Memorial Service for Emeritus Member Hon. Dallas Holmes

On March 25, 2025, Hon. Dallas Holmes passed away. He was a past president of Riverside County Bar Association and an Emeritus Member of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court. A copy of his obituary can be found here.

A memorial service will be held on April 11, 2025 at 1:00pm at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Riverside. A reception to follow at The Barn at UC Riverside.

Should you wish to, please consider a gift to the Dr. Harry and Ethel Silver Scholarship Fund at the UC Riverside Political Science department at donate.ucr.edu/honordallasholmes

Enrobement Ceremony of Hon. Jeremiah Raxter

On the afternoon of April 7, 2025, Jeremiah Raxter, Barrister of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, was sworn in as Riverside County Superior Court’s newest commissioner. Hon.Kenneth Fernandez administered the oath of office to Mr. Raxter.

The afternoon began with an introduction by Judge Fernandez. Then it was time for the enrobement to begin.

Hon, Kenneth Fernandez administers the oath of office to Jeremiah Raxter.

The oath of office: I, Jeremiah Raxter, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

After the administration of the oath, Hon. Jeremiah Raxter said a few words.

Hon. Jeremiah Raxter

Congratulations Jeremiah! He will be assigned to the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta in Department S-104. He begins his new assignment on April 8, 2025.

Celebration of Life for Emeritus Member Hon. Barton Gaut on April 27, 2025

Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court Emeritus member Hon. Barton C. Gaut died peacefully at his home in Riverside on February 10, 2025, at the age of 89.

His obituary may be read here.

A celebration of life will be held at the UC Riverside alumni center on April 27, 2025 at 3 pm.

March 26, 2025 Dinner Meeting and Presentation

At the March 26, 2025 Dinner Meeting, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (“Deegan Inn”), Hon. Joshlynn “Josh” Pulliam, welcomed all new and returning members to the Inn. The meeting was held at our regular location, Loft 84, and was preceded with a social where the members mingled.

Josh reminded Inn members of the upcoming social on April 23, 2025, where past and present members can mingle and hear stories about the Deegan Inn’s past, present and future. Deegan Inn members may invite any attorneys they believe would be interested in joining the Deegan and believes in the American Inns of Court’s core mission of civility, professionalism, ethics and excellence.

She also reminded Deegan Inn members of the upcoming Chamber Chats in Probate Law (set for the next day, March 27th) and the Civil Law chat hosted by Hon. Eric Keen (President of the Deegan Inn in 2020-2021) on April 9th. Please remember to RSVP to the Deegan Inn’s Executive Director, Thelma Collins.

Nominations are open for The Leo A. Deegan Inn Award for Outstanding Jurist and The Terry D. Bridges Award for Outstanding Attorney. Nominations are due April 20, 2025.

Team Pride and Prejudice presented on their topic of the night - Olympic Discrimination Throughout The Ages. The presentation began with Olympic News Channel anchors, Jean-Simon Serrano and Linda Carbajal.

There were three additional teams of two who traveled to the past - the 1930s, the 1972 Olympics and the Black September hostage crisis, 2012 Paralympics, and the upcoming 2026 Olympics in Milano Cortina, and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Other Deegan Inn members were involved when questions were posed to the audience. Medals were handled out.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Deegan 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 2025 Orientation Meeting.

Chamber Chats - Probate Law

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (“Deegan Inn”) will host Chamber Chats, a continuing series of chats by Riverside County judicial officers to answer any questions our Inn members may have. Chamber Chats began in 2018-2019 program year, as the official mentoring program of The Deegan Inn.

The Chamber Chats will be held in Dept. 11 of the Historic Courthouse located at 4050 Main Street., Riverside, CA.

Lunch will be provided.  If you plan on attending please send your RSVP to collinsthelma055@gmail.com

Picture credit to Steinberg Hart Designs, who restored the Historic Courthouse

Congratulations to Jeremiah Raxter

Jeremiah Raxter, Barrister of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, has been elected a Commissioner of the Riverside Superior Court. He will be sworn in on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Department 1 of the Historic Courthouse. He will be assigned to the Southwest Justice Center, Department S104.

Enrobement Ceremony of Commissioner Malvina Ovanezova

On the afternoon of March 17, 2025, Malvina Ovanezova, Board Member of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, was sworn in as Riverside County Superior Court’s newest commissioner. Hon. Bernard Schwartz administered the oath of office to Ms. Ovanezova.

The festivities began with an introduction by Hon. Jacqueline Jackson, Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court and a past-president of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (president in the 2017-2018 program year). Judge Jackson spoke about the process of becoming commissioner. When the recruitment began, there were 75 applicants. Ten candidates were interviewed and a list was created.

