SMCBA – Diversity 14th Annual Speakers Series- October 20
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Location: San Mateo County History Museum
“The Old Courthouse”
2200 Broadway
Redwood City, CA 94063
The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee is proud to present its award-winning 14th Annual Speakers Series. Our annual Speaker Series event will be conducted live at the “The Old Courthouse,” on Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. You are invited to join us in person!
This year, the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee has invited Andre M. Perry and Marc Philpart to speak at the Annual Speakers’ Series. They will discuss the historical devaluation of property owned by Black Americans, and the structural inequalities that perpetuate the system. They will also discuss the systems that are in place that affect people of color with regards to health, education, and welfare.
Andre is a Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro and a scholar-in-residence at American University. A nationally known and respected commentator on race, structural inequality, and education, Andre is the author of the book “Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities.” Andre’s research focuses on race and structural inequality, education, and economic inclusion. His recent scholarship at Brookings has analyzed Black-majority cities and institutions in America, focusing on valuable assets worthy of increased investment. Prior to his work at Brookings, Andre has been a founding dean, professor, award-winning journalist, and activist in the field of education.
Marc became the executive director of the California Black Freedom Fund in April 2022, bringing more than a decade of leadership in advocacy working with grassroots organizations to build power for racial justice. Prior to joining the California Black Freedom Fund, Marc led the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color. Under his leadership, the Alliance successfully advanced more than 100 state policies and established powerful partnerships with the California Senate and Assembly Select Committees on the Status of Boys and Men of Color and the California Funders for Boys and Men of Color. Through Marc’s leadership, the Alliance broadened its focus to include fighting for gender justice and ending intimate partner violence by addressing misogyny and patriarchy, as well as racial equity.
The following recognitions will be made at the event:
Les Williams Award
The Diversity Award Recognizes an individual or organization who has demonstrated a meaningful and consistent commitment to increasing and maintaining diversity in San Mateo County at all levels of the legal profession.
Nancy de Ita Scholarship
The Scholarship is given to an incoming/current law student, or recent graduate who has not passed the bar exam to encourage and support their commitment to the legal profession and diversity in our community.
1 Hour of Elimination of Bias MCLE will be provided upon request.
Cost: This event is FREE for SMCBA members. For non-SMCBA members, the cost of attendance is $40 (in-person). 1 hour of Elimination of Bias MCLE will be provided upon request for an additional $10.
Registration: Please log-in on the SMCBA website to register for this event. You may also download the PDF Registration Form and email back to us at events@smcba.org.
Become a Sponsor for next year’s scholarship winner(s):
- Bronze – $100
- Silver – $250
- Gold – $500
Sponsors will receive an SMCBA gift, recognition in event announcements, and visual recognition (Firm Logo) at the event. For more information or to sign up as a sponsor, please email us at events@smcba.org.
Family Law Section- The Business of Family Law- October 14th
Friday, October 14th
Via Zoom at 12:00pm
Lydia E. Crandall is a partner at Lakin Spears, LLP. Lydia handles a variety of family law matters including dissolution of marriage cases, post-judgment support and custody modifications, as well as premarital and post marital agreements. She acts as a mediator and is trained in Collaborative Practice. Lydia was named a Northern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine every year between 2009 and 2020. She has been rated as a Super Lawyer in Family Law by the organization since 2021. Lydia served as Co-Chair of the Family Law Section of the San Mateo County Bar Association in 2010 and as Chair in 2011. She was Co-Chair of Collaborative Practice of San Mateo County in 2014 and Chair in 2015. She currently acts as treasurer. Ms. Crandall has served as Executive Committee of Lakin Spears, LLP since 2019.
