- Nanci E. Nishimura was recently elected to serve on the Board of Governors for the California Women Lawyers, for District 3 which serves San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara Counties. On this speaking circuit this year, she discussed complex litigation for the “Litigators Forum on Class Actions” for the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. As a former member of the Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission (JNE) for the State Bar of California, she also addressed the promotion of judicial diversity on a panel entitled “Making Our Voices Count” at the CWL Annual Conference in June 2008.
- Steven N. Williams elected to Board of Public Justice in Washington, D.C. Williams, a Nominee for the 2008-09 Board of Directors of the Public Justice Foundation, was elected at the Annual Meeting which took place on Monday, July 14, 2008, during American Association for Justice’s (formerly The Association of Trial Lawyers of America) 2008 Annual Convention in Philadelphia, held July 13-15.
- Community Gatepath Names New Center for Niall P. McCarthy
Community Gatepath of Northern California, a non-profit organization that enables children and adults with disabilities to achieve their full potential in health and work, has named its newest facility the Niall P. McCarthy Center for Children and Families. McCarthy, a Gatepath board member since 2002 and chair of the board since 2005-2007, was recognized for his instrumental role in helping the center become a reality. The Burlingame, California-based Gatepath was founded in 1917 and today serves more than 3,200 persons in various programs and services a year. The McCarthy Center focuses on early intervention and preschool services. For example, the newly remodeled center building, among other things, allows Gatepath to expand its children services to include Learning Links, an inclusive preschool where children ages 3 to 5 with and without disabilities learn and thrive together.
- CP&M Honored by Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy was awarded the "Living the Dream Partner Award" by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. The award, which honors those who have made extraordinary contributions to the group, was presented at the 19th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon. The Lawyers' Committee is dedicated to supporting the rights of minority and low-income individuals by offering free legal assistance in civil matters and by litigating cases that have the potential of improving the lives of people often ignored by the legal system.
- Cotchett Receives Prestigious Consumer Advocate Award
Joseph W. Cotchett received the prestigious Edward I. Pollock Award from the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) in November 2007 at the group’s 46th annual convention in San Francisco. Established in 1982, the award is the oldest one given by the CAOC and is named after the former CAOC president and renowned consumer advocate. Cotchett was cited for his years of dedication on behalf of the causes and ideals of the CAOC. Also in November 2007, Cotchett was presented the annual Clarence Darrow Award of the Mass Torts Made Perfect group at a seminar in Las Vegas.
- Pitre Inducted Into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Frank M. Pitre was inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers at the group’s annual meeting in Chicago in April 2007. Pitre joins fellow CP&M partner Joseph W. Cotchett as a Fellow in the prestigious IATL. Recommended by their peers and judges, Fellows must have achieved a career of excellence through demonstrated skill and ability in jury trials, trials before the court, and appellate practices. Chartered in 1954, membership in the IATL is limited to 500 Fellows from the United States and 30 International Fellows. The IATL’s mission is to cultivate the science of jurisprudence, protect the jury system and the independence of the judiciary, facilitate the administration of justice, promote the Rule of Law internationally and elevate the standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.
- Cotchett Named to Blue Ribbon Panel on Foster Care
Joseph W. Cotchett has been appointed to the newly-formed California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care to examine and improve the courts' critical role in foster care. The appointment was made by Ronald M. George, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court and Chair of the Judicial Council of California. In announcing the appointment, Chief Justice George said the two-year commission was formed "to develop and implement innovative policy solutions to improve conditions for our state's most vulnerable children and youth." In California, more than 500,000 children -- six percent of the state's population under the age of 18 -- become involved each year in the public child welfare system. Of those, 92,000 live in foster homes, relatives' homes and residential care facilities. Other commission appointments include Associate Supreme Court Justice Carlos R. Moreno as chair; Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Assemblywoman Karen Bass, former State Senator John Burton, Justice Kathryn Doi Todd, Judge Terry B. Friedman, Justice Richard D. Huffman, Judge Susan D. Huguenor, Judge Michael Nash, and Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, among others.
