Association of African American California Judicial Officers, Inc.

NEWSLETTER - VOLUME VII
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HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS OF
AAACJO'S FOUNDING MEMBERS
On June 22, 2018, Founding Member Patricia J. Titus participated on a panel addressing election success at the California Women Lawyers’ 5th Annual “Elect to Run” program held at the Women’s Museum of California in San Diego. Judge Titus was elected to the bench of the Los Angeles County Superior Court on March 7, 2000. She and her fellow panelists discussed educating and encouraging women to run for public office, connecting with women who have run for office, and associating with those who support women running for office. Excellent work, Judge Titus!   
On June 14, 2018, the election of Founding Member Judge Diana Becton (Ret.) as the first African American and first female District Attorney of Contra Costa County was confirmed! Judge Becton retired from Contra Costa Superior Court last August and was appointed as “Acting District Attorney” in September 2017, but was required to run for a full term this year against two opponents. Congratulations to District Attorney Diana Becton for prevailing in a hard fought election and making history!
On June 8, 2018, Founding Member Judge Allen J. Webster, Jr. was honored at the Alfred Jenkins Scholarship & Awards Dinner by the Black Prosecutors of Los Angeles. Eric H. Holder, Jr., our 82nd US Attorney General, served as the keynote speaker and Christine Simmons, President and COO of the Los Angeles Sparks, was also honored. Founding Member Rupert Byrdsong served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. The dinner was the most attended in the organization's history. Congratulations to Judge Webster for this well-deserved recognition!
Honors for Judge Bobbi Tillmon and AAACJO

President and Founding Member Bobbi Tillmon and AAACJO were honored by the John M. Langston Bar Association on June 14, 2018. Founding Member Rupert Byrdsong introduced Judge Tillmon, who was warmly received by the more than 125 attorneys, judges, and interns in attendance. In her presentation, Judge Tillmon highlighted the magnificent work completed by AAACJO, particularly through its Community Outreach, Legislative, and Judicial Vetting and Appointments committees, in its effort to improve the administration of justice, highlight concerns of the African American community, and promote diversity among the bar and the judiciary. Congratulations, Judge Tillmon and AAACJO!
AAACJO VISITS SACRAMENTO

To celebrate Juneteenth with the California Legislative Black Caucus, many of our members from around the state attended the events held on June 11th at the Capitol in Sacramento. Thanks to Founding Member Judge Michael D. Carter, we enjoyed a reception in honor of the Black Judges in attendance, with introductions on the Senate and Assembly floors. We enjoyed a photo opportunity and were each presented with a commemorative photo. Once again, we enjoyed access to the Freedman’s Bureau Black History Project information to trace our family trees. Our Legislative Committee, under the leadership of Judge Yvette Roland, completed three successful meetings with different legislators’ offices to familiarize them with our work and willingness to assist with proposed legislative analysis. Check out the photos below.
AAACJO ATTENDS SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON

On June 2, 2018, AAACJO members attended the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation Scholarship Luncheon at the Marina Beach Marriott in Marina Del Rey. The theme of the luncheon was "Catalysts for Change: Disrupting the Status Quo."
From left to right, AAACJO members: Judge Barbara Johnson; Kevin Brazile, Assistant Presiding Judge of Los Angeles County Superior Court; Judge Bobbi Tillmon; and Commissioner Brenda Penny
PICNIC FUN!

AAACJO members enjoyed fun in the sun at the John M. Langston Bar Association’s annual picnic held on June 16, 2018 at Kenneth Hahn Park. AAACJO Founding Members Allen Webster and Rupert Byrdsong manned the barbecue and produced some delicious food, including ribs, chicken, links, and beans, and Judge Byrdsong also graced attendees with his famous banana pudding! Everyone enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to next year's picnic!
AAACJO'S TERRANCE LEWIS APPOINTED SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE
On June 1, 2018, Governor Brown appointed Commissioner Terrance Lewis, a Life Member of AAACJO, as a Judge to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Judge Lewis served as a commissioner at the Los Angeles County Superior Court beginning in 2014. Prior, he served as a deputy public defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office from 1988 to 2014 and was a law clerk at the Law Office of Levin and Margolin from 1986 to 1987. Judge Lewis earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley. He filled the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Karen J. Nudell. Congratulations, Judge Lewis! 
"THE BENCH"
AAACJO's Judge Victor L. Wright is the editor of California Judges Association's The Bench , the official journal of the California Judges Association. Anyone who would like to write for the magazine, or serve on the Editorial Board, should immediately contact Judge Wright at VLWright@lacourt.org .
CJA’s Executive Board Statement on Senate Bill 656

