Bay Area

Opinion – How To Win A Judgeship: Call Yourself A Civil Rights Lawyer

Published

4 years ago

August 14, 2020

Judicial elections are non-partisan and one would hope less fraught with politics-as-usual tactics. But in the contest for No. 2 seat on the Alameda County Superior Court, one candidate is relying on alternative facts.

Mark Fickes is mischaracterizing his record, including on the official ballot, where he misleadingly claims to be a “civil rights attorney.” The claim is particularly offensive given that his opponent, Elena Condes, is a person of color.

Condes is a long-time criminal defense attorney who has been endorsed by a wide swath of the legal community, including 30 current and retired Alameda County judges. Condes has a compelling life story. She comes from a traditional Mexican family while being openly gay. (Fickes is also gay.)

Fickes is not a civil rights lawyer although he is playing one on the campaign trail. He was a prosecutor, then counsel for the SEC, and is now a partner in a civil firm in which, at least from a list of reported cases, he appears to mostly represent businesses or individuals accused of violating environmental or securities laws.

But even giving Fickes the benefit of the doubt that he has handled a civil rights case or two does not mean he is entitled to call himself a civil rights attorney on the ballot. “Civil rights attorney” has a specific connotation – commonly understood as a lawyer who primarily defends the rights and freedoms of people of color, women, the LGBT community, and other vulnerable groups and individuals.

Not surprisingly, in my informal survey of actual Bay Area civil rights lawyers, Fickes is unknown. Walter Riley, an iconic civil rights lawyer in Oakland, said he would “question the judgment of someone who is making such a claim based on his record.”

Indeed, an East Bay Times editorial published in January before the March primary – which Condes won but not by over 50% of the vote — stated, “[t]he use of a label of civil rights attorney on the ballot [by Fickes] is a troubling deception unbecoming a judicial candidate.”

Condes is the first Latinx to run for judge in Alameda County. Her campaign web site notes her “perspective as a Latina, a lesbian, and a defender would enhance the diversity on the bench.”

Rather than reckon with the need to have judges that reflect the community for which they serve, Fickes response has been to negate the very importance of diversity, claiming he brings diversity, too – “diversity of experience” from a varied legal career, he says.

And in a presidential election year where judicial races are not likely to get much attention, voters who might only know about the candidates from their ballot designation may vote for Fickes because of “civil rights” bona fides he does not possess, undermining the candidacy of a well-qualified candidate who truly would bring diversity to the court.

Andrew Love is an appellate attorney who represented inmates on
California’s death row for over 25 years. He is currently in a civil practice and resides in the East Bay. He has endorsed Elena Condes.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

2 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

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Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”