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VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 8 • NOVEMBER 2005
A Publication of the
San Fernando Valley Bar Association
In This Issue
HUNDREDS GATHER FOR ANNUAL
INSTALLATION GALA
Photos by Scott Patrick
President’s Message ..........................3
Message from LRIS Director ............5
Santa Clarita Valley Bar ....................7
Association
Report from the Foundation ............9
SFVBA Reaches Out to Minority Bar
Community ......................................11
Notice to Attorneys..........................12
Registered Domestic Partners Have
Same Rights as Married Couples ....15
Classified Ads ..................................19
New Members ..................................20
Calendar of Events
Page 23
More than two hundred and fifty members
and friends of the Bar attended the San
Fernando Valley Bar Association’s Annual Gala
on September 24 at the Warner center Marriott
to celebrate the installation of Richard A. Lewis
as the SFVBA’s seventy-sixth President.
Lewis and the SFVBA’s officers and trustees
were sworn in by Senior U.S. District Judge
Terry Hatter. State Bar President James Heiting
and Kay Hodge, Chair of the ABA’s
Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity,
were guest speakers at the celebratory event.
The evening also recognized the
accomplishments of Immediate Past President
Alice A. Salvo, who presented the President’s
Award to Marlene Seltzer, Chair of the SFVBA’s
Probate & Estate Planning Section and an
associate in Salvo’s law offices.
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LEWITT HACKMAN
L EWITT, H ACKMAN, S HAPIRO, M ARSHALL, & H ARLAN
a law corporation
November 2005
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November 2005
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Bar Notes • 3
FOR THE PEOPLE
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
BAR ASSOCIATION
21300 Oxnard Street, Suite 250
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Phone (818) 227-0490
Fax (818) 227-0499
www.sfvba.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President ..........................Richard Lewis
President-Elect ............Patricia McCabe
Secretary ..................Sue Bendavid-Arbiv
Treasurer ..........................Tamila Jensen
Past President ..................Alice A. Salvo
Executive Director ..........Elizabeth Post
TRUSTEES
Seymour I. Amster
Jonathan Arnold
Caron Caines
James E. Curry
Robert Flagg
David Gurnick
Irene Mak
Everett Meiners
Mishawn Nolan Carolyn Reznik-Camras
Myer J. Sankary
Jan Frankel Schau
Alan J. Sedley
Jeffrey M. Slater
STAFF
LRIS Director ................Michele Morley
LRIS Counselor ..................Gayle Linde
LRIS Counselor ....................Rosita Soto
Events Coordinator ..........Linda Temkin
Administrative Asst ........Aileen Jimenez
SECTION CHAIRS
ADR..........................................Alan Saler
Business Law ..............Stephen M. Levine
Steven R. Fox
Criminal Law ................Seymour Amster
Alan Eisner
Family Law..........................Keri Caetano
Michelle Robins
Intellectual Property, Entertainment
and Internet Law ..............John Stephens
Mishawn Nolan
Litigation ............................Robert Flagg
Jan Frankel Schau
Cynthia Elkins
New Lawyers ..................David Bobrosky
Probate & Estate
Planning ......................Wendy Hartmann
Marlene Seltzer
Small Firm and
Sole Practitioner ..........Lisa Lerner Miller
Workers’ Comp.............William Kropach
Bar Notes is published 11 times a year.
Articles, announcements, and advertisements
are due by the first day of the month prior to
the publication date. The articles in Bar Notes
are written for general interest and are not
meant to be relied upon as a substitute for
independent research and independent
verification of accuracy.
Layout & Design
Pre-press & Printing,
Master Graphics Printing
(818) 343-0500
© 2005 San Fernando Valley Bar Association
This month we observe Veterans Days,
and celebrate all those who gave their lives
in defense of our nation and to protect our
freedoms. However, I hope that as we take
part in the various Veterans Day
ceremonies, or watch the films that honor
“our greatest generation” we remember the
words of Abraham Lincoln, who stated in
his Gettysburg Address, on November 19,
1863, “it is for us the living, rather, to be
dedicated here to the unfinished work
which they who fought here have thus far
so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be
here dedicated to the great task remaining
before us . . . that from these honored dead
we take increased devotion to that cause
for which they gave the last full measure of
devotion. . . .”
I hope as we engage in our daily
practices, we remember that through our
advocacy and actions, we are advancing, in
our own way, the cause that Lincoln spoke
so eloquently of, “that government of the
people . . . by the people . . . for the people
. . . shall not perish from the earth.”
When I was in college, my professors
continuously stressed that we are a
government of laws, not men. If that is so,
lawyers are essential. In order for law to
be more than an abstraction, law needs
lawyers to breath life into it, to interpret it,
apply it, and insure that it applies to all
fairly.
It seems, then, that as we strengthen
the rule of law, we strengthen our
government and ensure its survival,
exactly what Lincoln implored us to do.
As I celebrate Veterans Day and honor
the many men and women who have given
their “last measure of devotion” in defense
of our country, our ideals and our
freedoms, I shall also celebrate my fellow
lawyers.
Richard Lewis can be contacted at (818) 7040585 or rlewis@Richardlewis.com.
SFVBA MEDIATOR DIRECTORY
The San Fernando Valley Bar Association has an online Mediator
Directory to help members and your clients find
qualified mediators.
To find an experienced mediator in all areas of law, visit
www.sfvba.org/public/mediatordir.htm
To be listed in the directory, attorney mediators can visit our
website to download an application.
P R O F E S S I O N A L R E A L E S TAT E S E RV I C E S
• CH-13 Refinancing (Up to 85% of value).
• CH-7 (1 day old) Purchase or Refinance.
• 100% Financing with recent Bankruptcy.
• Difficult Transactions? . . . . . . . . .No Problem!
