Association of African American California Judicial Officers, Inc.
NEWSLETTER - VOLUME XXVII
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Justice Martin Jenkins (Ret.) and Justice Teri L. Jackson
AAACJO’s Midyear Meeting will be held on
Friday
,
March 13, 2020,
at
7:30 p.m.
, at the Monterey Plaza Hotel, located at 400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940. CJA’s Midyear Conference will also be held at the same venue from March 12-14, 2020. AAACJO's meeting is listed in CJA's Midyear Conference brochure and
Justice Martin Jenkins (Ret.)
, Judicial Appointments Secretary, and
Justice Teri L. Jackson
will serve as guest speakers. The room assignment for AAACJO’s Annual Meeting will be identified at the conference. All members are encouraged to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!
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AAACJO'S FOUNDING MEMBER
TERI L. JACKSON
MAKES
BLACK HISTORY
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Justice Teri L. Jackson
On November 19, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his historic nomination of AAACJO’s own Judge Teri L. Jackson to serve as associate justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division Three.
On January 21, 2020, the Commission on Judicial Appointments held a public hearing in San Francisco and confirmed Judge Jackson by unanimous vote, making her the first African-American woman justice in the court’s history. At the hearing, AAACJO’s Founding Member Judge Kelvin Filer served as a witness in support of Justice Jackson’s confirmation and made a poignant presentation, set forth in full below:
"Res lpsa Loquitur"
As
a judge, I miss the opportunity to be able to give closing argument to a jury! To show the interaction between the law and the evidence to arrive at the facts.
IF I COULD STILL PROVIDE THAT MESSAGE, I WOULD SAY:
"This is a case of res ipsa loquitur!"
You are the sole judges of the evidence and
believability
of the witness.
In deciding whether testimony is true and correct, use your common sense and experience.
Direct evidence--which you are now receiving--is evidence that can prove a fact by itself.
During this process, several items were received into evidence as exhibits reflecting Teri L. Jackson's intelligence, patience and work ethic. You may examine whatever exhibits you think will help you in deliberations.
In reaching your decision, you may consider whether the nominee had a motive. Teri Jackson's life-long motive to excel and achieve--principles instilled in her at an early age by her loving parents--have enabled her to get her BA Degree from UC Santa Cruz and her JD from Georgetown University Law School; she subsequently fought for justice in our criminal courts as a Deputy District Attorney in two counties; she proceeded to advocate for her clients in the arena of complex civil litigation; and she reached back to help others by becoming a law professor at UC Hastings School of Law. Having these motives may be a factor to show that the nominee is deserving of confirmation!
You have heard and received eyewitness testimony identifying the nominee as a recipient of numerous community and civic awards; as the first African-American woman to serve on the San Francisco Superior Court and, if confirmed, she will be the first African-American woman to serve on the San Francisco Appellate Court.
In evaluating eyewitness identification testimony, you should consider the following questions:
Did the witness know or have contact with the nominee before the event?
“Yes - we met at UC Santa Cruz in 1973.”
Did the witness give a description of an outstanding jurist and does that description fit the nominee?
“Yes - Judge Jackson exemplifies patience, integrity and intelligence!”
Did any eye witness ever fail to identify the nominee as an outstanding candidate?
“No!”
Did any witness ever change their mind about the identification?
“No!”
How certain were the witnesses when they made their identifications?
“Absolutely - 100% - certain!”
You have heard character testimony that Teri L. Jackson has a good reputation for giving back to the community--working with local bar associations, participating in mentor groups and supporting a variety of community charitable organizations. Evidence of the nominee's good character can by itself eliminate any doubt whether the nominee should be confirmed.
You have heard evidence that the nominee has made numerous oral presentations and written statements. In her speaking engagements, she is eloquent, organized and especially adept in presenting her message to her audience. Plus, she has already written numerous legal decisions in her 3-year judicial assignment on the appellate panel.
You must not be biased against the nominee because she is humble, loves her family and does not know how to tell a joke!
The law is clear that proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you with an abiding conversation that the charge is true. If I were still able to give a closing argument, I would say to this confirmation jury that the evidence establishes beyond any and all reasonable doubt that my friend, Teri Leatrice Jackson, is deserving of confirmation!
