WLS Newsletter - Women Lawyers of Sacramento

WLS Newsletter
Women Lawyers of Sacramento
P.O. Box 936 • Sacramento, California 95812
April 2013
www.womenlawyers-sacramento.org
March Luncheon Highlights
By: Erika Pickles, Newsletter Committee Vice-Chair
WHAT’S INSIDE
March Luncheon Highlights
- Erika Pickles
1
April Luncheon
Announcement
2
President’s Corner
-Christine Jacob
3
WLS Member Spotlight
-Kimberly Garner
4
Progress Report: the Equal Pay
Act a Half-Century Later
5
-Pat Sturdevant
20th Annual Artfest
-Elizabeth Dietzen Olsen
6
Equal Pay Day
7
Announcements & News
WLS & Member
Affiliate Flyers
8-9
11-18
WLS April
Luncheon
Flying the Coup: The
Flight Path to Power
April 25, 2013
Featuring:
Patricia K. Gillette
Lucca Restaurant
(See Page 2 )
A
t the March 2013 luncheon, WLS
members and friends heard from
two women lawyers regarding
their experience with freelance legal work, a
path that has provided them with an alternative
between opting “in” or “out” of the practice of
law. Amy Hirsh and Erin Stagg, who met while
both commuting to big firm law jobs, are now
freelance attorneys affiliated with Montage Legal
Group. Amy and Erin explained how they came
to do freelance work, provided insight on the
practical side of doing freelance work, and discussed several key ethical considerations involved in freelance legal work.
holders in insurance recovery disputes. Erin then
joined Stubbs & Leone, where she handled a
wide range of litigation matters for public entity
clients. Erin then decided to “opt out” of firm
practice, feeling that was her only choice at the
time. After opting out, Erin volunteered as a pro
bono public benefits attorney, did some contract
work, had a child, and eventually began working
as a freelance attorney. Erin affiliated with Montage Legal Group in 2012.
After presenting their respective paths
to freelance legal work, Amy and Erin explained
exactly what freelance legal work consists of;
according to them, freelance attorneys are esAmy Hirsh obtained her J.D. from
sentially solo practitioners who provide projectUCLA School of Law in 2006. After law school, based legal work to law firms, either for discreet
Amy clerked for the Hon. Alicemarie H. Stotler projects or entire matters. Freelance attorneys
in the U.S. District Court, Central District of
may work independently or be affiliated with a
California before joining Paul Hastings’ Employcompany, such as Montage, that provides referment Law Department in its San Francisco office. rals to work and handles the administrative side
Amy had a child while at Paul Hastings and reof the practice. As freelance attorneys, Amy and
turned to work on a reduced hours schedule.
Erin both work primarily from home, although
Amy later decided to take a year off to figure out some firms will have them work in their offices
what she wanted out of her legal career. Only
on occasion, and they determine their hours,
two weeks into her time off, Amy began doing
which allows them to work as much or as little
contract legal work and then began her own em- as they need or want, and to work when it best
ployment law advice practice. In 2011, Amy
suits them and their schedule.
joined Montage Legal Group, a network of freeAmy and Erin discussed some of the
lance attorneys who have opted out of the tradireasons why attorneys become involved in freetional law firm model in favor of flexibility, and
she currently handles freelance projects for nu- lance work, which includes: having more flexible
work hours; having the ability to spend more
merous law firms in
time with family or
California.
pursuing other interErin Stagg
ests; providing attorreceived her J.D.
neys just beginning
from U.C. Berkeley
their own law pracSchool of Law in
tices with supplemen2007. After law
tal work; and assisting
school, Erin joined
attorneys who are
the San Francisco
reentering the legal
office of Manatt,
field after being for
Phelps & Phillips as
some time. In their
a litigation associate
time at Montage, Amy
specializing in comand Erin have seen
plex commercial
Continued on Page 7
litigation and repreAmy Hirsh and Erin Stagg
senting policy-
Page 2
WLS April 2013 Newsletter
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WLS AprilWLS
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Newsletter
President’s Corner
By: Christine Jacob, WLS President
G
iven that April 9th is Equal Pay Day, I deemed it appropriate to dedicate my article this month to
pay inequality between men and women because, although we have come a long way, there is
still a substantial disparity in pay between men and women. Although throughout history, there
have been efforts to reduce and/or eliminate this disparity, more needs to be done to eliminate it.