Kimberly A. Madigan is a Certified Family Law Specialist and founding partner of Madigan & Lewis, LLP, a woman owned and operated law firm serving families of all circumstances here in the Silicon Valley for over seven years. Prior to founding Madigan & Lewis, LLP, she co-founded another family law firm on the Peninsula. Prior to that, she worked as an associate at Hersh Family Law Practice, P.C., in San Francisco. Ms. Madigan has been practicing law for 20 years and spent the first few years of her career working as a civil litigator at Alexander, Holburn, Beaudin, & Lang, LLP in Vancouver, Canada. In California, she has been consistently recognized by Super Lawyers® and before that Rising Stars. From 2015-2016, she served as the Chair of the Family Law Section of the SMCBA. In 2021-2022, she served as the President of CP Cal and currently serves on the Board as Immediate Past President. She is a proud recipient of the Eureka award, which recognizes those who have made significant contributions to collaborative divorce in California. Her current practice is focused on litigating complex family law matters both in public court and with private judges at all stages of litigation, including trial. She also handles collaborative cases, mediation consulting cases, premarital agreements, and marital agreements.
Victoria K. Lewis (“Tori”) is a founding partner in the San Mateo County family law firm of Madigan & Lewis, LLP. Ms. Lewis is a Certified Family Law Specialist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). Ms. Lewis earned her undergraduate degree from Wellesley College in Massachusetts and her law degree from UCLA School of Law. She was admitted to the State Bar of California in December 1988. Ms. Lewis has a broad base of experience which informs her family law practice today. Before focusing exclusively in the area of family law, Ms. Lewis first practiced civil litigation in the Los Angeles office of Baker McKenzie. After that she worked as a Deputy Legislative Counsel for the California State Legislature. Ms. Lewis worked with the Rules Committees of both houses of the Legislature providing advice and written legal opinions on a wide variety of employment and personnel matters that arose in the course of running the business of the Legislature. As a family practitioner and before founding Madigan & Lewis, LLP with Kimberly Madigan, Ms. Lewis worked as a Research Attorney for the Santa Clara County Superior Court Family Division; she also worked as an attorney with the law firm of Robin, Ferguson & Kempton: and as an attorney with the law firm of the now Honorable Vanessa A. Zecher who is currently serving as a an APJ in the Family Division of the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Ms. Lewis served as the Chair of the Family Law Section of the San Mateo County Bar Association in 2016.
Ms. Mass is a partner at Stross Mass Cutcher & Levin. She is a Certified Specialist in Family Law and a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (“AAML”). Ms. Mass handles all aspects of high-asset dissolutions, including those involving complex financial issues, property characterization, business valuation, child custody, child support, and spousal support, from the inception of a case through settlement or trial. Ms. Mass also prepares prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and works with clients as a consulting attorney, as needed. She represents clients in domestic violence actions, as well. Ms. Mass was named a Northern California Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine for every year between 2017 and 2022 and she has been named a Northern California Rising Star for every year between 2011 and 2016. Ms. Mass is an active member of the San Mateo County Diversity Committee since 2017 and a Co-Chair of the AAML Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee since 2021. Ms. Mass also serves as a Mentor in the AAML since 2021 and as a Mentor in the UC Hastings Family Law Association Mentor Program for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. Ms. Mass served as Co-Chair and Chair of the Family Law Section of the San Mateo County Bar Association in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Ms. Mass was previously associated with Hammer & Jacobs in San Jose, where she also practiced family law exclusively. Prior to that, Ms. Mass’ practice focused on civil litigation, which included defending businesses in tort and employment litigation actions.
You will receive 1 hour of General Law MCLE credit for attending this event. MCLE certificates will be made available in the week following the event.
Speaker: Lydia Crandall, Nancy Encarnacion Mass, Kimberly Madigan, and Victoria Lewis
Cost: $30 for Family Law Section members and $40 for non-section members.
Registration: Please log in on the SMCBA website to register for this event. If you wish to pay by check, please still register online first and send your check payable to SMCBA, to: 333 Bradford St., Ste. 150, Redwood City, CA 94063. Attn: Events. *Please note for which event you are paying and the name of the attendee.
Logistics: Your Zoom credentials will automatically be emailed to you shortly after you register online, as well as the day and hour before the event. Please note that you’ll need to be logged into a Zoom account to join the meeting. The written materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event.
Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount.
Qualified Retirement Plan Design for Law Firms- October 6th
Thursday, October 6th, 2022
Via Zoom
Description: Please join us for an informative and useful discussion of the different types of qualified retirement plans available and how the right plan can benefit you and your firm. We will hear about how plans can be designed and operated to maximize tax-deductible contributions for partners while limiting staff costs.