"Res lpsa Loquitur!"
Congratulations to Justice Jackson for her trailblazing accomplishments and for making history as the first African-American woman justice in the history of the First District Court of Appeal!
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AAACJO'S FOUNDING MEMBER
KEVIN BRAZILE
NAMED
"PERSON OF THE YEAR"
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Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile
On Friday, January 31, 2020, the Metropolitan News Enterprise honored Founding Member Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile at its 32nd Annual “Persons of the Year” Dinner. The black-tie affair was held at the beautiful California Club in Downtown Los Angeles. A number of proud AAACJO members were in attendance, including Assistant Presiding Judge Eric Taylor, Judge Huey P. Cotton, Judge Bobbi Tillmon, Judge Samantha Jessner, and Judge Victor Wright.
Congratulations to Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile for this well-deserved honor!
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AAACJO FOUNDING MEMBER
JUDGE ALLEN J. WEBSTER, JR.
HONORED BY ABCA
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Judge Allen J. Webster, Jr.
On February 18, 2020, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Association of Black City Attorneys (ABCA) honored AAACJO Founding Member Judge Allen J. Webster, Jr. at its 2020 Black History Month Celebration.
This year's celebration was entitled
The Journey to Freedom Continues: 2020: Looking Back, Moving Forward.
ABCA highlighted Judge Webster’s “dynamic contributions to the community.”
Congratulations, Judge Webster! You continue to make us proud!
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AAACJO FOUNDING MEMBER
JUDGE PATRICIA J. TITUS
AUTHORS BOOK
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Judge Patricia J. Titus
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Founding Member Judge Patricia J. Titus' judicial election, Judge Titus, as a public service, published a new book,
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. for Life: 7 Keys to Supporting Loved Ones Experiencing Domestic Violence
.
Using the word “friends” as an acronym, Judge Titus describes the steps people can take to support loved ones in abusive relationships.
Congratulations to Judge Titus for such a notable accomplishment and for providing a valuable resource to friends and families impacted by abuse.
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AAACJO ATTENDS
LANGSTON'S ANNUAL AWARDS GALA
On February 7, 2020, the John M. Langston Bar Association (Langston) held its 44th Annual Installation and Awards Gala at the beautiful Vibiana in the historic core of Downtown Los Angeles. AAACJO President Judge Laura Walton and several other AAACJO members attended the event, including Founding Members Judge Bobbi Tillmon and Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile, who gave the invocation and the special welcome, respectively. Langston awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to nine impressive law students.
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CJER FACULTY TEACHING OPPORTUNITY
The Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER) is seeking diverse faculty, particularly outside of Los Angeles County, for the upcoming Civil Law (Experienced) Primary Assignment Orientation, scheduled for June 2020. CJER generally provides instruction in the following subject areas:
·
Arbitration
·
Writs
·
Case Management
·
Injunctions
·
Anti-SLAPP
·
Sealing
·
Summary Judgment
·
Class Actions
·
Government Claims Act
·
Pretrial matters
·
Experts
·
Attorney’s Fees
·
Verdicts & Judgments
·
Settlement Statutes
·
JNOV & Notion for New Trial
If you are interested in joining the CJER faculty, please contact AAACJO President Judge Laura Walton immediately at
LWalton@LAcourt.org
. This is a great teaching opportunity for AAACJO members. Please note that you must have previously completed the faculty development course.
Should you have any questions regarding CJER, please direct them to Judge Walton.
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Annual membership fees in the amount of $50 for General Members were due on
January 20, 2020
. If you have not already submitted your payment, please do so immediately. For General Members who wish to avoid annual dues and upgrade to Lifetime Membership, AAACJO’s Executive Board has established a Lifetime Membership
payment plan
for those who do not wish to make a one-time payment of $450. Instead, members may make four equal payments of $112.50, due quarterly (January, April, July, and October). If you are interested in upgrading to Lifetime Membership pursuant to the payment plan, please advise Secretary Carla L. Garrett at carla.garrett@dgs.ca.gov and mail your first payment to the following address:
AAACJO
6709 La Tijera Blvd.
Box 339
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Thank you for your continued support of AAACJO.
