinner.

Abram Feuerstein, Past President of the Deegan Inn, prepares to swing a stick to break the piñata. Photograph courtesy of L. Alexandra Fong, Emeritus member and Past President of The Deegan Inn.

Members of the Deegan Inn: Gabriel White (Vice President), Mary Reyna, and Abram Feuerstein (Past President). Photograph courtesy of L. Alexandra Fong, Emeritus member and Past President of The Deegan Inn.

The dinner buffet was catered by Taste of The Town Catering and featured the following assortment of dishes:

• Carved to order Cajun Rub Baron Of Beef AuJus served with creamed horseradish sauce;

• Fresh chicken breast lightly flour dusted, flat grilled and finished with a white wine tarragon sauce;

• Dried Cranberry Bacon & Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf;

• Baby red rosemary potatoes;

• Fresh sautéed vegetable medley with squash, zucchini, red pepper, red onions and baby carrots ;

• Baby Fields of greens salad with Romaine lettuce, angel hair carrots, Julian red peppers, finally shredded purple cabbage, cucumbers, heirloom cherry tomatoes, homemade ciabatta croutons and herb vinaigrette dressing;

• Assorted mini European desserts: mini eclairs, assorted French macarons, lemon bars, chocolate strawberries fondue, mini fruit tarts and red velvet cake pops.

Although the meal was buffet-style, servers were present to dish out the delectable delights to guests.

After guests were served and seated, Stefanie Field, President of the Deegan Inn, welcomed guests to the Joint Inn Meeting. She thanked the evening’s sponsors, JAMS, The Briseno Law Firm, Thompson & Colegate, and The Law Offices of Dawn Saenz for sponsoring the event. She also thanked the events committee for their assistance in planning the event. The events committee consists of Bryan Owens Sahagun, Jeremy Roark, Erica Alfaro, L. Alexandra Fong, Xinia Guerra, Danielle Linker, Michael Gouveia, and Vanessa Gomez.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Stefanie introduced Dr. Jeffrey Barnes, best-selling author of The Wisdom of Walt and Beyond the Wisdom of Walt. who provided an interesting discussion of the trials and tribulations endured by Walt Disney in his quest to open a movie studio and Disneyland.

Stefanie Field, President of the Deegan Inn, and Dr. Jeffrey Barnes. Photograph courtesy of L. Alexandra Fong, Emeritus member and Past President of The Deegan Inn.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the guests were able to view the exhibits throughout The Cheech.

Hon Les Murad (Administrative Law Judge with CAL-OSHA), Christopher Lockwood of Arias & Lockwood, and Timothy Ewanyshyn of La Quinta Law Group. Hon. Murad and Mr. Lockwood are members of The Campbell Inn. Mr. Ewanyshyn is a member of the Slaughter-Roemer Inn and President of the Desert Bar Association. Photograph courtesy of L. Alexandra Fong, Emeritus Member and Past President of The Deegan Inn.

Linda Carbajal (Southwest Inn of Court), Hannah Tavill (Hon. Joseph Campbell Inn of Court), and Hon. Gregory Tavill (San Bernardino Superior Court)

Guests were also able to purchase one or both of Dr. Barnes’ books.

Photograph courtesy of The Wisdom of Walt.

The Joint Inn Meeting was a success! Hope to see all of you at next year’s Joint Inn Meeting!

Chamber Chats - Family Law

On Thursday, February 15, 2024, The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (“Deegan Inn”) hosted Chamber Chats, a continuing series of chats by Riverside County judicial officers to answer any questions our Inn members may have. Chamber Chats began in 2018-2019 program year, as the official mentoring program of The Deegan Inn.

Hon. John Vineyard, a judicial master and Board Member of The Deegan Inn, invited members to his courtroom, which is in Department F501 of the Family Law Courthouse, located at 4175 Main Street, Riverside, California.

Hon. John Vineyard. Photograph courtesy of Malvina Ovanezova, Esq.

Courtroom personnel. Photograph courtesy of Malvina Ovanezova, Esq.

