Welcome to the site for The San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the Federal Bar Association! This year we continue to produce and expand our programs for local federal practitioners. The chapter was established in 1988 and serves federal practitioners in the eight counties within 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.
We offer many events during the year for our members and the legal community. One key event is the semiannual Judicial Appreciation Dinner at which we honor the members of the federal bench in our area. Last year’s event, held on October 24, 2013, was attended by nearly 200 people and featured Judge Philip Pro of the District of Nevada 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 takes place at Chukchansi Park and includes a baseball game and buffet dinner.
Our chapter sponsors several educational programs, many of which are co-sponsored with other bar associations or legal organizations. Each January we put on a CLE program for the local bar on legal ethics, elimination of bias, and prevention of substance abuse. In the Spring we sponsor and run our Open doors outreach for local high schools, at which students participate in a mock trial conducted by active practitioners. Since 2012, thanks to Magistrate Judge Michael Seng, we have put on a Law Day celebration at Yosemite National Park which is attended by members, judges, and several local high schools in the Park area. Each September Professor Vik Amar of U.C. Davis Law School visits to provide insightful and entertaining analysis of recent and pending Supreme court cases.
This Fall the Chapter has organized and is set to conduct a first-time outreach program on campuses of local high schools, to provide historical and legal context for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the 50th year since its passage. The program will be put on by Chapter board members and will feature video and graphic presentations, recent case studies, and a participatory segment for the students. With the enthusiastic response we have received from the schools, we are considering making this an annual event with a new topic each year.
As we now surpass 25 years, we continue to place special emphasis on serving practitioners in the various counties of the district, providing educational programs that serve our members’ needs and a valuable professional link to the federal court and its judges. We also are expanding our outreach efforts to educate schools and the community about the federal courts and the legal system.
I cordially 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.