Team Jackie Robinson presents "Sports and the Law: Representing the Professional Athlete"

On Wednesday, March 23, 2022, the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (“Deegan Inn”) held its monthly meeting. Due to the ongoing threat of COVID and its different strains, the Board of Directors for the Deegan Inn decided to hold the meeting virtually, via Zoom, and all Inn members were provided the details to log-in.

The meeting began with announcements by Abram Feuerstein, President of the Deegan Inn. Abe thanked the Inn members for being present via Zoom and introduced himself to guests during this night’s “Open House” for prospective members. He informed the members that April’s meeting will be held live at the Canyon Crest Country Club in Riverside, California.

L. Alexandra Fong, former President of the Deegan Inn (2018-2019) reminded attendees of the May 12, 2022 fundraiser for Project Graduate, “All Aboard the Orient Express.” The event will be held at the Riverside Community Players Theatre, located at 4026 14th Street, Riverside, CA 92501. Additional details were provided as well as a copy of the flyer requesting patronages and silent auction items.

Ms. Fong also announced that tickets for the “All Aboard the Orient Express” social were also available for sale and provided a copy of the flyer.

Ms. Fong also discussed the importance of Project Graduate to the community. Project Graduate is a collaboration between Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA) via its charitable foundation Riverside County Bar Foundation, Inc. (“Foundation”), Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), and the Riverside Superior Court (“Court.”)

RCBA provides and trains members to become educational representatives of foster youth (serviced by DPSS) who are struggling in high school. Each month, the Court holds an educational calendar to meet with the Project Graduate participants and their educational calendars to review their status in school and see what the foster students need in order to graduate from high school with a plan for a successful future. Incentives are provided to the students when they improve their grades, participate in extracurricular activities, etc. Such incentives are made possible by the fundraisers held by the Foundation and the donations of its members.

After additional announcements were made, the presentation began.

Attorney Master L. Alexandra Fong, leader of Team Jackie Robinson, reminded each audience member to take out their gift boxes, containing peanuts and Cracker Jack. Ms. Fong introduced each of the team members. Team Jackie Robinson consists of Attorney Master L. Alexandra Fong, Attorney Master Richard Majchrzak, Attorney Master Mary Reyna, Barrister Jean-Simon Serrano, Barrister Gabriel White, Barrister Keith Fredric Willis, Associate Erica Alfaro and Associate Dawn Saenz. Each team member provided an interesting fact about themselves, relating to sports. Each team member wore a Dodgers baseball jersey or shirt embroidered with the number “42” and Jackie Robinson’s name on the back and had a black and white photograph of Ebbets Field in New York as their Zoom background.

A short intermission occurred, at which time “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” performed by Carly Simon was played. Footage from a Dodgers vs. Braves baseball game was shown.

Gabriel provided a riveting biography of Jackie Robinson, set against footage of Jackie Robinson throughout the years.

Alexandra introduced a panelist of speakers: former professional athlete and current Deegan Inn member Aaron Chandler, Motocross sports agent and attorney Steve Aldaco, and California Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (2018) Stan Morrison. Aaron and Steve were present “live” via Zoom, while Stan’s interview was pre-taped.

Erica provided an interesting biography of Aaron Chandler, accompanied by photos of Aaron in his professional soccer (football in Europe) days. Aaron answered questions from Alexandra, Richard, and the audience of Inn Members and guests. The questions included, but are not limited to, the reasons for Aaron choice of agent in the U.S., why he changed agents when he played in Europe, what services his agent provided, and the reasons he gave up playing professional soccer.

Photograph courtesy of University of San Francisco, circa 2004.

Jean provided a fascinating biography of Steve Aldaco and his sports management agency, Aldaco Management Group, based in Temecula, California. Steve answered questions from Keith, Erica, and the audience. The questions included, but were not limited to, who Steve represented, how he helped his clients, what services he provided to his clients, and ethical considerations relating to poaching clients.

Steve Aldaco, Esq.

Mary provided a gripping biography of Stan Morrison. Stan was interviewed by Dawn and this segment of the presentation was pre-taped due to Stan’s unavailability to attend in person.

Stan Morrison, picture credit to La Sierra University

The presentation concluded with a video of Vin Scully, the voice of Dodgers baseball, explaining why the number “42” was important.

Before the night was over, Dawn drew a winner of this Jackie Robinson trading card.

Jackie Robinson Trading card donated by Dawn Saenz, Esq.

Congratulations to Kelly Moran for winning the trading card!

Video of the presentation Sports and the Law: Representing the Professional Athlete

Team members are invited to send Executive Administrator Sherri Gomez their vote (1 to 5) for the presentation. The winning team for Best Team Presentation will be announced at the September 2022 Orientation.