February 24, 2021 Meeting

On the evening of February 24, 2021, Team Bit-O-Honey presented on the movie “The Judge” (2014) starring Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shepard and Billy Bob Thornton. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was conducted virtually, via Zoom.

Prior to the presentation, Team Bit O’Honey shipped out bumper stickers with the phrase “99% of Bad Lawyers Give the Rest A Bad Name” and Bit-O-Honey candy snacks to Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court members.

Team Bit-O-Honey is comprised of Abram Feuerstein (USTP), Marlene Allen Murray, Wendy Seto, Kristen Holstrom, Kelly Moran, Gabriel White, Eric Oh, and Malvina Ovanezova.

Attorney Master Abram Feuerstein (USTP) introduces the members of Team Bit-O-Honey to the Inn members.

Clips of various scenes from “The Judge” are shown and ethical dilemmas are shown during the presentation..

Team Bit-O-Honey presentation began with a brief summary of the movie by Attorney Master Wendy Seto. The audience is introduced to attorney C.P. Kennedy (portrayed by Dax Shepard), who also dabbles in antiquities.

Barrister Gabriel White presented on the ethical topic of “Fitness as a Judge or Lawyer“ and referenced the California Rules of Professional Conduct, the California Code of Judicial Ethics, and the American Bar Association Model Rules.

Attorney Master Marlene Allen Murray presented on the topic of “Voir Dire” (Jury Selection) and discussed the ethics related to this important procedure.

Barrister Kelly Moran and Associate Malvina Ovanezova presented on the topic of “Relationships with Opposing Counsel.” They discussed attorneys’ professional obligations under the California Rules of Professional Conduct and also provided other resources on civility.

Barrister Kristen Holstrom and Associate Erik Oh presented on the topic of “Relationships with Clients.” They discussed attorneys’ professional obligations under the California Rules of Professional Conduct as well as how to deal with difficult clients.

Attorney Master Abram Feuerstein (USTP) discussed the satisfaction of one’s legal career and hobbies that attorneys could undertake in their spare time (painting, learning a foreign language, and reading).

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 May 2021 meeting.

Team Bit-O-Honey presents "The Judge" - MCLE on February 24, 2021

Team Bit-O-Honey will explore the movie “The Judge” in its MCLE presentation

January 27, 2021 Meeting

On January 27, 2021, Team Undeniably Amazing Feldman and Fućík presented on “The Movie Denial and Ethical Boundaries.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was conducted virtually, via Zoom.

The team drew inspiration from the movie “Denial” (2016), a biographical film based upon Deborah Lipstadt's book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier (2005), where Ms. Lipstadt, a Holocaust scholar, was sued for libel by David Irving, a Holocaust denier. The movie stars Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall, Andrew Scott, Jack Lowden, Caren Pistorius and Alex Jennings.

Team Undeniably Amazing Feldman and Fućík is comprised of Hon. Irma Asberry, Angela Viramontes, Aaron Chandler, Sophia Choi, Kamola Gray, Kristine Borgia, Megan Demshki, Goushia Farook, and Michelanne Hrubic.

The team introduced an English barrister, who explained the differences between British and American legal professionals. The English barrister also explained the differences between a solicitor and a barrister and displayed the wigs that a barrister has to wear in court.

The team discussed the differences in American and British law, with respect to libel, as the burden of proof is on the defense to prove that the claims and statements are substantially true.

The team also discussed the ethical duties of an attorney, including confidential communications with a client and compensation from one other than a client. This discussion included whether the client should testify at trial.

During each segment of presentation, the audience (Inn of Court members) were invited to answer questions by texting a number with their answers. The responses showed up during the presentation. The audience was also invited to play BINGO with various key words displayed on the BINGO board. Two lucky winners received Riverside County Bar Association lapel pins.

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 May 2021 meeting.

The Movie Denial and Ethical Boundaries - MCLE on January 27, 2021

Team Undeniably Amazing Feldman and Fućík will explore the movie “Denial” in their MCLE presentation.

Platinum Status, 2019-2020 Program Year

The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court has achieved Platinum Status for the 2019-2020 program year. This is the second program year that the Inn has achieved Platinum Status.

Platinum Status recognizes “outstanding efforts in effective administration, communications, program development, mentoring, community outreach, and participation in the American Inns of Court movement.” Congratulations to the Board and all our members for the 2019-2020 program year!

