Deegan Inn of Court

Riverside, CA

May 22, 2019 Dinner Meeting and Announcements

May 27, 2019  /  Alexandra Fong

At the final meeting of the 2018-2019 Program Year, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, L. Alexandra Fong, welcomed the members and introduced special guests as follows:

  • Caryn Worcester, Director of Chapter Relations for the Western Region of the American Inns of Court;

  • Brian Unitt of Holstein of Taylor & Unitt

Ms. Fong announced the recipient of the Terry Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award. The Terry D. Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award honors an attorney for his or her professional accomplishments and contributions to the legal community. The criteria for being nominated for this award is as follows: 

  • The attorney exemplifies and demonstrates exceptional and superior legal and professional skills and conduct. 

  • The attorney participates in programs improving the legal profession and system of justice. 

  • The attorney gives back to the community-at-large.

The recipient of the award for the 2018-2019 program year is Brian Unitt of Holstein, Taylor & Unitt. Brian is the chair of the Project Graduate Steering Committee, which helps foster children graduate from high school with a plan for the future. After accepting the award, Brian made a few remarks.

Brian Unitt, recipient of the 2018-2019 Terry Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award, and L. Alexandra Fong, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.

Brian Unitt, recipient of the 2018-2019 Terry Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award, and L. Alexandra Fong, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.

The members were reminded that elections for the three (3) open attorney positions on the 2019-2020 Board of Directors was open. Four candidates - Kiki Manti Engel, Stefanie Field, Diana Renteria, and Gabriel White - spoke about why they wanted to be members of the Board of Directors.

After the Community Service Team presented on the projects they were involved with during the 2018-2019 program year, Ms. Fong made additional announcements.

The recipients of the Louise Biddle Book Award were named. The Biddle Book Award is given to an outstanding attorney who exemplifies the goals of the Inn and for her professionalism and dedication to the legal community. The award is in memory of Louise Biddle, former executive director of the Inn and the Riverside County Bar Association. 

Laurie Burns (Juvenile Defense Panel - Riverside) and Goushia Farook (Law Offices of Shauna M. Albright) were chosen by the Board of Directors to be the recipients of the Louise Biddle Book Award for the 2018-2019 program year. Each attorney received a copy of Justice in Plain Sight: How A Small Town Newspaper and Its Unlikely Lawyer Opened America’s Courtrooms. The book was autographed by author Dan Bernstein, editor Mel Opotowsky, and their “unlikely lawyer” Justice James Ward (Ret.).

Cover of the Book

Cover of the Book

Goushia Farook, Laurie Burns, and L. Alexandra Fong (L-R)

Goushia Farook, Laurie Burns, and L. Alexandra Fong (L-R)

Election Winners: The newest members of the Board of Directors are: Kiki Manti Engel, Stefanie Field, and Gabriel White. Congratulations!

Hon. Bambi Moyer, President-Elect of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, presented Ms. Fong with an award for her service to the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.

Hon. Bambi Moyer, President-Elect, and L. Alexandra Fong, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court for the 2018-2019 Program Year.

Hon. Bambi Moyer, President-Elect, and L. Alexandra Fong, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court for the 2018-2019 Program Year.

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