We will also hear about recent changes in relevant tax laws and regulations, such as the SECURE Act and increases in IRS retirement plan limits.
Our expert will discuss the potential benefits of safe harbor 401(k) plans that avoid numerical nondiscrimination testing. You will learn how the addition of a defined benefit plan (either traditional or cash balance plan, depending on your circumstances) can potentially dramatically increase your tax-deductible contributions. Additionally, the program will cover specialized topics such as split-plan design, prior service design, defined benefit plan accumulation design, and coordinating plan design with the Section 199A QBI deduction.
Speaker: Andrew is a frequent lecturer in the areas of pension, profit-sharing and employee benefit law. His services include designing, drafting and obtaining qualification for a broad range of defined contribution and defined benefit plans, as well as ensuring their continued compliance with applicable law. He has substantial experience in connection with prohibited transaction and fiduciary matters.
Cost: Free for all SMCBA Members, $15 for all Non-Members; 1.0 General MCLE Credit included.
Registration: Please log in on the SMCBA website to register for this event. If you wish to pay by check, please still register online first and send your check payable to SMCBA, to: 333 Bradford St., Ste. 150, Redwood City, CA 94063. Attn: Events. *Please note for which event you are paying and the name of the attendee.
Logistics: Your Zoom credentials will automatically be emailed to you shortly after you register online, as well as the day and hour before the event. Please note that you’ll need to be logged into a Zoom account to join the meeting. The written materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event.
Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount.
Estate Planning & Probate Section- California Taxation of Individuals and Trusts- October 20th
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Via Zoom at 12:00pm
Description: Mr. Hepworth, Mr. Steady, and Ms. Knight will provide an overview of the rules governing California taxation of individuals and trusts, as well as various strategies for minimizing and deferring California taxation, including through trusts located in more tax favorable jurisdictions
Cost: $20 per person for members of the SMCBA Estate Planning Section and $30 for Members and Non-Members; 1.0 General MCLE Credit included.
Registration: Please log in on the SMCBA website to register for this event. If you wish to pay by check, please still register online first and send your check payable to SMCBA, to: 333 Bradford St., Ste. 150, Redwood City, CA 94063. Attn: Events. *Please note for which event you are paying and the name of the attendee.
Logistics: Your Zoom credentials will automatically be emailed to you shortly after you register online, as well as the day and hour before the event. Please note that you’ll need to be logged into a Zoom account to join the meeting. The written materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event.
Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount.
Barristers Annual Judges’ Luncheon- September 28th
Wednesday, September 28th, 2022
Via Zoom at 12:15pm
The Luncheon will honor our esteemed San Mateo County bench officers and introduce the new members of the bar to the bench as well as to the experienced bar. We look forward to hearing from our keynote speaker, Mr. Joe
Goethals, who is a current Council Member for the City of San Mateo, as well as a roundtable of our bench officers, and recognizing our Barristers Award Recipient.
The Barristers Award Recipient this year is Joanna Wald.
Ms. Wald handles all aspects of family law matters, including complex divorce settlement negotiations, spousal and child support, property characterization and division, child custody disputes, pre-martial and post-marital agreements, as well as domestic violence matters.
Ms. Wald is proficient in Spanish. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo County Bar Association (SMCBA), Co-Chair of the SMCBA committee on Professional Equality and Board Member of the Women Lawyers Educational Foundation. She was the SMCBA Barristers Section President in 2020, and Chair of the Diversity Committee for 2020 & 2021.
Ms. Wald earned a Juris Doctorate from San Francisco Law School in 2014, where she was awarded student of the year 2011, 2012 & 2013. She was recognized with the Witkin Award in Civil Procedure in 2012. Ms. Wald was awarded best oral argument, as well as best overall scores in Tyler Moot Court in 2013.
Prior to her legal career, Ms. Wald worked in the government and political sphere, including positions at UCSF Medical Center, interning for a San Francisco Board Supervisor, and interning at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
Ms. Wald enjoys her time as a volunteer for San Mateo County Legal Aid, San Mateo Superior Court’s weekly Family Law Status Conference calendar and San Mateo County Lawyers in The Library. Ms. Wald is an avid San Francisco Giants baseball fan, fine pen collector, bird watcher and loves taking long hikes with her miniature Australian shepherd, Andi.
