Daily Journal - Jul 5, 2005 By Kenneth Davis Daily Journal Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES - The Western Justice Center Foundation held its second annual
summer-associates workshop on June 30 at the center's offices in Pasadena, right
next door to the 9th Circuit Courthouse. Speakers at the event encouraged community
service and pro bono work and stressed the benefits of alternative dispute resolution.
"I think pro bono work is probably the most important aspect of our profession," said
Carlos R. Moreno, state Supreme Court justice and board member of the foundation.
"You'll get tremendous satisfaction helping people in need," Moreno said. Judge
Dorothy W. Nelson, the foundation's chair and one of its founders, hosted the event.
Nelson said the event was designed to promote pro bono work, bring awareness
of alternative dispute resolution to young lawyers and law students, and promote
community work among those in the legal profession in general.

"We like to have law firms bring their summer associates to learn about what we're
trying to do in the community," she said. We feel that young lawyers need to be familiar
with dispute resolution programs and peaceful resolution," Nelson said. "Some of them
will be litigators, but some of them will find that litigation doesn't solve all problems.
"We want to expose them to another approach to dispute resolution." Najeeba Syeed-
Miller, the executive director of the foundation, said its aim is to promote peaceful
conflict resolution with communities, courts, children and schools.

"We function as a think tank," Syeed-Miller said. "Where we work directly with many
schools and many communities, we also have a national and international
constituency through our technical assistance programs. Many of the dynamics of
conflict are similar around the world." Of the 90 guests at the event, 70 were summer
associates from 12 law firms. Among the law firms represented were Allen, Matkins ,
Leck , Gamble & Mallory; Christie Parker & Hale; Cochran-Bond & Hale; Cochran-Bond
Law Offices; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher ; O'Melveny & Myers; Sullivan & Cromwell;
McDermott, Will & Emery; Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Mawe ; Munger , Tolles & Olson;
Latham & Watkins; and Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker.

Presenters also offered the summer associates advice on practicing law. Foundation
board member Dean Kitchens spoke about the importance of achieving a healthy
work-life balance."You have to make time for yourself and family and time to get involved
with your community," Kitchens said. "The rewards will be extensive." Raymond Fisher,
a 9th Circuit judge and foundation board member, shared similar sentiments with the
audience."The practice of law is very demanding," Fisher said. "It makes you a better
lawyer if you sprinkle in some extracurricular activity. It gives you perspective and
richness."

After the presentations, the summer associates were given a tour of the 9th Circuit
Courthouse. Summer associate Maysa Eissa from McDermott, Will & Emery said
she was inspired by the event."There's always the pressure to balance pro bono hours
and billable hours," Eissa said. "But this event definitely made me want to devote more
time to doing community work."

Andre Del La Cruz, also at McDermott Will this summer, was equally inspired.
"It was great," Del La Cruz said.