Estate Planning & Probate Section – Annual Holiday Party- December 15
Thursday. December 15, 2022
In Person and via Zoom
If you plan on attending this event in person:
Please arrive at Elks Lodge at 11:40am
229 W 20th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403
The EP Section is pleased to announce its initial post-Covid live event. To celebrate the holiday season and end of the year, we are returning to the San Mateo Elks Lodge for our annual Judge’s luncheon.
We are pleased to have the Honorable Susan L. Greenberg, Probate Judge for the San Mateo County Superior Court, join us at our annual holiday party. Judge Greenberg will speak to our section regarding this past year on the Probate Bench and what to expect in 2023. This is a program you will not want to miss. Please arrive early as we expect this event to be well attended.
Lunch will be included for the in-person attendees.
For those members who wish to register for an online webinar rather than in-person luncheon, a live stream of the presentation will be available.
If you have questions for Judge Greenberg, please email them to Joe Gruber at jgruber@arcr.com, or to Jim Griffiths at jim@gryphonevents.com, and type “Judge Greenberg” in the subject line.
Cost: Cost is $50 per person for members of the SMCBA Estate Planning Section and $65 for others. Cost includes lunch and 1-hour MCLE.
Registration and Information: Please note that we have four registration options. Luncheon or Webinar, Member or Non-Member. The registration fee is the same for Luncheon and Webinar but you must register for the in-person Luncheon if you plan to physically attend the event. Due to venue costs and financial commitments, Webinar registrants will not be seated at the Elks Lodge without prior approval. Webinar registrants wishing to change to Luncheon attendance may request such by contacting smcba@gryphonevents.com no later than Monday, December 12th.
Women Lawyers- A Presentation on The Equal Rights Amendment, Past, Present and Future- November 3rd
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Via Zoom at 12:00pm
Join us for a Zoom presentation on the Equal Rights Amendment, its history and where we are today, led by the Alice Paul Institute. Suffragist and gender equality advocate Alice Paul first introduced the ERA in 1923 to expand the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution to both genders. She understood the importance of constitutional protections for all citizens when she argued, “We shall not be safe until the principle of equal rights is written into the framework of our government.” We will also discuss where the Equal Rights Amendment stands in Congress today and the paths available for the ERA to be ratified to the U.S. Constitution.
You will receive .5 Recognition and Elimination of Bais and .5 of General Law MCLE credit for attending this event.
MCLE certificates will be made available in the week following the event.
Speaker: Alyssa Hunt and Ting Ting Cheng, Esq.
Cost: FREE for SMCBA members and $10 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 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.
SMCBA’s Committee on Professional Equality & the San Mateo County Superior Court- Tips to Help Identify and Eliminate Implicit Bias in the Legal Profession- November 1st
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Via Zoom at 12:00pm
Description: Implicit bias refers to the unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions. These biases—which can encompass both favorable and unfavorable assessments—manifest involuntarily without an individual’s awareness or intentional control. Though shorthand schemas of people may be helpful in some situations, they also can lead to discriminatory behaviors if we are not careful. Unconscious biases in the workplace can hinder diversity, recruiting, and retention efforts and can shape an organization’s culture in detrimental ways. Unconscious bias can skew talent and performance reviews. They can affect whom an organization hires, promotes, and develops—which unintentionally reinforces barriers to opportunity. The focus of this event is to describe how implicit bias affects the legal profession and to offer recommendations on addressing implicit bias.
Speaker: With a deep-rooted passion for helping those who have suffered wrongdoing, Sandra Ribera Speed is the founder of Ribera Law Firm in San Francisco where she advocates for people in sexual abuse, personal injury, and racial discrimination cases. Both inside and outside of the courtroom, Ms. Speed remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice for her clients.
Early in her career, Ms. Speed was the youngest member of the team responsible for representing the heirs of Christopher Wallace, also known as The Notorious B.I.G., in a $360 million wrongful death claim filed against the Los Angeles Police Department. Ms. Speed has also represented Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, in a number of issues, including a wrongful death action arising out of her son, Michael’s, untimely death.
Active in the legal community, Ms. Speed has been co-chair of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association’s Implicit Bias Task Force since its inception in 2020. She also currently serves as Secretary of SFTLA’s Board of Directors and is on the Board of Governors for the Consumer Attorneys of California where she has been recognized with its Champions of Justice Award.
Cost: Free for SMCBA members, $15 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 Ahide Rodriguez at events@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- Practical Considerations Under the Rules of Professional Conduct- October 27th
Thursday, October 27th
Via Zoom at 12:00pm
WHAT: Knowing your ethical obligations in the daily practice of law is vital to a successful legal career. Kyle will discuss the practical application of the Rules of Professional Conduct to the everyday practice of law. Kyle’s presentation will be interactive and include best practices from retention through termination of the attorney client relationship.
WHO: Kyle is a partner at RH | Montes De Oca. He is a malpractice attorney representing both underlying clients and lawyers in professional liability related matters. He also counsels and represents lawyers before the State Bar Court in disciplinary matters.
When: Thursday, October 27, 2022 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.
Family Law Section- Top Family Law Cases of 2022- January 13
Friday, January 13, 2023
In Person and Via Zoom
Please arrive at Crown Plaza Hotel at 11:40am
1221 Chess Dr. Bayview Room (7th floor), Foster City, CA, 94404
Please join the Family Law Section on Friday, January 13, 2023, for a presentation by the peerless Garrett Dailey on some of the most compelling appellate cases of 2022. Garrett Dailey’s expertise on this topic is unparalleled, and we are extremely fortunate that he so generously gives us his time to review the top cases of the prior year.
Mr. Dailey is a Certified Family Law Specialist focusing on appellate issues. He is a Fellow in the American and International Academies of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is the publisher and author of ATTORNEY’ S BRIEFCASE®LEGAL RESEARCH SOFTWARE and the author of SupportTax® and Lawgic®. The many awards he has received include a Lifetime Achievement Award by the State Bar of California Family Law Section; the 30th Anniversary Outstanding Service Award from Association of Certified Family Law Specialists as well as the 1995 Hall of Fame Award; and the 2005 Outstanding Conference Speaker Award from the Cal. CPA Education Foundation. Some of his more recent appellate cases include Marriage of Valli; Elkins v. Superior Court; Marriage of La Musga; Marriage of Macilwaine, Marriage of Facter; Marriage of Hibbard; Marriage of Hill & Dittmer; Marriage of Cadwell-Faso; Marriage of Sorge; and Marriage of Alter.
Mr. Dailey will present a more in-depth summary of updates in California Family Law at his 2022 Year in Review – A Family Law Update Webcast, which will be held on January 27, 2023, January 29, 2023, and February 3, 2023.
Speaker: Garrett C. Dailey
In-Person Cost (includes lunch): $55 for section members and $65 for non-section members.
Zoom Cost: $40 for section members and $50 for non-section members.
Cost includes 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 events@smcba.org
For in person cancellations, the cancellation must be received ONE WEEK BEFORE the event. If you do not cancel within one week prior to the event or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount.
For zoom cancellations, must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee for those who register via Zoom. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount.
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.
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.