As the winter chill settles in, we welcome you to our December recap with festive spirits! From holiday announcements and highlights, there's a lot to unwrap in this month’s edition of HK Today.

Please join us in extending a massive round of congratulations to Samantha Masters. Samantha successfully passed the California state bar examination in November 2023 and was officially sworn in at the Santa Clara County Family Justice Center Courthouse on November 29, 2023. Samantha has also been promoted from Post Bar Law Clerk to Associate Attorney and is now licensed to practice law in the state of California. We’ve known since she started with us in January 2022 that Samantha is a superstar attorney in the making. Congratulations, Sam!

Congratulations to Wendy Chao, who has been promoted from Post Bar Law Clerk to Associate Attorney! Wendy successfully passed the California state bar examination in November 2023. Shortly thereafter, she was sworn in at the Santa Clara County Family Justice Center Courthouse on November 29th, 2023. We are confident Wendy will continue to excel in her legal career, are thrilled to officially have her as a part of our diverse team of family law attorneys.

On December 1, 2023, Jim celebrated his 20th year of practicing family law. Here’s a quick recap of how it started and how it’s going:

In 2001, Jim graduated Summa Cum Laude from Santa Clara University School of Law. He was ranked 4th in the graduating class of 212 students and received CALI Awards in Contracts, Torts, Commercial Transactions, Wills and Trusts, Dispute Resolution and Criminal Procedure. He was immediately recruited by a top tier corporate law firm and practiced corporate law for two years. Jim joined what is now Hoover Krepelka, LLP on December 1st, 2003, and embarked on an extraordinary trajectory in family law. He has since earned the Certified Family Law Specialist designation, has been a 10-time recipient of the Avvo Client’s’ Choice Award, has earned multiple Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion recognitions and has been named to Northern California Super Lawyers each year since 2021. Jim is often invited by the Santa Clara County judiciary to serve as Judge-Pro-Tem and he has successfully overseen approximately 1,000 family law matters, including countless complex trials.

A dynamic gentleman with extraordinary legal acumen, we are honored to have him at the helm of our firm. Jim’s leadership, client advocacy, and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of justice have not only enriched our firm but have also positively impacted the lives of so many individuals. Jim, thank you for your continued dedication and vision in growing HK to be the largest law firm in Northern California to exclusively practice family law. Your contributions have been invaluable, and we look forward to many more years of success and collaboration!   

Happy Work Anniversary!

The highlight of the gathering was our Secret Santa reveals segment. Each participant shared heartwarming sentiments about their assigned Secret Santa recipient while presenting thoughtful gifts. The choice of Boulder Ridge Golf Course as our venue added to the magic, offering breathtaking views of sweeping hills and a picturesque backdrop throughout the afternoon.

A special mention goes to Calvin Nguyen and Sally Hauger, who stood out as the undeniably best-dressed fashionistas of the day. Their outfits not only impressed everyone but also inspired the creation of an impromptu award in their honor, “Best Dressed King and Queen”. It was a day filled with joy, camaraderie, and a touch of high fashion at HK.

On December 1st, we attended the Santa Clara County Bar Association's Annual Women Lawyers' Holiday Luncheon at The Glasshouse in Downtown San Jose. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the talented women judges and attorneys in our legal community, enjoying a delightful lunch as we ushered in the festive spirit of December. Thank you, SCCBA Women Lawyers’ Section, for flawlessly coordinating this extraordinary holiday celebration!

At the Annual Holiday Party of the Santa Clara Trial Lawyers Association on December 6th, Andrea J. Justo, Senior Associate and President, took the stage as the emcee. A few among us were in attendance, reveling in celebrating this year's remarkable verdicts. A resounding applause is directed towards the trial lawyers acknowledged for their outstanding contributions.