The first significant effort to equalize pay for women was in 1942. Because there were a large number of American women taking jobs in the war industries during World War II, the National War Labor
Board urged employers to voluntarily make "adjustments which equalize wage or salary rates paid to females
with the rates paid to males for comparable quality and quantity of work on the same or similar operations."
Although this seemed like a great start, it really did not accomplish much, as not only did employers ignore
and disregard this "voluntary" request, but when the war ended most women lost their jobs to returning war
veterans.
Nothing demonstrates the pay inequality between men and women throughout history better than
the historical job listings themselves. Until the early 1960s, newspapers published separate job listings for
men and women. Jobs were categorized according to gender, with the higher level jobs listed almost exclusively under "Help Wanted—Male." In some cases, the ads ran identical jobs under male and female listings—
but with separate pay scales. The separate pay scales were not only separate pay scales, but also unequal pay
scales. In fact, between 1950 and 1960, women with full time jobs earned on average between 59–64 cents
for every dollar their male counterparts earned for the same position. It was not until the passage of the
Equal Pay Act on June 10, 1963, that it became illegal to pay women lower rates for the same job as men
strictly on the basis of their gender.
Although passage of the Equal Pay Act was significant in the fight for equal wages, and although the
Courts have attempted to expand the reach of the Equal Pay Act, in reality, women’s pay has not radically
changed since then. The wage gap has narrowed, but it is still significant. In 1963, at the time of the passage
of the Equal Pay Act, women earned 59% of the wages men earned in 1963. In 2012, they earned 80.9% of
men's wages.
In a further effort to reduce the disparity in pay, in 2009, President Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter
Fair Pay Restoration Act, which allows victims of pay discrimination to file a complaint with the government
against their employer within 180 days of their last paycheck. Previously, victims were only allowed 180 days
from the date of their first unfair paycheck. This was pursuant to President Obama’s pledge to reduce the
wage gap between men and women.
Women have made enormous progress in the workforce since the Equal Pay Act, but the fact remains that four-and-a-half decades later the basic goal of the act has not been realized. April 9, 2013, is
Equal Pay Day. It symbolizes how far into 2013 women must work to earn what men earned in 2012 – that's
over three months of extra work to make up the difference. Our luncheon this month is devoted to pay
inequality. We hope to see you there!
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WLS AprilWLS
2013July
Newsletter
***WLS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT***
Carolyn Langenkamp
By: Kimberly Garner, Development Committee Co-Chair
This month’s Member Highlight features Carolyn Langenkamp. Carolyn is Of Counsel and co-founder
of Langenkamp, Curtis & Price. The firm specializes in employment and labor law. Carolyn’s practice
focuses on employment and labor law, but she also does some neutral work (expert witness work in
legal malpractice cases), serves as a discovery referee, and conducts neutral workplace investigations
for employers. Carolyn has been a long-time and active member of WLS. Carolyn took time out of
her busy day to answer a few questions for us.
Your practice focuses on labor and employment law; how did you get started in that field?
I am a child of the 60’s and went to law school to advance the rights of women and minorities. I wanted to be a civil rights trial attorney. I started representing plaintiffs in employment discrimination cases (race discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, sex discrimination, sexual harassment cases). The federal district court judges set up a Bradshaw panel in the early 1980s and I got appointed
to represent some plaintiffs in Title VII actions. In the late 1980’s, we started representing teachers through the California Teachers
Association. Since then, the practice has just evolved.
You have been practicing law for over 30 years. How have you seen the Sacramento legal community change in that time?
It hasn’t changed all that much, really. I was delighted to find out that most lawyers and most judges in the Sacramento area are quite
collegial and trustworthy. I think because the Sacramento legal community is small, your reputation precedes you and that makes people accountable and decent. There are a lot more women practicing law now, though. There really weren’t that many when I started
34 years ago.
What are the best and worst parts about your practice area?
The best part is representing great clients who make a difference by standing up and speaking the truth. I also think labor and employment matters are intrinsically interesting. It’s a fast developing area of the law. The worst part is balancing the economic realities of
running a business with wanting to do impact litigation that may not be immediately financially remunerative. Another bad part is witnessing the trauma and stress clients have to deal with.
Why did you get involved in WLS?
Oh, WLS is a natural for me. I can’t even remember when I joined. Probably in the early 1980’s. Just made sense to meet with other
women lawyers to develop networks and share resources.
Did you receive any cherished advice from a mentor?
