The San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the Federal Bar Association was established in 1988 and serves federal practitioners in the eight southern counties which make up the Fresno Division of the Eastern District of California. We are proud to have over 100 members from the private sector, governmental agencies and the federal judiciary. One of our annual events includes a Judicial Appreciation Dinner at which we honor the members of the federal bench in our area. Last year’s event, held on November 15, 2008, was attended by nearly 200 people and featured Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker, Dean of University of Pacific, McGeorge Law School, as the keynote speaker. We also host an annual law clerk event which recognizes law clerks and other members of the court staff who are an important part of our court. This year’s event will take place on June 26, 2008, at Chukchansi Park and includes a baseball game and buffet dinner.
Our chapter sponsors educational programs, many of which are co-sponsored with other bar associations or legal organizations. Our most recent program, co-sponsored with ABTL (Association of Business Trial Lawyers), was held on April 17, 2008 at the Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse. The program included a buffet dinner and featured as the speaker, Professor Vikram Amar, a constitutional law professor from University of California, Davis, King Hall School of Law. The topic was the Supreme Court and the upcoming presidential election.
As we enter our 20th year, we are placing special emphasis on serving practitioners in the outlying counties of are district and in providing educational programs that serve the needs of our members.
If you have not already done so, I invite you to join the Federal Bar Association and join your colleagues who are active in furthering the interests of federal practitioners now, and in the years to come.