By the time you read this, it should be feeling almost like summer - unless those bizarre May rains get in the way. As I'm (Heather) writing this, however, it's still March, and Law Day is on the horizon. Why March? Well, many people don't realize how long it takes to get a magazine out (Helene and I surely didn't when we started this adventure!). Besides getting all of the articles in for editing, there's the review and layout process, and then printer's proofs. Then there is the actual printing and "stitching" of the magazine (although it seems more like stapling to me) and the bulk mailing, the latter of which can take up to 20 days from the print house to your inbox. So we have to start very early to get the magazine to you in the months listed on the masthead. Why do I mention this? Because we want to make sure that we showcase all of the good things coming up in Sacramento's legal community. So I emphasize sending articles and ads in to Helene and me far in advance if you'd like the magazine to publish them.

But back to Law Day: there are a myriad of events going on at the beginning of May to celebrate the fact that the United States is based on the rule of law. To honor our country's (and our profession's) foundation, we present to you a number of articles discussing constitutional law and civil rights. Thanks to Keith Staten, Jeff Schwarzchild, Carter White, and US Magistrate Judge Kim Mueller for their insightful articles on various aspects of our Law Day topic and to Robyn Moltzen for the relevant web links. Congratulations to the Constitutional Law and Civil Rights section of Sacramento, which is celebrating its first anniversary as an SCBA section. Congratulations also to all of the new administrative law judges at the Office of Administrative Hearings who were recently enrobed.

We have some good reviews of what has been happening in our community, thanks to Carol Morris and Bruce Timm (Barristers' Club), Mike Mills (Federal Bar), and Barbara O'Hearn (Women Lawyers). In addition to the photos from the Barristers' Club Supreme Court Reception, see also some great Protect and Defend photos (Ken Rabiroff photographed both events) and information on that new batch of administrative law judges in town. Judge McMaster gives us more wisdom regarding summary judgment practice that you won't want to miss, and Coral Henning provides some great legal movie suggestions (pass the popcorn please).

Please save July 29, 2006 for the annual Bench Bar Reception to be held at the Sterling Hotel and co-sponsored by SCBA, the Federal Bar Association, Women Lawyers of Sacramento, the Barristers and the Wiley W. Manuel Bar Association. Buy lots of Instant Wine Cellar tickets, which benefit the Sacramento Law Foundation, the SCBA's charitable arm. Want to buy tickets or donate wine to this worthy cause? Contact Melinda Williams at 501-7393 or email reception@ sacbar.org. And Barristers, check out the calendar of Barrister's Club events on page 28.

Would you like to get a little more involved? This issue provides a starting point for taking on civil rights petitions for inmates (see pages 14-17). Good opportunities exist with VLSP or VIP (see pages 26-27), with the Center for Youth Citizenship and the Sacramento Youth Action program (see page 25) or with the Appellate Mediation project (see page 10). Look inside the magazine for more information and enjoy the possibilities.