Keynote Speaker Is UCLA Law’s New Dean
VC MABA is proud to announce this year’s keynote speaker, Rachel F. Moran, deandesignate at the UCLA School of Law and formerly a Boalt Hall law professor. Moran will be the first Latina dean of a top-ranked U.S. law school. Moran, who teaches torts, education law, and race and the law, will assume the role of dean and professor of law on October 15.

Moran served as president of the Association of American Law Schools in 2009. She has published and lectured extensively on education law and policy, family law, and civil rights and antidiscrimination law.  Following her undergraduate education at Stanford and law school at Yale, Moran clerked for Chief Judge Wilfred Feinberg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2^nd Circuit.  

“The selection of Rachel Moran as the next dean of UCLA School of Law is a great triumph for our law school,” said Stephen C. Yeazell, UCLA Law’s interim dean. “Rachel Moran is a respected and accomplished legal scholar, an excellent and dedicated teacher and a terrific institution builder.”

Judge Conroy to Be Honored
This year’s dinner will honor Judge Gay Conroy with the Access to Justice Award.  Members of MABA recognize Judge Conroy for her leadership in establishing the Family Law Self-Help Center, among her many achievements, and her commitment to all litigants having access to the legal system.

MABA Scholarships
The annual dinner raises money to provide scholarships to students pursuing a career in the legal field. This year, VCMABA expects to award four $1,000-dollar scholarships.  VC MABA has existed for over 30 years.  Membership is comprised of attorneys who practice in a wide variety of fields, law students and community members. VC MABA is committed to the advancement of the legal profession and the empowerment of the Latino community through advocacy and the promotion of equal justice.

For information about scholarship applications, how to donate to the scholarship fund, or to purchase tickets, contact Jessica Arciniega at (805)988-0285.

Chery Kurman, certified specialist in estate planning, probate & trust law and a partner at Ventura-based Norman Dowler.  Medi-Cal Eligibility Assistance.

Over the years, we talked about this adventure, and always laughed about it, or at least most of us laughed. We also suggested my dad send it in somewhere to get published, but he never did.  This seems the perfect time and place.  As the lazy days of summer wind down and my life continues at high speed, I decided to go the easy route and plagiarize my column this month from my dad [the late Phil Cohen – ed.].  It really wasn’t that long ago, but I cannot pass an RV without suppressing a shudder.  Goose bumps appear, I break out in a  cold sweat, and the memory of a weekend forever encapsulated in our family folklore emerges as a reminder that RVs are not for everyone.  It all began when Melissa, our eldest daughter, graduated from high school and opted to enroll at UC Davis. “I have a great idea,” announced my wife. This questionable idea, of course, provides the genesis of what follows. The idea was that we rent an RV and drive to and from Davis “en famille,” so to speak. Our family consists of myself (a lawyer whose ambitions for camping or discomfort achieve the highest limits of enthusiastic empathy); my wife (also a lawyer whose spirit of adventure, however limited, exceeds mine, and at the time of this narrative on crutches due to a broken ankle); of course, my daughter Melissa, who was excitedly looking forward to going away to college; my youngest daughter Kendall, then a sophomore in high school who, being a UCLA aspirant, was totally indifferent to her sister’s preference for Davis. In addition, we have my motherin-law, whose unparalleled saving grace in living with us for these 30 years or more is to regard our various family differences with a studied and bemused tolerance, and then go to bed. Lastly, we must not overlook Angus, our Cairn terrier, who will not, or cannot, assimilate commands, but is much loved anyway.

After having triumphantly negotiated the RV rental, I was given the keys and a few instructions, and drove home to load up for the forthcoming journey.  Leaving from the parking lot went off without a hitch, and I negotiated the vehicle to the vicinity of our residence without much difficulty.  I must hasten to add that prudence dictated this be done when traffic was at its lightest, and I carefully acceded to the dictates of prudence.  The major problem arose when I attempted to make a right turn into our driveway.  My first attempt obliterated the rose bushes, and my second attempt left me perilously sprawled in the driveway, with the rear of the vehicle protruding midway into the road.  I did not attempt a third try.  Instead, I ruminated for a few seconds, backed out into the road, drove to a cul-de-sac at the bottom, drove back up the road and made a perfect left turn into our driveway.  I then made a Loretta Young entrance into our living room and nonchalantly informed the family to load the vehicle.

We left home late in the evening and headed for our first night rest stop. A reservation had been made and no problems were foreseeable.  What was not foreseeable however, was that the space assigned to me was much narrower than our vehicle (or so it seemed). After two attempts, my wife (rather forcefully, I thought) suggested she park the vehicle. I smiled in a patronizing sort of way, handed her the keys and got out. Of course, she parked with no problem.  My primary job was to connect the electricity and the water, but these efforts were of no avail since the cord and plug from the vehicle did not fit the park connection. When I drew this anomaly to the attention of the park manager, he commented (rather offhandedly I thought), that I needed a “pigtail.”  I asked, “What is a pigtail?” He replied that all RVs needed one, but fortunately he had just one left, and he could sell it to me for $25. I purchased it, connected the vehicle, and “Eureka!” we had light.  I encountered the same problem with the water, and by some freak of coincidence, the park manager had one water hose left.  He sold this to me for $15, and we settled down for the night taking comfort with our electricity and water. 

The night was not comfortable. My bed was a double slat affair which I had to unfold.  Since both sides were at an angle, I naturally slid into the middle, and spent the night lying on some sort of elongated crack. This, coupled with Angus, who spent the entire night racing up and down the RV, did not leave me in the most sanguine of humor when we resumed our trip the following morning.  My wife, in view of her earlier demonstrated driving expertise, suggested she start out the morning drive. I growled my concurrence and off we went. The drive was pleasant enough, until we heard a loud screeching and grinding noise to the right of the vehicle.  I looked out saw a most depressing sight, a crying driver, sitting in his imported twodoor coupe, gazing into my eyes with a woebegone expression. We made our way to the parking lot of an adjacent shopping center and all trooped out to survey the damage. It didn’t take long. Our two-door coupe driver took one look at the RV, and said, “Let’s forget it, your damage is worse than mine,” and with that, he took off at high speed.

At this point in time, I adopted my superior male demeanor, and advised all and sundry that I would drive the rest of the way. Our journey toward Davis then resumed until suddenly we found ourselves at a toll bridge.  In my ignorance, I didn’t even know toll roads existed in this area, but I thought, “This isn’t the first surprise on this trip – I could easily handle this one.” Sensing my apprehension at the narrow approach, the toll collector left his booth and carefully guided me through.  For my part, I was most carefully watching the wall on my left side and was most pleased at my skill when all at once (you guessed it), I experienced a loud screeching and grinding noise to the right of the vehicle. Because of the line of traffic to the rear, I had no choice other than to go forward. Once over the bridge, we stopped for a survey and found that both right fenders had gone, and a large gash which had not been there before was now in full and embarrassing view.  I can only say our drive to Davis continued in explosive silence.  It was with some relief we pulled in and parked at the facility where I had with foresight made a reservation. After all, I had a pigtail and the correct size water hose, and “nothing could go wrong now,” I announced with pride. I cheerfully connected the sewage disposal and my wife prepared to take a shower. A few moments later, she called out and told me the water was rising in the shower and the sink was backing up.  All I needed at this stage was a sewage back up, so I raced to the park management to locate a serviceman. After a two-hour wait during which we all, including Angus, filled the time by glaring at each other, and a Sunday service call charge, I was informed that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the system.  I had merely neglected to “open the gate.”  “What gate?” I asked in my innocence, only to be shown a small flap at the rear underside of the vehicle which must be opened in order that the sewage can flow. It was time for a family meeting.  Melissa felt it would serve everyone’s best interests if she completed her college check-in by taxi. We all agreed, and after checking Melissa in decided we would return home immediately rather than, under the circumstances, stay any longer.  To do so would only invite further unforeseeable, yet certain, disasters. I did not demur to my wife’s suggestion that she drive, and we wended our way to the I-5 South and home.  Things were progressing smoothly. We were cruising at 55 MPH with my wife at the wheel, and I was sitting by a table midway down reading the paper. Without warning, there was a screech of brakes, and I took a swan dive straight through the table, ripped it completely off its hinges, and ended up lying on my stomach in the co-driver’s seat next to my wife. She was quite impervious to my predicament and somewhat weakly explained that a car had swerved in front of her and she was merely taking “evasive action.”

About 2 hours north of home, and counting  the minutes to that delicious time when I could return this self-inflicted torture chamber on wheels whence it came, we all noticed a steady and ever widening swerving from side to side. “Don’t worry,” I called out with confidence, it’s only the wind.” Within seconds, a trucker pulled up alongside and with a panic-stricken look on his face, motioned us to stop. We did, and to our chagrin, disgust, hysteria or whatever, found ourselves faced with a flat tire, right side rear. We limped along to a service station, installed the spare, and arrived home very late at night and very tired.  The next morning, I returned the RV to the dealer who, after having inspected the vehicle, commented that I had “returned less than I had rented.” I fought hard and succeeded in making no response.  Over the years, the family in toto (with my exception) found the trip a laugh – not a big one, true, but nevertheless a laugh. I’ve never been able to find much humor in it, and simply ask, wouldn’t it have been better if Melissa had chosen a college a little closer to home?