• Low credit scores? . . . . . . . . . . . .No Problem!
• 6 Month old Foreclosure? . . . . . .No Problem!
• Self Employed? No 1040s? . . . . .No Problem!
Ivan Sanzana – President
(661) 600-2007
www.sanmarinofinancial.com
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
LENDER
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November 2005
MICHELMAN & ROBINSON, LLP
a full service law firm
Areas of Practice:
• Banking and Premium Financing
• Commercial and Employment
Litigation
• Corporate, Securities, and Business
Transactions
• Healthcare and Medical Law
• Insurance Litigation/Coverage
• Intellectual Property, Unfair Competition
and Trade Secrets
• Legislative and Administrative Advocacy
• Real Estate and Commercial Leasing
MICHELMAN
ROBINSON, LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Los Angeles Office
15760 Ventura Blvd, Suite 500
Encino, California 91436
Tel: 818-783-5530
Fax: 818-783-5507
Orange County Office
4 Hutton Centre, Suite 300
Santa Ana, California 92707
Tel: 714-557-7990
Fax: 714-557-7991
www.mrllp.com
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November 2005
This has been the best year in decades
and possible the best year ever for the LRIS.
Last month I spoke about some of the
people who make this happen. Before I get
to the cold numbers, I want to continue
telling you about the people who create our
success.
Aileen is the Administrative Assistant
for the SFVBA and she also does valuable
work for the LRIS. She is the first person
that many of the public and the attorneys
speak with when they call. Anyone who has
spoken with her knows that she cannot do
enough for you. If you are an attorney, she
will answer your questions, solve your
problems,
and
do
these
things
professionally. Her voice and her attitude
readily convey that she is truly pleased to
be given the opportunity to be of service.
Because the LRIS has high volume of
calls, she often is required to keep the calls
juggled while callers are waiting to speak
with Gayle or Rosie. She reassures callers
that they will receive a returned call. She
also explains that the calls are handled in
the order in which they are received. She
stays calm and charming while she answers
a variety of questions, distributes MCLE
tapes, schedules attorneys for VAST and
greets the members and public. She
provides good service to the public and the
members. She willingly does the work that
is asked of her. When Rosie is gone, Aileen
and I work together to handle the
emergency, Spanish-speaking referrals.
The success we have is because of the
qualities and skills of the panel attorneys.
Howard Schnee is an excellent example.
He is a member of the National Academy of
Elder Law Attorneys. He has been with the
Senior Program, helping seniors have
access to legal counsel and answering their
questions, since 1986. Twenty years of
service is truly “staying the course.” Not
surprisingly, Howard completed two LA
marathons. The reason Howard volunteers
at the senior centers is that he is committed
to giving back to the community and
improving the quality of life of seniors and
the quantity of information they have about
legal issues. For twelve years Howard
coached his daughters’ soccer teams. This
experience gave him time with his family
and opportunities to teach and to learn.
Talking with Howard, what comes
through his is love of learning. He enjoys
the law because it is fluid and changing
www.sfvba.org
which requires constant study. He told me
that going to the senior center or meeting
with any client was always a learning
experience. He might have to do research
on a new point of law, or develop a new
approach to dealing with a client and their
issues. He wants every client contact to be
an opportunity to learn from each other.
He believes in planning that prevents
legal problems. Howard mentioned that
he attends the Probate Section meetings
because of the exchange of information
and the congeniality that occurs
at these meetings.
Howard has a BA in history and
economics and continues to read in these
areas. If asked, he probably would explain
the Laufer Curve and regal us with a story
about a historical event or time. He is also a
very good communicator and never
hesitates to raise issues with me about ways
to improve the Senior Program. We adopted
one of his ideas this past year. The Senior
Program and its clients are very fortunate to
Bar Notes • 5
have Howard Schnee as a resource and
as an example of a productive and giving
way to live.
The successful year is allowing us to
increase our marketing budget and
programs during the new fiscal year. We are
also hiring a part-time person to help with
Spanish speaking referrals.
Number of referrals: 3068
Number of contacts for information
and referrals: Over 10,000
Percentage fee income earned by
members: $2,000,000
LRIS Net-Income: $73,406
Source of Referrals; Attorneys, Marketing,
Other organizations and agencies, other
professionals
Top ten areas of practice for referrals:
(This varies annually) Family, Personal
Injury, Criminal, Employment and Wills,
Estates, and Trusts, Workers’ Compensation,
Real Estate, Family Law Limited Scope,
Social Security, Business.
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November 2005
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November 2005
Celebrating the Rule of Law
It is with great anticipation and
enthusiasm that we begin the second year
of our revitalized Santa Clarita Valley Bar
Association. We do this, first of all, with
enormous gratitude for the invaluable
assistance so generously afforded us by
your San Fernando Valley Bar
Association. We look forward to
continued association and cooperation
toward the end of two stronger and more
viable associations, which will continue
to work together to serve our profession
and communities.
I am personally proud and excited to
be the President of the SCVBA for this
coming year. I only hope that I can
continue the strong and effective
leadership of our out-going President, L.
Rob Werner, who had a vision, and made
it happen in a most extraordinary way.
We will continue to have monthly
meetings affording MCLE credit, not only
for the lawyers who work in our
community, but also for those who
merely live here and work in other parts
of Southern California. We will continue
to attempt regular meetings for the
exchange of ideas, in various locations
and at various times, in order to afford
maximum participation from all who
would like to participate, and despite the
diverse schedules of those persons.
We will continue to foster
relationship and communication between
ourselves and a very active and viable
Antelope Valley Bar Association, and by
facilitating a potential bridge between
Antelope Valley and San Fernando Valley
Associations. We will continue to work in
our schools to provide purposive
awareness of the legal profession among
our young people, through participation
in debating and mock trial activities.