December 2, 2020 Meeting

On December 2, 2020, Team Thurgooders presented on their movie “Marshall” (2017), a biographical film about Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Thurgood Marshall. The movie stars Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, Dan Stevens, Sterling K. Brown, and James Cromwell and focuses on one of the first cases of his career, State of Connecticut v. Joseph Spell.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was conducted virtually, via Zoom.

The title of Team Thurgooders’ presentation is “No Easy Way: Thurgood Marshall’s Fight for School Desegregation and Its Impact on the Riverside Unified School District.” Team Thurgooders is comprised of Hon. Jennifer Gerard, Richard Majchrzak, Mark Mellor, Chris Heikaus Weaver, Dani Mouri, Erica Alfaro, Christopher Ortega, and Bryan Sahagun.

The presentation began with a description of the case State of Connecticut v. Joseph Spell and a biography of Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. The trailer from Marshall was shown to the audience.

In order to capture the Inn members’ interest, Jeopardy! America’s Favorite Quiz Show® was played. The teams were given the answers and the teams had to come up with the correct question in response. The categories were “The Marshall Court,” “Marshall the Movie,” “School Desegregation,” “The Life of Marshall,” and “Race and Criminal Justice.”

The presentation was dedicated to the memory of Chadwick Boseman (1976-2020), star of “Marshall” and Alex Trebek (1940-2020), the longtime host of “Jeopardy!”

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 May 2021 meeting.

No Easy Way: Thurgood Marshall's Fight for School Desegregation...MCLE on December 2, 2020

Team Thurgooders will explore the movie “Marshall” in their MCLE presentation.

October 28, 2020 Meeting

On October 28, 2020, the Inn held its first full meeting of the 2020-2021 program year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was conducted virtually, via Zoom. The team “It’s in All of Us (to Do the Right Thing),” led by Judge Randall Stamen, gave a presentation entitled “The Evidence Is in Your Blood,” which took the movie “Dark Waters” as its starting point.

Team members include Kiki Manti Engel, Elisabeth Lord, Mary Reyna, Rebecca McKee, Kimberly Prendergast, Mona Nemat, Christina L. Godbey, and Dawn Saenz. Guest speaker Professor Brian Craig presented on an aspect of Riverside history with environmental and legal themes, which he wrote about in his book “Stringfellow Acid Pits: The Toxic and Legal Legacy.”

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 May 2021 meeting.

The Evidence Is In Your Blood - October 28, 2020 MCLE

Team It’s In All of Us (to do the right thing) will explore the movie “Dark Waters” in their MCLE presentation.

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

Six members of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court were installed as officers of the Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA) today, September 26, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the event was socially distanced and viewers were invited to witness the installation ceremony via Zoom.

The six Inn members installed are as follows:

• Sophia Choi, President of RCBA;

• Kelly Moran, Chief Financial Officer of RCBA;

• Megan Demshki, Director-at-Large of RCBA (2nd year);

• Aaron Chandler, Director-at-Large of RCBA (1st year);

• Elisabeth Lord, Director-at-Large of RCBA (1st year);

• Goushia Farook, Barristers President.

In addition, two former Inn members (Neil Okazaki and Jack Clarke, Jr.) were installed as officers of RCBA. Congratulations to all!

2020-2021 Program Year Orientation

On September 23, 2020, the Inn held its orientation for new members for the 2020-2021 program year. Due to the pandemic, the orientation was held virtually, via Zoom. New members were introduced to the Board, and to one another. Our Inn’s current president, Judge Eric Keen, shared a video of his presentations of the Outstanding Jurist Award to Judge John Vineyard, the Outstanding Attorney Award to Stuart Sachs, and the Hon. Douglas E. Weathers Award to Steve Harmon. Judge John Monterosso spoke on “The Meaning of Civility.” The theme chosen by the Board for the program year’s team presentations —”Stay at Home and Watch a Recent Legal Movie”—was announced to the membership.

Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court Member Invited to Join National Youth Community Outreach Project Task Force

Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court Member and Attorney Master L. Alexandra Fong (President, 2018-2019) has been invited to join the American Inns of Court Youth Community Outreach Project Task Force. This new national task force is focused on community outreach efforts for a youth audience and provides an opportunity to be involved in the American Inns of Court as a leader on a national scale, and to inspire the community outreach efforts of Inns around the country.