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2020
JUDICIAL INTERN OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM
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The American Bar Association's Section of Litigation invites you to participate in this summer’s 2020 Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP). JIOP places diverse and economically disadvantaged law students with judges for summer internships. Over the past 19 years, 2,800 students have interned with judges through JIOP, including 158 students this past summer. Summer 2020 proudly marks ABA's 20th anniversary of advancing diversity and inclusion in the profession.
Judges determine which students they interview and ultimately hire. Volunteer lawyers evaluate students' qualifications for the internship and recommend students for judicial consideration. Application materials from students who score competitively will be sent to you and other judges to be considered for interviews and internships.
Judges receive student materials for consideration by mid-January, or as soon as first semester grades are available. Students are notified when they move on to the judicial review stage but do not know where their materials are sent.
Judges should only interview students they are interested in considering for placement. In addition, in order to ensure all applicants are considered, individual student materials will be sent to more than one judge for review.
Students are expected to accept the first internship they are offered through the program and must accept offers within 24 hours. Students are required to intern for a minimum of six weeks for 32 hours per week. Individual judges determine each intern's working hours and other conditions of employment. Many judges require students to stay longer than the six week minimum. Students selected to the program are awarded $2,000 to help offset some of the expenses associated with the summer placement.
ABA is currently accepting applications from first-year and second-year students. ABA hopes you will reserve a position in your chambers for a JIOP intern and appreciate your partnership in this critically important diversity initiative. For judges interested in participating in this year's program, click on the button below.
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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 Laura Walton at LWalton@lacourt.org,
Immediate Past President Bobbi Tillmon at
BTillmon@lacourt.org
or Secretary Carla L. Garrett at
Carla.Garrett@dgs.ca.gov
.
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CJA MIDYEAR CONFERENCE
MARCH
12 - 14, 2020
MONTEREY, CA
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JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF CABL-NORTH
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
JUDGES DINNER
FEBRUARY 28, 2020
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On Their Shoulders
A Tribute to African American Judges
Claremont Country Club
5295 Broadway Terrace, Oakland, CA
Friday, February 28, 2020
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets $125
A Program for Judicial Officers Only
Remember to Bring Your Robes for a Group Photo - 6 p.m.
Featuring a Fireside Chat
Hon. Martin Jenkins (Ret.) & Hon. Thelton Henderson
Award Winners To Be Announced
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ANNUAL CABL (SOUTH)
BLACK JUDGES DINNER
MARCH 20, 2020
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HONORING GREATNESS AMONG US
Kevin C. Brazile
Presiding Judge
Los Angeles Superior Court
Carol Codrington
Associate Justice, 4th District
Court of Appeal
Friday, March 20, 2020
6:00 p.m.
Rio Hondo Golf Club
10627 Old River School Road
Downey, CA
TICKETS
Early Bird Special (until February 29, 2020): $85
After February 29, 2020: $100
Please Bring Your Robes for Individual and Group Photos
Beginning at 6:00 p.m.
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NBA MIDYEAR CONFERENCE
MARCH
19 - 21, 2020
ATLANTA, GA
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BWL PRESENTS DR. CORNEL WEST
MARCH 27,
2020
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SAVE THE DATE!
CABL CONFERENCE
APRIL 23 - 26, 2020
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SAVE THE DATE!
IAWL BIENNIAL CONFERENCES
MAY 7 - 10, 2020
AUSTRALIA
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SAVE THE DATE!
NBA INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATES MEETING
MAY 23, 2020 - JUNE 1, 2020
AMSTERDAM, THE HAGUE, BRUSSELS & PARIS
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SAVE THE DATE!
NBA ANNUAL CONVENTION
JULY
25 - 30, 2020
WASHINGTON, DC
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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.
A member application appears on AAACJO's website: AAACJO.org. 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.
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PLEASE SHARE
Should you discover information concerning the achievements, recognition, or milestones of any AAACJO member, please share the news with President Laura Walton at LWalton@lacourt.org, Immediate Past 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.
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Association of African American California Judicial Officers, Inc.
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