Erica C. Gonzalez Elected To Fresno County Young Lawyers Board of Directors

Erica C. Gonzalez was elected to the Fresno County Young Lawyers Association (FCYLA) Board of Directors for the 2010/2011 term. FCYLA is composed of those members of the Fresno County Bar Association who have been members of the State Bar of California for five years or less or are 36 years of age or younger. FCYLA is formally affiliated with the Fresno County Bar Association, but has its own independently elected Board of Directors.

FCYLA organizes events throughout the year to provide opportunities for new lawyers to interact in order to continue the tradition of a close-knit association between local practitioners. To achieve this, FCYLA begins by providing organizational support for the swearing in ceremonies for new lawyers. The effort continues with several social gatherings during the year, which allow lawyers to interact in informal settings. FCYLA also sponsors the George A. Hopper Memorial Scholarship Luncheon, which awards a scholarship to a local law student and brings a prominent member of the judiciary to address the local bar. In addition, FCYLA sponsors the Blaine E. Pettitt Memorial Mentor Award, recognizing the contributions of a local attorney toward the development of new lawyers.

FCYLA gives back to the community by providing lawyer volunteers to help coach high school students in a mock trial competition sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation and the California Young Lawyers Association and also provides, on a continuing basis, Career Day speakers and classroom lawyer advisors to local elementary and high schools.

National Pro Bono Week Celebration Reception Hosted by Lang, Richert & Patch

Earlier this year, the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California adopted a resolution recognizing the week of October 25 through October 31, 2009, as the first annual National Pro Bono Week Celebration. Lang, Richert & Patch was pleased to host Voluntary Legal Services Program’s and Fresno County Bar Association Pro Bono Section’s reception celebrating National Celebrate Pro Bono Week on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. Ana de Alba of Lang, Richert & Patch, worked closely with Voluntary Legal Services Program and Fresno County Bar Association Pro Bono Section to put this event together.  The reception was well attended by private and public sector attorneys, judges, and community leaders and recognized local attorneys for their ongoing pro bono contributions.  It also served to encourage others to engage in pro bono work and provide financial support to make a difference in the lives of the poor and disenfranchised.