Law Practice
Aug. 13, 2002
U.S. Attorney Urges More Accountability
Debra Yang, U.S. attorney for the Central District, stepped up to the podium in the Loyola Law School student lounge as more than 100 attorneys dined on baked chicken, roasted potatoes and Caesar salad.
Debra Yang, U.S. attorney for the Central District, stepped up to the podium in the Loyola Law School student lounge as more than 100 attorneys dined on baked chicken, roasted potatoes and Caesar salad.
The Aug. 3 lunch was part of the California Women Lawyers' annual conference. California Women Lawyers, an independent bar association since 1974, works to advance women in the legal profession through education, advocacy and legislation. The event gives attorneys the chance to gain five hours of MCLE credit through panel discussions and lectures - like Yang's - held throughout the day.
President Bush recently named Yang to his Corporate Fraud Task Force, which will investigate and prosecute large financial crimes. She assured the members of the audience that they will see an increase in accountability, tougher sentences and more laws in an effort to crack down on the unlawful practices that seem to be taking over corporate America. She also warned the attorneys before her.
"You as attorneys are going to be accountable," Yang said.
Her advice: Never misrepresent yourself or your client to the court. Yang shared experiences in which attorneys gave her false facts or misled her when she sat on the Superior Court. Those attorneys made a lasting impression on her and her staff, which had the potential to reach other judges in the court.
"I share my law clerks with other judges," Yang warned.
The lawyers received other helpful tips throughout the day as they had the chance to attend seven other educational sessions.
One session offered tips from four panelists on how to balance family and work at one of the sessions.
Earlier in the day, participants received an update on breast-feeding in the law from associate Alexis Neely of Los Angeles' Munger, Tolles & Olson. Neely explained to the group that in California a woman has the right to breast-feed in public and that women should be protected in doing so.
Stefanie Knapp
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