Author: Greg Herring

HLG Supports the IAFL’s Condemnation of Brunei’s Oppressive New Sex Laws

I was accepted as a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (iafl.com) in 2010.  The IAFL is a worldwide association of over 810 practicing lawyers from 57 countries who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries.  It is a dynamic association.  I remain honored to be a part of the IAFL.

On April 8, 2019 the IAFL, in conjunction with its Asia-Pacific Chapter, condemned the introduction of the Brunei revised penal code, which stipulates the death penalty for offences including adultery and extra marital sexual relations and homosexual acts. The IAFL reaffirms its support of efforts toward ensuring human dignity within all relationships, full equality of the LGBTI community and in issues concerning marriage, families, parenting and ending domestic violence throughout the world. “There is no place in any penal code to criminalize sexual acts between consenting adults and the cruel and inhuman and degrading punishments contained in the Brunei legislation have no place in any modern legal system. This legislation is an affront to international human rights and the IAFL strongly condemns its introduction.”

The IAFL joins other international voices to urge the Brunei government to revisit this legislation and to remove these penalties from its statute books.  Herring Law Group actively supports the effort.

Reflections and Thanks following an Incredible Four Years

Just a little over four years ago, Penny and I indulged the wild idea that we could create a “boutique” family law firm toward providing my valued clients “concierge service” and otherwise practicing in a uniquely elevated manner.  I made the leap from being a long-time partner at the biggest firm in Ventura County, and Herring Law Group was thus born.

Longtime friend, Erin, eagerly(as always) joined in.  She helped set up the initial logistics, from computers and tech systems to employees and payroll services.  If you have not already heard the stories, buy me a beer and ask about “Erin Schaden Day,” which is every December 17!  December 17, 2014 was a truly awful and also awesome day for HLG!

Deanna was one of our first hires.  She worked from folding tables and chairs while we planned and built-out our initial (Ventura County) office!

Penny, a professional interior designer, had the skills to know “where the walls should go” and otherwise how our space could shine.  Erin and Deanna persevered through the dust and commotion as her plans were realized!

As we began rolling, Ruston was becoming a free agent of his own, wanting to move his Santa Barbara practice closer to his family in Ventura.  Having“experienced” Ruston’s litigation skills first hand (ouch!) as opposing counsel on prior cases, I highly admired him and was awed at the prospect of having him join.

Cyndi flew into our orbit.  She is, first, a positive and engaging shining light as a human being.  She is, second, a premier paralegal.

Teresa initially joined us as a clerk, but quickly began expanding her professional responsibilities andpresence. 

By 2016, we already needed another attorney.  We recruited Cassandra, who was working with a premier family law firm in San Francisco, but wanted to relocate to Santa Barbara.  Like Penny and Ruston, she has UCSB “Gaucho” cred, and her Hastings Law School credentials caught our attention. 

A longtime goal was to open a Santa Barbara office.  I’ve always had cases here, but my prior firm was not focused past the Ventura County line.  HLG accomplished our SB opening inmid-2016.  Our clients, and we, too, love our quiet and beautiful “Upper Village” Montecito location!

In 2017 Morgan joined as our fourth attorney.   Already practicing family law here, she boasted an impressive journalism background.  She and Cassandra are developing as well-rounded litigators and as leaders in our legal community, especiallythrough Santa Barbara Women Lawyers.

With our expanding practice, weseriously “staffed up” this year, hiring quick-learning (!) paralegal, Brittany, and also Natalie, Sara, Courtney, and Angela.

We recently held our fourth annual HLG luncheon at the Ojai Valley Inn. Penny and I enjoyed watching everyone and their happy spouses/significant others enjoy the great meal, and each other’s company and fellowship.  That was our reward.  We sincerely and humbly thank our team for joining us in our wild idea!

Herring Law Group Applauds Erin Schaden’s Elevation to Chair of Casa Serena’s Board of Directors

Santa Barbara’s Casa Serena just elevated HLG’s Executive Director, Erin Schaden, as its incoming new Chair.  Casa Serena’s mission is to (1) provide effective treatment services and a safe, sober living environment to women seeking recovery from the disease of alcoholism or from substance abuse, (2) introduce them to the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous and the “12-step” process and (3) promote community awareness of Casa Serena’s services.  It has given thousands of women a firm foundation on which to begin their recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.  We support this important organization, and we applaud Erin’s elevation.

Casa Serena opened its doors to alcoholic women in August of 1959 primarily through the efforts of its founder, Mildred Pinheiro. Recovering from alcoholism herself, Mildred wanted to open the home “because there was no place here for a woman alcoholic to go for help.” The home was originally a project of the Santa Barbara Committee on Alcoholism (now the Santa Barbara Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse).  It organized into a nonprofit corporation in 1973.

