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August 2016
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In This Issue:
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National Association of Women Judges
The Honorable Lisa Walsh
NAWJ President
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President's Message August 2016
Greetings from NAWJ.
With great anticipation and excitement, we are fast approaching the 38th Annual NAWJ Conference, to be held October 5-9,
in Seattle, Washington at the Sheraton. Our exceptional conference planning committee, chaired by Justice Susan Owens,
has planned a full roster of events, including:
• Challenges of Aging: Proactive or Reactive Response
• Stephanie Coontz
• Conversation With Washington's Three Women Law School Deans
• Sexual Assault on College Campuses
• Tribal State Court Consortiums
• Transgender People and the Courts: Ensuring Respect and Fairness
• Incarcerated Voices: The IF Project
To register online on our new website or for more information about the conference, please click
here.
Included in this month's newsletter are the slate of nominations for officer positions for the 2016-17 NAWJ Board,
a proposed bylaws change that addresses district directors and state chair positions, and a resolution encouraging
trial judges to take diversity into account when appointing lawyers to important positions, all of which will be presented
to the membership at our annual business meeting. I am proud to report that the resolution that NAWJ drafted has been
adopted by the following national bar or judicial organizations: The Hispanic National Bar Association, the American
Association for Justice, the Defense Research Institute, the Conference of Chief Justices, The Association of Defense
Trial Advocates, and the Federation of Defense Corporate Counsel.
Please check your mail for Counterbalance, the next edition to be delivered to you soon.
Have a wonderful August.
Sincerely yours,
Lisa Walsh
President, NAWJ
11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade, Florida
PRESIDENT'S CALENDAR
August 4-8, 2016 - ABA Annual Conference San Francisco
September 7-8, 2016 - Kickoff for San Antonio Conference at Texas Judicial Conference
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Faces of Justice
NAWJ 38th Annual Conference
October 5-9, 2016
The Sheraton Seattle Hotel • 1400 6th Ave. • Seattle, WA
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CONFERENCE CHAIR
Justice Susan Owens, Washington Supreme Court
CO-CHAIRS
Justice Mary E. Fairhurst, Washington Supreme Court
Chief Justice Barbara Madsen, Washington Supreme Court
Justice Sheryl G. McCloud, Washington Supreme Court
Justice Debra Stephens, Washington Supreme Court
EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Judge Karen Donohue, Seattle Municipal Court
Judge Maggie Ross, Pierce County District Court
FRIENDS COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Ellen Conedera Dial, Esq., Perkins Coie
Nancy Isserlis, Esq.
CONFERENCE SPONSORS
PREMIER
Perkins Coie Foundation
GOLD
LexisNexis • Microsoft • Jane Powell PC • Starbucks
SILVER
Nintendo Inc • Pacific Law Group Seattle • Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt • Thomson Reuters
BRONZE
Keller Rohrback L.L.P. • Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton • Patterson Buchanan Fobes & Leitch
• Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters • Stokes Lawrence
SUPPORTER
Aoki Law • King County Bar Association • Talmadge/Fitzpatrick/Tribe • Washington State Bar Foundation
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Welcome Reception
Challenges of Aging: Proactive or Reactive Response
Justice for Vets
Transgender People and the Courts: Ensuring Respect and Fairness
Ethical Issues for Judges in Dealing with Human Trafficking
Keynote Speaker Stephanie Coontz
Water Knows No Borders: New Challenges in Balancing State, Federal and Tribal Water Law Interests
Community Supervision of Female Offenders
Gender and Race in Law and Movies
Breakfast with the Deans of Law Schools in Washington State
Sexual Assault on College Campuses
Many Faces of Trafficking - Labor Trafficking: Underground Economy Workshop
Ensuring Access to Justice for Limited English Proficient and Near, Hard of Hearing
Tribal State Court Consortiums
Keynote Speaker Karen K. Narasaki
Implicit Bias and Cultural Awareness
Reception at the Experience Music Project Museum
Incarcerated Voices: The IF Project
Gala Banquet and Awards Ceremony
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES:
$525 for Members who are First-Time Attendees
$595 for NAWJ Members
$695 for Non-Member Attendees
$575 for Spouse and Children of Attendees
Register online
here,
or download and fax this
registration form.
