As 2024 draws to a close, I am deeply grateful to our members, volunteers, and the judiciary for making it a milestone year at the San Diego Federal Bar Association.
From the outset, we committed to bringing the federal legal community closer together—and this year’s initiatives delivered on that promise. Here are just some of the highlights:
At our Inaugural Judicial Reception & Awards Ceremony, we recognized the Honorable Gonzalo P. Curiel and three members for their outstanding contributions to the legal community.
We put on a record-breaking State of the District Luncheon, with Michael J. Dowd receiving the Hon. David H. Bartick Award for Civility and Professionalism in front of friends and colleagues.
Our crowd-favorite Courtroom Conversation Series introduced three new Magistrate Judges to the bar: the Honorable Michelle M. Pettit, Steve B. Chu, and Valerie E. Torres.
We honored our tradition of high-quality educational programming with cutting-edge panels on trade secret litigation, immigration practice, self-authenticating evidence, and more.
Our blog received over 20,000 visits, thanks to standouts like our judicial profile on the Hon. James E. Simmons Jr. and our interview with Presiding Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford.
None of these achievements would have been possible without our dedicated volunteers. Their tireless efforts to organize events, write updates, assemble expert panels, and promote inclusiveness reflect the very best of our legal community. And through their work, we’ve built bridges between practitioners and the judiciary, created new opportunities for professional growth, and strengthened the sense of belonging and service that defines the San Diego FBA.
It has been an honor to serve as your President this year, and I look forward to what the FBA will accomplish in 2025 and beyond.