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It was a packed house at Chapman University School of Law's Kennedy Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, as members of the legal community gathered to celebrate the appointment of Hon. David Thompson to the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, at a reception held by the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA). "Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition," said OCBA President Dimetria Jackson.

Taking the podium, OCBA Appellate Law Section Chair Todd Lundell stated that Justice Thompson had requested he keep his remarks short; "It's difficult to be short about such a lengthy resume," he added. Lundell praised both Justice Thompson's "scholarly gifts" and "practical application" of the rule of law, noting that, during his tenure as a Superior Court Judge, "reversals were exceedingly rare."

"You've publicly stated your appointment [to the Appellate bench] is a dream come true," Lundell said to Justice Thompson. "We're fourtunate you've pursued a dream that benefits us all."

Hon. Kathleen O'Leary, whose elevation to Presiding Justice created the opening that Justice Thompson now fills, remarked on the large size and diversity of the crowd, citing it as evidence of the popularity of Justice Thompson's appointment as well as his broad base of support. "I look forward to working with you, David," she added. "Congratulations."

Following the remarks of Lundell and Hon. O'Leary, President Jackson presented Justice Thompson with a plaque on behalf of the OCBA.

"I'm grateful that you all took time out of your busy schedules to be here," Justice Thompson said. "We really do have the best local bar association in California."

Echoing the earlier statements of Lundell, Justice Thompson said that he had dreamed of becoming a justice for the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three ever since its inception when he was present for the confirmation of the first justices to sit on its bench. "Now, 30 years later, the dream's come true."

In addition to Chapman University School of Law and its leadership, his colleagues at the Orange County Superior Court including Presiding Judge Thomas Borris ("my teacher, my friend, my mentor"), scores of trial lawyers for providing invaluable "on the job training" in his courtroom, and his former colleagues at Morrison & Foerster and Rutan & Tucker including John Hurlbut, Justice Thompson thanked his close friends and family, both those who lived to see him achieve his goal and those who are deeply missed.

"I pledge to make you proud of this appointment in the years to come," Justice Thompson stated in conclusion. "Thank you for your support."




OCBA Solo Practitioner/Small Firm Section Chair Dennis Stubblefield, David Wald, and YLD Chair-Elect Michelle Tran




Juliana Dominguez, Michael Fields, Jessica Dominguez, Hon. Eileen Moore, and Hon. Richard Fybel




Hon. Thomas Schulte, Hon. Glenda Sanders, and Hon. Mary Schulte




David Wald and Sheriff Sandra Hutchens




J. Peter Gyben and Jeremy Shaw




Hon. David Thompson and Pam Schehl




Hon. Ronald Kreber and Deborah Barnum




Pam Schehl, Hon. David Thompson, and OCBA President Dimetria Jackson




Daniel Callahan and OCBA President Dimetria Jackson




OCBA President Dimetria Jackson and Appellate Law Section Chair Todd Lundell




Arlette Coronel, Ernestine Alonzo, and Hon. Cheri Pham




Richard Derevan, Hon. Richard Fybel, and OCBA Board member Darren Aitken




Maurice Sanchez and Dale Quinlan




OCBA Board member Larisa Dinsmoor and Denise Crawford




Hon. Debra Chuang and Nate Scott




Hon. Peter Wilson and Hon. James Selna




OCBA President Dimetria Jackson




OCBA Appellate Law Section Chair Todd Lundell




Hon. Kathleen O’Leary




OCBA President Dimetria Jackson, Hon. David Thompson, and OCBA Appellate Law Section Chair Todd Lundell




Hon. David Thompson




Allen Greshem and OCBA Past President Edmond Connor




Marjorie Fuller, Hon. Christopher Strople (Ret.), and Sharon Thompson Strople




OCBA Board members Teresa McQueen and Todd Friedland  




Edward Susolik, Hon. David Thompson, and Hon. Eleanor Palk (Ret.)




Diana Tran and Hon. Vickie Hix




OCBA Past President Joel Miliband, Board member Nikki Miliband, and Past President Edmond Connor




Kenneth Babcock, Rev. Fred Bailey, and Janice Patronite




Hon. Christopher Strople (Ret.), Joan Chrysler, Leonard Thompson, and Robert Scott




Alison Gibbs, Sima Fard, and Katherine Odenbreit




Hon. David Thompson, Clara Gresham, and Allen Gresham




Kevin Stinson, Whitney Amsbary, William Amsbary II, and Sharon Thompson Strople




Hon. Sheila Fell and Keith Meyer




Hon. David Thompson, Daniel Callahan, and Edward Susolik




Royce and Patricia Thompson




Hon. Eleanor Palk (Ret.) and Hon. John Woolley (Ret.)




Jim Skorheim and Alan Slater




Mayte Santacruz Benavidez, Shiry Tannenbaum, Michael Williams, and Shirin Forootan