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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE |
 Happy Veterans Day!
I feel honored and privileged to serve as NAWJ's 39th President. I love NAWJ and its members. NAWJ is the leading voice for women jurists and I cherish its role in advancing the rights of women, children, and all other vulnerable populations, and promoting "equal access to justice for all!"
We all have a unique story that shapes who we are. I came to this country at a young age, fleeing political turmoil in Tehran, Iran, where I was born. I promised myself that I would always have the courage to stand up for justice and fight for human rights and for equal access to justice for all.
Despite the different backgrounds and experiences we each have, working together in NAWJ we have a unique opportunity, as judges, to promote the rule of law and make a difference in our communities, in our country, and around the world.
"Global Judicial Leadership" is the theme that I have selected for my term as President. As judges and members of NAWJ, let us recommit to lead by example. Through NAWJ's excellent programs, seminars, and conferences, we educate judges about human rights, women's rights, children's rights, and advancing equal access to justice for all. NAWJ's programs help us educate, not only in our courtrooms, but also in our communities, and around the world.
I look forward to working with our dynamic new officers and board members; we have already hit the ground running!
We have exciting plans for moving NAWJ forward. Together, with our members we can accomplish great things.
Join with me and make a commitment to bring an NAWJ program to your community, and invite a new member to join NAWJ. As Mother Theresa said, "You do not have to make a huge difference in life, just do little things with great love."
I pledge that I will serve NAWJ and all of our members, and I will work hard to be an effective leader. I look forward to working with you all.
Thank you for this great honor to serve NAWJ and all of its members.
Tamila E. Ipema
Hon. Tamila Ebrahimi Ipema
Judge of California Superior Court, San Diego County
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NOW IS THE TIME TO SIGN UP FOR 2018-2019 NAWJ COMMITTEES |
Now is your chance to sign up for NAWJ committees, and join fellow members who share your interests. NAWJ Committees are a resourceful vehicle to find partners and educate NAWJ on emerging issues. Here is the list of NAWJ Committees open for participation for 2018-2019. Click here for committee descriptions.
• ADA Compliance Policy
• Administrative Judiciary
• Domestic Violence
• Ethics
• Fairness and Access
• Federal Judges
• Human Trafficking
• Immigration
• International Outreach
• International Parental Abduction Liaison Network |
• Judicial Academic Network/ Judicial Education
• Judicial Independence and Informed Voter Project (IVP)
• Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare
• Law School Outreach
• LGBTQ
• Military Judges
• Mothers in Court |
• New Judges and New Members
• Retired/Senior Judges
• Rural Courts
• Technology and Social Media
• Women in Prison |
Members who see a committee they wish to join, or who are an existing member of the committee and plan to continue as a member into the next year, please email Lavinia Cousin at lcousin@nawj.org by December 1, 2018.
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SAN ANTONIO DELIVERS ON AN EDUCATIONALLY ENGAGING,
PROFESSIONALLY AND SOCIALLY REWARDING
ANNUAL CONFERENCE |
After years of planning and considerable leadership, 2018 Annual Conference Co-Chairs Judge Orlinda Naranjo (419th District Court, Texas) and attorney Linda Tamez, Esq. (The Herrera Law Firm), presided over five days of an informative and revelatory sequence of education programming, recognition of NAWJ's achievers and achievements for the year, the building of partnerships within and between NAWJ stakeholders, the jovial meeting of old friends and new, and the generous, genuine hospitality of Texans for approximately 300 judges, attorneys, law professors, academics, legal experts, colleagues, friends and volunteers who travelled from across the city, state, country, and internationally, to be a part of NAWJ’s inspirational conference.
