The George A. Brown Courtroom at the Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District was filled to capacity as 22 new attorneys were sworn in at a special en banc session of the court. After several short addresses from members of the bench and bar. The new attorneys took their oath and were then directed by the Presiding Justice to turn around and face the audience for the above formal photo. Pictured below are the eight new admittees who graduated from San Joaquin College of Law. They are (l to r): Jodie Howard, Iqbal Bains, Fabian Perez, Claudia Case, BreAnne Ruelas, Ivan Gomez, Ryan Lopez, and Morgan Day.
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Bar Admissions Celebration!
Twenty-two July Barpassers were celebrated, given advice, and sworn into the State Bar at the Court of Appeal Fifth Appellate District on December 4th. Presiding Justice Brad Hill and Justice Herbert Levy welcomed the new attorneys to the Bar Admission Ceremony with “We’re here to party today!” But Justice Levy also advised the new attorneys that they are “vital to the maintenance of our nation” and should carefully protect their reputation.
Presiding Judge Alan Simpson echoed the gravity of a good reputation, reminding them that “Your word is your bond.”
The new attorneys were also welcomed by Fresno County Bar Association President Deborah Coe, who told them they would meet other members of the Bar who would change their lives. She advised them to “Be on fire for what you do. Love it,” but also cautioned against over-zealous nastiness. “It’s a pretty small sandbox,” she said, referring to the local Bar, “Learn to play nicely.”
Magistrate Judge Erica Grosjean was excited to welcome the new attorneys. She is Adjunct Faculty at San Joaquin College of Law and recognized some from her classes, along with one who interned with her. She reminded them that they were about to take an oath, pledging themselves to something bigger than themselves, and bound by that oath to defend the Rule of Law.
State Bar Board of Trustees Representative Mark Broughton said the new attorneys would get their Bar cards soon, which include some important phone numbers on the back. He pointed to the State Bar Ethics Hotline, asking the new attorneys to call the number if they were unsure of the ethics of a situation. In the past year alone, there have been 70 changes for the rules of professional practice.
A number of the speakers pointed to the family and friends who contributed to the success of the new attorneys, reminding them to give thanks to them. Justice Levy pointed out they will need this support team in the future, “to share your moments of success and to console you after a hard day or a loss at trial.”
In addition to the new admittees, members of the bench also celebrated Fresno County Photo Laureate Howard K. Watkins, who was photographing the event; it marked the 65th time Howard has been the photographer for the Bar Admissions Ceremony.
Congratulations to our new colleagues, including: Iqbal Bains, Claudia Case, Cassidy Combs, Tanner Combs, Morgan Day, Amberjeet Gill, Ivan Gomez, Rosemary Gomez, Patrick Hale, Ariana Hernandes, Stephanie Hosman, Jodie Howard, Delainie Inman, Jessica Johnson, Pavindeep Kang, Hyun Lee, Ryan Lopez, Syea Mannan, Monica Marks, Fabian Perez, BreAnne Ruelas, and Guadalupe Vidales Magana