Chapter News

Posted on Wednesday, 20 January 2010

Catch up with what the chapter has been up to!

Spring in California begins when the wild Spanish mustard blossoms nurture our hills and vineyards and the AAML Chapter stirs for a new year.

Under President, Hal Bartholomews (Sacramento) leadership the chapter has been exceedingly active the past few months.

In January, 15 Northern California family law judges joined over 60 Fellows for dinner at the City Club in San Franciscos financial district where Fellows learned of procedural changes in family law courts from Sacramento to Monterey. Many thanks to Fellow Brigeda Bank (Walnut Creek) for rounding up all those judges and making this annual program a big success this year.

In February the chapter held its annual Associates and Mentees dinner, also at the
City Club. Chapter Fellows sponsor family law mentoring programs throughout Northern California. Fellows Greg Abel (Walnut Creek), Joseph Crawford (San Mateo), and Tanya Prioste (Palo Alto) made presentations.

On May 14 16, at the Lodge at Sonoma our Chapters 34th Annual CLE Symposium is produced this year by Scott Leuders (Novato). Fellows presenting include Diana Richmond (San Francisco), Lori Nachlis (San Francisco) Larry Moskowitz (Santa Rosa), Bob Blevans (Napa), Ron Granberg (Salinas), Ellen Stross (San Mateo) and Belinda Hansen (San Mateo).

Presenting (an entire day) is Chapter President Hal Bartholomew and his expert spouse, Beverly Brautigam, CPA. Beverly, who specializes in divorce tax issues, and Hal will bring everyone up to date on tax issues.

Thanks to Southern California Chapter President, William Glucksman (Beverly Hills), Northern and Southern California fellows will share a meal and ideas for improving our chapters Thursday before the Symposium.

And special thanks to Fellow Larry Moskowitz and his wife, Louise Packard for hosting a cocktail party for Northern and Southern California fellows and guests at their wine country estate Thursday evening before the Symposium.

Special accolades go to Lori Nachlis and Richard Barry (San Rafael) for their many, many hours contributed to the State Supreme Courts Elkins Task Force, charged with improving delivery of courtroom family law services . Richard and Lori were two of 7 attorney representatives. Lori is the only attorney to head a committee on the Task Force. Well done Lori and Richard, well done indeed.

Lori Nachlis, assisted by Sharon Mah (San Rafael) are working on our chapters bi-annual Trial Practicum to be held October 22- 25, 2010. The Practicum gives young lawyers opportunity to try a simulated family law case in a real courtroom with live witnesses before a state judge.