ROOM RESERVATIONS:
The conference host hotel is the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. Call (888) 627-7057 • NAWJ Rate:
$229/night, plus applicable taxes, single or double occupancy.
For More Information Contact:
Conference Manager: Mary Kathleen Todd at mtodd@nawj.org
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NAWJ Announces 2016-2017
Board of Directors Nomination Slate
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The nominated slate is an ensemble of seasoned, experienced and dedicated NAWJ members from diverse
regions and backgrounds. It will be another great year of board leadership!
In accordance with the NAWJ Bylaws, the Nominating Committee presents the following:
President
Hon. Diana Becton, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County
(automatically assumes office)
President-Elect
Hon. Tanya R. Kennedy
New York State Supreme Court, New York County
Vice President, Districts
Hon. Marilyn G. Paja
Kitsap County District Court, Washington
Vice President, Publications
Hon. Jane Spencer Craney
Morgan Superior Court 3, Indiana
Treasurer
Hon. Tamila Ipema
Superior Court of California, San Diego County
Secretary
Hon. Kathy J. King
Supreme Court, Kings County, New York
Judge Julie E. Frantz, Multnomah County Circuit, Chair
Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Judge Bernice Donald, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Justice Nan Duffly, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Senior Justice Dana Fabe, Alaska Supreme Court
Judge Jennifer Gee, U.S. Department of Labor
Judge Marcella Holland, Circuit Court for Baltimore City (Retired)
Judge Gladys Kessler, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Judge Brenda Loftin, St. Louis County Circuit Court (Retired)
Justice Judith McConnell, California Court of Appeal
Chief Justice Amy Nechtem, Massachusetts Juvenile Court
Judge Vanessa Ruiz, District of Columbia Court of Appeal
Justice Bea Ann Smith, Texas Court of Appeals (Retired)
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Proposed NAWJ Bylaws Amendments
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At this year's annual business meeting on October 8, 2016 during the annual conference,
the Bylaws Committee will offer the following amendments found below. (You may view the changes as they appear in the
current bylaws here.)
Article VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 6.
Insert as the first paragraph under this section (6):
It is the responsibility of each District Director upon assuming the position of District Director to review the
duties of the position contained in the NAWJ Board of Directors Manual, and to particularly note the commitment
to (1) participate in the monthly conferences calls, (2) attend the Midyear and Annual Board of Directors Meetings,
and (3) to participate by a mode of communication which enables simultaneous audio exchanges if an irreconcilable
conflict or emergency prevents in person attendance at a Midyear or Annual Board Meeting.
To assist the Directors in fulfilling their responsibilities throughout their respective districts, and to
establish and maintain close communication within the District as to the issues being addressed by the NAWJ
organization, District Directors may annually select a NAWJ member in each state within their District to serve
as a State Chair. District Directors shall assign specific tasks to the State Chairs, and shall be advised of
and authorize NAWJ activities and events undertaken by the State Chairs. State Chairs shall not assume the voting
rights of the District Director.
AMEND the existing paragraph under Section 6 to read:
A District Director who is unable to attend a Midyear or Annual Board of Directors meeting for which a quorum is
required due to an irreconcilable conflict or emergency situation, and further is unable to participate by a mode of
communication which enables simultaneous audio exchanges in a Board of Directors meeting, has the authority to
designate in writing a member of the district or a current Board member as a proxy. The document bearing the name
of the proxy shall be transmitted to the President prior to the commencement of the meeting (or prior to the
substitution of the proxy during a meeting.) If the proxy is a current Board member, the proxy shall assume
all voting rights of the District Director for the duration of the meeting. If the proxy is not a current
Board member, the proxy shall be encouraged to attend and participate in the discussions, but shall not assume
the District Director's voting rights.