Texas Shows Its Hospitality is Second to None
Much praise also goes to the members of the Conference Planning Committee: Justice Eva Guzman (Texas Supreme Court); Justice Gina Benavides (Texas 13th Court of Appeals); Judge M. Sue Kurita (Texas County Court at Law #6); Judge Lora Livingston (Texas 261st District Court); Judge Marcella A. Holland (Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Retired); Judge Karen Sage (Texas 299th District Court); and Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl (Texas 175th District Court). This committee was responsible for identifying our esteemed slate of speakers, reaching out to make their participation in the conference a reality, and for finding partners like the University of Texas at Austin to join as Sponsor for The Alamo Reception sponsored by The Center for Women in Law.
Thank You to Our Generous Supporters
Equally generous in their contributions were the Conference Friends Committee Co-Chairs Justice Catherine M. Stone (Fourth Court of Appeals (Retired), shareholder at Langley & Banack Inc.) and Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson (Supreme Court of Texas (Retired), partner at Alexander Dubose Jefferson Townsend LLP). Their network produced a host of donors who were essential to making the conference we all enjoyed possible. DIAMOND ($15,000) - American Constitution Society; PLATINUM ($10,000) - Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend LLP; Regina and Charles Cheever; H-E-B Grocery; Siebert Foundation; The Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families; GOLD ($7,500) - Quicken Loans; Silver Eagle Distributors; SILVER ($5,000) - Center for Women in Law; Cokinos Young, PC; The Herrera Law Firm; Ketterman, Rowland, & Westlund; State Justice Institute; Thomson Reuters; BRONZE ($2,500) - Becky Beaver Law; Bracewell LLP; CourtCall; GEICO; Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Jefferson Cano; Langley & Banack, Incorporated; FRIENDS ($1,000) - Branscomb PC; Calibre CPA Group; Nicola DeMarco; Bobby and Robin Farris; Kastl Law, P.C.; Law Office of Carmen S. Mitchell, LLP; Lexitas Legal; Honorable Orlinda Naranjo; Noelke Maples St. Leger Bryant, LLP; San Antonio Bar Association/ San Antonio Bar Foundation; Schoenbaum, Curphy & Scanlan, P.C. ($1,500); Texas Women Lawyers; U.S. Legal Support; SUPPORTERS ($250) - Bexar County Women's Bar Association; Blend Document Technologies; and Richardson & Burgess LLP
Recognizing the Year's Accomplishments
This year's Annual Gala Banquet left everyone touched, awakened, grateful, and inspired to dance. No one present could escape the truth in the stories of pain, hope and redemption shared by the Conspired Theatre performers, a group whose mission is to offer incarcerated women and their allies a healing and empowering experience through theatre and creative writing. Later, NAWJ presented its Annual Awards: Justice Joan Dempsey Klein Honoree of the Year - Hon. Bea Ann Smith (Texas Court of Appeals, Retired) and NAWJ President 2002-2003; Justice Vaino Spencer Leadership Award to three leaders 1) Hon. Bernadette D'Souza, Orleans Civil District Court, Louisiana, now NAWJ President-Elect; 2) Hon. Marcella A. Holland, Baltimore City Circuit Court (Retired) and NAWJ Project Chair 2016-2018; and Hon. Lisa S. Walsh, Florida's 11th Circuit Court, Civil Division and NAWJ President 2015-2016; and the Mattie Belle Davis Award (given earlier in the conference) to attorney Karen Johnson-McKewan, Esq., a partner in Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and Co-Chair of NAWJ's Resource Board. Afterwards, there was plenty of time to turn from others to ourselves, and a dance floor full of exaltation and joy for colleagues and friends..
Attendees thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from the totality of events, both social and educational, and appreciated the warm hospitality extended to all. Thank you once again to the 2018 Annual Conference Chairs Judge Orlinda Naranjo and attorney Linda Tamez, and to the entire Conference Planning Committee, for a memorable event.
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Take advantage of early bird registration today!
Don't miss out!
