Save the Date! 2026 Bench & Bar Conference

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Save the Date!
2026 Bench & Bar Conference 
Friday March 27th, 2026

Specialty credits will be available, including implicit bias, elimination of bias, ethics, civility and wellness.

Hybrid Zoom/In Person Presentation
Lunch and refreshments provided

Schedule:
Arrival: 8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Presentations: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Social Hour: 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

We are still seeking Program Presenters and Sponsors.
If interested, please contact Barbara Carroll at bcarroll@countyofsb.org

Price:
Members: $60
Non-Members: $75

Registration coming Soon!

Click the link HERE to view the flyer!

Vicarious Trauma in Attorneys

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When: January 29th, 2026 at Noon
Where: Zoom (link to be provided after registration)

MCLE Credit: 1.0 Hour (Competence – Prevention & Detection credit)

Attorneys spend their days helping others through crisis — but that same work can quietly affect their own well-being. In this engaging and compassionate program, criminal defense attorney Doug Ridley and clinical psychologist Dr. Mike Rodriguez explore how repeated exposure to clients’ stress and trauma can impact attorneys’ mental health, focus, and resilience. Drawing from real courtroom experience and clinical insight, they discuss how to recognize early signs of burnout, balance empathy with self-care, and maintain professional competence under pressure. Attendees gain practical tools for managing stress and fostering a healthier, more sustainable approach to practicing law.

Speakers: Douglas Ridley, Esq. & Dr. Mike Rodriguez

Douglas Ridley: Practicing law since 1998, Doug Ridley is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and former Ventura County Deputy District Attorney. Now the founder of Ridley Defense, he focuses exclusively on criminal law, handling serious felony, DUI, and juvenile cases throughout Southern California. Doug serves as President of the Ventura County Criminal Defense Bar Association and teaches as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine Law School. Known for his compassionate advocacy, he also champions mental health awareness in the justice system through his work with NAMI and the Ventura County Mental Health Diversion Advisory Workgroup.

Dr. Mike Rodriguez: Dr. Mike Rodriguez is the Clinical Director of Dos Arboles Psychological Services and a retired leader from Ventura County Behavioral Health. A recognized expert in forensic risk assessment, he has overseen multiple county programs serving adults, older adults, and justice-involved clients. A former youth minister and coach, Dr. Rodriguez brings a lifelong commitment to service and community wellness. He continues to develop programs supporting families in crisis, including founding Camp Widow Kids in San Diego, and works closely with courts, clinicians, and attorneys to promote trauma-informed care and mental health awareness.

Registration:

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Questions:

Please contact Douglas Ridley at doug@ridleydefense.com

SBCBA Happy Hour!

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Common Use Cases: How to Use AI in Civil Litigation Practice

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When: October 22, 2025 from 12:00 P.M. – 1:15 P.M.

Where: Colleges of Law – Santa Barbara Campus

MCLE:  1 Hour Technology Credit

Lunch is sponsored and provided by Fennemore Law

Speaker(s): Adrian D’Amico

Adrian D’Amico is a Director in Fennemore’s Emerging Technology and Innovation group. He helps lead the firm’s technology vision across strategic initiatives, including Project BlueWave AI, Essential Law, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, and developing opportunities for automated legal processes..Adrian has also served as in-house senior attorney within FedEx’s Business Transactions Group, where his practice focused primarily on technology transactions, such as software design and hardware R/D. As part of his role with FedEx, Adrian also built successful legal technology solutions across the FedEx global enterprise, including document automation, AI, and CLM. Adrian earned his law degree with an emphasis in Corporate, Contract, and Technology law and an M.B.A. in Information Systems and Strategy from the University of Pittsburgh. He is also a certified professional administrator in a variety of legal technologies, including HighQ, ContractExpress, and CoCounsel.

Price: Members: $20 Non-Members: $25

Registration: Please fill out the form below to register online. 

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Up, Up, and Litigated: Superman’s 87-Year Copyright War

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Date: Thursday, October 23rd, 2025 from 12:00 – 1:15 PM

Location: Online – Zoom

MCLE: 1.0 Hour

You can find the zoom link HERE.

