Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County
January 7, 2010
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President's Corner
By: Carlos X. Colorado
Mexico is a land of contrasts. Compare the startling contradiction between its hideaway beaches -- like Huatulco, the destination we have chosen for our annual Memorial Day MCLE trip this year (registration information below) -- and the challenges the country faces in questions of social justice and institutionalized crime. We will grapple with those issues during our trip this year, 5 Days/4 Nights at the Dreams all-inclusive Hotel. The HBA's MCLE programs specialize in Latin American travel. In recent years, our destinations have included Costa Rica (2005, 2009), Puerto Rico (2006), Argentina (2007), and even Cuba (2003). But, if Latin America is our specialty, then Mexico is our pičce de résistance! The HBA has been going to Mexico since 1983, and we know how to do it!
In choosing Huatulco, we were inspired by last year's destination -- the beautiful beach resort of Quepos, Costa Rica. In this issue, we entice you with some pictures taken by members of our delegation during our exploration of Quepos. We snapped all these gorgeous photos and I know when you see them, you will wish you had been there! Huatulco is like the ultimate hidden beach destination, a location so off the beaten path that it was not exploited as a resort area until the 1980s. We also include a follow up to last year's trip by the Hon. James Gray (Ret.) that reminds us that there is more to cultural literacy and legal learning than souvenirs and snapshots -- a value we imbue our MCLE trips with (Judge Gray discusses volunteer opportunities with the Peace Corps in Costa Rica).
Finally, let me congratulate our two newest Orange County Superior Court judges, Beatriz M. Gordon and Dennis J. Keough, whose appointments were recently announced by the Governor. Let me wish everyone a great and prosperous new year, and I hope to see you all at our annual dinner March 6, or in Huatulco over Memorial Day!
-cXc
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The Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County
Presents
HUATULCO, Mexico
May 27- 31, 2010
Registration Deadline Jan. 15
Dreams All-Inclusive Hotel, Huatulco, Mexico 2010
An OCBA Continuing Legal Education Travel Seminar
5 Days/4 Nights at the Dreams All-Inclusive Hotel in Huatulco, Mexico & Includes Roundtrip Air Fare
All for the incredible HBA member price of $1,150.00
(plus taxes of $260.27, subject to change)
More information >
DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM HERE
A $300.00 deposit must be received by January 15, 2010
Space is limited and subject to availability on a first come, first serve basis.
SEMINAR INFORMATION
The seminar fees include 8
hours of CLE credit, syllabus materials and light refreshments. Seminar
topics/speakers to be announced.
View our photos from last year's trip! >
For complete itinerary and registration details, please contact:
Robert White at Festival Travel & Tours ˇ 120 S. Chaparral Court, Suite # 260 ˇ Anaheim Hills, CA 92808
(714) 221-6381 or fax: (714) 637-7356
e-mail: Robert@toursfestival.com
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It's a Gray Area:
Exploring new worlds: the Peace Corps
By James P. Gray
As seen in the Daily Pilot
 Between graduating from college in 1966 and entering law school in 1968, I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica.
Many times since my return, people have told me that they always had wanted to be in the Peace Corps.
 My response almost always has been, well it was a great experience, and it's not too late for you to do it now.
But invariable the people then come up with some sort of explanation as to why they can't do it, at least not now.
 Well, in 2011, the Peace Corps will be celebrating its 50th birthday, and it is continuing to do good work. In fact, according to its website, the number of applicants grew by 18% more
than a year ago, although I recognize that the economy might have had something to do with it.
 The mission statement is in three parts: 1) Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women; 2) Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served; and 3) Helping promote a better understanding of other people on the part of Americans.
Obviously, the Peace Corps is certainly not for everyone. In fact, if you even have to ask why someone would want to be involved in such a thing "for two whole years," you probably would never understand. People either have an intuitive understanding about what it is to be a volunteer, or they don't.
