An Official Publication of
The Marin County Bar Association
Editor: Robert Rosborough
Guest Editor: Marie Barnes
May 2018 Articles
Click here for a PDF of all the May 2018 Articles.
Events
Wed | May 23 | 11:45A-1:30P
General | MCBA Members Luncheon
Update on Gender Inequality Issues
Whether you counsel clients on employment issues, or advise business owners on gender discrimination/ harassment allegations, this program will update you on policy reforms, new questions and the under-represented. What upcoming legislation do you need to be aware of to stay current? Why is this not just an issue for women, and why should men be active in discussing the #Metoo movement and gender discrimination? Please join us for a fascinating panel discussion with Jennifer Reisch, Legal Director of Equal Rights Advocates (ERA), and Bernice Yeung, writer, (In a Day’s Work), journalist and filmmaker, to learn how the #Metoo movement affects YOU and your clients!

Meeting Handouts

National Resource Hub on Sexual Harassment & Violence
Online Resource Library
You can look for Resources by Type (Factsheets & Guides; Education & Training; Workplace Tools; and Research & Reports) or by Audience (resources for Employers, Survivors and Co-Workers, and Advocates).
Boxed Lunch Included with Program
1.0 CLE | Bias
Location: Best Western Corte Madera
Members: $55
Non-Members: $65
Wed | Jun 27 | 11:45A-1:30P
General | MCBA Members Luncheon
The U.S. Supreme Court: Recent Past and Future Predictions
Each year, MCBA begins its summer with Law Professor and Scotusblog contributor, Rory Little who shares his extensive knowledge of the Supreme Court docket. Professor Little is a frequent NPR commentator on Supreme Court issues. Stay up to date on important changes in the law as he shares his views on the implications of the term's cases for the evolution and direction of the law. He will share detailed knowledge of dissents and concurrences to bring you unrivaled insight into how and why the law is developing the way it is. And hear his predictions for the term's undecided cases.
Click Here for several cases still to come before the Court.
Buffet lunch included with registration
1.0 CLE | General
Location: McInnis Club Restaurant
Members: $60
Non-Members: $75
News
Editor's Introduction
Restorative Justice and the DA's Race
By Robert Rosborough
If you are not familiar with restorative justice, this month’s issue is your opportunity to learn more about it while also learning more about our candidates for District Attorney. Since several of our articles address it, I’ll refrain from defining it here but if you think that restorative justice is some sort of new age alternative to the “real” justice system, you might be surprised.  More >
President's Message
Big Shoes to Fill at the District Attorney's Office
By Thomas S. Brown
This month’s Marin Lawyer focuses on the upcoming election for the Marin County District Attorney’s Office. This local race is turning into one of the most watched and interesting items on this year’s June ballot.  More >
The Case for Restorative Justice
By A.J. Brady
The case for restorative justice is best exemplified in one of the more common crimes we prosecutors face—a residential burglary. A residential burglary is simply defined:  it is breaking into an inhabited dwelling with the intent to commit a felony within, usually theft. In short, someone breaks into your house.  More >
Marin County and Restorative Justice
By Lori Frugoli
“Why don't we resolve this case with restorative justice?” That question was first posed to me years ago when a public defender suggested restorative justice as a resolution to a case. I broached the subject to my supervisor and was promptly told "we don't do that." In hindsight, both myself and my supervisor should have asked "What exactly is restorative justice?"  More >
People over Punishment: Restorative Justice in Marin County
By Anna Pletcher
One night in Elmira, Ontario, in 1974, two teenagers went on a drunken rampage. They slashed tires, smashed windows, and even overturned a boat. All told, they vandalized 22 homes, costing thousands in damages. The youths were arrested and questioned by law enforcement, but they did not go to jail.  More >
Post-Death Administration in the Age of Access by Password
By Megan Yip
Today many people access most of their accounts - bank accounts, credit card accounts, investment accounts, mortgage accounts, and more - online via password access. Many professionals advise that in planning for incapacity or death, folks should keep a list of passwords to share with their loved ones or trusted agents who will need to access these accounts. I do not advise clients to share their passwords for many reasons, but the most concerning one is that, seemingly as a direct result of the popularity of the estate planning advice, “share your passwords,” I see a trend in people neglecting key parts of the legal post-death administration process.  More >
April Member Luncheon
The Race for District Attorney: The Candidates Address the Issues at MCBA's April Membership Meeting
By Marie Barnes
The last 20 years have not seen a contested election for Marin County District Attorney. The last 70 years have not seen a Marin County District Attorney who had been working outside of the DA’s Office. This year, we have the former and the possibility of the latter. Three candidates are vying for the position. Anna Pletcher comes from the Department of Justice while AJ Brady and Lori Frugoli both come from the DA’s Office.  More >
Community Member Spotlight
Restorative Justice Leader: Cindy Ayala
By Marie Barnes
In November of 2016, the Marin County Probation Department launched its first restorative justice program. Cindy Ayala, the department’s Restorative Justice Coordinator came all the way from Canada to run the program. I recently sat down with her to learn more about her and the program she has been instrumental in bringing to life here in Marin.  More >
Nonprofit Profile
What's "Best for Women?" Soroptimist Has an Answer
By Marie Barnes
I recently had the honor to attend, “Marin Women of Change,” an event honoring women who have made a difference in Marin County. The event was hosted by Soroptimist International of Marin County. In 1921, in Oakland California, a time and place with communities plagued by poverty, women were not permitted to join male service organizations. A group of 80 women who wanted to volunteer to make a difference in their own communities decided to form the first Soroptimist club so they could do just that.  More >
MCBA Achievement Awards
Submit a candidate for MCBA Awards
By Mee Mee Wong
MCBA invites our members to submit nominations for the following three achievement awards: Ann Diamond Young Lawyer Award, Lawyer of the Year Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.  More >
Notices
Food From the Bar 2018
The Marin County Bar Association is again participating in this year's SF-Marin Food Bank campaign: Food From The Bar!