At the core of Casa Serena’s successes are now three beautifully cared-for and welcoming homes. The original house on Bath Street is able to accommodate eighteen women.  It serves as the initial entry point to Casa Serena’s program. In the early 1990’s the organization purchased a second home nearby on Castillo Street. This, the “Grad House,” is home to an additional eight women.

In 2000 Casa Serena acquired Oliver House, located on the Mesa. Oliver House is licensed for six women and six children.  It is the only residential facility in Santa Barbara that will accept both recovering women and their children. With a total capacity of 32 women and six children, it provides caring staff and a simple, yet gracious and dignified, setting in which to live and grow.

Casa Serena:

· Is the only non-denominational program of its kind in Santa Barbara.

· Is the only residential treatment facility for women with children in SantaBarbara County.

· Is the oldest residential recovery program for women in Santa Barbara County.

· Is a comprehensive residential treatment program, licensed by the State of California.

Casa Serena’s staff consists of trained professionals in the treatment of substance abuse. Itsclinical team is made up of Marriage/Family Therapists (MFTs) and MFT interns,as well as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors and counselor interns. Theclinical and program staff have experience in 12-Step recovery.  The 12-step process is a social model fortreatment of addiction and addictive behaviors.

HLG’s practice often involves clients, opposing parties and related others with substance abuse concerns.  Erin is a major asset in those cases.  She is a natural leader for Casa Serena’s Board, as it quickly recognized after Erin’s first year of service as a board member (she was first appointed last November).  We congratulate and thank Erin for her commitment to Casa Serena, as well as to HLG.

Post-Paradise Memories and Thanks

While attending our annual AAML national meetings in Chicago in early November, we watched as my hometown of Paradise, California burned to the ground in mere hours.  My 80-something parents lost everything.  My sister’s, Christine, family saw their home singed but spared.  They were all blessed to have been invited to evacuate to the home of generous friends in nearby Durham.

We moved to Paradise in 1970, when I was eight years old.  My Dad, a lawman, and my Mom, an elementary school teacher, moved in the “back to nature” era to get out of the smog and drugs then invading Orange County.

Our folks were encouraged by their college friends who bought a ranch near Chico on the Sacramento River.  It was a ballsy move, but thousands joined them.  Real estate was cheap.  The financial stakes were relatively low, and the lifestyle rewards were high.

Dad bought a Ford Bronco, a 12-gauge shotgun, a deer rifle and an array of rods and reels.  We hunted pheasant, ducks and sage grouse, and we fished for salmon and trout.  My birthday, September 1, began dove season.  The night before, Dad and I would camp on the Sacramento River, then start shooting our limits at daybreak.

Chris and I had so many friends.  We joined the swim team (“Paradise Piranhas”), went to Sunday School and dove into school activities.  She sang in the sextet and became a cheerleader.  I played varsity football (“Paradise Bobcats”), made the basketball team and ran track.  She played flute and I played trombone in the school band.

I joined Cub Scouts, with Mom as our Den Mother.  I eventually became an Eagle Scout, with Dad as our Scout Master.  My buddies and I hunted for Indian arrowheads in Butte Creek Canyon.  We still know where the gold rests in Little Butte Creek.

In the winters, we learned to ski at Mount Lassen with our friends, through the Parks and Rec Department.  We had “snow days,” where the schools closed because the school buses could not get through.  One Christmas, we enjoyed  a dump of four feet.  Our visiting grandparents got “snowed-in” with us!

Paradise kept growing.  It was always, though, the kind of place where I could have friends of all types.  I enjoyed them all.  Many were living with grandparents or single moms, escaping abusive situations elsewhere.  Many were dirt poor; a few were rich.

I left for UC Davis in 1981, eager to leave small town life for bigger things.  Davis might as well have been New York City to me at the time!

Our folks moved to a nicer new home on the Feather River Canyon.  They cherished the views from their deck.  They told us of the foxes, bears, mountain lions and turkeys that roamed the property.  They settled into their retirement rhythm.

After moving to the 805, I enjoyed regularly “coming home.”  Our kids grew up visiting “grandma and grandpa” throughout the year.

Our strong family ties will ensure that my folks are comfortable and safe, no matter where this transition might take them.  In the meantime, I mourn the loss of our sweet town.  We deeply and sincerely thank all our friends and colleagues who have reached out in so many ways.  Our own thoughts and prayers go out to all the other victims of the nearer Southern California fires.

HLG recommends the North Valley Community Foundation as a responsible organization  toward serving Paradise’s first responders and evacuees: nvcf.org.