President’s Message

April 2025

REMARKS FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

By: Angelique Bonanno, Esq.

Thank you to all who attended our Judicial Officer of the Year event in April.  Congratulations to our award recipients: Ms. T. Dawn Frank the Mitchell Roth Service Award recipient, Commissioner Michael Gassner the Judicial Lifetime Achievement Award recipient,  and Michelle Gilleece the Judicial Officer of the Year Award recipient.  We had an amazing turnout for the event, including the attendance of many judicial officers.  On behalf of our organization, I wish to also thank our many sponsors.  We simply cannot do it without your help and support.

If you have not already heard, our very own Commissioner Dina Amani and Commissioner Cecilia Joo were both recently appointed by the Governor of the State of California to serve as Judges for San Bernardino County.  Congratulations to them both.

On May 30, 2025 the Western San Bernardino County Bar Association is bringing back the HAWAIIAN LUAU for our 2025 Bench-Bar Gathering.  It’s been a few years since we’ve hosted the Hawaiian Luau and we can’t wait to do it again.  If you have not already signed up, please call our Executive Director Lindsay Partridge for details.  The food is always delicious, and we expect to have not only luau dancers but also a fire dancer.  You can also participate in our raffle drawing where fun prizes are always anticipated.  This event is a casual and fun way to bridge the gap between the bench and the bar.  It’s also an excellent way to network and meet new individuals in our legal community.  We encourage you to attend.

Starting in 2026, California licensed attorneys are required to annually report the amount of pro bono legal services they provide.  The reporting requirement is part of Assembly Bill 2505 which can be found at https://www.americanbar.org/groups/probono_public_service/policy/arguments/.  Reporting will be managed through the My State Bar online profile. The State Bar will also ask lawyers to voluntarily provide their 2024 pro bono totals during the 2025 fee billing cycle.

So what constitutes pro bono services?  The State Bar suggests it is defined as free legal assistance to the indigent or to charitable, religious, civil, community, governmental, and educational organizations.  While the State Bar encourages attorneys to contribute at least 50 hours of pro bono services annually, this is not yet a mandatory requirement.  There are a variety of ways to meet 50 hours, and one way to really make a difference is by donating your time to the Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino.  Just one hour a week can make all the difference to a needy or indigent litigant.

Justice is a fundamental right for all people, but without access to the legal system, justice is out of reach for many.  The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino safeguards the path to justice by educating, empowering, and advocating for vulnerable individuals and communities regardless of their life circumstances. The organization acts as the guards and the guides on the path to justice for those in need to include services for those who require protection from Domestic Violence, expungement, eviction defense, foreclosure defense, housing and homelessness, medical-legal partnerships and veterans support services.  If you can volunteer just one hour of your time, even once a month, it will help those truly in need of legal aid who cannot otherwise afford private services.

If you would like to help or donate your time, you can contact the San Bernardino Legal Aid Society at (909) 889-7328.  Your time and/or support will help the Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino in their unwavering commitment to 1) bolstering the well-being of families and  creating a stable and nurturing environment 2) pursuing their dedication to preserving quality, affordable housing; a cornerstone of thriving communities, 3) maintaining economic stability for those in need, 4) promoting safety, security, and health; all of which are essential components of a flourishing society, 5) advocating for vulnerable populations ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected and 6) upholding human and civil rights by standing in the defense of those rights and fostering a just and equitable society for all.  Please consider volunteering your time.

Ciao for now.

Angelique