- CP&M Presented The Guardians of Justice Award
The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County presented Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy its top award for 2007 at the society’s 10th annual awards banquet. Senior partner Joseph W. Cotchett accepted the The Guardian of Justice Award on behalf of the firm. The award is given each year in recognition of those whose commitment to Legal Aid is steeped in a commitment to justice for all the children, families and seniors in San Mateo County. In recognizing the firm, the society said, "On behalf of low income residents in need of basic civil legal services, CP&M lawyers and support staff volunteer at Legal Aid in many ways: serving as pro bono attorneys, trusted advisors, and members of the Board of Directors" among other things. Other awards included:
Dr. Dana L. Weintraub of the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford was presented the Natalie Lanam Achievement Award. This award is named for Natalie Lanam, a lay leader whose efforts on behalf of Legal Aid were inspired by her commitment to Justice.
Ronald F. Garrity of Simpson, Garrity & Innes was presented the Dorothy M. Wolfe Award. This award is in memory of Dorothy M. Wolfe, one of the earliest champions of Legal Aid.
San Francisco Bar Association Cites CP&M for Cy Pres Awards
San Francisco Attorney, the Bar Association of San Francisco’s official publication, featured three CP&M partners on the cover of its Spring 2007 edition, recognizing the firm for its historic commitment to obtaining cy pres awards for community organizations. The cover featured Joseph W. Cotchett, Nancy L. Fineman and Steven N. Williams, who, the magazine said, "enjoy making a difference for organizations who are recipients of cy pres funds from class action cases they handle." The magazine specifically cited CP&M for obtaining major funding for the San Francisco Bar’s Volunteer Legal Services Program. Founded by the bar association in 1977, the program is a nonprofit provider of free legal and social services to low income individuals and families. Cy pres, or the "next best use" doctrine, allows unclaimed funding from class actions to go to worthy causes.
- Fineman elected to San Mateo County Bar Association Board
Nancy L. Fineman of CP&M currently is serving a three-year term on the San Mateo County Bar Association's prestigious Board of Directors. The 1,200-member Bar Association, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary, is overseen by the 14-member board. The Bar Association plays a vital role in San Mateo County, providing services to lawyers and the community. The Board of Directors oversees the operations of the only Private Defender Program in the State the mission of which is to represent indigent criminal defendants; the Lawyer Referral Service; the different sections and committees to the bar; and outreach to the community.
- Leading Attorneys in California
For the 10th straight year, Joseph W. Cotchett was named one of the top 100 leading attorneys in California in 2007 by the San Francisco / Los Angeles Daily Journal. “Cotchett has a knack for filing lawsuits that address hot-button issues, from stock option backdating to the public exposure of an undercover CIA agent,” the Journal said. “As a result, he often winds up at odds with those in powerful places.” The legal newspaper also said Cotchett was one of only a few attorneys who have been named to the top 100 list every year since it began in 1998. Earlier, in a separate list compiled by California Law Business magazine, Cotchett was named as one of the top 10 of the 100 most influential attorneys in California. The magazine described the Burlingame litigator as “a fixture on any list of movers and shakers.”
- Top 10 Litigation Practices in Northern California
Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy has been named one of the top 10 leading litigation firms in Northern California in 2008 by the San Francisco / Los Angeles Daily Journal. According to the legal newspaper, "This 25-lawyer class-action shop keeps it collective fingers on the pulse of all types of cases." For example, the firm brokered a $200 million settlement with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways on behalf of consumers accusing the airlines of price fixing and "the case is only one of several antitrust class actions that challenge the way airlines pass on rising costs of jet fuel to their customers." The firm also was cited for its lawsuits against natural gas companies for price manipulation and financial firms involved in subprime lending.
