Together for Justice Inaugural Annual Dinner

CCLS’ Annual Dinner Brought the Community “Together for Justice”

The stunning view of the vineyards from the Toca Madera Winery terrace looked like the hills of Tuscany.  But we who make the Central Valley our home know that it has gorgeous scenery equal to anywhere else in the world.

Central California Legal Services (CCLS) was thrilled to host nearly three hundred attendees from our local legal, business, and public service communities at our “Together for Justice” dinner at Toca Madera on October 10.  We honored McCormick Barstow LLP as our Law Firm of the Year.  McCormick Barstow partner Jessica Boujikian, who accepted the award on behalf of the firm along with partner Gordon Park, remarked that “Almost everyone at McCormick Barstow became a lawyer because they wanted to help people and to make a difference for their clients and their community.  The firm’s work with CCLS is a great opportunity to make that mission a reality.  We are proud of our work with CCLS and honored to be its Pro Bono Firm of the Year.”

Don Fischbach received the Community Legacy Award for his decades of service to the profession, locally and state-wide, and for his decades of support, pro bono service, and board service to CCLS.  CCLS’ affirmative litigation team and pro bono co-counsel Patience Milrod were recognized for their work in achieving a settlement with the City of Clovis that will bring more affordable housing to that city.

CCLS Board Member Stacey Reimer shone a spotlight on Project First Step, a long-standing pro bono project providing pro bono attorneys to domestic violence survivors seeking restraining orders, and thanked dinner attendees Harry Drandell, Frankie Rodriguez, and Tiffany Pack, who have all acted as pro bono counsel for Project First Step clients.

CCLS deeply appreciates the generous support of Title Sponsor California Health Advocates; Platinum Sponsor Fresno First Bank; Gold Sponsors Sierra Health Foundation, McCormick Barstow LLP, Fennemore, The Whole Vine Festival, and CalViva Health; along with the many other sponsors, donors, and attendees – all of whom came together to make the event a huge success.

We were honored to have local dignitaries join us for the evening:  the Honorable Patricia Matthews, Mayor of Lemoore; the Honorable Kirk Sherriff, Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District; the Honorable Pahoua Lor, Judge, and the Honorable Jonathan Skiles, Judge, and the Honorable W. Kent Hamlin, Judge (ret.), Fresno County Superior Court; the Honorable Lynette Gonzales, Administrative Law Judge; the Honorable Juan Arambula, former State Assembly Member; Marciela Ortiz, Field Representative for Assembly Member Joaquin Arambula; Jessi Fierro, Treasurer, California Lawyers Association; and Michelle Tutunjian, COO and Deputy CEO of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission.

Seated on the lawn overlooking the gorgeous vineyards, guests enjoyed a selection of Toca Madera wines, tantalizing charcuterie appetizers from The Grazing Table, and a delicious meal catered by Pardini’s.   The sophisticated sounds of Millington Strings provided the perfect background for the scene.

“Thank you to everyone who attended our Inaugural Together for Justice Dinner.   We especially extend a heartful appreciation to our staff, board, honorees, sponsors, and partners who are instrumental in serving our community.  Together we are more impactful, and your support makes it possible for CCLS to meet our clients’ critical legal needs,” said Michelle Kezirian, Executive Director of CCLS.

We look forward to seeing you all at next year’s event!