I am honored to have been asked to speak. Bion was first and foremost a role model of whom I became aware shortly after graduating from law school nearly 30 years ago. We were not many women lawyers back then and our leaders -- including Mari Goldman and Maggie Roth and many others -- made certain we all knew of Bion’s contributions -- as an advisor to the Legislature and as an employer -- to the advancement of women in our profession and to the legal rights of women.

In the last decade or so I had the privilege of working directly with Bion in joint representation of clients, both public and private. Bion lived up to his reputation in every respect -- the famed affability, good-natured calm, charming smile, sharp analytical and political skills and so forth and so on -- all served up with highest ethical standards.

I and others persuaded Bion to join us in our chapter of the American Inns of Court. This national organization exists to foster professionalism and ethical behavior and to mentor young lawyers — things Bion had been doing with distinction for years.

The Milton L. Schwartz Inn of Court meets monthly for dinner in connection with UCD Davis Law School. Bion was an enthusiastic member of our group and we will miss him. And not just his modeling of all the values to which we aspire but also his enjoyment of the camaraderie, the food, the drink, the fun, and so forth and so on.

Bion counseled us that more than any other profession, lawyers have special obligations as guardians of our democracy and of the “rule of law” to which he devoted his professional life. This requires, he argued, that we each aspire to be “role model citizens.” That was Bion -- and so forth and so on -- as you know he would say.

November / December 2004