Yes. One of my mentors told me that preparation was key and told me to do my own trial work. He told me I would know more
about the case than anyone else and that would hold me in good stead. Another mentor told me to do work that meant something to
me, for which I have a passion.
What advice would you give new attorneys?
Find and do work that is meaningful to you. Figure out what “floats your boat.” Take breaks if you can. Travel if you can. For women
attorneys, especially, have a five year plan and talk to people about what you are doing and what you want to accomplish.
When you're not in the office, where can we find you?
With my lovely retired husband, Richard, laughing and walking our new dog.
Thank you, Carolyn! If you would like to nominate someone to be highlighted next month, please email me, Kim Garner, at
[email protected].
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WLS April 2013 Newsletter
The following article was first published by the Los Angeles Daily Journal on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, and is
reprinted here with permission from the Daily Journal and California Women Lawyers.
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WLS April 2013 Newsletter
By: Elizabeth Dietzen Olsen, Chair WLS Development Committee
E
njoy an evening of hors d’oeuvres and wine as you view the artwork of talented local artists
and participate in a silent auction to support worthy local non-profit organizations at
Women Lawyers of Sacramento’s 20th Annual ArtFest, September 19, 2013 from
6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at The California Museum, located at 1020 O Street, in Sacramento.
Funds raised from ArtFest go to the WLS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation that supports local organizations with community grants to help women and children in need in our community. In 2012, the WLS Foundation awarded $5,500 in grants to local nonprofit organizations, including Girls on the Run, North Sacramento Grandparents Support Group, Sacramento Court Appointed
Special Advocate Program, Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center, Sacramento Children’s Home,
WarmLine Family Resource Center.
Please help us make this year’s ArtFest and Silent Auction another fun and successful event to benefit services for women and
children in our community. Here are some ways you can help:
Become an ArtFest Sponsor. Return the ArtFest sponsor registration form to Elizabeth Dietzen Olsen by email
[email protected]. A sponsorship form is included in this issue of the Newsletter.
Donate or obtain items and services for the ArtFest Silent Auction. Consider donating something like: a round of golf; a weekend getaway at a vacation property; gift certificates for restaurants,
movies or store purchases; tickets for local theater or sporting events; gift certificates for services such as
tax preparation, estate plan preparation, landscape services, nanny services, or personal trainers; lunch
with a local celebrity; dinner cooked in the winning bidders’ home by a local chef; a personally prepared
special gift basket or almost anything else you can think of. Contact Kim Garner at [email protected].
Nominate a local artist to display his or her work at ArtFest. Contact Brianna Lierman Hintze at
[email protected] . A variety of media, e.g., photography, paint, sculpture, etc. is solicited for consideration.
Please take a moment now to complete and return the Sponsorship Form and/or the Auction Donation Form enclosed in
this Newsletter and join us in making this year’s ArtFest another wonderful success.
A
The California Museum
ccording to their website, “The California Museum opened in June of 1998 through
a unique partnership with the State of California as a private non-profit institution
focused on California history and culture. Under the development of the Secretary
of State’s office, the Museum was created to be the public showplace for contents of the
California State Archives. In 2003, former First Lady Maria Shriver began working with the
Museum to expand its vision and mission. In 2004, ‘California’s Remarkable Women’
opened as the first of her many collaborative efforts with the Museum. Since then, the Museum’s exhibitions have continued to
emphasize stories not presented to reflect all aspects of California’s diverse population and culture, with an emphasis on the contributions of women and under-represented groups.”
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WLS April 2013 Newsletter
March Luncheon Highlights
(Continued from Page 1)
their fellow freelance attorneys go on to open their own practices,
obtain in-house positions, and even return to firms.
freelance attorneys to attend any meetings or portions of meetings
in which other matters are discussed.
For attorneys who may be considering a move to freelance work, Amy and Erin provided valuable practical advice on the
ins and outs of such a practice. Freelance work can be expensive
(freelance attorneys are responsible for their own expenses such as
bar dues, insurance, business licenses, etc.) and “scary” due to the
unpredictability of the timing and extent of work available at any
given time. Freelance attorneys generally set their own rates depending on their level of experience, area of practice, and the market in which they are practicing. In addition, freelance legal work
requires networking and marketing so attorneys interested in this
path should build and maintain relationships with other attorneys
and firms as potential sources of work.
