Legal Pad

New CJA President Hungers for Judicial Unity

[Cheryl Miller]

Maybe it was the approaching lunch hour. Maybe he was just hungry when he wrote his speech. Whatever the reason, new California Judges Association President Allan Hardcastle delivered an inaugural address Saturday that was well-spiced with dining analogies.

On the judiciary’s shrinking budget: “My mother used to tell me that the table manners changed when the pie got smaller. That’s so true,” the Sonoma County Superior Court judge told a receptive gathering of State Bar and CJA leaders in Monterey. “And that pumpkin pie we used to have? It’s looking like a three-day- old Pop-Tart to me right about now.”

And on the need for judges to “unite” against state budget cuts: “Like a family coming home for Thanksgiving, we must ensure that the front door is open, and we must ensure that everyone gets a seat at the table. And once they’ve gotten that seat at the table, we need to ensure there’s adequate food on the table to feed everyone.

“Once we win that goal, then there’ll be time to discuss whether two years ago mom should have used the stainless steel flatware or the sterling silver flatware,” Hardcastle continued. “Only when everyone’s at the table and their needs are met should we have a debate about whether the dinner fork goes on the right or the left.”

Some judges may not find Hardcastle’s message so palatable. Critics, most notably the Alliance of California Judges, have described the call to quell dissent as stomach-churning. Hardcastle, a Harley-riding Army veteran, has the next 12 months to make his plea bear fruit.

 

State Bar Notebook: Farewells and Introductions

[Scott Graham]

It was an emotional morning Saturday at the State Bar convention in Monterey when the chief justice gave his farewell address, his principal attorney was honored, and the incoming State Bar president described a family tragedy that renewed his appreciation of lawyers.

Supreme Court attorney Beth Jay, principal attorney to Chief Justice Ronald George, received the Bernard E. Witkin medal for outstanding contribution to California jurisprudence. Jay, the Winston Wolf of the Supreme Court who does her work behind the scenes, was described by outgoing California Judges Association President Michael Vicenzia as “the key” to the court. “Anyone who wants to be successful as a leader, you need a Beth Jay,” he said.

George, meanwhile, looked back at his 14 years as chief justice, ticking off accomplishments including trial court consolidation and state funding, improvements to jury service, services for pro se litigants, better community outreach, a courthouse construction program, and a “developing statewide case management system” -- developing being something of a euphemism.

 George reiterated the reasons he's stepping down from the bench, then, departing from his prepared remarks, added: “In a word, after 45 years in public service it was perhaps a time for some self-service.”

 

Former State Legislator Joseph Dunn Chosen as New State Bar Director

[Kate Moser]

The State Bar has landed former state senator Joseph Dunn to be its new executive director.

State Bar President Howard Miller announced that the board of governors chose Dunn “after a nationwide search,” and that he’ll start sometime after this week’s State Bar annual convention in Monterey.

Dunn will take over for Judy Johnson, who announced her resignation last January.

“Judy Johnson has been the heart and soul of the State Bar,” Miller said in the news release announcing the decision. “We are extremely fortunate to have found someone who can continue her work with the same distinction she brought to the position.”

A full story will follow at TheRecorder.com later today.

State Bar Buyouts Placed On Back Burner

[Mike McKee]

A State Bar plan to cut about $1.3 million in costs via buyouts for employees has been put on hold.

Jon Streeter, a member of the Board of Governors’ budget subcommittee, was vague Thursday about why the proposal wasn’t brought up for discussion by the full board last weekend, but said it’s still pending. “It’s not dead,” the partner with San Francisco’s Keker & Van Nest said. “It’s still under consideration.”

The proposal was intended to provide savings by reducing the State Bar’s work force by at least 5 percent, which would have amounted to about 25 employees. “I do expect it to return to the agenda sometime, hopefully, in the fall,” Streeter added.

State Bar Govs. Patricia White, a partner in Littler Mendelson’s San Jose office, and San Francisco public member Richard Rubin didn’t return calls seeking comment. Both are also on the budget subcommittee.