Registration: Please log in on the SMCBA website to register for this event. If you wish to pay by check, please still register online first and send your check payable to SMCBA, to: 333 Bradford St., Ste. 150, Redwood City, CA 94063. Attn: Events. *Please note for which event you are paying and the name of the attendee.
Logistics: Your Zoom credentials will automatically be emailed to you shortly after you register online, as well as the day and hour before the event. Please note that you’ll need to be logged into a Zoom account to join the meeting. The written materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event.
Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount.
Please see sponsorship opportunities below.
Gold Sponsor: $500
- Large color logo published in virtual background
- Program and special mention recognition
- Special thanks stickers on meals for judges
- Sponsorship of meals for 3 judges
Silver Sponsor: $300
- Firm logo published in virtual background
- Program recognition
- Sponsorship of meals for 2 judges
Bronze Sponsor: $100
- Recognition in event promotion
- Sponsorship of 1 judge
Race & Social Justice Committee- Understanding Immigration Consequences In Criminal Cases And Fulfilling Our Ethical Obligations As Attorneys- September 29th
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Via Zoom at 12:00pm
Description: Over the past few decades, having a criminal history, even one that may be considered to not be that serious, has had increasingly severe effects on immigration status. During this hour event, we will hear about the effect of criminal convictions on noncitizens and review California’s legislation during the past three or four years that go to mitigating those effects. This webinar will also cover an attorney’s ethical obligations in the criminal justice context. Under Padilla v. Kentucky and California law, criminal defense counsel have an obligation to advise defendants of the immigration consequences of a guilty plea and prosecutors must consider immigration consequences when negotiating a guilty plea. This event will provide 1 hour of MCLE implicit bias credit.
Our speaker is Professor Evangeline “Vangie” G. Abriel. She is a Clinical Professor of Law at Santa Clara University School of Law and also the Director of the Center for Social Justice and Public Service. In addition to teaching Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing, she directs the Immigration Appellate Practice Clinic. Professor Abriel has received numerous honors and recognitions including being recognized as the 2019 Pro Bono Champion by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Santa Clara Valley Chapter. Professor Abriel speaks and writes regularly on immigration law matters, particularly on immigration relief for refugees and victims of abuse and crime.
Speaker: Evangeline “Vangie” G. Abriel
Cost: Free for SMCBA members, $10 for non-members. Cost includes 1.0 hour of Implicit Bias MCLE credit.
Registration and Information: Please click on the button below to register for this event. If you wish to pay by check, please still register online first and send your check payable to SMCBA, to: 333 Bradford St., Ste. 150, Redwood City, CA 94063. Attn: Events. *Please note for which event you are paying and the name of the attendee.
Logistics: Your Zoom credentials will automatically be emailed to you shortly after you register online, as well as the day and hour before the event. Please note that you’ll need to be logged into a Zoom account to join the webinar. The written materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event.
Contact Info for this Event: For questions about this event, please email Sharon Cho at scho@smcgov.org.
Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount.
Labor & Employment Section- Help Me[diators] Help You: Tips To Get the Most Out of Mediation- September 22nd
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Via Zoom at 12:00pm
Description: The goal of any mediation is to resolve the case. But how do you maximize the benefits of a mediation without giving away too much to the other side? With extensive experience as a litigator and mediator, our speaker understands these concerns – and how to handle them. Whether it’s about your own client, great evidence you don’t want to reveal, or even your ultimate goals at mediation, you will get the inside information on the “who”, “what”, “when”, and “why” of information sharing to help you get the most out of your mediation – and your mediator.
Who: Our speaker, David Sarnoff’s, extensive experience as a litigator led him to start mediating, and in 2018, David received formal mediation training at Pepperdine University’s Straus Institute. He now combines this training with his experience as a litigator and small business owner to help litigants realize the benefits of compromise and resolution in order to let go of the past and move on with their lives. He greatly values his work as a mediator and finds it deeply rewarding to help parties resolve disputes and provide them the freedom to look forward to better days. David mediates throughout California in all areas in which he has significant experience, including all aspects of Employment Law, Personal Injury, Real Estate, and General Business Litigation. He is also a Mandatory Settlement Conference Officer for the San Francisco Superior Court and Los Angeles Superior Court through Resolve Law LA. He is committed to helping everyone involved realize the benefits of coming together to find an amicable resolution.