Freelance attorneys are bound by the same duty of competence as are all attorneys and the hiring firm is ultimately responsible for the freelance attorney’s work product; for example, a
pleading prepared by a freelance attorney will be signed not by the
freelance attorney but by the firm attorney responsible for the
matter. The responsible attorney at the hiring firm must properly
supervise a freelance attorney working on a project and be able to
competently judge the freelance attorney’s work product. As a
word of caution, Amy and Erin mentioned a large firm that was
sued for allegedly not properly supervising contract attorneys performing document review.
Amy and Erin also discussed some of the ethical considerations of freelance legal work, including dealing with potential
conflicts, meeting the duty of competence, and maintaining client
confidentiality. Freelance attorneys must have a process in place to
assess potential conflicts; freelance attorneys are obligated to maintain a record of all work they perform for conflict purposes. In
addition, firms utilizing freelance attorneys must also check for potential conflicts before allowing the attorney to begin working on
any matters. Law firms often limit a freelance attorney’s access to
firm files and databases so that they have access only to the matter
on which they are working, and firms typically do not allow the
Lastly, when performing freelance work, attorneys should
always maintain their files in a safe and secure manner, whether in
paper or electronically, and ensure that they maintain the confidentiality of documents and information provided to them in the
course of their work.
WLS thanks Amy Hirsh and Erin Stagg for sharing their
experiences and insight regarding freelance work, and shedding
light on an alternative to the oft-debated question of whether to
opt “in” or “out” of the practice of law.
O
n Tuesday, April 9, 2013 thousands of women and men from across the United States joined in a
national day of action against unfair pay called Equal Pay Day. April is symbolic of the point into
the new year that a woman must work in order to earn the wages paid to a man in the previous
year. The National Committee on Pay Equity reports that census statistics show, on a national level,
women are paid only 80.9 cents for every dollar a man is paid, based on the median earnings of full-time,
year-round workers in 2012. In California, women on average make about 82.7 percent of what men earn.
Because women earn less, women must work longer for the same pay.
At a time when America's economy is facing a downturn, every penny counts! Economist Evelyn Murphy,
president and founder of The WAGE Project, estimates that the wage gap costs the average American fulltime woman worker between $700,000 and $2 million over the course of her lifetime. WLS encourages
the business community to review their pay practices to ensure that women are not discriminated against in Sacramento, by performing an Equal Pay Self-Audit provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau. WLS applauds those businesses that already
employ equal pay! More information about the wage gap can be found at: http://www.pay-equity.org/info.html.
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WLS April 2013 Newsletter
WLS member Suzanne Nicholson has been certified by The State Bar of California
Board of Legal Specialization in civil appellate law. Ms. Nicholson is an attorney at
the law firm of Murphy, Campbell, Guthrie & Alliston.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Associate Attorney – Probate Law
Small firm has an immediate opening at our University Avenue office for a CA licensed attorney with 2+ years of experience, in the
practice of law under the probate code. The right candidate will be pleasant, self-motivated, dependable, and pay close attention to
detail. High integrity is a must. This position is dedicated full time to all areas under the probate court, including estate planning,
probate, trust administration, conservatorships and guardianships. Accounting experience is a plus. Part-time to start, approximately 32 hours per week.
Benefits include paid time off and a retirement plan for vested employees.
To apply, please email a cover letter with salary requirements, and a resume, to: [email protected]
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WLS April 2013 Newsletter
Save the Date — 2013 WLS Luncheon Schedule
All Luncheons will be held at Lucca Restaurant and Bar,
located at 1615 J Street, Sacramento
Thursday, April 25
Thursday, September 26
Thursday, May 23
Thursday, October 24
Thursday, June 27
Thursday, November 21
(3rd Thursday)
Thursday, July 25
Thursday, December 12
(2nd Thursday)
Thursday, August 22
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF WLS? HAVE
YOU RENEWED YOUR WLS
MEMBERSHIP?
Please remember to return your
membership application or renewal form
and check to WLS.
There is a form conveniently located
at the end of this newsletter.
WLS Is Accepting & Publishing
Readers’ Announcements
Do you have an announcement that you would like to
share with the WLS members? If so, please email Ellen
Arabian-Lee at [email protected] and Alissa Strong
at [email protected]. We will make an effort to
print your announcement in a future edition of the WLS
Newsletter (depending upon available space). The deadline to submit announcements is the 1st of each month.
Please attach any digital photos or other art that you
would like to share with your email.
