President’s Message: Gina Occhipinti Borasi, December 2025

Dear Santa Cruz County Bar Association Members,

As we bring this year to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly productive and engaging year for our Bar Association. It has been an honor to serve as your President, and I am grateful for the trust and support you have shown throughout the year.

One of the Bar Association’s core commitments is to provide meaningful continuing legal education opportunities, and this year we were proud to offer a robust lineup of programs addressing both foundational and emerging issues in our profession. Together, we explored the Overview of the California Public Records Act, gaining valuable insight into transparency obligations and best practices for navigating records requests. We deepened our understanding of evidence through The Hearsay Rule and Its Application, a session that provided practical takeaways for trial preparation and courtroom practice.

Our programming also turned to critical areas of evolving law and workplace responsibility. Immigration Law – What You Need to Know provided timely updates in a rapidly shifting field, ensuring our members remain informed advocates for their clients. Disability Reasonable Accommodation: Common Employer Mistakes offered essential guidance on compliance, inclusivity, and risk avoidance for practitioners advising employers.

We were especially fortunate to learn from leaders in our local legal community. Retired Judge Paul Burdick’s in-person session on Mediation Techniques offered invaluable perspective, elevating our approach to dispute resolution. We closed the year with a practical and insightful program on Jury Selection Pitfalls and Strategies, equipping us with tools to better understand juror dynamics and strengthen our advocacy.

I would also like to highlight the vital work of our Lawyer Referral Service (LRS). The LRS continues to serve as a crucial access-to-justice resource for individuals in our community who might otherwise struggle to find legal help. Through thoughtful referrals and compassionate engagement, the LRS connects underrepresented and underserved community members with qualified attorneys who can guide them through challenging legal issues. Your support—whether through panel participation, contributions, or advocacy—ensures that this essential service remains strong and responsive to community needs.

This year, the Bar Association was proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our legal community through our annual awards. Congratulations to our award recipients Jack Ueberrhein and Claudia Cunha – whose dedication, professionalism, and service exemplify the very best of Santa Cruz County. Their contributions elevate our profession and inspire all of us to continue striving for excellence.

As we look to the year ahead, I encourage you to remain involved and to continue supporting our mission. Whether by attending events, volunteering on committees, contributing resources, or simply renewing your membership, your participation ensures that we can continue offering high-quality programs and meaningful opportunities for connection.

Finally, please provide a warm welcome to Danielle deMartino, the incoming Santa Cruz County Bar Association President for 2026.  I look forward to what we will accomplish together under Danielle’s leadership in the coming year.

With gratitude,

Gina Occhipinti Borasi
President, Santa Cruz County Bar Association