Pictured in photo, left to right, Presiding Judge Samantha P. Jessner, LACBA Executive Director and CEO Stan Bissey, Assistant Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II, and Executive Officer/Clerk of Court David W. Slayton.

The Litigation Section hosted the 2024 Bench Meets the Bar Luncheon on May 9. The popular event brought together Los Angeles civil lawyers and judicial officers to meet and discuss federal, state, and appellate court news. Judicial presenters included Presiding Judge Samanta P. Jessner, Superior Court California, Los Angeles County; Chief District Judge Dolly M. Gee, U.S. Central District Court of California; and Presiding Justice Lee Smalley Edmon, California Court of Appeals. Section leaders also presented their awards for excellence and outstanding contributions to the Courts.

Judicial Assistant for the Los Angeles County Superior Court Roxana Duron (pictured) received the 2024 Judicial Assistant of the Year Award.

 

 

Court Interpreter and Court Reporter Supervisor for the United States District Court for the Central District of California Alberto V. Ortiz (pictured), with Hon. Dolly Gee, received this year’s Outstanding Service Award.

 

 

LACBA Past President Edith R. Matthai (pictured) was presented with the 2024 Jim Robie Professionalism and Civility Award. The annual award goes to a Los Angeles attorney whose trial lawyer career exemplifies professionalism, civility, service, enthusiasm, and collegiality. Matthai’s acceptance of the award was particularly touching because the award was created in the memory of her husband and Past Litigation Section Chair, Jim Robie. Read more about Matthai and the award. 

 

That year’s luncheon was co-sponsored by:

Animal Law Section
Appellate Courts Section
Diversity in the Profession Section

Arab-American Lawyers Association of Southern California, Armenian Bar Association, Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance, Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, Japanese American Bar Association, Koren Community Lawyers Association, Multicultural Bar Alliance Of Southern California, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles.