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.