Restored Victorian Home - built in late 1800’s.  Ventura City Landmark. Offices start at $500/month, or rent whole building consisting of 4650 square feet, 17 offices, two fireplaces, plus common furnished reception area. 143 Figueroa Street, old town Ventura, between the Mission and Fairgrounds, across the street from Court of Appeal. Landlord pays utilities, janitorial and provides furnished common reception area. Call Don Parrish at (805) 340-1204.

Part-time Law Office Available - Conejo Valley.  Maintain a professional address and meet clients in an attractive setting. One or more days a week available in a top Thousand Oaks location, including mail services, copy machine, and convenient conference room. (805) 497-4662.

Law Office - View office in private suite in the Court of Appeal building on Santa Clara Street, Ventura. Receptionist provided for clients and phones, law library/conference room, kitchen, free copying. $950 per month. Contact T. Viele (805) 643-865.

Westlake Village Offices for Rent – Spacious attorney and secretarial office in established, desirable Westlake Village professional building. Shared suite with another attorney and secretary.  $800 monthly. Call (805) 496-5004.

2 Window Offices - Multi-office suite located in the Paseo Camarillo Professional Center. Ideal for any sole practitioner. Suite has two conference rooms, common area, and handicap access. Many amenities. Conveniently located minutes from the 101 freeway near Carmen Drive off-ramp.  Walking distance to banks and food court plaza.Call (805) 384-1313 or email srubio@vcds.bz for more information.

Tower Office Spaces Available – Free Rent with rare opening in suite 1180 in the “Tower” Ventura County’s premier office address. “King’s Corner” office with great views as well as individual window offices available in multi-conference room, established full attorney suite 1180. Full amenities available, including potential for overflow or start-up assistance. Great turnkey location for solo, small firm and mediators. Short or long term, best offers accepted! Call (805) 988-4848.

SERVICES OFFEREDContract Attorney - Let me pick up where you left off. Court appearances, document review, research, pleadings, motions, discovery, general practice. Affordable rates. Call Kate Brolan (805)861-0690, or email: k8brolanlaw@gmail.com.

Barristers’ Treasurer John Negley climbed to the top of Mt. Whitney, 14,500 ft., on Father’s Day weekend with his 10-yearold son Matthew and his 60-years-young mother. The three generations of Negleys used ice axes and crampons to reach the top in unseasonably high snow fall.  They climbed from 3:00 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. – 18 1/2 hours to reach the highest point in the continental U.S….Movie Quote of the Month: Frank: “Your Honor, ladies and gentleman, this is irrefutable evidence that the defendant is, in fact, lying. Judge:  “This is a preliminary hearing. There is no defendant. There is no jury. It’s just me. Son, what in the hell is wrong with you?” From Frank Abagnale (Leonaro DiCaprio) tries his hand at lawyering in Catch Me If You Can (2002)…On August 1, at Paradise Cove beach in Malibu, Matt LaVere asked his girlfriend, Alicia Monturano, to marry him.  They met randomly at a club in Las Vegas last year. She resided in New Jersey, but they hit it off and did the bi-coastal commute for 6 months. She said yes and has moved to Ventura…

License Plate of the Month: JUVLAW on a late model Honda Accord piloted by Inn of Court board member Deborah Jurgensen… These people live among us! A New Jersey couple who gave their children Nazi-inspired names should not regain custody of them, a state appeals court ruled August 5., citing the parents’ own disabilities and the risk of serious injury to their children. The state removed Heath and Deborah Campbell’s three small children from their home in January 2009.  A month earlier, the family drew attention when a supermarket refused to decorate a birthday cake for their son, Adolf Hitler Campbell. He and siblings JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell have been in foster care.  Oh, BTW, Heath Campbell, 37, cannot read and Deborah Campbell dropped out of high school before finishing the 10th grade.  BTW #2, a Wal-Mart in Pennsylvania wound up decorating the cake…Brian Nomi is a new papa. Baby Mathew was born at 1:21 p.m. August 4. He weighs seven pounds, six ounces. His wife, Dream, doing great and Brian reports Matthew “eating and peeing just fine.”…

The Ventura Superior Court’s local rules were revised effective July 1.  They may be viewed at www.ventura.ca.gov…Some happenings at the VC PD office you may not be aware of – Howard Asher was appointed Assistant PD in May. Monica Cummins was appointed Chief Deputy PD in July…Wanna box? I’m trying to find an opponent for Dean Hazard, who’s been training for three-plus years at Ventura’s KO Boxing Club.  He spars once a week and trains once a week and ready for a sanctioned fight. Problem is, you have to fight someone within 5 years of either side of your age. Dean’s Bar # is 105794 and can be reached at 981.8555…

The Best Thing We Do!
Your Pro Bono Arm of the Ventura County Bar Association.  The Volunteer Lawyer Services Program, Inc. provides legal services to low income and indigent families and individuals.  Our Award Winning program was established in 1996 in response to a dramatic need to assist families and children with family law issues.  Additionally, the VCBA/VLSP, Inc., addresses senior citizens experiencing consumer fraud matters and tenant-landlord dilemmas

Since 1992, the Annenberg Foundation has contributed a total of $210,000 to the VCBA/VLSP, Inc., the Award-Winning Pro Bono Program of our Bar Association.  Regrettably, the foundation is drastically reducing its commitment.  In order to compensate for this significant funding crisis, the VCBA/VLSP, Inc. has established a Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by past president of the bar, Jonathan Light (2007), to raise funds for our pro bono program. 