We will continue to try to find ways
to channel those in need of legal advice to
those willing to provide it, and
commensurate with a variety of life’s
circumstances. We will continue to
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Bar Notes • 7
BY WILLIAM R. LIVELY, SCVBA PRESIDENT
encourage our members to become
involved members of the San Fernando
Valley Bar Association, as well as our own
Association. We will continue to seek
involvement with the diverse needs of
our community, such that we may be
appropriately involved in activities
designed to meet those needs. As I write
this, I have just returned from attending
our Community’s first annual “Law Day”
event. Our SCVBA organized this event
to celebrate “The Rule of Law”, and the
activities in pursuit of justice we share
with the many law enforcement,
governmental and other administrative
bodies of our community at large. We
were honored to have Steve Holzer and
Alice Salvo of the SFVBA in attendance,
as well as many of our local leaders,
including our Mayor Pro-Tem, Laurene
Weste; Assistant Fire Chief, Matt Gill;
CHP Captain, Ellen Conley; and Deputy
District Attorney, Dan Damon. We were
most privileged to also have, as speakers
and presenters of awards, Supervisor
Michael Antonovich, District Attorney
Steven Cooley and Sheriff Lee Baca. John
Boston, our Community’s Historian and
one of the editors of our newspaper, The
Signal, served as Master of Ceremonies.
It was a significant event for us and
our Community, just as it has been a
significant year for us, and we intend it to
be just a beginning step in a long record
of service to our profession and the
people of our community.
• TOXIC MOLD
• ASBESTOS
• HAZARDOUS WASTE
• ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION/TRANSACTIONS
STEPHEN T. HOLZER
PAST PRESIDENT, SFVBA
Please visit my weblog, “Environmental Legal Blogs” at
http://environmentallegal.blogs.com/sholzer
Phone: 818-222-5812 or 213-683-6671
E-mail: sholzer@pmcos.com
or SteveH1031@aol.com
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November 2005
At the recent
State Bar of California
meeting, Richard
Block was recognized
for his 30 years as a
California Certified
Specialist in Taxation
Law and an instructor
in that area of law. Currently, Richard is
one of the approximately 600 Certified
Specialists in Taxation Law. Richard
Block has been a member of the LRIS
since before we had LRIS members on
computer records. He repeatedly refers
his clients to the LRIS for matters
outside his areas of practice.
Family Law Attorney
Irene Mak was one
of three local women
honored by
Congresswoman Hilda
Solis, Co-Chair of the
Congressional Caucus
for Women’s Issues,
on October 13 for her commitment for
ending domestic violence. Mak has
assisted many domestic violence victims
on a pro bono basis. The event
coincided with October’s designation
as National Domestic Violence
Awareness Month.
Mishawn Nolan, an
Associate with the
law offices of
Greenberg & Bass,
was named one of the
San Fernando Valley
Business Journal’s
40 Under 40,
celebrating the professional
achievements of 40 young business
professionals all under the age of 40.
Nolan’s specialty is intellectual property
and she is a member of the SFVBA’s
Board of Trustees.
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November 2005
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Bar Notes • 9
BY ANNE ADAMS, VCLF PRESIDENT
There seems to be no shortage of
charities that need our help. There will
always be people that need a helping
hand. In December, many charities send
direct mail solicitations to our homes
hoping we will be more generous with
cash donations in the spirit of the
holidays and focus on year-end tax
deductions, such as charitable donations.
Many people’s charitable giving has
recently been focused on the victims of
natural disasters, especially Hurricane
Katrina. Many of us watched the news
reports from the areas hit by Hurricane
Katrina and felt some connection for the
people who lost their homes, their
personal possessions and sometimes
friends and family members.
As we watched the results of
Hurricane Katrina on our televisions,
many people opened their hearts and
raised funds or donated food, clothing,
and other items to help the victims of
Hurricane Katrina start rebuilding their
lives. Many local charities held special
fundraising events to help the victims
of Hurricane Katrina. Some people
decided to help without going through
formal charities. I saw a sign in my
neighborhood asking for donations for a
neighborhood garage sale for the purpose
of donating the proceeds to the victims of
Hurricane Katrina.
After Hurricane Katrina, we heard
about Hurricane Rita and the effects it
had. Some of us were most affected by
our local fires when friends and family
members had to evacuate their homes
under the threat of local fires from
Chatsworth to Thousand Oaks. Since all
of us are vulnerable to natural disasters,
we tend to relate to the victims of these
events since we know that our families
could one day be victims of floods,
earthquakes, fires, and other events.
Many people choose to support
health related charities that fight AIDS,
cancer, diabetes, and many other
illnesses. Many people support health
related charities because they have
friends or family members that suffer
from these diseases.
Who are the natural supporters of
the charities that support providing legal
services to people who cannot afford
them? We are. People that work in the
legal profession understand the impact
that legal services organizations have on
people’s lives. We understand how the
law can make a significant impact on an
individual’s life. The law is part of our
everyday lives because we work in the
field. Many people have little contact
with the legal profession.
Many of you perform pro bono
work to help local legal services
organizations. Consider supporting this
legal foundation so we can continue to
provide law–related grants. As members
of the legal profession, we understand
how important this work is to many
people’s lives.
Anne Adams can be contacted at
(818) 715-0015 and
anneadamslaw@sbcglobal.net.
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November 2005
Attention All Lawyers
Need Office Help?
Receptionist • Legal Secretary
ree
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Document Manager
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Paralegal
Here’s what our students and grads learn how to do:
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Conduct legal research, legal analysis, case
briefings, Shepardizing, and draft memorandums.
•
Draft civil litigation documents including complaints,
answers, interrogatories, discovery, motion for
summary judgment and prepare a trial notebook.
