​

San Francisco Opens its Golden Gate, and More

Over 350 people took part in NAWJ’s 32nd Annual Conference in San Francisco held at The Ritz Carlton from October 13 to October 17, 2010. The Conference Chair, Hon. Barbara Ann Zúñiga of the California Superior Court in Contra Costa County, created and presented one of the most stimulating, engaging and humanist experiences for our NAWJ audience.

SNEAK PEEK AT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE PHOTO GALLERY

​

Click here to view gallery of photos. Click here to order photos.

A Pre-Conference Gathering

The night before the Conference, California Superior Court Judge Ramona Joyce Garrett chaired a tribute to NAWJ’s continuing outreach to judicial officers around the world. The reception welcoming all conference international attendees honored longtime NAWJ associates Robert Kaufman and Hon. Arline Pacht (the founder of IAWJ, the International Association of Women Judges) for their staunch support and vision for NAWJ’s role in spreading its mission around the world. Later in the evening, NAWJ Past President Judge Mary M. Schroeder introduced her friend Stanford Professor Barbara Babcock who shared stories of female pioneers like Clara Foltz who were important in advancing women in the law. We thank the American Society for International Law in making this night of distinguished international guests possible.

Opening Celebrations

Attendees were greeted with a Conference Opening musical celebration nonpareil. The sound of San Francisco’s Taiko Dojo’s steady drumbeats resoundly called conference attendees into convention for the opening of the conference. The Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano, a ten-member all female (first) Mariachi group in San Francisco, regaled all with their spirited Mariachi music. The Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano has a strong focus in education, and a bond that comes from their experience in the Mariachi circuit. A spirited follow-up ensued with the beautiful voices of the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

Respected Elder Lorraine Laiwa offered a soulful opening prayer in traditional Pomo dialect. Assisted by her three daughters, her sister, a granddaughter, and two cousins, the Indian (Native American) group sang several blessing songs. All are Indian Women representing Manchester Point Arena, Dry Creek Rancheria, and Sherwood Valley Rancheria Pomo Tribes.

The pomp, parade and familiar sounds of bagpipes from the Contra Costa Sheriff's Police Pipes and Drums, a band made up of sworn, civilian, and retired law enforcement personnel, as well as current and former Reserves from law enforcement, corrections, or fire agencies, ended the Opening’s culturally diverse musical welcome indicative of the history of California.

A Distinguished Display of Speakers

From ‘The Law’s Migration’ panel - remarked to have been “one of the best ever, each speaker was excellent!”- to the ‘Crawford v. Washington’ panel, which many hope we “have the next year”, to the plenary on ‘Before (and After) Roe v. Wade’, conference attendees were presented with a rich display of knowledge, expertise and history about today’s leading legal issues impacting women, children, and society at large. Sixteen education sessions composed of approximately 70 scholars from around the country gathered over three days to share their wisdom with all conference attendees. It was one of the most remarkably compact intellectual assemblies ever represented at our Annual Conference.

Gail Collins, Conference Keynote Speaker

With wit and insight New York Times columnist Gail Collins, an aficionado on women in history, engaged her audience with a reminder that we should not forget how history is made, and that the gains women have achieved are because of a few women who stood apart against the status quo. This was an important message in a political climate that has not been focused on enhancing women’s status.

This Luncheon also saw the Hon. Debra A. James, Justice of the Supreme Court in New York City, receive the first of the four NAWJ Annual Awards given during the Conference, the Mattie Belle Davis Award. Judge James has been an active member of NAWJ since 1997, and is a member of NAWJ’s Women in Prison Committee. She was recognized and given the award by NAWJ President Dana Fabe.

Sponsors Luncheon

The Conference would not have been possible without the support of the generous sponsors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. A Friends Committee chaired by Lieff Cabraser Heimann and Bernstein’s Kelly Dermody and VMWare’s Angella Padilla, raised significant and sufficient funds in one of the worst financial climates ever. A list of sponsors may be found further down this page.

Richard North Patterson was the Keynote Speaker and his speech can be accessed from this page.

The Ninth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals

Conferees made their way to one of San Francisco’s oldest buildings, the San Francisco home of the U.S. Court of Appeals, for a lovely evening reception. Docents happily gave tours, and food and good cheer were welcomed and given by all.