- CP&M Named One of the Top 25 Firms in Nation
The National Law Journal again named Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy one of the top 25 plaintiffs' law firms in the nation. The Journal announced its "Plaintiffs' Hot List" with "twenty-five go-to teams for when the going gets tough." The journal said it based its selections on interviews with attorneys across the country on both the plaintiffs' and defense sides, asking for the names of firms they use and recommend. The process also was based on a "hotness" quotient regarding recent verdicts and settlements, and overall track records.
- Nisimura Membership on Judicial Nominee Evaluation Commission
Nanci E. Nishimura, a principal at CP&M, currently is serving her third term on the prestigious California Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation, or JNE Commission, for the 2005-07 term. The JNE Commission is the California State Bar agency that evaluates all candidates who are under consideration for a judicial appointment by the governor. The volunteer commission, the members of which are appointed by the State Bar's Board of Governors, investigates California's judicial candidates and rates for the governor's office for appointment to either the trial bench, Superior Court or the Appellate Court. Three other CP&M principals have over the years served on the commission, Hon. Susan Illston, Hon. Marie S. Weiner and Nancy L. Fineman.
- Federal Judge Selection Process in California
Joseph W. Cotchett continues to serve on the Federal Judicial Advisory Committee, a bipartisan group that submits federal judicial nominations in California to President Bush. The committee was set up by the Republican Bush administration and California's two Democratic senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, to process judicial nominations while giving each political party significant ability to veto potential judges. The committee has subcommittees in each of the state's four federal judicial districts. These subcommittees are composed of three Democratic and three Republican members. A judicial nomination will be forwarded to the White House only if it gets at least four committee votes. Cotchett was named as one of three Democratic members of the Los Angeles-based Central District of California committee.
- National Rebuilding Day (formerly Christmas in April)
Organized and directed for the past six years by CP&M partner Frank M. Pitre, CP&M staffers have dedicated a special Saturday in April to revitalizing the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly, who otherwise could not afford such work. As part of the nationwide program National Rebuilding Day, formerly Christmas in April, dozens of CP&M lawyers, secretaries and legal assistants give up a Saturday in April each year to participate in painting, repairing, rebuilding and landscaping the home of a deserving member of the community. "National Rebuilding Day is a special way for us to give back to our community, to fulfill a vital need in our community for limited income seniors and others," said Pitre. "And it is always a very rewarding experience."
- Fineman Elected President of Community Outreach Group
Nancy L. Fineman of CP&M has been elected the 2008 president of The Christian Action Life Line ("CALL") Primrose Center, an emergency referral and food bank facility in Burlingame. Fineman has been associated with the group as a volunteer and Council member for more than eight years. The center is a joint venture of the First Presbyterian Church and the United Methodist Church, both of Burlingame, and is supported by the San Mateo County community. Launched in 1983 as a telephone information and referral service, the center became a drop-in location in 1984. Since then, thousands of people in need have visited the non-profit center.
- Cotchett Appointed to Statewide Court Commission
California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald M. George has appointed Joseph W. Cotchett to the newly-formed Commission for Impartial Courts, a statewide panel charged with recommending ways to ensure judicial impartiality and accountability in the state’s court system. Cotchett was named to the 18-member Commission Steering Committee chaired by State Supreme Court Associate Justice Ming W. Chin. He was only one of two attorneys named, the other being Patricia P. White, a member of the State Bar of California Board of Governors. The other members include justices and judges, court executive officers, government and business officials and members of the public. The Steering Committee will oversee and coordinate the work of four task forces and present its overall recommendations to the Judicial Council of California, the policy-making body of the California courts, the largest court system in the nation. “We are forming the Commission for Impartial Courts in response to developments in other states that have changed the tone, tenor, and cost of judicial elections,” Chief Justice George said. “It is essential that we make every effort to avoid politicizing the judiciary so that public confidence in the quality, impartiality, and accountability of judges is protected and maintained.” Cotchett’s 24-month term will end in 2009.
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