1984 with me as president thankfully turned out other than Orwellian. For me it was a time of optimism and idealism. In addition to the socializing made possible by SCCLA, we all participated in the free legal services and strived to improve our member’s skills through our seminars. This was a period of time when SCCLA members added much political momentum to the Chinese community through political action by way of supporting candidates for the judiciary and protesting injustices like the state court sentencing for the killers of Vincent Chen.

SCCLA was much smaller then than now. It was small enough that most of the Chinese lawyers in town knew each other through the association. I remember personally preparing the newsletters, copying, addressing and affixing stamps late into the evening. Due to its size, the membership as a whole was closer than I believe it is today. We really had fun times, as well as serious times. Some things have changed. Installations were at the Golden Palace and then the Mirawa Restaurant. Both restaurants are gone now, and the installation will now take place at the Bonaventure, rather than at Empress Pavillion. The times, they are a changin’.

So has the color of my hair. I’ve kept photos of Judge Larry Chrispo (when he was still in the bar intead of on the bench, wearing an early Italian garb that included something resembling tights), Ron Ito (in a Japanese outfit) and myself (in a Chinese robe rented from Western Costume with black hair!), all for Marco Polo night. Larry gave his speech in Chinese; I in Italian; both to a nice ovation. This was a time when SCCLA was mixing it up with other bars, and when those bars reflected the way much of the legal practice existed. Firms were generally something-centric, mostly male, but this has evolved to a point where a much higher percentage of our members are integrated throughout the legal landscape. SCCLA, along with other associations, have now organized to make their efforts national in scope and effect. SCCLA has a fine history with members who have made and are making their marks in society and legal history. Unlike 1984, it is now not unusual to see and hear about them in the mainstream news. Their accomplishments give me a sincere sense of pride that I was privileged to participate in SCCLA’s efforts to help to make this all possible.