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Administrative duties, document organization and
calendaring.
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Advanced skill training in civil litigation and
transactional law in practicum setting.
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Students endure over 400 hours of training in the
Professional Paralegal Academy and over 150
hours in the Legal Secretary Academy.
Depo and Conference Room Available
Working in collaboration with the Universal City North
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, meeting space is
available close to the 170 and 101 freeways.
• Day & Evening Times
• $135 (4 hours) or $250 (8 hours)
• Seats up to 35 comfortably (tables and chairs)
• Coffee and fax service available*
• Electrical outlets and White Board
• Ample free parking
• Walking distance to restaurants, Starbucks, copying
• Comfortable and confidential space
For booking, please call Linda @ 818.508.5155
*minimal fee
Los Angeles Valley College Extension 5800
5800 Fulton Avenue
Valley Glen, California 91401
P: (818) 947-2320 F: (818) 947-2930
Email: Goldmaa@lavc.edu
Web: www.lavc.edu
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November 2005
www.sfvba.org
One of the adopted goals of the
SFVBA’s 2004-2007 Strategic Plan is
to “increase outreach to the minority
bar community to build stronger
relationships that will increase the
diversity of the profession of the San
Fernando Valley.”
The SFVBA has taken steps to
reach this goal by developing joint
programs with the Mexican American
Bar Association (MABA). In June, the
associations’ lawyer referral services
initiated a one-year pilot program
offering MABA LRIS members who
are fluent in Spanish a free SFVBA
LRIS membership.
At its September 11, 2005
meeting, the SFVBA Board of Trustees
voted to enter into discussions with
MABA’s leadership concerning that
bar association becoming an affiliate
of the SFVBA.
Recently, MABA requested our
assistance to help revive their referral
service to better meet the needs of the
Spanish-speaking community. We are
happy to oblige.
Did you know that you could be
sued for an inappropriate referral to a
friend or colleague if things go badly
between them? Have you ever wanted to
refer a client to another attorney in an
area of specialization that you don't
practice but did not know anyone you
could trust? You can safely refer a client
to MABA LRIS without any risks since
we are State Bar Certified and carry
our own insurance to protect against
inappropriate referrals. All of our
attorneys must meet minimum
standards of experience in order to
participate in referral panels.
Bar Notes • 11
Contact our administrator Silvia
Morgan so that she can send you MABA
LRIS brochures. You can keep them in
your waiting room or in your office to
hand to clients needing referrals to
areas of law you do not practice. Let's
help each other to network amongst our
own community of Talented and
Experienced Latino Attorneys!!!
By the way, we are still in need of
more attorneys to whom to refer cases
in the following areas: Bankruptcy &
Insolvency; Business; Civil Appellate;
Entertainment;
Environmental;
Insurance; Intellectual Property;
International; Labor & Employment;
Landlord/Tenant; Real Property;
Taxation; Wills, Trusts, & Estates;
Workers Compensation.
Sign up for MABA LRIS!!! Contact
Silvia for more information at (213)
481-2889 or mabalaco@sbcglobal.net.
Messenger Service
Discounts to SFVBA Members
24th Year of Service to the
San Fernando Valley/Southern
California Legal Community
Probat
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We have the expert skills needed to complete all processes
involved in the sale of probate and trust properties. From
start to finish...our services are personalized to your
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and experience to maximize the estate value.
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Thorough, Conscientious and Professional
d 818.657.4475 c 818.585.6484
• Noon Court Run - same day filing
in all So. Cal. Courts
• Process Serving Per Your
Exact Specifications
• Last Minute Court Filings in
All Southern California Courts
• Mobile Notary
• Custom Courier Routes
• Regular, Rush and Hot Rush
• Licensed/Bonded/Insured
Uniformed Messengers
(818) 774-9111 • (323) 851-7500
(310) 273-3002 • (805) 777-7170
“We Don’t Promise Anything
We Can’t Deliver”
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12 • Bar Notes
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November 2005
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC NOTICES
Local Bankruptcy Rules and Forms Effective October 17, 2005
Revisions to the Local Bankruptcy Rules and forms for the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court have been
approved and become effective October 17, 2005. The following outlines the Local Bankruptcy Rule and forms that have been
revised or added to accommodate the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
• Local Bankruptcy Rule 1006-1 Application for Payment of Filing Fees in Installments and/or Waiver of Filing Fee was
revised to add a procedure for an application to waive the filing fee for a voluntary petition, and change the procedure
for an application to pay the voluntary petition filing fee in installments.
• Nine mandatory Local Bankruptcy Rule forms for Relief from Stay were revised or added as indicated in the table below.
The Local Bankruptcy Rules and Forms are located on the Court’s web site www.cacb.uscourts.gov under
Procedures/Rules/Forms. New Local Bankruptcy Rule Printed copies of the Local Bankruptcy Rules and forms will be available
for purchase from the copy services at the Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Ana, and San Fernando Valley divisions, and from
the Clerk’s Office in the Northern Division.
BAR NOTES wants YOU
to contribute by-lined, substantive articles in any practice area
Deadlines:
Requirements:
•
•
•
•
•
1,000 words
California-style cites
No footnotes or endnotes
3d-person voice
3-line biography at the end of the piece
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
December 1 for February issue
January 1 for March issue
February 1 for April issue
March 1 for May issue
April 1 for June issue
May 1 for combined July/August Summer issue
July 1 for September issue
August 1 for October issue
September 1 for November issue
October 1 for December issue
Questions?