Everyone knows Superman’s fictional origin: rocketed from Krypton, raised in Kansas, savior of Metropolis. But the real battle over Superman’s legacy has taken place not in comic books, but in courtrooms. This presentation explores the complex legal history behind the Man of Steel, from Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s $130 sale of rights in 1938, through decades of litigation, creator struggles, and copyright termination efforts. It’s a story of contracts, reversions, and the limits of intellectual property law, told through the lens of America’s most iconic superhero. We’ll examine how U.S. copyright termination rights allowed the Siegel family to reclaim partial ownership of Superman, why the Shuster estate’s efforts failed, and what role trademarks and “work for hire” doctrine play in protecting modern IP empires. We’ll also look ahead to 2034, when Action Comics #1 and the original version of Superman enter the public domain.

Speaker: Puya Partow-Navid, Seyfarth Shaw

Puya Partow-Navid is a partner in the Century City office of Seyfarth Shaw. He assists clients ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies in protecting and enforcing their patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. A former Symantec engineer and named inventor of an ad-blocking technology, Puya understands both the excitement and complexity of innovation. He has broad experience in the tech field, including with inventions in the areas of AI, wireless communications and devices, and robotics. Puya is co-editor and a contributing author for “Gadgets, Gigabytes & Goodwill,” Seyfarth’s blog focused on the protection and promotion of intellectual property. He earned his B.S. in computer science from UCLA and his law degree from Loyola Law School.

Price: $20.00

Registration: Please fill out the form below to register online. A confirmation email will be sent to you after registration with the Zoom link.

Questions? Please contact sblawdirector@sblaw.org

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MCLE Event: Well-Being in Law Week

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SPECIAL EVENT: WELL-BEING IN LAW WEEK
WEEK-LONG EVENT BY ZOOM

Hosted by Robin Oaks, SBCBA Director of Well-Being

Monday, November 3rd Through Friday, November 7th, 2025; Each Day at Noon – 1:15 pm

Five days of nationally recognized speakers presenting about well-being in law each – at noon by Zoom. 

Come listen to and engage with a stellar line-up of nationally recognized presenters sharing wellness and well-being strategies and specific topics of interest for all legal professionals.

Lawyer MCLE Credits for Each Presentation AND Daily Drawings for Fabulous Prizes!
*Only one prize per person, must be present to win.
Click HERE to see the list of prizes!

You can find the zoom link HERE.
The link will also be sent to your email upon registration.

COST:
Members: $120 Weeklong Package/$30 Individual Session
Non-Members: $140 Weeklong Package/$35 Individual Session
Students/Legal Staff: $90 Weeklong Package/$25 Individual Session
Fill out the form below to register!

Day One:
MCLE Credit: Recognition and Elimination of Bias

DATE/TIME: Monday, November 3rd, 2025, Time: 12:00 – 1:15 pm BY ZOOM
SPEAKER(S): Haley Moss, Attorney, Author, Advocate
TOPIC: Neurodiversity: Great Minds Think Differently

Day Two:
MCLE Credit: Wellness Competence

DATE/TIME: Tuesday November 4th, 2025, Time: 12:00 – 1:15 pm BY ZOOM
SPEAKER(S): Victor Reyes (Ret.) Judge
TOPIC: Tools for a Balanced Life: Preventing Secondary Trauma

Day Three:
MCLE Credit: Wellness Competence

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, November 5th, 2025, Time: 12:00 – 1:15 pm BY ZOOM
SPEAKER(S): Patrick Krill, Attorney, Counselor, Researcher
TOPIC: Research: Perfectionism Paradox and Optimizing Engagement

Day Four:
MCLE Credit:
Prevention and Detection Competence

DATE/TIME: Thursday, November 6th, 2025, Time: 12:00 – 1:15 pm BY ZOOM
SPEAKER(S): Mary Beth O’Connor, (Ret.) Judge
TOPIC: Lessons Learned on the Journey from Junkie to Judge

