Central District of California Bankruptcy Court Hosts Another Successful Federal Court Power Lunch

On December 13, 2013, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California hosted a Federal Court Power Lunch for Whitney High School.  A Power Lunch is a program for high school students who come to the courthouse to meet judges and lawyers, and to learn about the law and the legal profession.  Circuit Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Bankruptcy Judge Sandra R. Klein, Chief Magistrate Judge Suzanne H, Segal, Magistrate Judges Alka Sagar and Michael C. Wilner, and Judge Holly Fujie of the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, participated in the event.  Additionally, Bankruptcy Clerk of Court and Executive Officer Kathy Campbell, including members of her staff attended and helped make the event a huge success.

Approximately 50 students and staff from Whitney High School attended the Power Lunch.  United States Attorney Andre Birotte, Jr.; David Madden, assistant circuit executive for public information, Ninth Circuit Office of the Circuit Executive; and Julie Pollock, a UCLA fellow, also participated in the event.  Several volunteer attorneys including assistant U.S. attorneys, deputy federal public defenders, and an attorney from the Bureau of Prisons took part in the event.  Judge Klein’s law clerks, Stephanie Rettier and Razmig Izakelian, also spoke with the students and participated in the lunch.
 
Judge Klein introduced each of the judges and spoke briefly about her background and the importance of mentoring in her career.  Judge Nguyen kicked off the event and discussed her background, dreaming big, and never letting obstacles get in her way.  Judge Segal explained what magistrate judges do and what led her to a career in the law.  Judge Sagar, who was the guest speaker, provided information about her family, her background and the definitive moments in her career, including her recent appointment to the bench.  All of the speakers emphasized the importance of perseverance and never giving up your dreams.    

Inside the Courtroom with District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller

On December 4, 2013, United States District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller visited San Diego High School and spoke with approximately 100 students about his career and the federal courts.  Business law teacher Patrick Goddard interviewed Judge Miller in the style of James Lipton on the T.V. Series "Inside the Actors Studio," providing an opportunity for students to get a real sense of what it takes to become a federal judge and what the job is like on a day-to-day basis.  Judge Miller entertained students with stories of his career and helped them to better understand how our system of justice works.  He discussed the process of federal judicial appointments in the U.S., how cases travel through the federal courts and issues that the courts are likely to grapple with over the next few years.  Students had an opportunity to ask Judge Miller their own questions on cases he has handled and challenges he has faced.