Catherine Schwartz, Ms. Ovanezova’s former law partner, spoke highly about Ms. Ovanezova. Then it was time for the enrobement to begin.

Malvina Ovanezova and Hon. Bernard Schwartz, prior to the oath of office.

Hon. Bernard Schwartz administers the oath of office to Malvina Ovanezova.

The oath of office: I, Malvina Ovanezova, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

After the administration of the oath, Hon. Malvina Ovanezova said a few words.

Newly enrobed Hon. Malvina Ovanezova.

Congratulations Malvina! She will be assigned to the Riverside Juvenile Court in Department J-4 off County Farm Road. She begins her new assignment on April 1, 2025.

Joint Inn Meeting - From Legal Titan to Infamy

On the evening of Thursday, February 27, 2025, The Southwest Inn hosted the Joint Inn Meeting of the Inland Empire Chapters of the American Inns of Court. Members from The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (“Deegan Inn”), The Hon. Joseph Campbell Inn of Court (“Campbell Inn”), and The Warren Slaughter-Richard Roemer American Inn of Court (“Slaughter-Roemer Inn”) met with members of the Southwest Inn at Vienza Winery at Europa Village in Temecula Wine Country to celebrate the third Joint Inn Meeting that has occurred since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former U.S. Attorney Ali Moghaddas, who was the lead prosecutor in the landmark USA v. Thomas Vincent Girardi trial, presented at the Joint Inn Meeting.

Members of the Deegan Inn that were present include, but are not limited to, Alejandro “Alex” Barraza, Maryann Briseno, Malvina Ovanezova, Mary Reyna, and Jeremy Roark.

Congratulations to Malvina Ovanezova

Malvina Ovanezova, Barrister and Board Member of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, has been elected a Commissioner of the Riverside Superior Court. She will be sworn in on Monday, March 17, 2025 in Department 1 of the Historic Courthouse. Her assignment has not yet been determined.

Picture credit to Riverside County Bar Association / Michael Elderman

The Joint Meeting of the Inland Empire Chapters of the American Inns of Court

On February 27, 2025, the Southwest American Inn of Court will host the joint meeting of the Inland Empire Chapters of the American Inns of Court. The Inland Empire Chapters consist of Leo A. Deegan American Inn of Court (Riverside), Honorable Joseph B. Campbell American Inn of Court (San Bernardino), Warren Slaughter-Richard Roemer American Inn of Court (Indian Wells) and Southwest American Inn of Court (Temecula).

From Legal Titan to Infamy: An Evening to Remember will be held at the Vienza Winery at Europa Village in Temecula Wine Country, located at 41200 Via Europa, Temecula, California from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Interested Leo A. Deegan American Inn of Court members. An evening of cocktails, dinner, and an exclusive presentation by former U.S. Attorney Ali Moghaddas, who was the lead prosecutor in the landmark USA v. Thomas Vincent Girardi trial.

Ali Moghaddas, image courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office.

RSVPs to the event are due by February 3, 2025 to our Inn’s Executive Director, Thelma Collins via email to:  collinsthelma055@gmail.com.

No payment is due, as the cost is covered by your already paid dues.

January 22, 2025 Dinner Meeting and Presentation

At the January 22, 2025 Dinner Meeting, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, Hon. Joshlynn “Josh” Pulliam, welcomed all new and returning members to the Inn. The meeting was held at our regular location, Loft 84, and was preceded with a social where the members mingled.

Josh provided information about The Pegasus Scholarship. The Pegasus Scholarship is an exchange program, wherein young American Inn of Court members visit London for four to six weeks to learn about the English legal system and young English barristers visit the United States for four to six weeks to learn about the American legal system. The deadline to apply for the American Inns of Court is Monday, January 27, 2025.Additional information can be found on the American Inns of Court website.

Josh announced that the Joint Meeting of the Inland Empire Chapters of the American Inns of Court, which will be hosted by The Southwest Inn of Court, will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Temecula, California. A formal announcement will be sent via email. RSVPs are due by February 3, 2025 to Executive Director, Thelma Collins at collinsthelma055@gmail.com.

Josh reminded Inn members that if they know anyone interested in learning more about our Inn, to please invite them to an upcoming dinner meeting. She thanked several interested individuals for attending today’s dinner meeting and presentation. The theme of this year’s presentations is “Olympics and the Law.”.

Team Rings of Fire presented at tonight’s meeting. Team Rings of Fire is comprised of Hon. John Vineyard (Judicial Master) Kamola Gray (Attorney Master), Dani Mouri (Attorney Master), Gabriel White (Attorney Master), Trevor DeBus (Barrister), Xinia Guerra (Barrister), Michelanne Hrubic (Barrister), Lauren Cohen (Associate), Shane Duncombe (Associate), and Janinda Gunawardene (Associate)..

