Featuring Judicial Appointments Secretary, Luis Céspedes

Luis Céspedes
Judicial Appointments
Secretary, Office of
Governor Newsom

Agenda

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM | Opening and Welcome Remarks  

Open:

• Adrieannette Ciccone, Chair, CLA Litigation Section

Welcome / Remarks

• Hon. Maureen F. Hallahan, Presiding Judge, SDSC

Introduction:

• Jenn French, Partner, Lynch Carpenter

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | Pathway to the Superior Court Bench

Moderator: Terrance J. Evans, Partner, Duane Morris; Chair, CLA 

Speakers:

• Luis Céspedes, Judicial Appointments Secretary
• Lorena Peñaloza, 2025 JNE Commission Chair
• Hon. Terrie Roberts, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego
• Hon. Renée Stackhouse, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego

2:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Composition of the Bench: Justice Requires Diversity
1.25 Elimination of Bias 

Join our panel of distinguished judges for a thought-provoking conversation on the critical role that diversity plays in the judiciary and the fair administration of justice.  This topic is particularly relevant in a climate where the value of diversity is being questioned and challenged.  The discussion will include such topics as defining diversity, recognizing and eliminating bias in the judicial selection process, bench diversity as a bedrock principle, and challenges faced when the value and concept of diversity come under broad societal scrutiny. 

Moderator: Mary McKelvey, Partner, Polsinelli 

Speakers:

• Hon. Rohanee Zapanta, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego
• Hon. Olga Álvarez, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego
• Hon. Euketa L. Oliver, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego
• Hon. Dwayne K. Moring, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego
• Hon. Roderick Shelton, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego

Speakers

• Luis Céspedes, Judicial Appointments Secretary, Office of Governor Newsom
• Hon. Maureen F. Hallahan, Presiding Judge, Superior Court of San Diego
• Hon. Olga Álvarez, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego
• Hon. Linda Lopez, Judge, U.S. District Court, S.D. Cal.
• Shireen Matthews, Partner, Jones Day; Chair, 2025 U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel, Southern District of California
• Hon. Dwayne K. Moring, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego; Chair SCSD Judicial Mentor Program
• Hon. Euketa L. Oliver, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego
• Lorena Peñaloza, 2025 Chair, JNE Commission
• Hon. Terrie Roberts, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego
• Hon. Roderick Shelton, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego; Member, statewide Trial Court Mentor Program Working Group
• Hon. Renée Stackhouse, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego
• Daniel Suvor, Statewide Chair, Senator Padilla’s Judicial Evaluation Committee
• Hon. Valerie E. Torres, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, S.D. Cal.
• Hon. Rohanee Zapanta, Judge, Superior Court of San Diego

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Registration Information

*New Lawyers practicing law for three years or less and Law Students are invited to join the California Lawyers Association (CLA) for free. Learn more and join today.

*Non-CLA Members who are Government & Non-Profit Employees or Panel Attorneys will need to use a code to receive this pricing. Please email ProgramRegistrations@calawyers.org if you have any questions.*

Cancellations and refunds must be received in writing no later than May 30, 2025 and are subject to a 10% service fee. Refunds will not be provided after May 30, 2025.

For program and registration information, please email ProgramRegistrations@calawyers.org or call 916-516-1757.

This event may be recorded. By attending this event, you consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded, and to any use, by the CLA, of your likeness, voice, and name in any and all media including social media. If you do not want your name or photo to be used, please let us know in advance. We cannot, however, honor requests to opt out of the use of your image or voice if you choose to ask a question during one of the event sessions.

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