Day Five:
MCLE Credit: Wellness Competence

DATE/TIME: Friday, November 7th, 2025, Time: 12:00 – 1:15 BY ZOOM
SPEAKER(S):
Tammie Chang, Doctor, Coach, Author
Olivia Ash, Attorney, Author, Presenter
Robin Oaks, Attorney, Coach, Presenter
TOPIC: Bridging the Gaps and Building Professional Thriving (Topics: Boundaries, Loneliness, Mind Matters)

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Click here to view our refund policy

Register Now! 2025 Annual Dinner & Award Ceremony

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You are cordially invited to attend the Santa Barbara County Bar Association’s Annual Dinner and Award Ceremony

Thursday, November 6th
El Paseo Restaurant, Santa Barbara

6:00 PM Reception
Dinner & Awards Presentation to follow beginning at 6:30 PM

Awards Presentation Honoring:

The Honorable Jean Dandona
John T. Rickard Judicial Service Award

Tyrone Maho & Chad Prentice
Jamie Forrest Raney Mentorship Award

Cost:
Members: $125 (After October 18th $135)
Non-Members: $140 (After October 18th $150)
Includes dinner
Cash bar only

Click the link HERE to register online.

Please call (805) 569-5511 for tickets and sponsorship opportunities

Click here to view our refund policy

2025 Golf, Tennis & Pickleball Tournament

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Get ready for a day of friendly competition and camaraderie at our upcoming 2025 Golf, Tennis & Pickleball Tournament on Friday, September 26th, 2025.

This event promises to be an exceptional opportunity for legal professionals like yourself to unwind, network, and enjoy some exciting sports activities. To secure your spot, kindly refer to the registration flyer or to our new online payment portal.

DINNER / RECEPTION

So as to provide opportunity for the victors to boast of their athletic conquests, a post golf and tennis reception will begin at 5:00 PM at the Mulligan’s Café & Bar, to be followed by dinner starting at 5:30 pm.
Dinner is $50 per SBCBA Member/$60 per non-SBCBA Member ($60/$70 after September 15th)

GOLF

Meet at the Santa Barbara Municipal Golf Course at 12:00 pm. First tee off at 12:18 pm. Team prizes for 1st & 2nd places. Individual prizes for Longest Drive and Closest to Pin! Players must give some estimate of his/her handicap.

You will be contacted regarding team assignments.

$125 to Play for SBCBA Members/$135 for Non- Members – Includes green fees & cart.
($130/$145 after September 15th)

$170 for BOTH Golf & Dinner for SBCBA Members/ $180 for Non- Members
($180/$190 after September 15th)

TENNIS

Meet at the tennis courts at the Santa Barbara Tennis Club at 1:00 pm for warm-up with round robin play starting
at 1:30 pm. A committee will form teams, for all levels. Men and women will participate in the tournament in all levels.

Prizes to tournament winners!

$50 to Play per SBCBA Members/$60 for Non- Members – Includes court fees & balls.
($60/$70 after September 15th)

$95 for BOTH Tennis & Dinner for SBCBA Members/$105 for Non-Members
($110/$120 after September 15th)

PICKLEBALL
1:30-4:30 PM Earl Warren Showgrounds

$30 SBCBA Members/$40 Non-Members ($40/$50 after Sept. 10th)
$75 for BOTH Pickleball & Dinner for SBCBA Members/$85 non-members
($85/$95 after Sept. 15th)

We hope to see you on September 26th!

Uses and Misuses of the Ex Parte Process

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When: Wednesday August 27th, 2025, from 12:00 – 1:15 PM

Where: Santa Barbara County Superior Court – Dept. 4

MCLE: 1.0 Hour General

Speaker: Judge Anderle, Judge Geck and Judge Sterne

Price: Members $25 Non-Members $30 

Please RSVP to: Renee Fairbanks: renee@reneemfairbanks.com or Marietta Jablonka: sblawdirector@sblaw.org

Registration: Please click the link HERE to register & pay online

Click here to view our refund policy.