REGISTRATION FEES
Member and Non-Member registration fees include educational sessions, receptions, meals, transportation to events listed in the program and use of the hospitality suite. Three days of cutting edge CLE are included in the registration fee.
| REGISTRATION TYPE |
EARLY-BIRD
(through 7/16/2019) |
REGULAR
(7/17/2019-9/16/2019) |
LATE*
(after 9/16/2019) |
| NAWJ Member |
$620 |
$695 |
$745 |
| Non-Member |
$700 |
$750 |
$800 |
| *Registrations on or after September 16 will include a $50 late fee. |
CANCELLATION POLICY
Registrants may cancel until September 15, 2019. All cancellations are subject to a $50 processing fee. Requests for cancellation on or after September 16, 2019 will not receive a refund. All third-party payments are subject to the same policy.
HOW TO REGISTER
Click here to register online. Or, download and complete this registration form and email to accounting@nawj.org. Mail completed form to:
National Association of Women Judges
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1138
Washington, D.C. 20036
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DISTRICT 4 DIRECTOR JUSTICE JUDITH KLINE CHAIRS
SUCCESSFUL REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON CURRENT ISSUES AT
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL |
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District 4 Director, Hon. Judith A. Kline, Chief Judge of the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court in Newport News, Virginia, presided over the district's successful regional conference which took place October 19-20, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia. The conference began with a Friday evening reception at the Westin Gateway Hotel which hosted traveling attendees. The next day's sessions were held in Hazel Hall at George Mason University's School of Law. Approximately 40 judges, attorneys and students convened to learn the latest on transgender student rights, juvenile immigrant visa status in civil cases, and free speech and campus speech codes. Thank you to session speakers: ACLU Virginia's Executive Director Claire G. Gastañaga; Leslye E. Orloff, Director of the National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project and New Castle, Delaware Family Court Commissioner Loretta Young; and Professor JoAnn Koob, Director of the Liberty and Law Center at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University.
Congratulations to Justice Kline for her education vision, and for expanding NAWJ outreach around all parts of District Four's community.
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ABA SECTION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
FOR THE MAYRE RASMUSSEN AWARD FOR THE ADVANCEMENT
OF WOMEN IN INTERNATIONAL LAW
DEADLINE: DECEMBER 14, 2018 |
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NAWJ Member Colonel Linda Strite Murname, Chair of the ABA's Section on International Law 2018-2019 Mayre Rasmussen Award Committee announces nominations are being accepted for the next Mayre Rasmussen Award. There is no requirement that the nominee be a member of the ABA, or a U.S. attorney. The nominee must be a lawyer, or a judge, who has opened doors for women in the field of international law. The winner must be present to accept the award. The Section anticipates presenting the award in April 2019.
Here is more on the criteria: The Mayre Rasmussen Award for the Advancement of Women in International Law honors the memory of Mayre Rasmussen by recognizing distinguished lawyers who have demonstrated a career-long commitment to advancing opportunities for women in international law. Honorees have (1) achieved professional excellence in international law, and, in addition, have done at least one of the following: (2) encouraged women to practice international law, (3) opened doors for women in international law settings from which they have historically been excluded, and/or (4) advanced opportunities for women in a particular field of international law. Individuals who are not members of the ABA Section of International Law are eligible for nomination, although preference is given to Section members. If an honoree is not already a Section member, the Section gives the honoree a complimentary one-year Section membership.
If you know someone who has demonstrated a career-long commitment to advancing opportunities for women in international law, submit your nomination now! Download the nomination form here. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, December 14, 2018.
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THE "POWER OF DEMOCRACY"
NAWJ PAST PRESIDENT JUSTICE JUDITH MCCONNELL CHAIRS
CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE TO ADVANCE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT |
 NAWJ members are familiar with the Informed Voters-Fair Judges Project, an initiative formed in 2013 to educate the public on the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary free from special interests. 2018 Annual Conference attendees had the fortunate opportunity to meet Project Education Chair Anette Boyd-Pitts at the Informed Voters exhibit in San Antonio. The exhibit displayed tools and resources members can use to engage the public on judicial independence in their local communities.