Asian Art Museum

As Conferees arrived to the Asian Art Museum for another evening reception they enjoyed a most colorful welcome by the San Francisco Police Department Lion Dance Team. The dancing dragons careened their way across the Museum plaza to the delight of all. Fit for a Chinese New Year celebration down Market Street, the Police Department’s parade of dragons escorted attendees into one of San Francisco’s historic and cultural buildings. Once inside, people toured one of San Francisco’s most beautiful modern museums and feasted on Northern California’s splendid culinary offerings. There were also brisk sales at the Museum gift shop, as kimonos and fine jewelry flew out the store, and into suitcases.

New Leadership for 2010-2011

The Annual Business Meeting held the afternoon of Saturday October 16th saw NAWJ elect its 31st President California Superior Court Judge Marjorie Laird Carter, along with other Executive Committee Members: President-Elect Hon. Amy L. Nechtem, Vice President – Publications Hon. Sheri S. Roman, Vice President – Districts Hon. Julie E. Frantz, Secretary Hon. Tanya R. Kennedy, and Treasurer Hon. Elisabeth Ashlea Earle. Special Directors: International Director Hon. Sue Pai Yang, and ABA Delegate Hon. Fernande R.V. Duffly. Projects Committee Chair Hon. Joan V. Churchill and Finance Committee Chair Hon. Anna Blackburne-Rigsby will continue service on the Board’s Executive Committee as well.

District Directors: Hon. Ariane Vuono, Hon. Sandra Robinson, Hon. Julia B. Weatherly, Hon. Lisa S. Walsh, Hon. Sharon Gail Lee, Hon. Katherine L. Hansen, Hon. Jane Spencer Craney, Hon. Ann Walsh Bradley, Hon. Maritza Segarra, Hon. Susan Criss, Hon. Ann Scott Timmer, Hon. Marilyn G. Paja, and Hon. Jamoa A. Moberly. Once again, the membership was treated to the swearing-in honors of NAWJ co-founder California Appeals Court Justice Joan Dempsey Klein.

The Annual Conference Banquet

Each year’s Conference closes with a glorious banquet and this year’s tradition continued with a hearty Big Band welcome. The lavish sounds of woodwinds, bass and percussion drew dancers onto the floor for graceful displays. Thank you Charlie Baggett for your soaring tribute.

But what is a banquet without awards? This year four out of the many exemplary NAWJ members were recognized for their unique achievements (The Mattie Belle Davis Award was given at the Keynote Luncheon.) NAWJ Past President (2006-2007) Hon. Brenda Stith Loftin received the Vaino Spencer Leadership Award from Hon. Dana Fabe. Judge Loftin created NAWJ’s Color of Justice program which is presented to hundreds of secondary school students every year. She was also instrumental in driving NAWJ’s most recent strategic planning process which guides the organization today.

Next, Colonel Linda Strite Murnane, who chaired this year’s Awards Committee, introduced the recipient of the Florence K. Murray Award, Kelly M. Dermody, Esq. Ms. Dermody is a partner at the firm of Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP in San Francisco, California, and was recognized for her exemplary skills as a litigator, professionalism and community service. She also provided much needed counsel to NAWJ during its dispute earlier in the year with the Hyatt Hotel. In addition, she secured funds needed to make the Conference a success.

The final award presented was the Joan Dempsey Klein Award. Hon. Ronald M. George, then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California graciously accepted the Honoree of the Year Award presented by Justice Klein. The award honors a judge who brings distinction to their office and to the National Association of Women Judges as exemplified by NAWJ’s founder Justice Joan Dempsey Klein. In his acceptance remarks Chief Justice George took time to recognize the next Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, then Sacramento Appeals Court Justice Hon. Tani Cantil-Sakauye. She assumed her new role in January, 2011. The Hon. Cantil-Sakauye became the first Asian-American Chief Justice on the State's bench, and was present at the Banquet.

**
For over two years Conference Chair Hon. Barbara Ann Zúñiga, along with Education Chair Hon. Mark Simons of the California Court of Appeals, toured, met, conferred, turned, changed, persuaded and challenged their way to making NAWJ 32nd Annual Conference, San Francisco, Open Your Golden Gate, a unique and memorable experience.

HOST HOTEL

Announcement: New Annual Conference Host Hotel is The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

The host hotel for the Annual Conference has been changed from the Grand Hyatt to the Ritz Carlton. This change was made due to an ongoing boycott and job action at the Grand Hyatt, which had the potential to disrupt our ability to conduct a successful conference. The job action and associated demonstrations and picketing involve many hotels in downtown San Francisco, (see www.unitehere2.org), and we selected the Ritz Carlton as the replacement hotel because it was the only hotel that had both the capacity and availability to host our conference and was not subject to the job action.

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Rooms at the The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco have been guaranteed at the rate of $289.00 plus applicable state and local taxes, single or double occupancy. For reservations call 1-800-241-3333 or (415)-296-7465 and state that you are with the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ). Reservations must be made on or before Monday, September 20, 2010, to guarantee the conference rate (subject to availability). The group rate is being offered three days pre/post based on availability.

Link to the Ritz Carlton: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SanFrancisco

Reserve Your Room at the Ritz Carlton Online
When reserving online with the links below, the NAWJ group code will automatically be entered for you.

Room with a King Bed: 
The following link should be used to reserve a room with one king bed.

https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SanFrancisco/Reservations/Default.htm?gc=nawnawa&nr=1&ng=1

Room with 2 Double Beds:
The following link should be used to reserve a room with two double beds.

https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SanFrancisco/Reservations/Default.htm?gc=nawnawb&nr=1&ng=1

Note: NAWJ has secured 100% of the available rooms with 2 double beds. If you are unable to obtain this rate online, this means that they are fully booked. NAWJ has secured a number of rollaway beds at no charge. Please call the hotel at 1-800-241-3333 to explore this option.

If you currently have a reservation at the Grand Hyatt 
If you currently have a reservation at the Grand Hyatt and you wish to stay at the new host hotel, the Ritz Carlton, San Francisco, please call and cancel your Hyatt reservation (toll free: 1-800-233-1234) and make your new reservation at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. If you choose to remain at the Grand Hyatt, your reservation is fine and the rate of $180+/night will be honored.

REGISTRATION

Conference registration fees are $475 for NAWJ members, $495 for non-members, and $450 for first-time attendees. NAWJ Member registration fee includes all educational sessions, receptions, meals, transportation to events listed in the program and use of the hospitality suite. Partner/guest registration fee includes all of the above except educational sessions. Registration forms postmarked after the registration deadline of September 15, 2010 must include a $50 late registration fee. If notice of cancellation is received after October 1, 2010, the registration fee, less a $50 processing fee, is refundable. Cancellations received within 3 days of the conference are refundable less a $100 processing fee.

Online registration is closed.

Download the registration form to fax or mail to NAWJ. Send to:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LimoRes.com
LimoRes.com has been in the car service business for over a decade and has helped tens of thousands of your fellow passengers from all over the world get to where they're going in style and comfort for a price that is often cheaper than using a taxi. All of our drivers are fully licensed and bonded; in addition, you can expect your driver to be professional and courteous. We are as flexible as you need us to be so if you're party is more than 3 or 4 people we will happily provide you with an SUV, van or even a limo to help you get from your point A to point B anywhere in San Francisco or the surrounding area. While we specialize in transfer to and from the airport, we will be happy to take you wherever you need to go.

LimoRes.com is offering a 10% discount to NAWJ Conference attendees. Please make certain you use promo code: nawj10. For reservations and quotes please click here.

Bay Area Green Tours
Bay Area Green Tours provides entertaining and educational "Seminars-on-Wheels" that demonstrate the sustainable economy in action, inspire support of local green businesses, and empower people to incorporate environmental responsibility and social justice into their personal and professional lives. Our tours focus on topics such as Green Buildings, Water, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Urban Gardening, Electric Vehicles, New Clean Technologies, Sustainable Wineries, and emerging Green Careers. Please check our website, at www.bayareagreentours.org, to find out more about our on-going tours open to the public or call (510) 704-0379 to schedule a private tour for your group, organization, or school. Reservations are recommended.
Phone: (510) 704-0379
www.bayareagreentours.org

Attention California Jurists!
To assist California jurists in attending this education program, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has some funds available for reimbursement of a limited number of registration fee payments ($475) at the completion of the program. The deadline to register for the NAWJ conference is September 14; please contact AOC Senior Education Specialist ClaudiaFernandes at Claudia.fernandes@jud.ca.gov by September 14 if you are interested in receiving registration reimbursement for attending the program.