WOMEN LAWYERS OF SACRAMENTO
Mission Statement: Women Lawyers of Sacramento supports and encourages every woman lawyer in her career aspirations and helps promote a society that places no limits on where a woman’s skills and talent can take
her. Women Lawyers of Sacramento dedicates itself to (1) promoting the full and equal participation of women lawyers and judges in the legal profession, (2) maintaining the integrity of our legal system by advocating principles of
fairness and equal access to justice, (3) improving the status of women in our society and (4) advocating for equal
rights, reproductive choice, equal opportunity and pay for women, and current social, political, economic, or legal
issues of concern to the members of Women Lawyers of Sacramento.
Foundation Mission Statement: Women Lawyers of Sacramento Foundation is the charitable arm of
Women Lawyers of Sacramento. This charitable organization seeks to address the unmet needs of women and children and raises funds to support legal educational opportunities and community programs that satisfy these needs.
Principles:
Women Lawyers of Sacramento is premised on the belief that women deserve equal rights, respect
and opportunities in the workplace and in society at large. Women Lawyers of Sacramento endeavors to support
and enhance the participation and representation of women in significant leadership and management positions in the
legal profession. Women Lawyers of Sacramento also strives to eliminate all forms of bias, discrimination, and harassment, including all forms of violence against women and children, and supports diversity in the legal profession, in
legal education, and in society in general. We work toward these goals through mentoring, legislative and administrative advocacy, community service, networking, educational seminars, and open forums of discussion focused on advancing and supporting women.
2013 WLS BOARD
PRESIDENT
Christine E. Jacob
Hansen Kohls Sommer &
Jacob, LLP
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT
Brianna Lierman Hintze
Nielsen Merksamer, et al.
[email protected]
Carmen-Nicole Cox
Downey Brand, LLP
[email protected]
Kim Garner
[email protected]
Sonia Fernandes
Department of Managed Health Care
[email protected]
Maralee Eriksen
Boutin Jones, Inc.
[email protected]
Kim Lucia
Boutin Jones, Inc.
[email protected]
SECRETARY
GRANTS & AWARDS
Rebecca Dietzen
Managed Risk Medical Ins. Board
[email protected]
Amy Halloran
Law Offices of Williams & Associates
[email protected]
TREASURER
Meghan Covert Russell
Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedmann & Girard
[email protected]
Jennifer Hartman King
Cota Cole LLP
[email protected]
CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND
RETENTION
Melissa Jones
Stoel Rives, LLP
[email protected]
Amy O’Neill
UC Davis King Hall
[email protected]
Kim Lucia
Boutin Jones, Inc.
[email protected]
DEVELOPMENT
Elizabeth Dietzen Olsen
Senate Office of Research
[email protected]
JUDICIAL & OTHER APPOINTMENTS
MEMBERSHIP
Kerri Ruzicka
[email protected]
Corrie Erickson
Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedmann & Girard
[email protected]
Wendy Taylor
Hansen, Kohls, Sommer & Jacob
[email protected]
Shelley Ganaway
Social Security Administration
[email protected]
PUBLICITY & COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
Kelly Pope
Downey Brand
[email protected]
Miranda Carroll Dalju
Cota Cole LLP
[email protected]
NEWSLETTER
LEGISLATION & BAR DELEGATION
Julia Blair
California Energy Commission
[email protected]
Mia Rosenfeld
Adams & Corzine
[email protected]
Caitlin Urie Christian
Law Office of Caitlin Christian
[email protected]
Stephanie Alford
Cota Cole, LLP
[email protected]
Rebecca Feil
Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost
[email protected]
PROGRAMS
Julia Reeves
Hansen Kohls Sommer &
Jacob, LLP
[email protected]
Ellen C. Arabian-Lee
Gurnee & Daniels LLP
[email protected]
Erika Barbara Pickles
Jackson Lewis LLP
[email protected]
Alissa Strong
Hansen, Kohls, Sommer & Jacob
[email protected]
Melissa Borrelli
Department of Managed Health Care
[email protected]
P.O. Box 936, Sacramento, CA 95812
www.womenlawyers-sacramento.org
Kresta Daly
Barth, Tozer & Daly, LLP
[email protected]
Susan C. Hill
Hill Law Offices, PC
[email protected]
Stacy Hunter
Wilke Fleury
[email protected]
Nichole Rapier
Senate Judiciary Committee
[email protected]
Latika Sharma
Wilke, Fleury, Hoffelt, Gould & Birney
[email protected]