An Official Publication of
The Marin County Bar Association
Editor: Robert Rosborough
Events
Wed | Feb 22 | 11:45A-1:30P
General | Member Luncheon
A Conversation with Famed Trial Attorney James Brosnahan
Celebrated trial attorney James Brosnahan will address the timely role of lawyers in defending the Constitution, both in and out of the courtroom.

Known by many for his court prowess trying more than 140 cases to verdict, Mr. Brosnahan has prosecuted murderers and the Secretary of Defense. He’s defended the chair of Hewlett Packard and the man known as American Taliban. Receiving numerous awards and accolades, he is the winner of the 2007 American Inns of Court Lewis Powell Jr. Award for Professionalism and Ethics.

Online registration now closed. Call office for availability. 415-499-1314
1.0 CLE | General
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael
Early Bird Members:$45
Early Bird Non-Members: $55
Members:$50
Non-Members: $60
Wed | Mar 08 | 5:30P-7:30A
General | Induction Ceremony
The Honorable Sheila Shah Lichtblau
You are cordially invited to the Induction Ceremony for Hon. Sheila Shah Lichtblau, Judge of the Marin County Superior Court

– Reception to follow ceremony –

Kindly RSVP by February 28

Event coordinated with Marin County Bar Association, Marin County Women Lawyers, and Association of Latino Marin Attorneys
1.0 CLE | General
Location: Marin Showcase Theatre
Free
Wed | Mar 22 | 11:45A-1:30P
General | MCBA Members Luncheon
2017 Annual Pro Bono
Awards Luncheon
Online registration for event closed.
Please call MCBA office for wait list 415-499-1314.


Co-sponsored by MCBA and Legal Aid of Marin

The Annual Awards Luncheon honors our community's outstanding pro bono legal providers of the past year. This year, we celebrate 150 attorneys and 15 community volunteers. 25 are recipients of the Wiley W. Manuel Award, issued by the State Bar of California for 50 or more hours of pro bono services.

Award presentations by Hon. Kelly V. Simmons, Presiding Judge Marin County Superior Court and David Levin, Legal Aid of Marin Managing attorney.

Legal Aid of Marin has been serving the community for 59 years. What started as a group of Marin County Bar Association volunteers now has a staff of nine (including three attorneys) serving over 2000 households each year.
Lunch
1.0 CLE | General
Location: Rickey's Novato
Members: $50
Non-Members: $60
Sat | Feb 11 | 6-10:30P
General | 2017 Annual MCBA Installation Gala
and Scholarship Fundraiser
Online registration closed.
Please call the MCBA office 415-499-1314.

Join us to usher in the Lunar New Year as we induct our 2017 MCBA Officers and Board members, and raise funds for the MCBA Legal Scholarship. The Honorable Terrence R. Boren (Ret.) will administer the Oath of Office.

Happy Hour | Buffet Dinner
Music and Dancing with DJ Gump
Wear your dancing shoes!
Gala Dinner
1.0 CLE | General
Location: Peacock Gap Clubhouse
Members: $150
Non-Members: $150
News
President's Message
Don't Run in Heels
By Dorothy Chou Proudfoot
How's it going with your New Year's resolutions? Yeah, me too ... I do not ordinarily make New Year's resolutions, but I thought I would try something different this year. I have already shared with some of you my attempts to follow this succinct, yet multilayered motto: “Don't run in heels.” Shall we start with the obvious, before peeling back the layers?  More >
EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the February Marin Lawyer
By Robert Rosborough
Highlights of this month's Marin Lawyer: Standing Rock; Medi-Cal Law; forgiveness part 2; the duty of lawyers in divisive times; and more. Plus, we have two member obituaries this month: liberal lion Carl Shapiro and Sean Barry.  More >
Lessons and Perspectives
from Standing Rock
By Larry Bragman and Ford Greene
On November 29, 2016, the two of us traveled to and spent four days camping at the Oceti Sakowin Water Protector’s Camp as guests (no different than anyone else) of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota. ... While we initially intended to volunteer for the legal team defending the many demonstrators, our limited time soon led us to focus on the activities of the Council of Elders which managed the camp on behalf of the tribe.  More >
Change in California Medi-Cal Law: Greater Protection from Estate Recovery
By Patricia Tobin
Changes to California Medi-Cal law that became effective on January 1, 2017, give attorneys more options to protect survivors of Medi-Cal patients from “Estate Recovery.” Estate Recovery refers to California’s right to recover the payments it made to care for a Medi-Cal patient from property owned by the patient at death.  More >
The Duty is Ours
By Charles D. Dresow
As lawyers, we have the duty to preserve the Constitutions of both the United States of America and the State of California. Our oath of admission requires that we “support the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this state.” Our oath requires that we ensure that the rights, privileges and protections of our Constitutions remain for our children and future generations.  More >
Can Lawyers and Mediators Help Our Clients Reach Closure?
By Barbara Monty
Can we, as lawyers and mediators, help our clients reach psychological closure when they have been in conflict? Can we help them forgive those who have injured them and forgive themselves? As the old saying goes, “A fair settlement is when both parties walk away unhappy.” Is that really true? Is the best we can do for clients, for ourselves and for the legal profession just to settle a case where no one goes home happy?  More >
Lawyers in the Library is Off and Running!
By Lawrence A. Strick
Lawyers in the Library is off to a great start. As many of you know, Lawyers in the Library is the MCBA’s new program to provide pro bono legal advice to the community. It launched in October 2016 and each month attracts more and more community members in need of guidance as they navigate the Court system.  More >
Notices
In Memorium: Carl Shapiro
Attorney and long-time MCBA member Carl Shapiro passed away recently at age 98. Of exceptional note, he was an active member of the California Bar, having practiced for 67 years, and may have been the oldest active member of the Bar. He was a true inspiration to the legal community in Marin County.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, February 19th from 1-4pm at the American Legion Hall.
Marin IJ Obituary >
In Memorium: Sean Barry
I am saddened to report that MCBA member Sean Barry passed away January 19. He was a gentleman whom I have had the honor of knowing for over 25 years. I first met him when he was working at the venerable San Francisco firm of Pelton & Gunther. At the time of his death, he was working at Carbone, Smoke, Smith, Bent & Leonard. I know I speak for many who had the privilege of spending time with Sean that he will be profoundly missed. — Larry Strick
Marin IJ Obituary >
2017 Civic Center Parking Passes
One of membership’s perks: limited free parking passes at Civic Center when you have a brief errand. Parking is limited to 30 minute time zones in these time periods: 8:30 to 10:00 am and 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Please contact the MCBA office by email if you would like a parking pass. As required by Civic Center, please complete the attached form and return to MCBA office by email.