When I went to Costa Rica... Read full article here >
JAMES P. GRAY is a retired judge of the Orange County Superior Court, the author of Wearing the Robe - the Art and Responsibilities of Judging in Today's Courts (Square One Press, 2008), and can be contacted at jimpgray@sbcglobal.net or via his website at www.judgejimgray.com. |
Whittier Law School Admission to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court
October 2010 - April 2011 Term
(Final Date TBD)
Whittier Law School will host a group swearing in at the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court and events in Washington D.C. The swearing in will take place during the October 2010 - April 2011 term (exact date TBD in February 2010).
All alumni who are in good standing in a U.S. state or territory and who have been practicing law without any disciplinary action for at least three years are eligible to join the Supreme Court group swearing in.
Admission and events take place over two days. Included in a cost of about $500 is breakfast, lunch, dinner, alumni reception, VIP tour of the Court and the Library, group photos, opportunity to listen to oral arguments and the group admission.
If you have an interest in the Whittier Law School Supreme Court Bar Admission for the 2010-2011 term, please email Nidhi Parikh at nparikh@law.whittier.edu by Friday, January 15, 2010. We are trying to obtain a preliminary headcount. More details to come.
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Latino State of the Union 2010:
The Third Annual Roundtable on Law, Policy and Civil Rights
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
12:00PM - 2:00PM
National Press Club Ballroom
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20045
Invitation and details to follow. For more information,
contact Grace Chang at (213) 236-3753 or
David Damian Figueroa at (213) 629-2512 x115. |
GET INVOLVED IN A ONCE-IN-A-DECADE OPPORTUNITY TO MAP CALIFORNIA'S
FUTURE!
NALEO Educational Fund Urges Latinos to Apply for New Citizens Redistricting Commission
A crisis in education, a crisis in health care, and an economic crisis: Like most Californians, no matter where Latinos turn they face tough decisions that will require tremendous leadership. This year offers Latinos a historic opportunity to ensure that they have meaningful choices about who those leaders will be.
A successful ballot measure in 2008 transferred authority for drawing state political boundaries from the state legislature to a new Citizens Redistricting Commission. Now the responsibility for drawing new district maps for the State Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization will go to 14 voters chosen to serve on that
Commission. With a state as big and diverse as California, who draws the lines - and how those lines are drawn - will truly shape the future of this state.
We need you to apply to serve on the commission that will draw California's Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization Districts. That's why the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, (NALEO) Educational Fund, is working with partner organizations throughout the state to educate Latino voters
and encourage applicants for this vital process.
Why should you get involved? It is crucial that this new and influential Commission include Latino representation. Members of this new Commission will make important decisions that will affect the political representation of every community in California for the next decade. Latinos cannot afford to be left out of this process!
California's State Bureau of Audits is managing the selection process and has created a special website for applicants. Go to www.WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov to learn more about this critical process but remember, time is running out! The deadline for applications is February 12, only a few weeks away.
You can apply to be a Commissioner directly online at www.WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov.
Now is your chance! Step forward and be a part of historic change in California!
The NALEO Educational Fund will be providing you with updated information about the Commission application process. Contact Rosalind Gold, at rgold@naleo.org or 213-747-7606, ext. 4420 if you need additional information.
The NALEO Educational Fund is the nation's leading non-partisan, non-profit organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process - from citizenship to public service. Our constituency includes more than 6,000 elected and appointed Latino officials from nearly every state in the country - from members of Congress to local school board members. The NALEO Educational Fund helps Latino policymakers be more effective in advocating for their communities by providing them training, technical assistance and networking opportunities. Learn more about the NALEO Educational Fund at www.naleo.org.
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2010 Executive Board Members
President:
Carlos X. Colorado
President-Elect:
Genoveva Meza Talbott
Vice President:
José González
Secretary:
Theresa C. López
Treasurer:
Leo R. Paredes
Immediate Past President:
Monica E. Lukoschek
2010 Board of Directors
Frank Acosta
Eric M. Alderete
Luis A. Barba
Eva Casas Sarmiento
Erica M. Diaz
Martin C. Fontes
Jacob C. Gonzáles
Karin C. Khan
Kristen C. Lara
Marcelo Reyes
Javier Rivera-Carbone
Mayte Santacruz Benavidez
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