When: Thursday, September 22th from 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.
**Please start to log in to Zoom about five minutes before the start time **
RSVP: SMCBA Members can register here. Non-SMCBA Members can register here.
If you want to pay by check, still, please register online first and send your check payable to SMCBA and note your name and this event. Please note that if you RSVP but do not “show up,” or cancel 48 hours in advance, you will still be charged the full amount for attending the event. Note: MCLE certificates will be emailed to you once your presence is verified at the event.
Where: Your Computer via Zoom! All registrants will be provided with the link and meeting code one day prior to the event date.
Cost: $20 for Labor & Employment members and $30 for non-section members. 1.0 General Law Credit
Barristers Section- The Business of Family Law- September 16th
Friday, September 16th
Via Zoom at 12:00pm
Description:
A panel discussion with attorneys Lydia Crandall, Nancy Encarnacion Mass, Kimberly Madigan, and Victoria Lewis moderated by Barristers Section President, Brooke Murphy, to cover topics including: financial models of law firms, management structure and decision making, remote work and other changes since the pandemic, technology, law firm culture and work-life balance.
Speaker: Lydia Carndall, Victoria Lewis, Nancy Encarnacion Mass and Kimberly Madigan
Cost: Free all SMCBA members. Non-Members please pay a $10 fee. 1.0 hour of General Law MCLE credit.
Registration and Information: Please click on the button below to register for this event. If you wish to pay by check, please still register online first and send your check payable to SMCBA, to: 333 Bradford St., Ste. 150, Redwood City, CA 94063. Attn: Events. *Please note for which event you are paying and the name of the attendee.
Logistics: Your Zoom credentials will automatically be emailed to you shortly after you register online, as well as the day and hour before the event. Please note that you’ll need to be logged into a Zoom account to join the webinar. The written materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event.
Contact Info for this Event: For questions about this event, please email
Brook Murphy bmurphy@madiganlewis.com
Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount.
When is Enough, Enough? Judicial Trustee Removal and Trolan v. Trolan (As seen in California Trusts & Estates Quarterly) – September 16th
When is Enough, Enough? Judicial Trustee Removal and Trolan v. Trolan (As seen in California Trusts & Estates Quarterly)
Thursday, September 16, 2021
12:00-1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
In 2019, the Court of Appeal published an opinion regarding the probate court’s sua sponte removal of co-trustees. Trolan v. Trolan, along with prior case law, provides important insight into the issue of trustee removal. Hoge Fenton attorneys Denise Chambliss and Ariel Siner will provide analysis and insight into the issue of trustee removal with recommendations for Dos and Don’ts in either petitioning to have a trustee removed or defending a trustee removal action.
You will receive one hour of General Law MCLE Credit for attending this event. MCLE certificates will be made accessible to attendees in the week following the event.
Cost: $20 for Estate Planning & Probate Section members and $30 for non-members.
Registration: Please log in on the SMCBA website to register for this event. If you wish to pay by check, please still register online first and send your check payable to SMCBA, to: 333 Bradford St., Ste. 150, Redwood City, CA 94063. Attn: Events. *Please note for which event you are paying and the name of the attendee.
Logistics: Your Zoom credentials will automatically be emailed to you shortly after you register online, as well as the day and hour before the event. Please note that you’ll need to be logged into a Zoom account to join the webinar. The written materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event.
Contact Info for this Event: For questions about this event, please email smcba@gryphonevents.com or fax (510) 588-4543.
Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount.
We Moved!
We have moved to a new suite!
We are excited to announce that our SMCBA team has moved to a new suite in the same building. Please make note of our new address below. Our phone numbers and email addresses remain the same.
New Address:
333 Bradford Street, Suite 150
Redwood City, CA 94063
Please note, only SMCBA team moved from suite 200 to suite 150. The Private Defender Program team will remain in suite 200.
If you have any questions, please email us at membership@smcba.org.