Members of The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court. Photograph courtesy of Malvina Ovanezova, Esq.

Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court to host Joint Meeting of the Inland Empire Chapters of the American Inn of Court

The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court will host the joint meeting of the Inland Empire Chapters of the American Inns of Court. Members from the Hon. Joseph Campbell Inn (San Bernardino), Southwest Inn (Temecula), and Richard Roemer-Warren Slaughter Inn (Desert) will travel to Downtown Riverside for the joint meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at The Cheech - The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, a public-private partnership between Riverside Arts Museum, the City of Riverside, and comedian Cheech Marin—one of the world’s foremost collectors of Chicano art.

Image Credit to Riverside Art Museum

Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court Seeks Sponsors for Joint Inn Meeting

The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court is seeking sponsors to help defray the costs of the Joint Inn Meeting. Please see the flyer for details.

December 6, 2023 Dinner Meeting and Team Presentation

At the December 6, 2023 Dinner Meeting, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, Attorney Stefanie Field, welcomed all new and returning members to the Inn. The meeting was held at our regular location, Canyon Crest Country Club, and was preceded with a social where the members mingled.

Stefanie introduced the Inn’s new Executive Director, Thelma Collins, who is a retired judicial secretary with the Riverside Superior Court. Stefanie reminded Inn members to check their emails, sent via the Inn Management System (IMS) to reply to a specific email address (Thelma’s) with your RSVP and meal selection. Please don’t “reply” to the original message because our emails are generated from IMS!

Stefanie announced the winning team of The Leo A. Deegan Best Team Presentation Award for the 2022-2023 Program Year, which was Team Dolly Parton (Community Service Team). The team members are Hon. Randall Stamen (Judicial Master), Diana Renteria (Attorney Master), Mary Reyna (Attorney Master), Matthew Kraus (Barrister), Dani Mouri (Barrister), Kimberly Prendergast (Barrister), Michelanne Hrubic (Associate) and Dawn Saenz (Associate). Congratulations Team Dolly Parton! Hon. Randall Stamen was present to accept the award on his team’s behalf.

Hon. Randall Stamen

Winning Team Presentation Award

Stefanie announced the winner of The Leo A. Deegan Award for Outstanding Jurist for the 2022-2023 Program Year. Normally, these are announced at the final meeting of the program year of the award, but due to delays and schedules, it was not announced until tonight. Hon. Mac Fisher was posthumously named the recipient of the award and his widow, Gretchen, was on hand to receive this honor.

Hon. Mac Fisher (August 26, 1952 – July 15, 2022). Judge of the Riverside Superior Court from 2007 - 2022.

Hon. Randall Stamen and Gretchen Fisher, widow of Hon. Mac Fischer

After the presentation of the awards, the team presentation began. Team Yada Yada Yada, led by Hon. Joshlyn Pulliam, introduced the team members and shared a tidbit about each team member’s favorite holiday snacks.

The team showed scenes from various sitcoms, including “All In The Family” and “Night Court.”

The five other teams were assigned holiday icons, to play a game to catch Santa Claus and answered trivia questions based upon the scenes from the sitcoms and the law, including the ADA, The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, The Civil Rights Act, and other areas of civil law. These holiday icons included a reindeer resembling Rudolph, a Snowman resembling Frosty, a penguin, hot cocoa, and a Gingerbread Man.

The winning team - Team Reindeer - won lottery scratchers after getting 9 spaces toward Santa. The other losing teams were not too far behind, with 5-7 spaces toward Santa.

After the team presentation concluded, President Stefanie Field had a few more reminders for Inn Members as follows:

• Riverside County Bar Association continues to seek Money Elves to donate funds towards purchasing holiday gifts, Shopping Elves to spend the donated funds to purchase holiday gifts, Wrapping Elves to wrap the purchased gifts, and Delivery Elves to deliver the purchased gifts. Contact RCBA for further details;

• The Joint Inn Meeting of the Inland Empire Chapters of the American Inns of Court will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the Riverside Superior Court - Historic Courthouse. Our keynote speaker will be motivational speaker Jeff Barnes.