In California, NAWJ Past President Justice Judith McConnell (California Appeals Court) chairs the Steering Committee of the "Power of Democracy", an initiative that recognizes that knowledge of all of the nation's major democratic institutions – Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, Public Schools, Media, and the Courts – are necessary elements in educating youth on how to "participate meaningfully in civic life." The initiative's goals are to build statewide partnerships with affiliate groups that engage with young people on "what works":
• Discussion of current events and controversial issues;
• Participation in school governance to cultivate a sense of responsibility;
• Service learning experiences that are directly linked to curriculum and instruction;
• Extracurricular activities that give students opportunities to work together toward a common goal;
• Classroom instruction in government, history, law and democracy;
• Simulations of democratic processes that allow students to experience voting, trials, legislative deliberation, and diplomacy.
Find out more about the Power of Democracy here.
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NAWJ PRESIDENT-ELECT JUDGE BERNADETTE D'SOUZA
RECOGNIZED WITH ICON AWARD BY NEW ORLEANS'
CITYBUSINESS NEWSPAPER |
To mark New Orleans' 300th anniversary, CityBusiness newspaper will honor 20 local leaders who are making a lasting influence on the overall development of the city. NAWJ's President-Elect, Hon. Bernadette D'Souza, Judge on the Orleans Civil District Court, is the only woman among the chosen few. The honorees, through their energy, innovative ideas, achievements and commitment to excellence, will be recognized for moving the New Orleans community forward on Dec. 7, 2018.
Judge D'Souza was honored by NAWJ with its Justice Vaino Spencer Leadership Award at the Annual Conference in San Antonio last month.
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"DAILY MORE USEFUL: MY LIFE IN PUBLIC SERVICE:"
JUDGE DEBRA JAMES SPEAKS ON EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT
AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY'S 2018 REUNION WEEKEND |
 This summer, NAWJ member and New York State Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Debra James, returned to her alma mater Cornell University to give the Olin Lecture. Judge James borrowed the title of her lecture, "Daily More Useful: My Life in Public Service," from the inscription on the Andrew Dickson White Memorial Gate in Collegetown, New York: "So enter that daily thou mayest become more learned and thoughtful. So depart that daily thou mayest become more useful to thy country and to mankind." Moved by the notion that the country feared a government run by feckless, corrupt officials, Judge James ('75, J.D. '78,) spoke to the Cornell community on the value of modelling "excellence in governance." You can listen to her lecture here, and read more about Judge James in "From Queens to the NY State Supreme Court."
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NAWJ MEMBER JUDGE CAROLYN CAIETTI HONORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF
SAN DIEGO WITH ITS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD |
 The Hon. Carolyn Marie Caietti, Judge on the San Diego Superior Court, was recognized by the University of San Diego School of Law with its Distinguished Alumni Award, the school's highest honor bestowed upon alumni. Judge Caietti was appointed in 2006 to the San Diego Superior Court, and has served the Court since 2008. She served as Assistant Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court from 2011 to 2013, and has served since 2013 as Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. She is now assigned to Criminal Court. Judge Caietti received recognition in the past for her work with youth from the Juvenile Justice Commission and San Diego County Bar Association as “Outstanding Jurist of the Year." Judge Caietti develops curricula for and frequently presents on juvenile justice issues at local schools and organizations, including helping to create the "Passport to Life" program, which serves 700 probation-involved youth and teaches them about opportunities available as they transition from being a youth on probation into adulthood with adult responsibilities. Judge Caietti also developed prevention curriculum for "Justice 101 for Students" and "Justice 101 for Parents" and has vigorously pursued the goal of enlightening youth and parents about the juvenile justice system. Judge Caietti has been an NAWJ member since 2012 and participates in activities of NAWJ San Diego.