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NAWJ Leads Affiliate Organizations with Resolution to
Diversify Trial Court Appoints
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The NAWJ Executive and Resolutions Committees has approved the following resolution, which shall be
presented for a vote at the Annual Business Meeting on October 8, 2016 in Seattle. In the wake of the
Board drafting and approving this language, the following national voluntary bar and judicial organizations
have approved our resolution within their respective organizations: The American Association for Justice,
The Defense Research Institute, The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, the Association of Defense
Trial Attorneys, the Hispanic National Bar Association. The following organizations are considering this
resolution within their organizations: The National Bar Association, The American Board of Trial Advocates,
the Conference of Chief Justices, and the American Bar Association, Judicial Division.
RESOLUTION ON DIVERSITY IN TRIAL COURT APPOINTMENTS
Whereas, in exercising discretionary judicial authority to appoint
lawyers to various positions (e.g., lead counsel for plaintiff classes; special masters; receivers; trustees;
hearing officers; referees; mediators and arbitrators; guardians; and counsel for indigent defendants),
trial courts have not appointed women lawyers, minority lawyers and lawyers in small law firms to such
positions in numbers commensurate with their representation in the legal profession;
Whereas, there are ample numbers of such diverse lawyers who are
experienced and highly qualified for appointments by trial courts;
Whereas, the justice system as a whole has become increasingly diverse,
including diverse judges, juries and litigants;
Whereas, research establishes that diversity enhances creativity and innovation, and leads to better
decision-making and problem solving;
Whereas, a fundamental underlying goal of the justice system is to provide equal
treatment and opportunity for everyone; and
Whereas, litigants and the justice system as a whole benefit from greater diversity in trial court appointments;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that, in exercising their appointment powers, our trial courts, both federal
and state, should be mindful of the importance of diversity and should make appointments that are consistent
with the diversity of our society and the justice system.
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NAWJ Awards Committee Seeks Nominations
for Annual Hon. Joan Dempsey Klein Honoree of the Year Award
and Florence K. Murray Award
NAWJ Executive Committee and President to Consider Candidates for
Mattie Belle Davis Award and Justice Vaino Spencer Leadership Award
Deadline: AUGUST 5, 2016
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The NAWJ Awards Committee requests nominations for the Honorable Joan Dempsey Klein Honoree
of the Year Award and for the Florence K. Murray Award. Nominations will be accepted until the
deadline of AUGUST 5, 2016. To assist you in nominating candidates for these two awards, click
here
for application guidelines for the KLEIN Award, and
here
for the MURRAY Award.
In addition, the Executive Committee and the President will respectively select 2016 honorees
for the Mattie Belle Davis Award and the Justice Vaino Spencer Leadership Award. Click
here to review guidelines
for the Mattie Belle Davis and Justice Vaino Spencer Awards.
Awards will be given out during the 38th Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington.
Please submit completed nominations no later than AUGUST 5, 2016 to
mkomisar@nawj.org by mail or fax to:
National Association of Women Judges
Attn: Hon. Amy L. Nechtem
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1138
Washington, D.C. 20036
Fax: 202-393-0125
AWARDS COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Judge Claudia Barber, District of Columbia Administrative Office of Hearings
Judge Diana Becton, Contra Costa County Superior Court
Judge Diana S. Eagon, Hennepin County District Court (Retired)
Senior Justice Dana Fabe, Alaska Supreme Court
Judge Brenda Loftin, St. Louis County Circuit Court (Retired)
Chief Justice Barbara Madsen, Washington State Supreme Court
Judge Vanessa Ruiz, District of Columbia Court of Appeals
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Sail with NAWJ from Boston to Montreal
on Holland America's ms Maasdam Line
May 20-27, 2017
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2017 New England Cruise Schedule
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Saturday - 20 May 2017
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Depart 4:00 pm
Boston, Massachusetts
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Sunday - 21 May 2017
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Arrive 7:00 am
Bar Harbor, Maine - Depart 3:00 pm
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Monday - 22 May 2017
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Arrive 9:00 am
Halifax, Nova Scotia - Depart 6:00 pm
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Tuesday - 23 May 2017
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Arrive 11:00 am
Sydney, Nova Scotia - Depart 6:00 pm
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Wednesday - 24 May 2017
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Arrive 11:00 am
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island - Depart 6:00 pm
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Thursday - 25 May 2017
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Cruising the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
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Friday - 26 May 2017
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Arrive 7:00 am
Quebec - Depart 6:00 pm
Cruising the Saint Lawrence River
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Saturday - 27 May 2017
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Arrive 7:00 am
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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ACCOMMODATIONS |
Per Person Fares* |
| Interior Stateroom |
$759 |
| Ocean-View Stateroom |
$959 |
| Vista Suite |
$2,199 |
Taxes, fees and port expenses are an additional $210 and subject to change. *Assuming double occupancy. Single occupancy 200% of cruise fares.