This new—and very important—endeavor meets one of the American Inns of Court’s strategic goals of promoting partnerships among Inns and their communities, thereby positioning the American Inns of Court as a recognized leader in promoting professionalism, civility, respect, and ethics.

The goal of the project is to create a framework that any Inn in the United States could use to partner with their local school district to deliver the same type of educational program, with the ability to customize for local and state laws. Not only would this “program-in-a-box" promote partnerships among Inns and their communities; it would also make it easier for Inns to adopt this as a community outreach initiative, thus upholding the values of the American Inns of Court as well as adding value to their members’ experience.

Ms. Fong is the only Inn member from California invited to join this task force. This task force began August 1, 2020 and is expected to be retired by July 31, 2021.

2020 - 2021 Board Members Take Office

On July 1, 2020, the 2020-2021 Board Members of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court officially took office. The Board is comprised as follows:

President:  Hon. Eric Keen

President-Elect:  Abram Feuerstein

Vice President: Hon. Jennifer Gerard

Secretary-Treasurer: Stefanie Field

Financial Secretary:  Gabriel White

Members-At-Large:  Hon. Randall Stamen, Kiki Manti Engel, Joshlyn Pulliam

Past President:  Sophia Choi

The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court is now accepting applications

The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court is now accepting applications for membership. Current members of the Inn who wish to return are also required to apply for membership, as membership in one program year does not guarantee membership in another program year.

Membership applications can be found on our website under “Documents” or follow this link:

https://deeganinnofcourt.org/membership-application

The Terry D. Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award Winner Announced

The Board of Directors of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court is pleased to announce that Stuart V. Sachs has been chosen to receive the Terry D. Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award. This 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 Board of Directors of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court determines the recipient of this award, based upon nominations received in the program year from Inn members. The award recipient is not required to be a current member of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.

Mr. Sachs retired from the Riverside County Public Defender’s Office after a long and distinguished career. Rather than riding off into the sunset, Mr. Sachs continues working as a defense attorney for the Conflicts panel in Riverside County. He also volunteers his time with Riverside County Bar Association.

Congratulations Mr. Sachs!

The Leo A. Deegan Outstanding Jurist Award Winner Announced

The Board of Directors of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court is pleased to announce that Hon. John Vineyard (Riverside Superior Court) has been chosen to receive The Leo A. Deegan Outstanding Jurist Award. The criteria for being nominated is as follows: 

• The jurist exemplifies and demonstrates exceptional and superior judicial conduct and demeanor. 

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

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

Presiding Judge Vineyard has taken the court through tough times, including the closure of most of the court for three months due to to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

Since the remaining meetings for the 2019-2020 program year were cancelled due to the pandemic, the award will be presented at the September 2020 Orientation.

Congratulations Judge Vineyard!

Board Election Results

Members of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court cast their vote electronically, using Simply Voting. Each member received a unique log-in identification code, linked to their email address.

Results were tallied and a new member of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court board was elected. Congratulations Joshlyn Pulliam!

Board Elections for the 2020-2021 Program Year

There is one open position as a member-at-large of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court. Elections are ongoing and the candidates are:

• Erica Alfaro of State Compensation Insurance Fund

• Megan Demshki of Aitken Aitken Cohn

• Joshlynn Pulliam of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office

• Dawn Saenz of The Law Offices of Dawn Saenz

Elections will be conducted virtually and every member of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court for the 2019-2020 Program Year should receive their ballot this week.

Stay tuned for results!

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic results in cancellation of March - June meetings

The March to June meetings of the 2019-2020 program year of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court has been cancelled, due due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting orders made by the State of California (stay-at-home) and the orders of the Riverside County Public Health Officer (stay-at-home and ban on gatherings).

Please check your emails for further information.

Chambers Chat—Civil Law

On February 26, 2020, during the lunch hour, in Department 7 of Riverside Superior Court, Hon. Randall Stamen, together with Hon. Irma Asberry, Hon. Chad Firetag, and Hon Carol Green, hosted a chambers chat dedicated to the discussion of civil law matters.  This was the third of four scheduled chambers chats planned for the Inn’s 2019-2020 program year.