E-mail Lisa Miller at lisa@lmillerconsulting.com
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November 2005
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Bar Notes • 13
Additional Local Bankruptcy Rules Forms Effective October 17, 2005
Revisions to the Local Bankruptcy Rules forms, for the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court, have been
approved and become effective October 17, 2005. The forms listed below are in addition to those announced by Public
Notice 05-014 on October 6, 2005. These forms accommodate the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer
Protection Act of 2005.
Additional Fee Changes Effective October 17, 2005
The following additional bankruptcy fee changes become effective on October 17, 2005, as a result of the Bankruptcy
Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-8. For fee increases previously announced for
Chapters 7, 11, and 13, please see Public Notice 05-008, dated August 22, 2005.
* Chapter 15 replaces ancillary petition filings under 11 U.S.C. § 304.
For additional fee information, please access the Fee Schedule under General Information on the Court’s web site
www.cacb.uscourts.gov.
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November 2005
Director’s Interim Guidance Regarding Tax Information
Under 11 U.S.C. § 521
Effective October 17, 2005, all tax information provided
in accordance with section 521 of the Bankruptcy Code is
subject to the Judicial Conference of the United States Policy
on Privacy and Public Access to Electronic Case Files
http://www.privacy.uscourts.gov/Policy.htm (“JCUS policy”)
(JCUS SEP/OCT 01, pp. 49-50). In accordance with the
JCUS policy, the debtor should take the following steps to
redact personal identifiers in any tax information filed with
the court or provided to the trustee or creditor(s), in either
electronic or paper.
• Social Security numbers. If an individual’s social security
number is included, only the last four digits of that number
should appear;
• Names of minor children. If a minor child(ren) is/are
identified by name, only the child(ren)’s initials should
appear;
• Dates of birth. If an individual’s date of birth is included,
only the year should appear; and
• Financial account numbers. If financial account numbers
are provided, only the last four digits of these numbers
should appear.
Court employees are not responsible for redacting any of
the personal identifying information. The responsibility
for redacting personal identifiers rests solely with
the debtor. Please refer to the Director’s Interim Guidance
Regarding Tax Information under 11 U.S.C. § 521 for more
information
implementing
the
JCUS
policy.
The
Interim
Guidance
may
be
found
at
www.uscourts.gov/bankruptcycourts/DirTaxGuidance.
Psychotherapy
Individual, Couple, Groups
Charlyne Gelt, Ph.D., MFT, CGP
(818) 501-4123 • www.drgelt.com
16055 Ventura Blvd., #1129, Encino, CA 91436
Divorce
Healthier Relationships 1+1=3
Women’s Groups
William J. Kropach
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
STATE CERTIFIED SPECIALIST
20% REFERRAL FEE PAID PER STATE BAR RULES
CHAIRMAN SFVBA WORKER'S COMPENSATION
SECTION SINCE 1987
DIRECTOR VCLF OF SFVBA 1980 - 2001
FORMER TRUSTEE OF SFVBA
UCLA LAW SCHOOL, 1971
818-609-7005, EXT. 25
http://home.earthlink.net/~wkropach
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November 2005
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Bar Notes • 15
BY EVERETT F. MEINERS
The California Supreme Court in
the case of Koebke v. Bernardo Heights
Country Club (Aug. 2005) 36 C4th 824
held that domestic partners registered
under the California Domestic Partner
Rights and Responsibilities Act of 2003
“are the equivalent of spouses for the
purposes of the Unruh Act. . . .”
The Unruh Act provides that all
persons “no matter what their sex, race,
color, religion, ancestry, national
origin,
disability,
or
medical
conditions” are entitled to full and
equal accommodations in all business
establishments. Prior court decisions
had held that this requires businesses
“to serve all customers on reasonable
terms without discrimination . . . .” The
Act prohibits apartment owners from
refusing to rent to a family with a
minor child (Marina Point Ltd. v.
Wolfson (1982) 30 C3d 721) or
restricting
a
condominium
development to persons over 18
(O’Conner v. Village Green Owners Assn.
(1983) 33 C3d 790).
The protections of the Unruh
Act are not limited to those enumerated
above; the Court has held that the
categories listed in the statute
(sex, race, color, religion etc.) are only
“illustrative rather than restrictive” of
the categories covered by the Act.
However, the Court has also held
that the Unruh Act was not intended to
“ban
all
forms
of
arbitrary
discrimination.” Thus, in Harris v.
Capital Growth Investors XIV (1991) 52
C3d 1142 it was held that the Unruh
Act did not prohibit economic
status discrimination in a case where it
was contended that the an apartment
owner violated the Act by requiring
that the prospective tenant have gross
monthly income of at least 3 times the
monthly rent. The Court concluded
that this type of discrimination was not
similar to the personal characteristics
which are expressly set forth in the
Unruh Act.
Thus the question ultimately
before the Court in the Koebke case was
whether the plaintiff’s marital status
discrimination claim was covered by
the Act.
The Plaintiff, Birgit Koebke, was a
regular equity member of the Bernardo
Heights Country Club (“Club”) since
1987 who had paid over $18,000, plus
monthly dues, for that membership.
Members were entitled to use the golf
course without additional fees and that
right was extended to the members’
“legal spouse and unmarried sons and
daughters. . . .” Guests could be invited
to play, but they paid the regular green
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November 2005
fees and were limited as to the number
of times they could play, a limitation not
applicable to members and their family.
Koebke had a lesbian relationship
with Kendall French since 1993. In
1998 they executed a written Statement
of
Domestic
Partnership,
and
subsequently
became
Registered
Domestic Partners with the City of San
Diego and the State of California.
On several occasions Koebke
requested the Club to recognize that
relationship and to treat French as a
family member entitled to the rights and
privileges accorded to married members’
families. The Club refused contending
that members had to be married under
state law to so qualify. The trial court
and the court of appeal upheld the
Club’s argument that the Unruh Act did
not apply.