The presentation began with the 1994 Olympics controversy involving Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding, the first American woman to land a triple axel in competition.

The next presenters spoke about Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) and a clip from Out to Punch (1956) featuring a boxing match between Popeye and Brutus was shown.

A brief discussion about the World Anti-Doping Agency was held.

The final segment of the presentation was about gender controversies in the Olympics with the most recent issue occurring at the 2024 Olympics, in the sport of female boxing, involving Algeria's Imane Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting.

Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, left, and Algeria's Imane Khelif have competed in boxing competitions as women for years. But their presence in Paris is being scrutinized by some after they failed a vague gender eligibility test last year.

John Locher/AP and Aijaz Rahi/AP; from NPR website.

Team Rings of Fire

At the conclusion of the presentation, Deegan 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 2025 Orientation Meeting.

December 4, 2024 Dinner Meeting and Presentation

At the December 4, 2024 Dinner Meeting, President-Elect of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, Attorney Gabriel “Gabe” White, welcomed all new and returning members to the Inn. The meeting was held at our regular location, Loft 84, and was preceded with a social where the members mingled.

Gabe made a few announcements about the upcoming Inn year, including our April 2025 social where current Inn members can invite attorneys who they believe would be interested in joining the Deegan Inn to mingle with other attorneys and judges in an informal setting. He also reminded those Inn members who had not yet paid their full dues to do so immediately!

Gabe introduced Commissioner Stefanie Field, the judicial master for Team Raygun. The presenting team consists of Commissioner Stefanie Field, Attorney Master Marina Dini, Attorney Master Diana Renteria, Mary Reyna, Barrister Jeremiah Raxter, Barrister Daniel S. Shahidzadeh, Barrister Joseph Torri, Associate Sandra Lattouf, and Associate Zion Maffeo. The team spoke about Athlete Qualification and Disqualification, which was part of the overall theme for the 2024-2025 program year, Olympics and the Law.

The presenting team, showing off their Olympic spirit.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Deegan 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 2025 Orientation Meeting.

Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court History - Award Winning Program: Effective Jury Selection Techniques

The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court was founded on April 3, 1992 by Sharon Waters, the Honorable Robert J. Timlin, Stanley Orrock, James Heiting, and Terry Bridges. During the 1992-1993 program year - its first full program year, the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court won Seventh Place in the American Inns of Court Program Awards, for its program “Effective Jury Selection Techniques.”

Hon. Craig Riemer (Ret.) provided the VHS on which the program was recorded. Milestone Media in Riverside, California, digitized the VHS tape with a generous donation by L. Alexandra Fong, Emeritus.

A copy of the submission to the American Inns of Court may be viewed here.

The video may also be viewed here.

October 23, 2024 Dinner Meeting and Presentation

On the evening of October 23, 2024, the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court held its first program meeting of the 2024-2025 Program Year. The meeting was held at Loft 84 in Downtown Riverside. President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, Hon. Joshlyn “Josh” Pulliam, welcomed all new and returning members to the Inn.

Josh announced that the Deegan Inn has a scholarship program, to invite those who are interested in learning more about the American Inns of Court and becoming members to an upcoming presentation and the Deegan Inn will cover their meals. If you know anyone who would be a perfect fit for the Inn, please contact your team leader aka Judicial Master.

Josh advised Deegan Inn members that Project Graduate, a program of Riverside County Bar Foundation, is looking for educational representatives to assist foster students struggling to graduate from high school. Additional information can be obtained from Emeritus Member Alexandra Fong.

Olympic torches were placed on each of the tables, as were mini Olympic flags.

Team Vance (named after the adorable service dog who is pictured below) presented on their topic “Common Mental Health Issues” which provided all members with one hour of specialty credits in the field of competence. The team is comprised of Hon. Matthew Forsse (Judicial Master), Chris Heikaus Weaver (Attorney Master), Matthew Kraus(Attorney Master), Diane Mar Wiesmann (Attorney Master), Malvina Ovanezova (Barrister), Bryan Owens Sahagun (Barrister), Alejandro Barraza (Associate), Maryann Briseno (Associate), Michael Geller (Associate), and Krystle White (Associate). Team members spoke about their favorite Olympian, all of whom struggled with mental health issues.

Guest speaker and Olympic Champion Staciana Winfield (2000 Summer Olympics, 4 x 100 medley relay) spoke about mental health issues she faced in her life. You can learn more in her book, Stolen Dance: An Olympian’s Perpetual Search for Healing from Trauma and Grief.

If you or someone you know is suffering from mental health issues and want to speak with someone, please call or text 988. If you are an attorney, you may also call The State Bar of California's Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) at 877-LAP-4HELP or 877-527-4435), or send an email to LAP@calbar.ca.gov.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Deegan 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 2024 Orientation Meeting.

