SJCL student Rachel Baskin and Fresno District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp pose for a photo at the Barristers’ Ball. Smittcamp’s previous efforts resulted in Baskin’s ex-husband being convicted of attempted murder several years ago, along with influencing Baskin’s decision to become an attorney. Article and more photos inside this edition of the Bar Bulletin. Photos courtesy Pam Whalen, Howard K. Watkins, and Missy Mckai Cartier.
SJCL student Esmeralda Serapio joins Mike Rhodes and Howard K. Watkins after winning the Mike Rhodes Social Justice Scholarship.
Dozens of SJCL Scholarship winners teamed up for a group shot at the Barristers’ Ball.
Fresno District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp shares a moment with SJCL Dean Jan Pearson and Howard K. Watkins.
The Staff and Board of the San Joaquin Agricultural Law Review welcome new members.
A Golden Anniversary Barristers’ Ball
With finals looming just two weeks away, San Joaquin College of Law students, faculty, staff and friends gathered for the annual Barristers’ Ball at Tornino’s on April 12th to celebrate successes so far. Those attending the Student Bar Association’s Scholarship Banquet were not disappointed; more than three dozen scholarships were awarded.
The scholarships included a new one in honor of Fresno activist and journalist Mike Rhodes. The first Mike Rhodes Social Justice Scholarship was presented by Fresno Photo Laureate Howard K. Watkins, who teamed up last year with fellow attorney Steve Malm to begin raising money for it. Rhodes, who was in attendance, noted the scholarship winner said in her application that she is a “Dreamer,” also known as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) student. Her application went on to say how she hopes “to one day work with a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to low-income individuals.”
The keynote speaker for the Banquet was Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, a 1995 graduate of SJCL, who regaled the audience with her stories of struggles while in school. She also noted how far the Law School has come not just over the past 50 years, but even in the years since her graduation. Back then, a luncheon in sweatshirts would have been a big deal, let alone a gala like the Barristers’ Ball. But perhaps even more engaging than Smittcamp’s speech was her introduction; Rachel Baskin, an SJCL student who heads to graduation this year, recounted how Smittcamp had handled her case as a Deputy DA several years ago, leading to a conviction on three counts of attempted murder and a 77-year sentence for Baskin’s ex-husband.
SBA would like to thank those who made the evening possible, including sponsors like the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Miles A. Harris, Esq., and The Law Office of Robert Abrams. In addition, a special thanks goes to the scholarship sponsors and congrats go out to all the winners!
Scholarship Recipients:
ABOTA Memorial Scholarship: Monica Rast
Alumni Association Carolyn T. Mirviss Scholarship: Name withheld at recipient's request
Alumni Association Spirit of SJCL Scholarship: Leticia Guzman
Baradat & Paboojian Trial Advocacy Scholarship: Adam Awad
Bertha & John Garabedian Military Service Scholarships: August Wolf-Petersen, Rodney Tuisavalalo, Raul
Magana, and Amanda Hage
Cartier First Year Improvement Scholarship: Kelly Liu
CCBA Scholarship: Syuzanna Martirosyan
Clovis Soroptimist Woman’s Advocate Award: Rachel Baskin
Delta Theta Phi Scholarships: Joslyn Hillberg, David Piercy, Ashley Emmerson and Nick Mancillas
Elizabeth O’Neill Memorial Scholarship: Shannon Wentworth
Ernest Kinney Trial Lawyer Scholarship: Jason Oleson
Florentino Jose Memorial Scholarship: Jodie Howard
Ibarra/Casillas LawSUIT Scholarships: Shannon Wentworth, Joseph Good, and Rena Harrison
Janice Pearson Scholarship: Ali Huda
Judy Wiseman Memorial Scholarship: Syuzanna Martirosyan
Ken Coyle Memorial Scholarship: Name withheld at recipient's request
Kharazi Bar Study Support Scholarship: Ali Huda
LawSuit Scholarship: Grace Zeluff
Legal Edge Consumer Scholarship: Ivan Gomez
Leon S. Peters Foundation Leadership Awards: Maria Valencia, Fabian Perez, Leticia Guzman, Adriana Mendoza-Gurrola, and Daniel Cisneros
Proctor Scholar of the Year: Name withheld at recipient's request
Mike Rhodes Social Justice Scholarship: Esmeralda Serapio
Rural or Low -Bono Practice Scholarship: Jared Bertoni
SJCL Student Bar Association Law Scholarship for Merit: Fabian Perez
SJCL Student Bar Association Law Scholarship for Need: Rachel Baskin
SJCL Student Bar Association Law Scholarship for Participation: Jared Bertoni
The Founder’s Scholarship: Jodie Howard