On appeal, the Supreme Court held
that marital status discrimination was
similar to the other characteristics (sex,
race, color, religion, ancestry, national
origin, disability or medical condition)
covered by the Unruh Act and that
therefore discrimination based on
marital status is prohibited in businesses
covered by the Unruh Act.
Next the Supreme Court reviewed
the Domestic Partner Act and concluded
that couples who register under that Act
have been granted by the Legislature
“legal recognition comparable to
marriage. . . .” The Court noted that the
Domestic Partner Act specifically
provides that “Registered domestic
partners shall have the same rights
regarding nondiscrimination as those
provided to spouses.”
Thus, the Court concluded that
“discrimination against registered
domestic partners in favor of married
couples is a type of discrimination
that falls within the ambit of the
Unruh Act” and that “the Unruh Act
prohibits
discrimination
against
domestic partners registered under
the Domestic Partner Act in favor of
married couples.”
Everett F. Meiners represents employers
in all aspects of employment and labor
law for the Los Angeles law firm of
Parker, Milliken, Clark, O'Hara &
Samuelian. He can be reached at
(213) 683-6610 or efm@pmcos.com
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November 2005
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Bar Notes • 17
SFVBA rents its Executive Boardroom for depositions
and hearings. Amenities include breakout room,
beverage service, and free parking. Only $125 per day.
SFVBA attorney members receive free library privileges
at the University of West L.A. San Fernando Valley
Campus in Warner Center. Call (818) 883-0529 for
library hours.
Join Southland Civic Federal Credit Union and gain
access to great interest rates on deposits and loans, no
fee traveler checks, and more. Call (800) 426-1917.
MBNA offers members the exclusive Platinum
Plus MasterCard. Call (800) 457-3714.
Mention priority code OMKA.
Spectrum Clubs offers SFVBA members corporate
discount rates on health club memberships with a
savings of $14 - $22 per month and a waiver of the
$99 initiation fee. Canoga Park, Valencia and Thousand oaks
locations. To sign up, contact Kevin Brown in Canoga Park at
(818) 884-5034.
Contact the SFVBA office to receive a package of
discount coupons & membership cards for Southern
California’s major theme parks and attractions.
Now Messenger Service offers members who open
new accounts a 5% discount off their current rates.
Call (818) 774-9111.
Save 20% on investigative services. Contact J R
Investigations (818) 704-9925.
Chase Manhattan Mortgage gives members 1/2
point fee discount on fixed and adjustable rate
programs. Call John Bartnicki at (818) 226-0888.
Certified Tax Law Specialist, CPA
Representation before the IRS, Franchise Tax Board, State
Board of Equalization and other government agencies in audits
and other controversies. Income and estate tax preparation
and planning, tax opinion letters, transactional planning, and
other tax related matters.
Federal and State Criminal Tax Matters.
Michael D. Daniels
Certified Specialist in Taxation, Board of Legal Specialization,
State Bar of California
20700 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 227,Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 227-5648
Attorney Services of Southern California offers
SFVBA Members who open a new account FREE
court filing service and guarantee to beat current
process service rates. Call (818) 772-4795.
SFVBA members save $10 on new AAA Membership.
Please also ask us about new insurance with many available discounts. Call Nell Derderian at (805) 306-8181.
18703_Barnotes
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November 2005
L AW O F F I C E S
MAZO & VIDOR
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
In Association with
L AW O F F I C E S
PISEGNA & ZIMMERMAN
NEIL M. MAZO & PAUL M. VIDOR
WILLIAM ZIMMERMAN & LORI DECRISTO
Attorneys at Law
18703_Barnotes
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Page 19
November 2005
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Bar Notes • 19
SHERMAN OAKS
ATTORNEY TO
ATTORNEY REFERRALS…
APPEALS
& TRIALS
$95/hour. I'm an experienced trial/appellate
attorney, Law Review. I'll handle your appeals,
trials or assist with litigation. Alan Goldberg
(818) 421-5328.
DUI, TRAFFIC CITATIONS
Executive suites available. Includes receptionist,
conf. rooms, kitchen, photocopying facilities,
and parking. High speed T1 Internet connection
available. 14156 Magnolia Blvd. Call Eric (818)
784-8700, ext. 119.
SPACE AVAILABLE…
CANOGA PARK
VAN NUYS
One furnished interior office @ $475/mo.
No lease. No parking charges. No extras.
Congenial people, kitchen, conf. room, fax
and phone hookup available.
Westlaw access @ $50/mo.
Call Garry or Terry at (818) 715-7100.
Window office available. Includes receptionist,
conference room, copier and fax. Reasonable rent.
Call Dianne Myers (818) 947-0118.
& P.I.
Experienced attorney specializing in traffic related
matters. Handling all court locations in CA. 20%
referral fee paid to attorneys per State Bar rules.
AMIR SOLEIMANIAN. (818) 389-7188.
EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION
Sexual Harassment Discrimination, Wrongful
Termination, QuiTam/ Whistleblower, Overtime
Violations, etc. 25% Referral Fee paid to attorneys
per State Bar Rules. Law Offices of Jill B. Shigut
(818) 708-6655.
PRIVATE AND LASC MEDIATION
Assisted resolution of real estate and business
disputes. David I. Karp, Mediation Services.
SBN 90608. (818) 781-1458.
david@karpmediation.com.
ENCINO
Executive office 16’x16’ 7th floor. Prestigious
Encino building on Ventura Blvd. Includes
receptionist, secretarial space, some storage.
Referrals probable. Ideal for solo practitioner.
Maya at (818) 981-8810.
Seven offices with 7-secretarial spaces plus
furnished reception room and kitchen.
Call Patti K (owner/agent) (818) 7883651.