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WELCOME NEW MEMBER JODI CLEESATTLE
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE'S CIVIL DIVISION |
 Jodi Cleesattle, Esq. is Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice's Civil Division in the Employment and Administrative Mandate section in the San Diego office. She litigates employment and administrative law cases on behalf of state agencies, and her practice includes defense of discrimination and harassment cases in state and federal courts, Title IX investigations for state universities, and representation of state agencies in evidentiary hearings before the State Personnel Board. Before joining the Attorney General's Office in 2007, she was a partner at Ross, Dixon & Bell LLP, where she litigated in state and federal courts nationwide, including complex insurance coverage and bad faith, commercial litigation, employment law, libel and defamation, and First Amendment cases. Ms. Cleesattle will join NAWJ's Personnel Committee.
As a member of NAWJ Publication Committee, Ms. Cleesattle will assist NAWJ as an editorial advisor. She currently serves on the board of California Women Lawyers, where she edits the CWL News, co-chairs the Gender Equity Task Force, and serves on the amicus and annual dinner committees. She previously served on the board of Lawyers Club of San Diego, a 1,300-plus member women's bar association. She currently serves as Lawyers Club's press liaison, and she previously co-chaired the Leadership Development Committee and edited Lawyers Club News. Lawyers Club honored Jodi with its Community Service Award in 2014. She previously served on the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Bar Association, co-chair of the California State Bar's Council of State Bar Sections, and as Chair of the State Bar's Public Law Section.
Ms. Cleesattle also volunteers with and serves as Vice President of the Juvenile Court Book Club, a San Diego-based nonprofit that works with incarcerated teens to develop reading skills and a love of reading. She also volunteers with the ACLU's annual Constitution Day program. Once a month, she cooks dinner for homeless women at the Rachel's Women's Center. She has two children, 19-year-old Nik and 16-year-old Josie, three rescue dogs, and two rescue cats.
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NEW YORKER MAGAZINE ‘AMERICA'S OTHER FAMILY
SEPARATION CRISIS' PAINTS A TROUBLING PICTURE OF WOMEN
DEFENDANTS' RELATIONSHIP TO OUR LEGAL SYSTEMS |
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Thank you to Women in Prison Committee member Lynn Schafran for bringing attention to the New Yorker magazine's recently published story on the challenges faced by women as they navigate social responsibility, parental responsibility, and the demands from our legal systems. "America's Other Family Separation Crisis" by Sarah Stillman follows the development of Still She Rises, a community outreach group founded by Robin Steinberg on the principles of "holistic defense", and dedicated to stemming the incarceration of the growing demographic group of women and girls.
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LANDMARK SPONSOR GEICO |
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The partnership between NAWJ and GEICO provides insurance discounts to NAWJ members. Contact GEICO for a free quote on auto insurance to see how much you could be saving. Remember to mention your NAWJ affiliation since you could qualify for an exclusive member savings opportunity. Visit www.geico.com/disc/nawj (special portal here) or call 1-800-368-2734 for your free rate quote. GEICO also can help you find great rates on homeowners, renters, motorcycle insurance, and more.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
2018
November
November 1, 2018: MentorJet at the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in Lansing. Contact Judge Michele Rick for more information: RickM@clinton-county.org.
November 9, 2018: MentorJet at the Michigan State University Law School in East Lansing. Contact Judge Michele Rick for more information: RickM@clinton-county.org.
November 28, 2018: Color of Justice and MentorJet Program in San Diego Superior Court. Co-Chaired by Hon. Tamila E. Ipema and Hon. Terrie Roberts.
November 30, 2018: NAWJ Success Inside and Out Resource Fair at Las Colinas Women's Detention and Re-Entry Facility in San Diego, California. Co-chaired by Hon. Pennie McLaughlin and Hon. Terrie Roberts.
2019
March
March 21, 2019: NAWJ joins with California Women's Legislative Caucus to host NAWJ Day in Sacramento.
May
May 5-12, 2019: NAWJ Cruise on the Danube for seven nights from Budapest to Nuremberg on the AmaCerto with Amawaterways Cruise Line.
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