Spring and Summer in the So. District of California

Despite the school year winding down, April - August were still busy with community outreach programs in the Southern District of California.  23 different programs were held in those 5 months alone! Mock trials, jobs panels, CARE presentations, Marshals' presentations, Power Lunches and courtroom observations were all offered to give students in grades 3 - college an opportunity to learn more about the third branch of government.  Additionally, 25 teachers came for a professional development event. Many judges participated, allowing us to offer the variety and volume of programs need to engage and educate the nearly 1000 students visiting the court during that time period. The new school year offers more opportunities to engage students in civics. and we look forward eagerly to sharing our love of the law with the next 1000 students heading to the court this fall!

 

California Central Hosts Several Public Outreach Events

April was a busy month at the bankruptcy court in the Central District of California.  In early April, the court hosted a mock hearing and reception for the inaugural class of Loyola Law School Consumer Bankruptcy Litigation Practicum (CBLP).

From left: Daniel Pouldar, Thomas Ramirez, Alistair Gesmundo, 

Jamie Lopez, Judge Sandra R. Klein, Professor Anne Wells, 

W. Sloan Youkstetter, Christian Cooper

On April 20, 2015, after years in fairy-tale land, the infamous three bears finally got their day in court. In a mock trial orchestrated by Chief Judge Sheri Bluebond with the assistance of Judge Julia W. Brand and the Los Angeles Division staff, a group of nervously giddy fourth graders brought the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears to trial. Judge Bluebond got the idea to host a mock trial from Judge Tighe, who has hosted several over the years. She realized that fourth grade would be a good age and offered the opportunity to her children’s elementary school.  

Chief Judge Sheri Bluebond with student judge Gwendolyn Smith and classmates after the mock trial of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Chief Judge Sheri Bluebond with student judge Geoffrey Smith and classmates after the mock trial of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  Judge Brand is standing on the right.

 
 

Law Day Celebration

Last but not least on April 24, 2015, the court hosted a Law Day celebration for more than 90 high school students who are members of Junior State of America (JSA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for students interested in politics, government, foreign affairs, and the law. The morning events consisted of a Jobs Panel and a financial literacy presentation.  At noon, the students enjoyed Power Lunch with judges, attorneys and other professionals which ended in a lively game of Legal Jeopardy complete with candy for those who correctly answered the questions.  

Jobs Panel Participants

Answering Jeopardy questions!

Professor Laurie L. Levenson

Student Judge Julia Sandoval and District Judge John A. Kronstadt preside over mock trial

Seated left to right Bankruptcy Judge Martin R. Barash, Conrad M. Graber, Magistrate Judge Michale R. Wilner, Bankruptcy Judge Sandra R. Klein, Bankruptcy Judge Barry Russell, Bankruptcy Judge Julia W. Brand, Chief Magistrate Judge Suzanne H. Segal, and Bankruptcy Clerk of Court Kathleen Campbell.

 

"Power Lunch" proves powerful in CASD

The truth is, we stole the idea for this event from the Central District of California...and we don't even feel a little bit guilty.  In fact, the Central District was very supportive of our desire to recreate their program here in the Southern District. And it was a HUGE success. On May, 8, 2014, 50 students from a local urban high school sat down to lunch with judges, prosecutors AND defenders to talk about the federal courts. They also talked about going to college and the law in general. The highlight of the event was a speech given by retired Magistrate Judge William McCurine about growing up in Chicago during segregation. The students were riveted as Judge McCurine discussed the choices he was making and the responsive decisions his parents made that changed his life. His emphasis on a good education, acknowleding a power (any power) greater than yourself, having a good work ethic and choosing friends who "give you wings instead of being anchors" made a lasting impression on everyone in the room. An added benefit of this Bench/Bar event was the opportunity for judges, prosecutors and defense counsel to meet outside the courtroom in an effort to promote a common goal...helping kids learn and mature into their best selves!

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.    

'Power Lunch’ for Students in Los Angeles

 

 The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California packs a lot into a short amount of time with its "Federal Court Power Lunch," a 90-minute program that allows judges, attorneys and court staff to closely interact with a small group of students and teachers. The lunches take place in the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles. The most recent event, held March 15, 2013, involved some 30 students from New Designs Charter School and equal number of judges and attorneys. Bankruptcy Judge Sandra Klein served as emcee and made introductions. Guest speakers were U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte, Jr., and Bankruptcy Judge Mark Houle. The program also included a session of a "Jeopardy" game dealing with legal subjects.

Los Angeles Police Department cadets also participated in a power lunch on October 5, 2012. That program focused on the roles and responsibilities of judges and attorneys, the conduct of trials, the Bill of Rights, and the three branches of government. Students also played the "Jeopardy" game.

Central District Bankruptcy Court Welcomes L.A. Police Cadets

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California welcomed several Los Angeles Police cadets to a Federal Court Power Lunch held October 5, 2012. The cadets had the opportunity to learn about the work and responsibilities of judges and attorneys, trials, the Bill of Rights and the three branches of the United States government. The cadets also participated in a Jeopardy-style game at the end of the presentations. Speakers included District Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen, now judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; District Judge Dolly M. Gee, Chief Magistrate Judge Suzanne H. Segal, Bankruptcy Judge Sandra R. Klein, U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte, and U.S. Marshal David Singer.  Pictured is Judge Klein with the cadets during a Jeopardy-style game.