On November 30, nearly 120 members of the Southern District's federal legal community ate, drank, and made merry at the San Diego FBA's Annual Holiday Party & Judicial Law Clerk Reception.
Magistrate Judge Allison Goddard reflected on this long-standing San Diego FBA traditional: "I started coming to this event as a new lawyer 22 years ago. I remember walking in and hardly knowing anyone. Now it feels like a family celebration. I look forward to it every year."
The Holiday Party focuses on welcoming new judicial law clerks and thanking those who have been serving in the District. This year’s gathering was widely attended by judicial law clerks, judges, and FBA Members. Attendees enjoyed getting to meet and greet the new judicial law clerks and catching up with colleagues and members of the Southern District's bench.
"We had a chance to meet and eat dinner with inspirational District Court Judges Ohta and Montenegro and learned about their pathway to becoming federal court judges," said Arwa Zakir Kakavand, Managing Attorney of Casa Cornelia Law Center's Litigation Program. "It was fascinating!"
During the event, Chief U.S. District Judge Dana M. Sabraw thanked the law clerks of the Southern District and stressed how important their work is to the administration of justice. Our incoming 2023 San Diego FBA President Mary Cile Glovers-Rogers was unfortunately unable to join us, but incoming 2023 President-Elect Blake Currey stepped in to thank Dylan Aste for his service as President throughout 2022. Dylan highlighted the San Diego FBA's achievements and successes in 2022. We can't imagine a better way to start the Holiday Season on the eve of December.
The FBA would like to thank Jenn French for her work in organizing the event and making it run smoothly. Thank you also to Mary Pappas who graciously closed Athens Market for our group and our expanding Holiday Party & Judicial Law Clerk Reception.
Author: Jenn French is Of Counsel at Patterson Law Group, APC and serves as the San Diego FBA's Vice President of Professional Engagement.