If you would like to join us in support of The Best Thing We Do, and join the other members of our Bar Association who have contributed, just in the last 30 days, $25,000 annually over 5 years to our capital campaign to support our Pro Bono work, please complete the form below.

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service.  All contributions to this organization are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

To register simply email Celene at bar@vcba.org or call 650.7599.

The cost for VCTLA members and Barristers is $45 (program only) and $50 for non-VCTLA members (program only) additional MCLE cost $10.  Become a VCTLA members  today and take advantage of the reduce price and network opportunities.

This activity has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 1.5 hour of General credit.  VCBA certifies that this activity conforms to the standards for approved education activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing Minimum Continuing Legal Education.

The Barristers hosted their Fourth Annual Bowling Night on July 29, 2010 at Harley’s Bowling Center in Camarillo.  Over 100 attorneys and their friends and families participated.

Photos & Synopsis provided by Christina Stokholm, Esq.

*VCBA Barristers upcoming event: Annual Wine and Cheese Mixer – August 19, 2010

Legal Secretary/Paralegal – Thousand Oaks family law/bankruptcy firm seeks a legal law/bankruptcy firm seeks a legal secretary/paralegal for full time employment. Candidate should possess at least two years’ family law experience and bankruptcy experience is helpful. Candidate should also possess good communication skills and have excellent people skills. Please forward résumé and contact information to vle@vlelaw.com.

SERVICES OFFERED

26-year legal assistant – is available immediately and experienced in the following law fields: civil litigation plaintiff/defense, personal injury, family, criminal, construction defect/insurance defense, corporate/business, employment/labor, estate planning/wills/probate and some workers’ comp and bankruptcy. Please contact Debbie LaRoche at KaelisGrammy@aol.com or call (805) 223-0466.

Contract Attorney – You can get it all done, if you ask for help. Appearances, document review, research, legal writing, depositions, site inspections, and willing to travel. Affordable, negotiable hourly and flat fee rates. Call Kate Brolan at (805)308-0858.

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE

Ventura Office Space Available – Near Ventura Harbor, furnished with garden courtyard view, private entrance, ample free parking, approximately 10 minutes to Ventura Courthouse.  $400 per month.  Please call (805) 650-6640.

Beautiful Restored Victorian Home - built in late 1800’s. Zoned for office or commercial, 4650 sq. ft. 17 offices, plus reception area. Rent all or part. Designated as a City of Ventura Historical Landmark. Walk to Downtown Ventura or the beach. Located between the San Buenaventura Mission and the Museum of Ventura County. Offices for rent from $500/ month or rent entire building. Across from California Court of Appeal building on Figueroa Street. Call Don Parrish at (805) 340-1204.

Office Space Available – 1,012 sq. ft. includes two offices, conference room, reception, lobby, private restroom & kitchen. 1st floor, 24/7 access. $1,900/month. Call Crystal Dook, Broker, (805) 495-0624.

Tower Office Spaces Available – Rare opening in the “Tower” – Ventura County’s premier office address. “King’s Corner” office with great views as well as individual window offices available in multi-conference room, established full attorney suite 1180. Full amenities available, including potential for overflow or start-up assistance. Great turnkey location for solo, small firm and mediators. Short or long terms, best offers accepted! Call (805) 988-4848.

Westlake Village Offices For Rent – Spacious attorney and secretarial office in established, desirable Westlake Village professional building. Shared suite with another attorney and secretary. $800 monthly. Call Mary Ann at (805) 496-5004.

Two Window Offices - in multi-office suite located in the Paseo Camarillo Professional Center. Ideal for any sole practitioner. Suite has two conference rooms, common area, and handicap access. Many amenities and conveniently located minutes from the 101 freeway near Carmen Drive off ramp. Walking distance to banks and food court plaza. Available Aug. 1, 2010. Please call (805) 384-1313 or email srubio@vcds.bz for more information.

Executive Westlake Village Offices For Rent – Office available now on second floor in established, desirable, professional building with separate entrance. Approximately 240 sq. feet with one large window. $475.00 a month including utilities on a one year lease. Call Mary Ann for details at (805) 496-5004.