San Diego County Bar Association Contact: Sheree Swetin, Executive Director San Diego County Bar Association 1333 Seventh Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 E-mail: sswetin@sdcba.org San Diego County Bar Association Law Week 2002 Activity Summary: Making equal justice a reality for everyone was at the center of the San Diego County Bar Association's Law Week 2002 celebration. Built on a long history of community outreach, the Bar augmented tried-and-true legal services programs with new and innovative events and a special focus on children. The Bar's Law Week efforts worked to demystify our system of justice and stress the availability of legal help when it's needed. Taken individually or as a whole, this year's SDCBA Law Week public service activities were a great success and had a positive and lasting impact on the lives and hearts of San Diegans. Activity Narrative: The San Diego County Bar Association's Law Week 2002 celebration included eight programs over seven days, each designed to further the cause of equal justice for all. Through partnerships with inner city elementary, middle and high schools, the Bar was able to affect hundreds of at-risk children with a positive message about the legal system. Volunteer lawyers reached a broad cross section of the public through our co-sponsorship of a legal call-in program with the county's number one rated television station. Those who were helped by the Free Law program and the family law assistance efforts will remember that, when they need legal information in the future, they can look to the Bar for guidance. While the direct services provided to consumers left a lasting impression of support, Law Week activities also had a significant impact on San Diego lawyers. The Bar not only celebrated our legal community's best, but also created opportunities for lawyer volunteers to continue to provide public service long after Law Week came to a close. Ask-A-Lawyer Call-In Program. The Bar partnered with San Diego's NBC affiliate to present "Ask-A-Lawyer," where over 30 volunteer lawyers fielded telephone calls from San Diegans with legal questions. The telephone bank was set up at the station's downtown studio, and the live newscast cut to the lawyers periodically during the 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. show. The effort increased awareness of not only the importance of law in our lives but also the accessibility of lawyers to help. Those who were not able to get through during the show continued to call the Bar's hotline (which remained on the station's web site for a week) for information and referral to attorneys. Law Week Awards Luncheon. Recognizing and rewarding excellence in the legal profession, media and community at large is one of the highlights of the SDCBA's Law Week celebration. In addition to the 10 service awards presented to outstanding lawyers, judges, legal reporters and law-related organizations, the Bar reached out to San Diego's children through poster, essay and oratorical competitions. The winners, who came from elementary, middle and high schools, were honored alongside the distinguished winners of the Bar's service awards at the annual Law Week luncheon. More than 500 students participated in this year's competition, and $3,650 in savings bonds were awarded to the winners. Free Law at Kobey's Swap Meet. For over eight hours on a Saturday, the Bar staffed a legal information tent at Kobey's, a public marketplace that draws over 10,000 people. Volunteer lawyers provided free legal information to upwards of 500 people on subjects as diverse as family law issues, tax, real estate, and estate planning. Where situations were more complex, members of the public were referred to LRIS attorneys for a free half-hour consultation. Youth Day in Court. Over 100 high school took part in a mock trial and tour of San Diego's Superior Court, the third largest court system in the country. Speakers included judges, an Assistant City Attorney and the Chief Deputy Public Defender. Following the morning program, the Bar provided lunch and event organizers fielded questions from the students. Youth Day worked to further the students' understanding of our justice system and to inspire appreciation for the rule of law. Legal Career Day. Lawyers and judges went into the classrooms of a San Diego high school to speak to students about a future in the law. The morning sessions were followed by a lunchtime career fair, where students could talk one-on-one with judges, lawyers, paralegals, court reporters and law firm administrators about the diverse opportunities in the legal profession. Job Shadow Day. High school students had the opportunity to "shadow" a lawyer mentor for a morning as the volunteer went through his or her daily routine. The students were able to discuss the experience and a future in the law over lunch with the lawyer/mentor, before they returned to class in the afternoon. The more than 50 mentors included lawyers from large and medium-sized firms, solo practitioners, deputy district attorneys, public defenders, and corporate counsel. Family Law Assistance Program. Divorce, child custody, and support issues were addressed by experienced family law attorneys and paralegals at the county's Family Law Courthouse. The joint program of the SDCBA and San Diego Paralegal Association operated over one-day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., assisting citizens appearing pro per with paperwork and filings. In all, more than 25 people were helped. An Evening with the Capitol Steps. Law Week 2002 wasn't all business. The ability to laugh at our leaders is one of our most important freedoms. The Bar sponsored a special "Evening with the Capitol Steps," the national comedy troupe. A pre-performance reception for members and special seating drew a crowd of over fifty lawyers and their guests. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization