An Official Publication of
The Marin County Bar Association
Editor: Robert Rosborough
Guest Editor: Anna Pletcher
THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUE
EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our topical criminal law themed issue of the Marin Lawyer with great thanks to Guest Editor Anna Pletcher. I’m sure all of you are aware of California’s prison overcrowding crisis. Deputy Public Defender Bryna Holland writes about the crisis and the response to it, particularly innovative approaches here in Marin. Some of you may not be aware just how far along California is on the path to eliminating money bail. Our guest editor (and former Federal Prosecutor) writes a highly informative primer on bail reform, including the latest action in the California Legislature.

You can also read about inmates performing Shakespeare, brought to you by Marin Shakespeare Company, and about the worthy work of Alternate Defenders, Inc. providing outstanding conflict counsel to defendants in Marin.

Departing from our criminal theme, I'm excited to announce the return of our Judge's Corner column. Judge Verna Adams has written a fascinating article on the history of the Marin Bench, particularly the role of women after taking 104 years to make their first appearance. Finally, as a mediator, I highly recommend Gordon McAuley's entertaining and insightful article on what it takes to get better results in mediation.

Please get in touch if you have an idea for an article. Or, write a Letter to the Editor. Do any of our readers think money bail should stay the way it is? Let us know!

– Robert Rosborough Email
Events
Wed | Jun 28 | 11:45A-1:30P
General | MCBA Members Luncheon
The U.S. Supreme Court:
Recent Past and Future Predictions
NEXT WEEK! Reserve by Friday, June 23

