SAN DIEGO (Oct. 30, 2018) – The San Diego County Bar Foundation brought together the San Diego legal community’s finest at its 21st annual “An Evening in La Jolla” benefit, raising more than $130,000 to help at-risk communities gain access to proper legal services.
The Foundation also recognized board members Brian Funk and Jean Walcher for their leadership and contributions to making its mission possible.
“These awards are given when the board wants to recognize someone who has gone above and beyond to advance the ideals of the Bar Foundation,” said Neal Rockwood, president of the board of directors. “These individuals display incredible dedication and effort to provide access to justice throughout San Diego County, and we are grateful for their volunteer service.”
The Bar Foundation President’s Award was presented to attorney Brian Funk for his leadership of the Indigent Criminal Defense Fund – one of two grant funds offered to organizations in San Diego that provide legal assistance to accused individuals who cannot afford to hire an attorney. Funk was the Bar Foundation president in 2015, and his work with the Fund led to the Bar Foundation awarding six local organizations with $290,000 in the past year.
Jean Walcher was presented with the Service Award for her leadership of the communications and development committee, as well as for her pro bono public relations services through her PR and marketing agency, J. Walcher Communications, for the past three years. As an advocate for social justice, Walcher’s more than 25 years of experience in the marketing and communications industry has contributed to the Bar Foundation’s increasing reach and voice in the region.
“An Evening in La Jolla” gathered more than 350 legal and business professionals from the San Diego community. Judges, lawyers and legal supporters socialized while enjoying an array of food, craft beers, wine, auction items and live music.
The event’s top sponsors included Cohelan Khoury & Singer; Perkins Coie; Foley & Lardner LLP; Sullivan Hill; Kirby & Kirby LLP; Aptus Court Reporting; Haeggquist & Eck LLP; Best Best & Krieger LLP; Procopio; Rockwood & Noziska LLP; Noonan Lance Boyer & Banach LLP; Robert and Susan Vaage; Blood Hurst & O’Reardon LLP; Sheppard Mullin; Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield LLP; JLL; Antonyan Miranda; OneAmerica Retirement Services; and Wright L’Estrange Ergastolo.
For more information about the San Diego County Bar Foundation, or to donate, visit www.sdcbf.org.
About San Diego County Bar Foundation
The San Diego County Bar Foundation is the charitable arm of the San Diego County Bar Association. Through this partnership with the San Diego County legal community, the Bar Foundation aims to benefit underprivileged communities in the region, by providing them with access to support, funding and public service programs with legal services. The foundation’s beneficiaries include more than 50 legal aid and public interest organizations. For more information, visit www.sdcbf.org.