CJA has reviewed the most current version of SB 656 (Moorlach) , (Judges’ Retirement System II, deferred retirement) and has concluded that in its current form, SB 656 offers improvements to the inequities of JRS II. Therefore, CJA expresses its support of the bill, if amended to specifically state that “no judge or justice of the State of California shall bear any of the additional costs as a result of the passage of this act.” 

CJA’s Executive Board, the Compensation and Benefits Committee, the Pension Fairness Reform Work Group, the Government Relations Committee Chair, Legislative Director Lexi Howard, Lobbyist Mike Belote, CalPERS and pension consultant Jim Niehaus, and our retained actuary Ian Altman have all examined SB 656. We have reviewed all of the evidence and have attempted to answer our members' questions. If the bill is truly “cost neutral” as had been promised, what benefit will be provided to California judges and justices? If not, who bears the cost for this enhancement to JRS II? It cannot be our judges and justices regardless of when they first took office. 

We understand that our state legislative process could still result in additional proposed amendments and we will continue our attention to the bill and keep our members advised. SB 656’s first legislative hearing in the Assembly is currently set for June 20, 2018. We are also mindful that the Governor’s Department of Finance has taken a position in opposition to SB 656. 

CJA’s Pension Fairness Reform Work Group continues to work on comprehensive pension reform with the goal of introducing legislation in next year’s session. Details of this plan will be the subject of a later communication. As always, if you have any questions or would like to discuss this matter further, please contact the CJA office or your board representative directly. 
LAW UPDATE

On May 17, 2018, S.B. 785 went into effect, as an urgency statute, to repeal portions, and add to portions, to Evidence Code § 351.3 and 351.4. The bill applies to civil and criminal cases, and prohibits the disclosure of a person’s immigration status in open court by a party, or his/her attorney, unless that party requests an “in camera” hearing, and the presiding judge determines that the evidence is admissible. This statute does not apply in circumstances where a person’s immigration status is necessary to prove an element of a claim or offense, or a person who voluntarily reveals his/her status.
OUTREACH TO NEW MEMBERS

The purpose of the Association of African American California Judicial Officers, Inc. (AAACJO) shall be to promote the common professional interests of its membership by (1) improving the administration of justice; (2) considering matters concerning the judiciary and specific issues and concerns impacting the African-American community; (3) supporting the Code of Judicial Ethics; (4) promoting the interchange of ideas and encouraging cooperation among members; (5) promoting diversity amongst the bar and the judiciary; (6) communicating, educating, and networking among African American judicial officers, other members of the judiciary, bar associations and the general community; and (7) mentoring and application support of judicial candidates.  

Attached to this newsletter, please find an AAACJO member application. We invite everyone to join and help us fulfill the purpose of AAACJO! If you are a member, invite a colleague to join you and other Appellate Court Justices, State Court Judges and Commissioners, Administrative Law Judges and the State Bar Court statewide. 
UPCOMING EVENTS

Please review and support the events listed below. Part of our organization’s purpose is to support each other and to participate in outreach activities in support of our bar associations and community. It is also important to share information, when you become aware, that celebrates the accomplishments of other judicial officers, whether work related or otherwise. To do so, please contact President Bobbi Tillmon at BTillmon@lacourt.org or Secretary Carla L. Garrett at Carla.Garrett@dgs.ca.gov.

AAACJO'S ANNUAL MEETING

AAACJO’s Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, September 14, 2018, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, in San Diego, California. CJA's Annual Meeting will also be held at the same venue from September 14-16, 2018. We look forward to seeing AAACJO members at the meeting!
93rd Annual Convention & Exhibits
PLEASE SHARE

Should you discover information concerning the achievements, recognition, or milestones of any AAACJO member, please share the news with President Bobbi Tillmon at BTillmon@lacourt.org or Secretary Carla L. Garrett at Carla.Garrett@dgs.ca.gov, so that we can include the news in upcoming AAACJO newsletters.  
Association of African American California Judicial Officers, Inc.