On December 14th, the 2023/2024 cohort of Leadership San Jose gathered for a captivating Arts and Culture day. The event kicked off at the iconic California Theatre, where Kerry Adams Hapner, Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs, provided a comprehensive overview of San Jose's pivotal role in the arts. Attendees were then treated to an exclusive backstage tour led by Shawna Lucey, General Director of Opera San Jose, and Katie Priessner, Managing Director of Arts and Production at Opera San Jose. The experience culminated in an enchanting mini-performance by Opera San Jose's world-class talent, enticing everyone to attend performances at Opera San Jose this season.

The group transitioned to San Jose Jazz's Break Room for a stimulating panel discussion featuring Brendan Rawson of San Jose Jazz, Jessica Paz-Cedillos of the School of Arts and Culture, Chike Nwoffiah of the Silicon Valley African Film Festival, Wisa Uemura with San Jose Taiko, Karen Altree Piemme with Red Ladder Theatre, and Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez of MACLA. Following the insightful discussion and a light lunch, the cohort explored MACLA and enjoyed a riveting live performance by San Jose Taiko.

To conclude the day, participants gathered at Noite for a Holiday Happy Hour with Mayor Matt Mahan. Special thanks to Janikke Klem, the facilitator of Leadership San Jose, for orchestrating an exciting and unforgettable itinerary that delved deep into the arts and culture of San Jose.

As a follow-up, the cohort's assignment is to explore a different art or cultural center in San Jose this month. We invite you to join us on this creative journey by dropping a note about your experience. Share where you went and your thoughts on your cultural exploration!!

If you're intrigued and want to learn more about Leadership San Jose, click here or reach out to Michelle Hoover, Director of Community Relations at HK.

This month, we were honored to once again sponsor the Family Law Section’s Holiday Luncheon Event hosted by the Santa Clara County Bar Association. This annual festivity allows the local family law legal community to come together as the end of the year draws closer. This is also a commendation for the dedicated family law attorneys and judges of Santa Clara County, recognizing their accomplishments throughout the year. 

Our firm has proudly upheld the tradition of supporting this annual event and demonstrating our commitment to the Family Law Section. Thank you to the SCCBA Family Law Section for orchestrating another spectacular holiday celebration.

Navigating the intricate realm of enforcing foreign-country judgments in California demands a nuanced understanding of domestication procedures. When parties secure judgments abroad, a meticulous process is required to gain recognition in the State of California. In this brief overview, Stephanie Huang, Associate Attorney, illuminates the essential elements and potential obstacles in the domestication and enforcement of judgments issued beyond California's borders.

For additional information on the domestication and enforcement of foreign-country judgments, please click the link below.

For families navigating child custody arrangements, a seamless holiday season hinges on clear communication and a carefully crafted parenting plan. A detailed schedule, outlining specific dates and custody exchange details, not only minimizes conflicts but also guarantees a positive experience for the children. Cultivating a cooperative co-parenting relationship and prioritizing the well-being of the children fosters a positive atmosphere.

For expert insights and a comprehensive guide on creating a holiday parenting plan, please click the link below.

When the holiday season arrives, Hoover Krepelka, LLP consistently seeks meaningful ways to contribute to our community. This month, we are proud to spotlight Family Supportive Housing, a homeless shelter located in San Jose. For over three decades, Family Supportive Housing has been dedicated to assisting homeless single- and two-parent families with children by providing essential support in the form of food, shelter, employment, and education. Their comprehensive services offer families the opportunity to effect positive change in their lives, extending assistance even after they transition to permanent housing.

On December 4th, HK initiated a drive to collect pillows and comforters for twin and full-sized beds. Additionally, we provided our team with the option to support the homeless shelter by making an online donation or purchasing an item through their Amazon Wish List. Our overarching goal is to spread joy while making a significant impact within our community.

For those inclined to offer digital support, you can visit Family Supportive Housing's website by clicking on the link below.

As the year ends, Hoover Krepelka, LLP extends our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. We wish you a very happy holiday season and all the best for a fantastic new year ahead!

Have you had a positive experience working with our firm? This month we have a special gift for you when you leave a five-star Google or Yelp review for us! Please email us when you’re done so we can be sure to email you a gift card.

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