ROOM PAYMENT
Download and complete this
cruise cabin reservation form and mail, fax or email to:
Nancy Curtis, 2334 Vista Valley Lane, Vista, California 92084. Fax: 760-295-7733
Email: curtistravel2@gmail.com
REGISTRATION
NAWJ registration fee includes an education session, reception after disembarking in Montreal with Canadian members of IAWJ, and a cruise memento.
NAWJ REGISTRATION FEE
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EARLYBIRD |
$125 NAWJ/IAWJ Members/Guest. REGISTER BY DECEMBER 31, 2016. |
| After December |
$150 NAWJ/IAWJ Members/Guests |
Complete and fax/ mail/email this registration
form to:
National Association of Women Judges
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1138
Washington, D.C. 20036.
Fax: (202) 393-0125.
Email: plovett@calibrecpa.com
Registration must be received by NAWJ no later than your final payment to the cruise line.
For more details, or to inquire about roommate matching, contact cruise coordinator Nancy Curtis at curtistravel2@gmail.com.
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Women in Prison Committee Visits the Metropolitan Detention
Center in Brooklyn, New York
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Please read the report of National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) Women in Prison Committee (WIP)'s
second visit (June 3, 2016) to the Bureau of Prison's Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, New York
here.
The federal women's prison at Danbury, Connecticut, closed in December 2013. BOP "temporarily" re-located the Danbury
women to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) located in Brooklyn, New York. The MDC consists of two buildings,
eight and nine stories high. The women are held in a housing unit on an upper floor. One of the visitors Women in
Prison Committee Co-Chair Brenda Williams reports:
"The conditions are scandalous…to forbid the sun to shine on their territory. That deprivation in itself makes
people crazy, never to see the outside world. As your report says, the conditions are "unconscionable"
and, in violating the minimal standards, ought to be cause for demotion or legal action against the
administrators. It is hideous to read about--no programs, no doctors, no proper food, no outdoor time.
Inhumane in every respect. And clearly nobody is listening to the women--whether in general or in particular.
No counseling, no facilitating employment. Nothing but emotional abuse."
Judge Cheryl J. Gonzales, Chair of the New York Chapter of the NAWJ's WIP, Judge Robin S. Garson, and NAWJ WIP
Co-Chairs, Judge Brenda P. Murray and Judge Betty J. Williams, visited MDC on March 20, 2015, and again on June 3, 2016.
Again, you may read their report here.
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International Outreach's
Judicial Exchange Program Subcommittee
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Judge Teresa Guerrero-Daley, who chairs the Judicial Exchange subcommittee of NAWJ's International
Outreach Committee, reminds anyone interested in exchange that the subcommittee has created a Judicial
Exchange Program form. The form may be used to communicate where and when you will be traveling, along with other travel details,
to assist the committee in matching an appropriate host.
You may download the form here. For additional information contact Judge Teresa Guerrero-Daley at
Tguerrero-daley@scscourt.org.
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Landmark Sponsor GEICO
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Part of NAWJ and GEICO's partnership provides insurance discounts to NAWJ members.
Contact GEICO for a free quote on auto insurance to see how much you could be saving. And,
don't forget to mention your NAWJ affiliation; 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 can also help you find great
rates on homeowners, renters, motorcycle insurance, and more.
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Calendar of Programs and Events
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2016
October
NAWJ 37th Annual Conference will take place in Seattle, Washington from October 5-9, 2016 at the
Sheraton Seattle Hotel.
2017
October
NAWJ 38th Annual Conference will take place in Atlanta, Georgia from October 11-15, 2017 at
the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel.
2018
October
NAWJ 39th Annual Conference will take place in San Antonio, Texas from October 3-7, 2018 at
the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk.
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