September 25, 2024 Orientation

On the evening of September 25th, the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court held its yearly orientation meeting at the RCBA’s Gabbert Gallery.  New and returning members enjoyed an informal social hour, just getting to know one another over light refreshments. 

Current President Hon. Joshlynn Pulliam (“Josh”) welcomed all members to the meeting and introduced two guest speakers, Hon. Jacqueline Jackson and Hon. Judith Clark.

Hon. Joshlynn Pulliam

Hon. Jacqueline Jackson was President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court during the Inn’s 25th Anniversary in the 2017-2018 Program Year. She spoke about the history of our Inn.

Hon. Jacqueline Jackson, Assistant Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court (January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024).

Past President of Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court

Hon. Judith Clark, Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court (January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024), spoke to the members about civility in the legal profession.

Hon. Judith Clark

Josh announced the Winning Team Presentation for the 2023-2024 Program Year, Team F•R•I•E•N•D•S of the Court. Congratulations!

Team F•R•I•E•N•D•S of the Court: Danielle Linker, Jeremy Roark, Maryann Briseno, Summer Devore, Hon. Jennifer Gerard, Bryan Owens Sahagun, Summer Devore, Dani Mouri (L-R)

Josh thanked Sherri Gomez, our former Executive Director, for all her years of services with the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.

The teams were announced and this year’s theme is The Olympics. Each team met separately, for the first time, to get started on how to present their topic.

Josh reminded the members that the next meeting of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court will be held at Loft 84 in Downtown Riverside on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Social begins at 5:30 p.m. with the dinner and presentation to begin at 6:00 p.m.

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.

Enrobement Ceremony of Commissioner Stefanie Field

On the morning of May 15, 2024, Stefanie G. Field, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court for the 2023-2024 Program Year, was sworn in as Riverside County Superior Court’s newest commissioner. Hon. John Vineyard administered the oath of office to Ms. Field.

Hon. Stefanie Field and Hon. John Vineyard

Commissioner Field’s family was present to watch the ceremony.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Stefanie Field!

Stefanie Field, Attorney Master and President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (2023-2024 Program Year), has been elected a Commissioner of the Riverside Superior Court. She will be sworn in on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in Department 1 of the Historic Courthouse and be assigned to Department 21 in the Hall of Justice.

Congratulations Stefanie!

March 27, 2024 Dinner Meeting and Team Presentation

At the March 27, 2024 Dinner Meeting, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (“The Deegan Inn”), Attorney Stefanie Field, welcomed all new and returning members to the Inn. The meeting was held at a new location, Loft 84, located in Downtown Riverside, within walking distance of the courthouses.

Stefanie began the evening with a somber announcement concerning the death of Hon. Mona Nemat’s son and announcement of his service, set for Saturday, March 30, 2024. Additional information regarding Adam Nemat can be found here:

Stefanie announced that the April and May meetings of The Deegan Inn will be held at Loft 84. April’s meeting will be focused on the Community Service Team and May’s meeting will consist of one hour of Implicit Bias credit, a new requirement for California attorneys, imposed by The State Bar of California.

Stefanie reminded Deegan Inn members that notices will be sent out to remind members of upcoming deadlines to express interest in returning for the 2024-2025 program year, as well as recruiting new members to the Deegan Inn. It is also the time of year to consider nominations for the Leo A. Deegan Outstanding Jurist Award and The Terry Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award. Please submit your nominations to any Board Member or Executive Director Theresa Collins.

After a brief break for the dinner buffet, Team Schitt$ began their presentation. Team Schitt$ is comprised of Hon. Jay Kiel (Judicial Master), Marlene Allen Murray (Attorney Master), D.W. Duke (Attorney Master) Michelanna Hrubic (Barrister), Jeremiah Raxter (Barrister), and Natalie Hollis (Associate). Each presented a clip of a scene from the television series Schitt$ Creek and spoke about different areas of the law in relation to the clip.

Multiple choice questions were posed to members of the Deegan Inn of Court and winning teams received a paddle. The team with the most paddles won Peeps.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Deegan 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 2023 Orientation Meeting.

Chamber Chats - Probate Law

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (“Deegan Inn”) hosted Chamber Chats, a continuing series of chats by Riverside County judicial officers to answer any questions our Inn members may have. Chamber Chats began in 2018-2019 program year, as the official mentoring program of The Deegan Inn.

Hon. Jacqueline Jackson, Assistant Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court, hosted the Chamber Chats in Hon. Kenneth Fernandez’ courtroom, which is located in Department 11 of the Historic Courthouse, located at 4050 Main Street, Riverside, California.

Picture credit to Steinberg Hart Designs, who restored the Historic Courthouse