On October 16, 2024, the Chapter held its 20th Annual Judith N. Keep Federal Civil Practice Seminar in person. In celebration of the Seminar’s 20th anniversary, this year’s event was themed “20/20 Vision: Clarity in Federal Practice.”
The seminar featured welcome remarks from the Chief District Judge, a special video tribute to Judge Keep, and a keynote address by Justice Judith McConnell, Administrative Presiding Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District. Justice McConnell spoke about her longstanding friendship with Judge Keep, their shared experience of being two of the first women judges in San Diego, and Judge Keep’s lasting impact on the San Diego legal community.
The Seminar also included four panel presentations by several Southern District of California District Judges and Magistrate Judges. On the first panel, Chief Judge Dana M. Sabraw, District Judge Cynthia A. Bashant, and Administrative Presiding Justice Judith McConnell spoke on “Judicial Perspectives on Civility and Ethics in High-Stakes Litigation.” On the second panel, Magistrate Judges Daniel E. Butcher, Michelle M. Pettit, and Valerie E. Torres presented “Seeing the Value in ENEs and MSCs.” On the third panel, District Judges Andrew G. Schopler and James E. Simmons, Jr. and Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard offered “Observations on Federal Motion Practice and AI.” On the fourth panel, District Judges Anthony J. Battaglia, Jinsook Ohta, and Todd W. Robinson lectured on “Looking Ahead to Trial Evidence.”
Finally, Hon. Anthony J. Battaglia was presented with a special award in recognition of his twenty years of service and dedication to the Judith N. Keep Federal Civil Practice Seminar. About 250 attendees mingled with the judiciary at the reception following the event.