Learn about the Court!
Learn more about the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit where a reception will be held on Thursday evening, October 14th.
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/news_media/courthouse_tribute.php.

MCLE Credit Available
MCLE credit available. NAWJ education sessions at its 32nd Annual Conference have been approved by The State Bar of California for 19.50 total credit hours, including subfield credits of 7.00 Ethics hours and 3.25 Eliminations of Bias hours. Please see attached MCLE approval letter.

Partial Scholarships for International Judges
Through the generosity of NAWJ Resource Board member, Bob Kaufman and The New York Community Trust, and the American Society of International Law (www.asil.org), partial scholarship funds are available to assist International Judges attend the Annual Conference. For more information, contact Jeff Groton at jgroton@nawj.org.

NAWJ Secures Reduced Parking Rates at the Ritz Carlton
Valet overnight parking: $48.00 per night
Valet daily event parking: $35.00

Second Annual Golden Gate University School of Law Chief Justice Ronald M. George Distinguished Lecture
All NAWJ Conference attendees and other members are cordially invited by NAWJ’s former Executive Director, Dean Dru Stender Ramey, to attend, on October 12, 2010, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the PG & E Auditorium, 77 Beale Street, two wonderful events.

First, NAWJ President Dana Fabe will present the Second Annual Golden Gate University School of Law Chief Justice Ronald M. George Distinguished Lecture.

Second, following Justice Fabe's remarks, a panel of NAWJ members who are current or immediate past Chief Justices will discuss the challenges facing them as women judicial leaders in a time of national ferment.

Introduced by Chief Justice George and moderated by NAWJ co-founder Justice Joan Dempsey Klein, the panel will feature Justice Fabe, NAWJ Past President, Chief Justice Chris Durham of Utah, Chief Justice Barbara Madsen of Washington, Chief Justice Leah Sears of Georgia and Chief Justice Janice Holder of Tennessee.

This annual event shines a spotlight on the vital role of state court jurisprudence and brings the voices and perspectives of prominent state Supreme Court Chief Justices to the Bay Area community

Admission is free. Reception to immediately follow.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

To view the program schedule for the conference, please download the NAWJ 2010 Annual Conference Program Schedule. NOTE: This schedule is subject to change. MCLE credit available. NAWJ education sessions at its 32nd Annual Conference have been approved by The State Bar of California for 19.50 total credit hours, including subfield credits of 7.00 Ethics hours and 3.25 Eliminations of Bias hours. Please see attached MCLE approval letter.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Gail Collins and Richard North Patterson

Gail Collins joined The New York Times in 1995 as a member of the editorial board, and in 2001 became the first woman ever ap­pointed editor of the Times's editorial page. In 2007, she stepped down and finished her book "When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present," returning to The Times as a columnist in July 2007.

Richard North Patterson is a former trial lawyer, and author of eight consecutive international best sellers, all greeted by critical acclaim including "Conviction" and "Protect and Defend." Mr. Patterson served as the Securities and Exchange Commission's liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and is now on the boards of several Washington-based advocacy groups dealing with gun violence, political reform, and reproductive rights.

INTERNATIONAL JUDGES SCHOLARSHIPS

For information regarding the NAWJ International Judges Scholarship and an application form, please click here.

BECOME A SPONSOR

There are five levels of sponsorship available for the 2010 Annual Conference:

• Premier: $20,000
• Gold: $10,000
• Silver: $5,000
• Bronze: $2,500
• Supporter: Less than $2,500

For information on how to become an NAWJ sponsor and to view the sponsorship benefits, please download the NAWJ 2010 Annual Conference Sponsorship Package. 