• If any member is interested in being part of the committee to plan the joint Inn meeting, please contact Stefanie

Happy Holidays!

October 25, 2023 Dinner Meeting and Team Presentation

At the October 25, 2023 Dinner Meeting, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, Attorney Stefanie Field, welcomed all new and returning members to the Inn. The meeting was held at our regular location, Canyon Crest Country Club, and was preceded with a social.

Stefanie announced the winner of the Terry D. Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award for the 2022-2023 Program Year, Jeremy Roark of Holstrom, Block & Parke APLC. Jeremy has practiced in the field of family law for over 10 years and is a volunteer educational representative with Project Graduate. Congratulations Jeremy!

The announcement of the winner of The Leo A. Deegan Outstanding Jurist Award and the winning team for The Leo A. Deegan Award for Best Team Presentation for the 2022-2023 Program Year was deferred to another date, due to the delay in obtaining the awards from the trophy company.

After announcements concluded, dinner and the first team presentation began. Team Friends of the Court, led by Hon. Jennifer Gerard, presented on the sitcom “Friends.” Team members Maryann Briseno, Dani Mouri, Jeremy Roark, Bryan O. Sahagun, Summer DeVore, Danielle Linker, and Lauren Vogt dressed in costumes inspired by the Friends’ Halloween episode (officially, there was only one Halloween episode) - “The One With the Halloween Party.”

A query for our readers: Which team member dressed as Chandler Bing’s Pink Bunny?

Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing aka Big Pink Bunny in the Friends episode “The One With The Halloween Party.” RIP: Matthew Perry.

The answer to our faithful readers is…. Jeremy Roark!

Jeremy Roark, as the Big Pink Bunny, holding his Terry Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award

Close-up of award

At the conclusion of the presentation, Deegan Inn members were invited to score the presentation from a ranking of 1 (worst) to 5 (best). The team and winning presentation will be announced at the September 2024 Orientation Meeting.

Congratulations to Kelly Moran

Kelly Moran, Barrister member, has been elected a Commissioner of the Riverside Superior Court. She will take her oath of office and begin her new position on November 6, 2023.

September 27, 2023 Orientation

On the evening of September 27th, the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court held its yearly orientation meeting at the RCBA’s Gabbert Gallery.  New and returning members enjoyed an informal social hour, just getting to know one another over light refreshments. 

Current President and long-time member Stefanie Field spoke about the history of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.  Teams were announced for our group presentations, and teams drew lots to decide what month they will get to present.  Our theme for the year will be “Sitcoms,” with teams largely free to interpret that broad category as they please.  The exception is that one lucky team was assigned the specific task of putting together a presentation that will qualify for ethics credit for MCLE.  The teams then each met separately for the first time.

Painting of a hallway at the Historic Courthouse (Riverside County) displayed in the John Gabbert Gallery

Four Inn Members Installed as Officers of the Riverside County Bar Association

Four members of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court were installed as officers of the Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA) on Thursday, September 25, 2023. The installation ceremony was held in the Music Room of The Mission Inn.

The four Inn members installed are as follows:

• Kelly Moran, President of RCBA;

• Elisabeth Lord, Chief Financial Officer of RCBA;

• Goushia Farook, Secretary of RCBA; and

• Malvina Ovanezova, Director-At-Large (1st year) of RCBA.

In addition, one former Inn member (Megan Demshki) was installed at Vice President of RCBA. Congratulations to all!

May 24, 2023 Dinner Meeting and Team Presentation

President Hon. Jennifer “Jen” Gerard began the meeting by welcoming all Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (Deegan Inn) members to the meeting, which was held indoors at the Canyon Crest Country Club. Judge Gerard introduced our esteemed guest, Minh Tran, County Counsel for the County of Riverside and provided a brief biography of Minh.

Minh Tran, County Counsel

Picture credit

Judge Gerard announced the winners of the Biddle Book Award, Malvina Ovanezova of Schwartz, Godbey & Ovanezova and Danielle Linker of Bratton and Razo. In a surprise twist, both are family law attorneys! Each attorney received the book “The Happy Lawyer: Making a Good Life in the Law” by Nancy Levitt.

