May 25, 2022 Dinner Meeting and Team Presentation

President Abram “Abe” Feuerstein began the meeting by welcoming all Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (Deegan Inn) members to the meeting, which was held indoors at the Marriot Hotel (Convention Center) in Riverside, CA. All members are welcome to attend in person or virtually.

Abe introduced members to Caryn Worcester, American Inn of Court’s Director of Chapter Relations, was a guest of the Deegan Inn. Caryn announced that the Deegan Inn achieved Platinum Status for the 2021-2022 program year. Congratulations to the Board of Directors for maintaining Platinum Status, which was first achieved in the 2018-2019 program year.

Abe introduced L. Alexandra Fong, past president, who announced the recipient of the Leo A. Deegan Outstanding Jurist Award, Hon. Craig Riemer. Alexandra gave a short biography of Judge Riemer’s many accomplishments. Judge Riemer gave an inspiring speech, thanking the membership and the Board for this award. Congratulations Judge Riemer!

Hon. Craig Riemer, Judge of the Riverside Superior Court (2003-present)

Abe introduced Board member, Joshlynn Pulliam, who announced the recipient of the Terry D. Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award, Richard Quintino, a deputy public defender for the County of Riverside. Mr. Quintino gave an inspiring speech, recounting his early days as an attorney and recalled a quote from the dean of his law school “You are only as good as your case and your client. You are only as good as your reputation.” Congratulations Richard!

Richard Quintino, Deputy Public Defender for the County of Riverside

Abe announced the recipient of the Biddle Book Award, Matthew Forsse. Matthew is a solo practitioner, practicing in the field of family law. Abe presented Matthew with the book “American Speeches: From Abraham Lincoln to Bill Clinton” and a gift card to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Congratulations Matthew!

Award Winners: Hon. Craig Riemer, Richard Quintino, and Matthew Forsse (L-R)

Abe announced that the Board of Directors for the Deegan Inn voted to award Emeritus Status to L. Alexandra Fong, a past president of the Deegan Inn, for her long and distinguished service to the Inn. Alexandra joins only 18 other attorneys and judges (including the founders of the Deegan Inn) as an Emeritus member. Congratulations Alexandra!

Elections for an open position on the Board of Directors took place. Five members of the Deegan Inn were running for one open attorney position: Erica Alfaro, Michelanne Hrubic, Jeremy Roark, Dawn Saenz, and Daniel Shahidzadeh. The two attorneys who were present for the meeting, Erica and Michelanne, introduced themselves to the members and explained why they were running for the position. Hon. Irma Asberry accepted the open judicial position on the Board of Directors. Members are encouraged to cast their votes and provide them to the Administrator, Sherri Gomez, before the end of the evening so the votes could be tallied and the winner announced tonight!

Team Ricky Fowler, the Deegan Inn of Court’s Community Service team, presented on the community service activities that the team participated in. Team Ricky Fowler consists of Attorney Master Diana Renteria, Barrister Kristine Borgia, Barrister Aaron Chandler, Barrister Kimberly Prendergast, Associate Goushia Farook, Associate Danielle Linker, Associate Christopher Ortega, Associate Malvina Ovanezova, Associate Jeremiah Raxter, and Associate Bryan O. Sahagun.

These activities included:

Coaching the Mock Trial Team of Notre Dame High School (2021-2022), who ultimately won the championship for Riverside County and placed fourth at the state championships. Over 3000 schools competed throughout the state and, at the state finals, the winning teams from 36 counties presented People v. Cobey, the trial of Jamie Cobey, a horticulturist living in the community of Burnsley, California, a semi-rural town in the high desert, who is charged with the homicide of a neighbor;
Participating as Elves (Money, Shopping, Wrapping, and Delivery) for Riverside County Bar Foundation’s (Foundation) Elves Program in December 2021;
Speaking at a conference with UC Riverside students interested in a career in the legal field;
Packing food at Riverside Food Co-Op, which is a member owner grocer and brings members the best of Riverside’s local food, and saves them an early morning trip to the farmers' market;
Volunteering with Riverside Legal Aid to provide legal services to indigent clients;
Organizing a clothing drive and making meals for those in need at the Calvary Presbyterian Church in Riverside;
Volunteering with Under Patrick’s Wings, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving back to the community and providing support to families that are grieving the loss of a child. The organization provides memory boxes, meals, and aid to those families;
Volunteering with Inland Empire Latino Lawyers Association to provide legal services to indigent clients;
Volunteering with Girls on the Run Riverside, which inspires ALL girls to build confidence and make intentional decisions, while fostering care and compassion for self and others. Trained coaches use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional and physical skills in every girl while encouraging healthy habits for life;
Speaking at a Youth Empowerment Summit in May 2022;
Participating in the May 2022 “All Aboard the Orient Express” fundraiser for Project Graduate, which included volunteering to set up the event and donating a gift basket to be auctioned off during the silent auction. One member of the community service team, Jeremiah Raxter, also donated three estate plans which were auctioned off and raised half the amount that was earned from the silent auction!

Jeremiah Raxter, Diana Renteria, and Kristine Borgia, shopping for needy families as part of The Elves Program, a program of Riverside County Bar Foundation, Inc.

Kristine and her family shopping for gifts as part of The Elves Program.

Making meals for individuals at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Riverside, CA.

Kristine and two members of the Deegan Inn of Court coach the champions of the Riverside County Mock Trial Competition, Notre Dame High School!

Packing memory boxes for Under Patrick’s Wings

Team Ricky Fowler donated a basket to the Project Graduate fundraiser, held on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Three of its team members, Goushia, Danielle, and Christina also volunteered to assist in the set-up for the fundraiser.

At the conclusion of the presentation, 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 2022 Orientation Meeting.

At the end of the evening, Abe announced the winner of the Board election. Congratulations to Michelanne Hrubic!