For five weeks every year, the legal community comes together for one purpose: to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in four people face hunger. Over the past 27 years, the Food From The Bar campaign has provided enough food for over 19 million meals! Join us in helping our neighbors in need.

Please join us in the fight against hunger and donate today.
DONATE >
Lawyers in the Library
Lawyers in the Library is a collaboration between the Marin County Law Library and the Marin County Bar Association, offering free legal guidance for self-help litigants. Volunteer MCBA lawyers meet with litigants in 20-minute intervals in the areas of family law, probate, civil and small claims, and landlord tenant matters. The clinic is held the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 4:00-6:30 pm. This rewarding program served over 200 patrons last year with recognition by the Marin County Superior Court to our dedicated volunteers.

On April 23, 2018, The Marin County Law Library hosted the Lawyers in the Library Volunteer Recognition Event event to recognize and honor these dedicated and caring volunteers. This special event also recognized Alexandria Quam, Attorney for Legal Self Help Services at the Marin Superior Court, who along with MCBA Past President Larry Strick, launched the Lawyers in the Library program in 2016. Visit the MCBA Facebook page for pictures of the event.

The MCBA supports Lawyers in the Library by coordinating the volunteer calendar. Please take a moment to view the open slots and sign up. Thank you for your service to the community!
Volunteer Sign Up >
Legal Aid of Marin Jam for Justice
Legal Aid of Marin is celebrating 60 years of legal services for the vulnerable populations of our community. Please join Legal Aid of Marin on Friday, May 4th for this exclusive run-of-the-house event at Terrapin Crossroads for dinner, drinks, and dancing. Special honorees include the Honorable Roy O. Chernus and Renee R. Chernus, in gratitude for their years of service to and support of the organization. View Invitation
Purchase Tickets >
Calendar
Mon | May 07 | 12-1:30P
Labor and Employment Law | Section Meeting
Advising California Clients on Restrictive Covenants
John F Hyland | Rukin & Hyland, LLP
1.0 CLE | General
Wed | May 16 | 12-1P
Estate Planning, Trust and Probate | Section Meeting
Meeting with the Court
0.0 CLE | General
Tue | May 22 | 12-1:15P
Family Law | Section Meeting
DissoMaster and New Tax Act
Art Grater | co-creator of DissoMaster, Consultant to CFLR
1.0 CLE | General
Thu | Jun 07 | 12-1:30P
Estate Planning, Trust and Probate | Mentor Meeting
Probate and Estate Planning: Mentor Meeting
New Members
Miranda Bane
mbane2015@gmail.com
415 722 5432
Attorney 1st Year in Practice

Scott Kauffman
Kauffman & Associates
scott@kauffmanlaw.com
415 507 0507
Attorney Membership

Jon O'Halloran
First Republic Bank
johalloran@firstrepublic.com
415 302 1876
Affiliate Non-Attorney Member

Newton Oldfather
Marin County Counsel's Office
NOldfather@marincounty.org
415 473 6268
Government

Matthew Siroka
Law Office of Matthew A. Siroka
siroka.law@gmail.com
415 522 1105
Attorney Membership

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.