Passes issued before 2017 are no longer valid. Parking restrictions are strictly enforced.
Parking Application >
Calendar
Tue | Feb 14 | 12-1:30P
Labor and Employment Law | Section Meeting
2017 Changes in Employment Laws
Jeffrey Polsky
1.0 CLE | General
Wed | Feb 15 | 12-1:30P
Estate Planning, Trust and Probate | Section Meeting
California Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates
Richard S. Kinyon | Shartsis Friese LLP
Kirsten D. Wolff | Shartsis Friese LLP
Wed | Feb 15 | 12-1:30P
Real Property | Section Meeting
Round Table Discussion on Real Property Issues Currently Confronting MCBA Attorneys
Brown Bag Lunch
1.0 CLE | General
Thu | Mar 02 | 12-1:30P
Estate Planning, Trust and Probate | Mentor Meeting
Probate and Estate Mentor Group Meeting
Tue | Mar 14 | 12-1:30P
Labor and Employment Law | Section Meeting
A View from the Bench with Judge Stephen Freccero
Hon. Stephen Freccero | Marin County Superior Court
Wed | Mar 15 | 12-1:30P
Estate Planning, Trust and Probate | Section Meeting
Managing the Risks of a Trust and Estate Practice
Bette Epstein, Esq
1.0 CLE | General
Wed | Mar 15 | 12-1:30P
Alternative Dispute Resolution | Section Meeting
Get your Questions Answered: the Essentials for Building your ADR Practice
Deana Kardel | founder of EOS Consulting and featured in Mastering the Art of Success.
Lunch
New Members
Dana Andreoli
Steyer Lowenthal Boodrookas Alvarez & Smith LLP
dandreoli@steyerlaw.com
415 421 1340

Matthew Bove
Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
mbove@coblentzlaw.com
415 391 4800

Kiara Canales
kiara.canales@gmail.com
707 529 3976
Affiliate Student

Birgit de Frondeville
Birgit Ellen de Frondeville
birgit@defrondeville.com
415 448 6164

Danielle Graves
danienewt@gmail.com
415 250 3368

Inder Khalsa
Richards, Watson & Gershon
ikhalsa@rwglaw.com
415 421 8484

Jeffrey Knowles
Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
jknowles@coblentzlaw.com
415 391 4800

Bryan McCormack
McCormack & Erlich, LLP
bryan@mcelawfirm.com
415 296 8420

Jayli Miller
JayliMiller@gmail.com
415 577 8386

Melissa Mooney
lis_mooney@yahoo.com
415 505 0036

Charles Numbers
Meredith, Weinstein & Numbers, LLP
cnumbers@mwncov.com
415 927 6920

Megan Olive Thompson
Hanson Bridgett
moliverthompson@hansonbridgett.com
415 777 3200

Alexander Quan
Law Office of Christina Sherman
alexanderquan@gmail.com
415 683 8019

Susan Sulc
susan@insightfulmediationservices.com
707 287 5336
Affiliate Non Attorney

Carol Treasure
Benjamin Law Group
carol@benjaminlawgroup.com
510 588 8413

Office Space, Employment Opportunities, Services and More...
MCBA encourages submission of articles that may interest the legal community. The editor reserves the right to publish, decline to publish, edit, or otherwise modify any submission. Editorial material should be sent to Marin County Bar Association by email.