SPONSORS

CHAIRS

32nd Annual Conference Chair
Hon. Barbara Zúñiga
Contra Costa Superior Court

Education Programs Chair
Hon. Mark B. Simons
California Court of Appeals, First District

Friends Committee Chairs
Kelly Dermody, Esq.
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
NAWJ Resource Board Chair

Angela Padilla, Esq.
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

CONFERENCE COMMITTEES

CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chair: Hon. Barbara Zúñiga, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County

Members
Hon. Anne Bouliane (Ret.)
Superior Court of California, San Francisco County

Hon. Cecilia Castellanos
Superior Court of California, Alameda

Phyllis Culp (Ret.)
Attorney, State Bar Board of Specialization

Linda DeBene
Attorney, Jams, San Francisco

Larrisa Dotson
Deputy Court Clerk, Superior Court of California, San Francisco

Hon. Jill Fannin
Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County

Hon. Ramona Garrett
Superior Court of California, Solano County

Hon. Jennifer Gee
District Chief Judge, U.S. Dept. of Labor, San Francisco

Hon. Donna Hitchens
Superior Court of California, San Francisco County

Hon. Fred Horn
Superior Court of California, Orange County

Hon. Lise Pearlman (Ret.)
California State Bar Court Judge

Robin Pearson
Attorney, Miller, Starr & Regalia

Kathy Ridgeway (Ret.)
Deputy Executive Officer, Contra Costa County

Hon. Maria Rivera
First Appellate District, San Francisco

Hon. Mary Schroeder
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Hon. Marilyn Teeter
Immigration Judge, U.S. Dept. of Justice, San Francisco

Hon. Anne Beytin Torkington
Administrative Law Judge, U.S. Dept. of Labor, San Francisco

Hon. Kay Tsenin
Superior Court ofCalifornia, San Francisco County

CONFERENCE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chair: Hon. Mark B. Simons, First Appellate District, San Francisco

Members

Hon.Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian
Sixth Appellate District, San Jose

Hon. Carol Corrigan
California Supreme Court

Hon. Jennifer Gee
District Chief Judge, U.S. Dept. of Labor, San Francisco

Hon. Susan Illston
U.S. District Court of California, San Francisco

Hon. John Kennedy (Ret.)
Superior Court of California, San Bernardino County

Hon. Lucy Koh
U.S. District Court of California, San Jose

Hon. Ann Kough (Ret.)
Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County

Hon. Judy McConnell
Fourth Appellate District, San Diego

Raquelle Meyers
Attorney, National Indian Justice Institute

Hon. Carlos Moreno
California Supreme Court

Hon. Kathleen O’Leary
Fourth Appellate District, Santa Ana

Judith Resnik
Professor, Yale Law School

Hon. Mary Schroeder
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Hon. Fern Smith Judge (Ret.)
U.S. District Court of California, San Francisco

Bobbie Welling
Supervising Attorney, Center for Families, Children and The Courts, Administrative Office of The Courts, San Francisco

Friends Committee

Co-Chair: Kelly Dermody, Lieff, Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein
Co-Chair: Angela Padilla, VMware

Members
Doris Cheng
Walkup, Melodia, Kelly, Wecht & Schoenberger

Lexi Hazam
Lieff, Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP

Kristen Law Sagafi
Lieff, Cabraser Heimann & Berrnstein LLP

Bobbie Wilson
Perkins Cole LLP

Nemerovski Canady
Falk & Rabkin

Krystal Bowen
Bingham McCutchen LLP

Pamela Davis
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Kathleen Patterson
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Christen Hill
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Karen Johnson-Mckewan
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Stephanie Skaff
Farella Braun & Martel LLP

Merri Baldwin
Chapman, Popik & White LLP

Sarah Flanagan
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Rebekah Kaufman
Morrison & FoersterLLP

Alexis Amezcua
Morrison & FoersterLLP

Natalie Naugle
Morrison & FoersterLLP

GET YOUR CUSTOM NAWJ MERCHANDISE!

Support the Contra Costa Inmate Industries Program and show your NAWJ pride by ordering your desk clock or velvet-lined lacquered box today.

Please see the brochure for more information. Order via the online order form or download the order form and either fax or mail it to the NAWJ national office.

PRESS

Conference Press Release

POST CONFERENCE TOURS

• USA Hosts Key Events NAWJ Optional Tour - Downloadable Registration Form and Tour Descriptions
• USA Hosts Key Events NAWJ Optional Tour - Online Registration Form