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(“LSPC”). During her stint with LSPC, she engaged in policy work to help co- write bills and even testified at hearings in Sacramento on legislation that would waive the fees for expungements in certain situations.
Her most inspiring moment was when she was in high school and her class traveled to the south to learn about the civil rights movement. On that trip, she personally met Congressman John Lewis. “I was particularly struck by
his dedication to helping others, even though he was only 18 years old when he became involved in the struggle for racial equality,” said Stillman. “Just like Congressman Lewis, I know it is the right thing for me to dedicate my life to helping others.”
It looks like the Sonoma County Women in Law have also done the “right thing” by choosing yet another impressive candidate to receive their annual Law Scholarship. The WIL Scholarship Drive, under the steady tutelage and inspiration of Judge
Gayle Guynup and The Founder’s Circle, has provided over $35,000 in
law scholarships to deserving law students since 2008. WIL always seeks candidates who have proven ties to Sonoma County, and in the past has awarded the scholarship to law students from Berkeley, Hastings, Golden Gate, and Empire Law School. Donations to the WIL Scholarship are totally tax- deductible and can be made on the WIL website. Janice Stillman was honored on November 5, 2015 at WIL Scholarship Reception at Judge Guynup’s gracious home. Lemonade and other refreshments were served!
Debra A. Newby chairs the Communications Committee of the SCBA. She maintains a solo and successful law practice in Santa Rosa, CA, which emphasizes personal injury law.
• Carefully open and close shades and windows for solar gain or passive cooling
• Turn off lights, computers and entertainment devices when in use• Wait for full loads for dishwasher and clothes washer
Janice Stillman:
Women in Law Scholarship Recipient
By Debra A. Newby
What were your dreams when you
were nine years old? Maybe to own a unicorn? Fly to the moon? For Janice Stillman, this year’s recipient of the Women in Law Legal Scholarship, perhaps her dream was more realistic...
Patrice Doyle (left), President of Sonoma County Women in Law, Janice Stillman scholarship recipient.
not to feel like a social outcast because both of her parents were in prison. Instead of allowing the “stigma” of her parents to shape her, Janice has garnered her inner strength and drive to help
George and Ellen enjoy a high quality of life while having a minimal impact on climate change. They also enjoy low energy bills and great comfort in their home. George says of their experience, “We experience great joy while continually improving our green lifestyle which has gradually reduced our carbon footprint to one tenth that of the average American. We hope to leave our dear planet earth a little greener than it would have been without us.”
others by choosing law as her profession. At age 12, she attended a program
The Sonoma County Energy
called “Project Avary,” a summer camp which offers children of incarcerated parents an outdoor environment to develop social and life-skills. It was there that she found her voice and a safe environment to tell her story. A fellow attorney and Board Member at Project Avary encouraged her to go to law school. She did, and has never looked back. Instead, she gives back. Now, Janice is a second year law student at UC Hastings, with an eye on public interest law and perhaps running for a political office.
Janice has volunteered as a Mentor/ Counselor at Project Avary since she was 15 years old. “I’ve witnessed first-hand the confidence of the children grow,” Janice said. “The camp offers them a safe place to articulate and share their story, so that they do not feel like an outcast.”
Janice was basically raised by
her grandmother, Nana. She led by example by offering a warm and
loving household for Janice and her
six siblings. Janice was taught to be thankful, positive, and the value of being connected to her community. Janice and her twin sister, Jessica, were the first in the family to attend a four-year college. Her community work also extends
to writing advocacy letters for Legal Services for Prisoners with Children
Independence Office (www. sonomacountyenergy.org), part of the County’s Energy and Sustainability Division, acts as a one-stop shop for residential and commercial property owners to find resources to help
them go solar and to save energy and water. It provides a variety of services including Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for energy and water upgrades.
To start on your path to Net Zero Energy, contact the SCEIP office at 707-565-6470 or visit sonomacountyenergy.org.
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