Window office available in professional
office building. Includes use of conf.
room and receptionist. Photocopier,
phones and DSL and parking available.
Call Scott (818) 995-9116.
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY/SSI
Extensive experience in Social Security
Disability/SSI, all levels of appeals, including
federal litigation. 20% referral fee paid to attorneys
per State Bar Rules. Irene Ruzin (818) 325-2888.
NORTH HOLLYWOOD
Prime Office Space. Only one large
exterior and one large interior law
offices left (of 13 offices) on top floor
of The Academy of Television, Arts &
STATE BAR CERT. WORKERS COMP SPECIALIST
Sciences Tower in booming NoHo Arts
Over 25 years experience-quality practice.
District, 8500 sq. ft. suite, secretarial bay,
20% Referral fee paid to attorneys per State
dramatic conference room with view of
Bar rules. Jack Goodchild, PLC. (818) 380-1600.
Valley, interior conference room,
library, large work and storage areas,
TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS
Don’t your clients deserve quality and fast service? DSL network access, Westlaw and
phone system available.
Alan I. Cyrlin, Esq. U.S. and international
Call (818) 506-1500.
trademark registration. AlanCyrlin@msn.com/
818-609-2367. The Alacrity Advantage. SM
Window Office. Secretarial area, phone
answering, receptionist, conference room, kitchen.
Copier and fax available. Easy freeway access.
Congenial surroundings. Possible referrals from
8 attorneys. (818) 901-0166.
WOODLAND HILLS
Terrific penthouse on Ventura Blvd. in Warner
Center with great views. 3 11x14 and 1 14x14
available. Secretarial bays, kitchen, conference
rooms, library, full amenities. Must see. Call Jim
(818) 716-7200 x141.
VAN NUYS
Executive Offices in the heart of the San Fernando
Valley from 350 sqft to 7200 sqft available now,
walking distance to Courthouse, Federal buildings,
police station and easy access to Freeways 101,
170 and 405.
Prices starting at $1.35 sqft with full
service gross lease.
Please call Ron (818) 807-8200
Roberto (818) 266-8707.
or
SUPPORT SERVICES…
NOTARY OF THE VALLEY
Traveling Notary Public. 24 hours-7 Days.
Attorneys’ Office • Clients’ Office • Homes •
Hospitals • Jails. David Kaplan (818) 902-3853
SFVBA Assoc. Mbr. www.notaryofthevalley.com
WRONGFUL TERMINATION
25% Referral Fee paid to attorneys per State Bar
Rules on Wrongful Termination, Sexual
Harassment, Discrimination, and Federal False
Claim Cases. 20+ years experience; Heavy Jury
Trial Experience. Danz & Gerber (818) 783-7300
Beautiful offices in Woodland Hills available for lease,
furnished or unfurnished. Luxurious space including
EXPERT…
STATE BAR DEFENSE
WOODLAND HILLS
& PREVENTATIVE LAW
Former: State Bar Prosecutor; Judge Pro Tem.
Legal Malpractice Expert, Bd. Certified CA & ABA.
BS, MBA, JD, CAOC, ASCDC, A.V. (818) 986-9890
Fmr. Chair SFBA Ethics, Litigation. Phillip Feldman.
www.LegalMalpracticeExperts.com.
StateBarDefense@aol.com
conference rooms, window offices with balconies, full
library, state of the art office equipment and amenities.
Contact Vicki at (626) 308-1171.
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20 • Bar Notes
www.sfvba.org
November 2005
SEYMOUR I. AMSTER
Attorney at Law
• Member of the SFVBA
Board of Trustees since 2002
• Experienced in handling
Appellate, Federal and State
Criminal Cases
• Certified Criminal Law Specialist,
Certified by the Board of Legal
Specialization of the State Bar
of California
6320 Van Nuys Boulevard, Suite 300
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 947-0104 Fax: (818) 781-8180
siaesq1@aol.com
THE FOLLOWING JOINED THE
SFVBA IN SEPTEMBER 2005:
Suzanne Alpert
Neighborhood Legal Services of LA
County
13327 Van Nuys Boulevard
Pacoima, CA 91331-3099
(818) 492-5239 Fax (818) 896-6647
suzannealpert@nls-la-org
Family Law
Jerome J. Blum
Herzlich & Blum, LLP
15760 Ventura Blvd. Suite 2024
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 783-8991 Fax (818) 783-6682
jerry@herzlich-blum.com
Commercial Debt Collection
Vatche Bostadjian
Law Offices of Vatche Bostadjian
550 N. Brand Blvd. Ste. 1800
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 246-5879 Fax (818) 507-5199
vascolaw@hotmail.com
Civil Litigation
Mieko Braun
9746 Caaba Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(818) 727-0008 Fax (818) 727-0003
hirai@linc21.com
Law Student
Melinda Ebelhar
Michelman & Robinson LLP
15760 Ventura Blvd. Suite 500
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 783-5530 Fax (818) 783-5507
mebelhar@mrllp.com
Vincent Green
Michelman & Robinson LLP
15760 Ventura Blvd. Suite 500
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 783-5530 Fax (818) 783-5507
vgreen@mrllp.com
Insurance Bad Faith
Paul Hanna
Michelman & Robinson LLP
15760 Ventura Blvd. Suite 500
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 783-5530 Fax (818) 783-5507
phanna@mrllp.com
Yunie K. Hong
Neighborhood Legal Services of LA
County
13327 Van Nuys Boulevard
Pacoima, CA 91331-3099
(818) 492-5245 Fax (818) 834-7552
yuniehung@nls-la.org
Public Law
Robin James
Michelman & Robinson LLP
15760 Ventura Blvd. Suite 500
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 783-5530 Fax (818) 783-5507
rjames@mrllp.com
Nareg S. Kitsinian
Girardi & Keese
1126 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 977-0211 Fax (213) 481-1554
nkitsinian@girardikeese.com
Civil Litigation
Martin J. Kotowski
Michelman & Robinson LLP
15760 Ventura Blvd. Suite 500
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 783-5530 Fax (818) 783-5507
mkotowski@mrllp.com
Jeffrey Lewiston
Michelman & Robinson LLP
15760 Ventura Blvd. Suite 500
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 783-5530 Fax (818) 783-5507
jlewiston@mrllp.com
William J. Mall III
Michelman & Robinson LLP
4 Hutton Centre Drive Suite 300
Santa Ana, CA 92707
(714) 557-7990 Fax (714) 557-7991
wmall@mrllp.com
Ronald H. Mandel
Gray, York & Duffy, LLP
15760 Ventura Boulevard 16th Floor
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 907-4000 Fax (818) 783-4551
rmandel@gydlaw.com
Civil Litigation
Carol J. Medof
Mediation & Arbitration
Offices of Carol J. Medof
15900 Woodvale Road
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 905-8452
medof@adelphia.net
Arbitration and Mediation
Cathy S. Miller-Ginsburg
Miller-Ginsburg Law Offices
920 Hampshie Road Suite A-27
Westlake Village, CA 91361
(805) 494-9474 Fax (805) 494-9475
millerginsburg@aol.com
Conservatorships, Estate Planning,
Probate, Trusts
Julie Rivera-Coo
Neighborhood Legal Services of LA
County
9354 Telstar Avenue
El Monte, CA 91731
(626) 307-3667 Fax (626) 307-3650
julieriveracoo@nls-la.org
Family Law
Michelle R. Sepich
Gray, York & Duffy, LLP
15760 Ventura Boulevard 16th Floor
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 907-4000 Fax (818) 783-4551
msepich@gydlaw.com
Construction Law, Employment,
Personal Injury
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November 2005
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Probate & Estate Planning Section and
ADR Section
Topic:
Mediating Probate and Trust Disputes
Speaker: Andrew Wallet, Myer Sankary and Jerry
Gerstenfeld (moderator)
Date:
November 8
Time:
12:00 p.m.
Place:
Encino Glen Restaurant, Encino
Cost:
$30 members prepaid; $35 at the door
$35 non-members prepaid; $40 at the door
MCLE:
1 Hour
Bar Notes • 23
Workers’ Compensation Section
Topic:
How To Depose a Psychiatrist:
Essential Elements and Effective Techniques
Speaker: Irwin Savodnik, M.D.
Date:
November 16
Time:
12:00 Noon
Place:
Encino Glen Restaurant, Encino
Cost:
$30 members prepaid; $35 at the door
$35 non-members prepaid; $45 at the door
MCLE:
1 Hour
Litigation Section
Topic:
Small Firm & Sole Practitioner Section
Topic:
Maximizing Media Relations
Speaker: Brenda McGann, former Executive Editor,
Daily Journal
Date:
November 9
Time:
12:00 Noon
Place:
SFVBA Conference Room, Woodland Hills
Cost:
$20 members prepaid; $25 at the door
$25 non-members prepaid; $30 at the door
Litigation Hollywood Style: See What the Stars
are Pleading
Speaker: Jonathan Arnold, Greenberg & Bass
Date:
November 17
Time:
5:00 p.m. “Non-alcohol Happy Hour!”
Place:
SFVBA Conference Room, Woodland Hills
Cost:
$20 members prepaid; $25 at the door
$25 non-members prepaid; $30 at the door
MCLE:
1 Hour
Family Law Section
Topic:
Panel:
ABA/Los Angeles County Bar
Association Real Property Section
Community Outreach Program
Co-Sponsored by SFVBA
Dates:
November 2 (Some Taxing Questions)
November 9 (Land Use and
Environmental Laws)
November 16 (Construction Agreements
and Disputes)
November 30 (Development Subdivision
Map Act)
Time:
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Place:
LACBA LexisNexis Conference Center,
281 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles
Cost:
Free; Light refreshments will be served
MCLE:
Provided by ABA
RSVP:
For further information email Trudi Lesser at
tlesser@sswesq.com or Tom Quilling at
thomas.quilling@hklaw.com.
Date:
Time:
Place:
Cost:
MCLE:
Hot Tips
Commissioner Mark Weiss and
Gary Weyman, Esq.
November 28
5:30 p.m.
Encino Glen Restaurant, Encino
$40 members prepaid; $45 at the door
$45 non-members prepaid; $50 at the door
1 Hour
SIGN ME UP!
SEND CHECK TO
SFVBA
21300 Oxnard St.,
Suite 250
Woodland Hills, CA
91367
SECTION __________________________________
NAME ____________________________________
STATE BAR # ______________________________
TELEPHONE # ______________________________
CHARGE IT! __________________
CC #__________________________EXP. DATE ________
SIGNATURE
__________________
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CALL (818) 227-0490 EXT. 105
Food and beverages served at every MCLE event!
* Please note that no credit will be given unless notice of
cancellation is provided 48 hours before scheduled event
18703_Barnotes
11/2/05
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Page 24
Phone: (818)995-1040
Fax: (818)995-4124
15303 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1040
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
E-mail: INFO@KETW.COM
Visit us @ www.KETW.COM
Litigation Support • Expert Witness
Forensic Accountants • Family Law Matters
Business Valuations • Loss of Earnings • Damages
OFFICIAL SPONSORS OF THE
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BAR ASSOCIATION
Member SEC Practice Section
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
When you need more than just numbers...you can count on us...
Call Mike Krycler or Ken Walheim
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
CANOGA PARK, CA
PERMIT NO. 348
21300 Oxnard Street, Suite 250
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Change Service Requested