Each year, MCBA begins its summer with Professor Rory Little’s update on high profile SCOTUS cases, offering MCBA members a glimpse of the Supreme Court's justice positions and their summarized discussions. Professor Little is a frequent NPR commentator on Supreme Court issues. He looks forward to sharing trends and predictions about the Court.
Buffet Lunch
1.0 CLE | General
Location: McInnis Club Restaurant
Members: $60
Non-Members: $75
News
President's Message
Jury Duty, Active Duty, and a Lawyer's Duty
By Dorothy Chou Proudfoot
A big thank you to Immediate Past President Larry Strick for arranging for Dr. Larry Brilliant to speak at our May General Membership meeting. I did not know Dr. Brilliant personally; I had only read the Wikipedia summary of his education, experiences, and accomplishments, and I was curious to see how he would inspire us to go outside our comfort zone and do good in the world.  More >
JUDGE'S CORNER
A Brief History of Women on the Marin Bench
By The Honorable Verna Adams
On Friday, May 12, 2017, all of the active female Marin County Superior Court Judges gathered with our matriarch, Judge Beverly Bloch Savitt (Ret.) for her birthday party. This occasion sparked my interest about the history of the Marin County Superior Court. 104 years elapsed between the election of our first Superior Court Judge in 1879 and 1983, when Bev Savitt and Lynn Taylor together shattered the glass ceiling.  More >
DIRECTOR'S PROFILE
Patricia Conway
By Anna Pletcher
Meet Patty Conway, litigation attorney with Vasquez Estrada & Conway, in her third term as a MCBA board member.  More >
California Can Learn from the Federal Bail System
By Anna Pletcher
The debate over bail reform in California is heating up. Two bills are currently making their way through the state legislature seek to end the state’s money bail system. The proposed reforms have generated much interest and controversy from those on both sides of the political spectrum. As a former federal prosecutor, I am watching with interest and curiosity as California's debate unfolds. Money bail was eliminated at the federal level more than fifty years ago.  More >
The Uplifting Story of California's Response to Prison Overcrowding
By Bryna Holland, Deputy Public Defender
The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits infliction of cruel and unusual punishment. Stunningly, in Brown v. Plata (2011) 563 U.S. 493, the State of California conceded a violation of the Eighth Amendment. The concession was based on evidence presented during 14 days of testimony before a three-judge panel about life inside California’s vast prison system, especially for inmates with health problems. . . . Learn what Marin County is doing to address the problem.  More >
Ensuring Justice: Representing the Most Vulnerable
By Barbara Monty
For the past three years, I have had the great privilege to serve as the one civil attorney on the board of directors of Alternate Defenders, Inc. (ADI) As I complete my term, I thought it important to share with others the good work of this valuable organization. ADI is a non-profit corporation that provides free representation to indigent criminal defendants for whom the Public Defender’s Office has a conflict of interest.  More >
NONPROFIT PROFILE
Marin Shakespeare Company Social Justice Programs
By Catherine Rucker
In the summer of 2016 while serving as a volunteer attorney in the Marin Public Defender’s office, I learned that the Marin Shakespeare Company production of Othello would feature Dameion Brown in the lead. Mr. Brown had been incarcerated at Soledad Prison, and he was the first actor from one of MSC's prison arts programs to star in a regular production.  More >
Mark Twain's Advice for Getting Better Mediation Results
By Gordon D. McAuley
Mark Twain is seldom mentioned in articles about getting better results in mediation. But he is well recognized as a sage observer about how we get along with one another. Litigation often happens when we do not get along well with others. How we think about that litigated dispute, and the possible solutions to a bad situation, is the concern of the mediator.  More >
May Meeting Recap
A Conversation with Dr. Larry Brilliant
By Anna Pletcher
May’s Member Luncheon featured physician, epidemiologist, and TED sensation Dr. Larry Brilliant in conversation with MCBA Program Chair Barrett Schaefer. A talented storyteller and engaging speaker, Dr. Brilliant reflected on his extraordinary life journey across continents, from eradicating smallpox in India to leading Google’s philanthropic foundation.  More >
Calendar
Tue | Jun 13 | 12-1:30P
Labor and Employment Law | June Labor/Employment Section Meeting
Discrimination Update: Race, Religion, Gender and Unconscious Bias
1.0 CLE | Bias
Wed | Jun 21 | 12-1:30P
Alternative Dispute Resolution | Section Meeting
Happy Together: How co-mediation can lead to more satisfying results for participants and neutrals
Lynn Duryee (Ret.) | Hon.
Jeane Struck
Buffet Lunch
1.0 CLE | General
Thu | Jun 22 | 6-9P
General | 2017 MCWL Business and Professional Women’s Dinner
An Evening with Heidi Kuhn
Dinner
Wed | Jun 28 | 11:45A-1:30P
General | MCBA Members Luncheon
The U.S. Supreme Court:
Recent Past and Future Predictions
Professor Rory Little | Constitutional Law Professor, UC Hastings
Buffet Lunch
1.0 CLE | General
Tue | Jul 18 | 12-1:30P
Family Law | Section Meeting
Soberlink and Drug Counseling
Colleen Moore
1.0 CLE | General
Wed | Jul 19 | 12-1:30P
Estate Planning, Trust and Probate | Section Meeting
Special Needs Planning for Individuals and Families – An overview with the latest developments
Mercy Hall | Esquire
1.0 CLE | General
Wed | Jul 26 | 11:45-1:30P
General | Members Lunch
Get Right with the LucasFilm Legal Force: Entertainment, Intellectual Property and Employment Law
Rhonda Hjort | Deputy Chief Counsel, Lucasfilm
Buffet Lunch
1.0 CLE | General
New Members
Duffy Carolan
Jassy Vick Carolan LLP
dcarolan@jassyvick.com
415 539 3399

Arvin Lugay
Kaspar & Lugay, LLP
arvin@kasparlugay.com
415 789 5881

Douglas Rappaport
Law Offices
Admin@sfcrimlaw.com
415 989 7900

Richard Self
Keegin Harrison LLP
rself@keeginharrison.com
415 456 4000

Philip Terry
Carle Mackie Power & Ross LLP
pjterry@cmprlaw.com
707 526 4200

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.