President’s Message

September 2026

REMARKS FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

By: Dean McVay, Esq.

As September arrives, we find ourselves at a familiar turning point. Summer vacations have ended, students are back in the classroom, and the rhythm of daily life shifts into a more focused pace. For many of us, this season brings renewed energy and purpose as we enter the home stretch of the calendar year. Court calendars fill, deadlines mount, and we recommit ourselves to serving our clients, our profession, and our community with excellence.

This is also a time when we celebrate those who elevate our profession through their service, leadership, and dedication to the rule of law. I encourage all members to join us at our October 8, 2026 Installation and Awards Dinner, one of the Association’s most meaningful annual events.

This year, we are proud to honor three exceptional members of our legal community.

We will recognize Justin H. King, founder of the Law Offices of Justin H. King in Rancho Cucamonga, as the recipient of the Jennifer Brooks Lawyer of the Year Award. Justin has distinguished himself as one of the Inland Empire’s leading trial lawyers and advocates for injured individuals and their families. Throughout his career, he has achieved remarkable results on behalf of his clients while earning the respect of judges, colleagues, and the broader legal community. Beyond his accomplishments in the courtroom, Justin has dedicated substantial time and effort to bar leadership and community service, including service on the boards and Presidency of both the San Bernardino County Bar Association and the Western San Bernardino County Bar Association.

Justin’s professional life exemplifies the qualities often championed by former Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Charles “Tim” McCoy and his well-known Five Cs. His record of successful advocacy reflects Competence. His straightforward dealings with clients, opposing counsel, and the courts demonstrate Candor. His professionalism and respectful approach to advocacy embody Civility. His commitment to serving injured individuals and their families reflects Compassion. And his willingness to take on difficult cases and fight for those in need demonstrates Courage. These qualities have helped establish Justin as both an outstanding lawyer and a valued leader within our legal community.

We will also honor Michael J. Bidart, Managing Partner of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP, with the Charles Althouse Lifetime Achievement Award. For more than four decades, Michael has been one of California’s most influential consumer and trial lawyers. His groundbreaking work in insurance bad faith and healthcare litigation has helped shape California law and expand protections for consumers, insureds, and patients throughout the state. Through landmark cases and decades of advocacy, he has made a lasting impact on both the legal profession and the public.

Michael’s remarkable career likewise reflects Judge McCoy’s Five Cs. His extraordinary body of work demonstrates exceptional Competence. His reputation throughout the legal community is built upon unwavering Candor and integrity. His professionalism toward clients, colleagues, courts, and adversaries reflects enduring Civility. His career-long dedication to protecting consumers and improving access to justice exemplifies Compassion. And his willingness to challenge powerful interests on behalf of those he represents is a testament to Courage. His selection for the Charles Althouse Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting tribute to a lifetime of exceptional advocacy and service.

Finally, we will recognize Jasmin Casillas as our Judicial Assistant of the Year, honoring her professionalism, dedication, and invaluable contributions to the administration of justice in our local courts. Our courts function effectively because of the commitment and excellence of professionals like Jasmin, and we are delighted to recognize her contributions.

Last month, our legal community also gathered to honor the life and legacy of Justice Marsha Slough, and in doing so, we were reminded of the values that define the very best of our profession.

The August memorial service was a beautiful and moving tribute to an individual whose influence extended far beyond the courtroom. The extraordinary turnout spoke volumes about the profound impact Justice Slough had on the legal community, her colleagues, her friends, and her family. Those in attendance heard heartfelt tributes from her wife, family members, friends, judges, and justices of the California Court of Appeal. The presence of two Chief Justices of the California Supreme Court underscored the immense respect and admiration she earned throughout her distinguished career.

As I listened to those reflections, I was struck by a simple but powerful lesson: we should all strive to live our lives and practice law in such a way that we leave behind a legacy worthy of such admiration and affection. While few attorneys will ever occupy the positions of leadership and influence held by Justice Slough, every one of us has the opportunity each day to positively affect our profession, our clients, our colleagues, and our community.

Justice Slough’s life fully exemplified the Five Cs of Competence, Candor, Civility, Compassion and Courage.  Her accomplishments demonstrated extraordinary competence. Her reputation for integrity reflected unwavering candor. Her treatment of lawyers, litigants, colleagues, and court staff embodied genuine civility. The warmth, mentorship, and kindness remembered by so many spoke to her profound compassion. And her willingness to confront difficult issues and promote justice throughout her career displayed remarkable courage.

The most moving aspect of the memorial was not simply the impressive list of dignitaries in attendance, but the overwhelming love and gratitude expressed by those whose lives she touched. The stories shared by family, friends, lawyers, judges, and justices painted a portrait of a life lived with purpose, integrity, and generosity. It reminded us that the true measure of a successful legal career is not merely the cases we win or the titles we hold, but the relationships we build, the people we mentor, and the example we leave behind.

As we move into the busy months ahead, may we strive to practice law guided by those same principles. If we do, we will strengthen our profession, better serve our clients and community, and perhaps one day leave behind a legacy as meaningful and inspiring as that of Justice Marsha Slough.

As I enter into the last month of my Presidency, I wish each of you success in the final months of the year, and I look forward to seeing you on October 8th as we celebrate excellence, service, and leadership within the Western San Bernardino County Bar Association and our community.