Greetings and happy new year! Without fuss or ado, we, Heather Cline Hoganson and Helene Friedman, have accepted the challenge of co-editing Sacramento's premier legal magazine. Filling the shoes of our illustrious and distinguished predecessors Chris Krueger, Joan Stone and Toso Himel  is a daunting task. Nevertheless, we brazenly and, perhaps naively, enter the journalistic arena.

Heather is a Pacific McGeorge graduate who will someday finish repaying her student loans. She is staff counsel at the California Gambling Control Commission and no, she's no expert at Texas Hold 'em. Heather has been involved with the Administrative Law and Public Law Sections, SLUG (Sacramento Law Practice Management and Technology Users Group), the SCBA's Judiciary Committee, and has just finished her three-year term on Bar Council as a member-at-large.

Helene, an '88 UCD Law alumna, chose law as a second career after skillfully assessing the hopelessness of competing with the likes of Meryl Streep and Glenn Close. Gratefully, her student loans are behind her, as are the days of being a poor artist in the NYC off-off Broadway theatre scene. After 11 years practicing law in Los Angeles, she moved back to Sacramento. She is now administratively prosecuting licensing cases, primarily in the children's residential arena, for the Department of Social Services. Helene served on the Women Lawyers of Sacramento Board for 3 years and is entering the 2nd year of a 3-year term as member-at-large on the SCBA Council.

Our first issue is dedicated to appellate law. Quite frankly, the magazine's Policy Committee designated this theme. And rightly so because the brand new Appellate Law Section of the Sacramento County Bar Association is off to an auspicious start. Herein, we present you with a myriad of pivotal considerations regarding appellate law. Our panel of experts includes:

• Presiding Justice Arthur Scotland who discusses the Third District Court of Appeal's renewed appellate mediation program;
• Wendy Lascher, former president of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers and Charity Kenyon, Secretary Treasurer of the Academy, who provide a historical and intimate look at this unusually close-knit legal community;
• Thadd Blizzard, Chair of the SCBA Appellate Law Section, who guides us through the labyrinth of ethics and frivolous appeals;
• Brendon Ishikawa, an appellate practitioner from Davis, who asks if an appeal is even worth it;
• Joe Masocivch, Senior General Appellate Counsel, Union Pacific Railroad, who provides tips for a well-written writ; and
• our inside source, Paula Hui, Appellate Judicial Attorney, Third District Court of Appeal, who cautions against common pitfalls in civil appeals.

January also launches a new regime at the Sacramento County Bar Association spearheaded by the new President and the man who graces our cover, Jack Laufenberg. Check out Jack's forthright first President's Message. The 2006 SCBA 1st Vice President is Stacy Boulware Eurie, 2nd Vice President, Karen Stevens and Secretary/Treasurer, Sacramento Lawyer's immediate past editor, Christopher Krueger. Congratulations to all.

Moreover, we present photos of the December 8, 2005 SCBA Annual Meeting at which the Honorable James M. Mize administered the oath swearing in these officers and 2 of the 3 new at-large SCBA Council members. Also, we provide photos of the California Supreme Court reception held at the Discovery Museum on Election Day and cosponsored by Women Lawyers of Sacramento and the SCBA. Ken Rabiroff, our creative and reliable photographer, took the photos of both events. Thank you, Ken.

And do not miss the 5th installment of Unraveling the Complex World of Summary Judgment Practice by the Honorable Loren McMaster.

Finally, this is YOUR magazine -- the magazine of the Sacramento legal community. Hence, we invite you to send us articles, upcoming event notifications (60 days notice please!), tips for constructive change, advertisements, announcements and, in fact, any emails with articles, opinions and recommendations. The best way to reach us is via email. Heather is at Hhoganson@cgcc.ca.gov and Helene is at Helene.Friedman@dss.ca.gov. We look forward to hearing from you. Here's to a great 2006!