Page 15 - FDCC Flyer Spring 2022

talent, skill and hard work of the people who make up this organization, it is the quality of the human beings involved that makes the FDCC truly exceptional. I’ve watched people rally around members in the bad times: death of loved ones, serious illnesses, and personal tragedies like the loss of a home due to storms or fires. I’ve also watched the unfettered shared joy in the success of our members and their family members. If you question that this is truly an organization which embraces families, just go back and look at the FDCC Webinars through the pandemic – they are sprinkled with guest appearances of children and significant others, both as (sometimes unintended) supporting cast or as star of the center stage.
It has been a delight for me to watch the organization evolve during my time. At our recent Winter Meeting in Palm Desert, I looked around the opening reception and saw groups of people hugging and reconnecting, and I saw faces lighting up as they had the opportunity to make new connections. While we still have a way
to go in terms of having our membership mirror the diversity of the legal profession, as I floated from group to group, I saw a crowd containing many new faces, representing a wide swath of the defense bar. There were clusters made up of female members engaging with one another, and our most senior members
were found conversing with our youngest and newest admittees. It made me smile to see so many people appearing so happy and engaged.
One of the goals I had when I started my law firm 6 years ago was to build a place that felt like home for every person who worked there. I have that same goal for the FDCC – that it feel like home for all 1400+ of our members and sponsors. Having reviewed and voted on the admission of more than 1000 applicants through my work on the Admissions Committee over the past decade, I am confident that the FDCC is the right home for each of you, and I am committed to continuing our tradition of providing warm welcomes that are over and above other organizations and to helping each member find their own groove in this organization.
Knowledge
The FDCC is at the top of its game in terms of knowledge. A good friend of mine served as the President of DRI a few years ago. As he was winding down his term, I asked him for his impressions of the
4 sister organizations. His comment about the FDCC was, “you guys are definitely the most serious about education and being the smartest, most prepared lawyers.” I don’t disagree, and I don’t want that to change.
Our continuing education programs are consistently a cut above other educational offerings. Our organization is innovative, both in the content and manner of providing knowledge to our ranks. The topics presented by our members are often first of their kind CLE’s, and we pivoted quickly during the pandemic to provide that information virtually. Fed Tech U is the only intensive hands-on technology seminar dedicated to enhancing an attorney practice of which I am aware, and this is the 5th year that the Evolve initiative has been underway.
It is important that we continue to be leaders in this arena.
Justice
Just as the FDCC is a front runner in our other tenets,
it takes the lead in the area of Justice. In addition to
the work of the Amicus and Public Policy committee and the collaboration with the National Foundation
for Judicial Excellence, the FDCC does much of its support of justice through the FDCC Foundation.
The Foundation is run by 16 of our most committed members, including several past presidents of the organization. Its first two stated goals are to (1) promote civil justice and (2) improve the function of the civil justice system. The Foundation is able to do its great work nearly exclusively through donations from our membership. One of my goals for the coming year is to come up with fun and creative ways to help support this crucial outreach of our organization.
I am well aware that it is a lot of responsibility to serve as an officer of this organization, and I am apprehensive about asking to be elected as the next Secretary/ Treasurer. However, I am humbled by the number of members and spouses who have volunteered to help me navigate this path as a single mother of two young boys. As a first born, I am a people-pleaser, and I am driven by a desire to not disappoint. I am committed
to not let you down if you give me the opportunity to serve.
Leadership
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