Danielle Linker and Malvina Ovanezova (L-R).

Judge Gerard reminded Inn members that Board elections were ongoing and introduced each of the five candidates for the two open attorney Board positions. Ballots were placed on each table for Inn members to vote for two candidates so that the winners could be announced at the end of the meeting.

After announcements, the team presentation began. Team Dolly Parton is comprised of Hon. Randall Stamen (Judicial Master), Mary Reyna (Attorney Master), Diana Renteria (Attorney Master), Matthew Kraus (Barrister), Dani Mouri (Barrister), Kimberly Prendergast (Barrister), Michelanne Hrubic (Associate), and Dawn Saenz (Associate).

Each member of Team Dolly Parton introduced themselves and provided a fun fact about him/her self.

The presentation began with Attorney Master Mary Reyna providing a biography of their team namesake.

Individual members of the team introduced various community service projects that the team participated in throughout the program year and speakers from each of those projects, including Rebirth Homes, UCR Career Center, Reaching New Heights Foundation

Sergeant Major Greg Coker (Reaching New Heights Foundation), Tami Thacker (UC Riverside Veterans Resource Center), Isabela Lacsina, Michelle Gomez, Sean Gill (UC Riverside Career Center), Debbie Martis (Rebirth Homes) and Hon. Randall Stamen (L to R)

Mary spoke about a program that is close to her heart, Musicians On Call. Join her in raising $500 to sponsor a hospital room for one year that a musician visits weekly. Click here to donate. If every Inn member donates $10 to this organization, Mary’s goal will be reached!

Inn of Court members entered a free raffle to win a Ride-A-Long with a Riverside Police Department officer, donated generously by Chief Larry Gonzalez. At the end of the presentation, a winner was drawn. Congratulations Christopher Ortega!

Hon. Randall Stamen and Christopher Ortega

At the conclusion of the presentation, Deegan Inn members were invited to score the presentation from a ranking of 1 (worst) to 5 (best). The team and winning presentation will be announced at the September 2023 Orientation Meeting.

Judge Gerard advised Inn members that the winners of the Outstanding Jurist Award and Outstanding Attorney Award, which can be found on our website, will be announced at the September 2023 Orientation Meeting.

Judge Gerard announced the winners of the election for the two open attorney positions on the board as Past President Abram Feuerstein and Kiki Manti Engel will no longer be board members as of June 30, 2023. The winners are Maryann Briseno and Jeremy Roark. Congratulations to both of you!

Jeremy Roark, Board Member beginning with the 2023-2024 program year

President-Elect Stefanie Field thanked Hon. Jennifer Gerard for her service to the Inn and presented her with flowers and a plaque.

Hon. Jennifer Gerard and Stefanie Field

Stefanie advised Inn Members that Hon. Matthew Forsee accepted the open judicial position on the board and an announcement would be forthcoming for the second judicial position on the board within the next few months.

See you all in a few months!

April 26, 2023 Dinner Meeting and Team Presentation

President-Elect Stefanie Field began the meeting by welcoming all Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (Deegan Inn) members to the meeting, which was held indoors at the Canyon Crest Country Club. Stefanie announced that the Board was accepting nominations for the Outstanding Jurist Award, and Outstanding Attorney Award. Prior winners can be found on our website.

After the announcements, Stefanie announced there are two attorney board positions open, as well as two judicial board positions available. If you are interested in the open position, please send an email to Sherri Gomez. 

Stefanie introduced the presenting team, Team Queens, and the team’s co-judicial masters, Hon. Joshlyn Pulliam and Hon. Carol Greene. Hon. Pulliam and Hon. Greene introduced the team members: Attorney Master Dwayne Beck, Attorney Master Kristine Borgia, Attorney Master Diane Mar Wiesmann, Barrister Kamola Gray, Associate Erik Oh, Associate Christopher Ortega, Associate Malvina Ovanezova, and Associate Bryan Owens Sahagun.

Team Queens began their presentation with the introduction to the movie Wayne’s World featuring the song Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen.

Attorney Master Mar Wiesmann introduced the theme of the group presentation, Bias in the Music Industry. Freddie Mercury, Queen, and Elton John were introduced as the first musicians or groups to break the homophobic stigma of the music industry.

 Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar in 1946, and moved with his family to England in 1964.  He was a founding member and lead singer of the rock group "Queen." Mercury was the subject of a biopic, "Bohemian Rhapsody." Mercury died in 1991 of AIDS, only three days after publicly announcing he was afflicted.

Mercury named the band "Queen" because he thought it sounded regal. He designed the logo, which remains the same today, to include lions, a crab and fairies to represent the astrological signs of the founding members:  Leo, Cancer, and Virgo.

 Queen is known for its fusion of heavy metal and glam rock, and received a number of honors:  In 2001, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and later "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You" and "We are the Champions" were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Sir Elton Hercules John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947 in Pimmer, Middlesex, Great Britain. He was raised primarily by his mother and maternal grandmother.  He lived at home and wrote his music until he had four albums simultaneously in the American Top 40.

 John wrote "Philadelphia Freedom" for his friend Billie Jean King's World Team Tennis (WTT) team, the "Philadelphia Freedoms."  He founded the "Elton John AIDS Foundation" in 1992 after losing two friends, Freddie Mercury and Ryan White, to AIDS.  The Foundation raised over $600 million to support HIV-related programs in 55 countries.

 John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.   In addition to five Grammy Awards, he won an Oscar for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King and other awards for Best Original Score for Aida, and "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman, the biopic of his life.

Hon. Joshlyn Pulliam and Hon. Carol Greene then hosted the game “Name That Tune.”  The rules were that Team Queens would play a song, while providing up to three hints.  Each table/team was provided with a rainbow flag.  Each team designated a flag bearer to waive the flag for the table.  When someone from the table recognized the song, the first group to waive their flag had the chance to name the song and win a prize.  For each song named correctly, each team received a scratcher lottery ticket as the prize.  There were four rounds of name that tune, with three songs at each round, for a total of 12 songs.

Between each round of “Name That Tune,” Deegan Inn Members learned about bias within the legal profession and the community. Attorney Master Beck and Barrister Gray presented on HIV/AIDS and Long COVID-19 as disabilities. The penultimate movie about HIV/AIDS is “Philadelphia.”

Attorney Master Mar Wiesmann and Associate Ovanezova spoke about Bias in the Music Industry, touching upon Taylor Swift and her legal issues and Rap & Stigma of Sexuality & Sexual Orientation/ Identification.”

Associate Sahagun spoke about the Gender Tax Repeal Act of 1995, (Cal. Civ. Code, § 51.6) and what businesses were affected by the act and provided examples of who violates the act.  Finally, Mr. Sahagun explained the remedies for any violations.

Riverside County became the battleground for the Gender Tax Repeal Act.

Subsequently, there was a backlash to the “Pink Tax” and the state attempted to expand the gender tax repeal act with AB1576 and SB320. Currently, the Pink Tax has been modified by AB1287 (Effective January 1, 2023), which adds Civil Code, § 51.14.

Associate Ortega and Attorney Master Borgia discussed “Court Matters and Queen.”

Associate Ortega and Attorney Master Borgia started the section with the copyright infringement case between the Estate of Freddie Mercury and the charity initiative, “Go Go Gorilla.”  The dispute involved a gorilla sculpture dressed like Freddie Mercury without obtaining permission from the Estate of Freddie Mercury.  Go Go Gorilla’s sculpture was dressed in the distinctive yellow and white suit worn by the late rock star, Freddie Mercury, which the estate claimed was an unauthorized use of the late Freddie Mercury’s image and likeness.

Team Queens concluded their presentation with the music video “We are the Champions” by Queen.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Deegan Inn members were invited to score the presentation from a ranking of 1 (worst) to 5 (best). The team and winning presentation will be announced at the September 2023 Orientation Meeting.