NORTH COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION HISTORY The Bar Association of North County San Diego was founded in 1956 when articles of incorporation were filed by the entire membership of twenty-five.
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1956 to 1980
From the time of its formation until the late 1960's the Bar Association of North San Diego County (BANSDC) was largely a monthly dinner meeting group, typically with a speaker program, that usually met at Marty’s Valley Inn in Oceanside, and had a “floating” Christmas party.
In the late 1960's Bob Helm and Tom Smith spearheaded an effort to have breakfast and lunch meetings for members in specific practice areas, which ultimately led to the formation of the section, which continue to be significant member benefit.
In the early days, the BANSDC had no fixed location, usually working out of the elected president’s office. The annual “change of command” ceremony included delivery of “banker’s boxes” of bar “records”.

1981
The newsletter was started. It is now known as the North County Lawyer magazine. Janet Lacy is named the first editor. The BANSDC had a copy machine in the Attorney’s Lounge at the Courthouse to help generate revenue. John Loy and Henry Hague were authorized to investigate the feasibility of forming a Lawyer Referral Service, and Henry Hague started the formation paperwork. Dues went from $35 to $45, and the floating Christmas Party had evolved into a dinner dance, which was the major BANSDC social event of the year. The BANSDC sent two delegates and two alternates to the Conference of Delegates.

1982
The first Lawyer Referral Committee was appointed, and the Lawyer Referral was started in a
rented office in Charles Salter’s building, with one half-time staff person. 1983 Paid membership was up to 266 at dues of $60, the newsletter was expanded to allow paid advertising, and the fee arbitration program was in place. The BANSDC Board supported Buzz Renshaw’s (ultimately unsuccessful) effort to have the IOLTA program declared unconstitutional. Henry Hague announced the Lawyer Referral Service was paying its own expenses. 1984 Membership was at 292, and a significant focus of activity was an effort to secure more North County Courtrooms and judicial appointments.

1985

The Board officially expanded from five to ten members, a “Lawyer of the Year” award program was established, the newsletter was renamed the “North County Lawyer,” and the Day at the Races and Padre Game events were established as annual events.

1986
Courts Committee was established

1987
Phil Burkhardt, as chair of the Lawyer Referral Committee, was appointed chair of a building acquisition committee.

1988
The Board formation of a committee to assist members with the upcoming MCLE requirements was proposed, and the offices were moved from Vale Terrace to South Santa Fe Avenue in Vista. Past-BANSDC President, Justice Gilbert Nares (ret.) is appointed to the Court of Appeal.

1989 – A Goals and Financial Development committee was formed, Etta Gillivan was appointed chair of the membership committee, and a membership brochure was designed. The MCLE Committee was formally approved, as was a membership directory and the creation of a computerized membership data base. Efforts were made to encourage appointment of North County Judicial Candidates which met with a cool reception in Sacramento. Members of the Bar and Lawyer Referral made contributions to the Law Library in response to concerns about limited funding.

1990
The Goals and Financial Development Committee made its report and the bylaws were revised, Richard Cline originated a member survey regarding Superior Court “Fast Track” procedures which ends up being used state wide, the “President’s Award” was approved to replace “Lawyer of the Year” to allow its presentation to a non-lawyer, the Bar successfully lobbies for the retention of the North County Family Law Commissioner position, and membership increased to 503.

1991
Charlene Baron was appointed as the first North County member to the San Diego County Law Library Board of Trustees. As a result of cooperation between the Bench and the BANSDC and through the settlement panels, Vista Superior Court was projected to be the only court current on fast-track requirements by the end of 1991. A crisis in the Municipal Court is resolved by the Court, NCBA and County regarding a lack of attorneys willing to take Class 2 misdemeanor cases. The resolution reached provides that the County pays and processes payments for services rendered faster, which results in attorneys joining the panel. The Bylaws are amended to increase the size of the Board of Directors from 10 to 13 members, to have the President serve a fourth year, as opposed to serving as President in the third year, and then having the outgoing President serve a fourth year as "Past President". The BANSDC purchases a FAX machine! Through the enormous efforts and time of Diane Campbell and Chuck Salter, among others, the BANSDC applies to become an approved MCLE Provider. BANSDC & LRS re-locates its offices. The Peoples Law School begins, with the first program located in Vista. 100 laypersons sign up for 10 week course, which is big success. A total of 72 hours of MCLE credit offered in 1992.

1992
Bernard E. Witkin, founder of the California law treatise, Summary of California Law (known as “Witkin”) presents at a BANSDC dinner meeting.

1993
The ADR Section is formed and approved. BANSDC submits its first-ever resolution to State Bar Conference of Delegates, related to voluntary mediation in the course of fee dispute arbitration, which was drafted by David Moore. This resolution was passed at the Conference. CEB taped presentations begin showing for MCLE credit at BANSDC offices. The Mentor program established for newer members (under 5 years in practice) along with the Bridging the Gap program established, which focuses on introducing newer attorneys to the north county legal community and the practice of law as a whole. The Lawyer Referral Service of the Bar Association of Northern San Diego County is created as a separate corporation to permit the LRS to use funds to acquire a building to house the LRS and BANSDC.

1994
The first photo membership directory is published (published jointly with Daily Transcript). The Annual Ben & Bar Reception honors Past Presidents of the BANSDC (all but 3 are able to attend). BANSDC’s Executive Director of 7 years, Debbie Tisch, moves out of state and Lawrence Martinez, previously with the State Bar of New Mexico, is offered and accepts the position. The annual Holiday event (traditionally a dinner and dance) is reimagined as a cocktail reception, followed by optional Broadway show at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

1995
BANSDC surveys its members regarding the performance of judges assigned to North County. BANSDC endorses the Law Library’s proposal to impose an annual borrower’s fee. A new Corporate Law Section is formed. A Judicial evaluation survey was established along with a BANSDC Fee Dispute Mediation Program.

1996
BANSDC adopts a resolution in support of the unified bar and against the SB 60 plebiscite. The Construction Defect Section merges with the Real Property Section. The first in house photo membership directory is published. The Vista Court house undergoes its expansion.

1997
The Experienced Litigators Reference Panel Program is established. BANSDC faced a number of economic challenges, largely due to a downturn in revenues collected by the LRS in a difficult economic period. Nonetheless, it continued its search for a permanent home in coordination with the Lawyer Referral Committee. BANSDC increases its efforts to advocate for the timely completion of the new wing of the Vista courthouse. As was attempted in 1984, the Board attempted to promote local judicial candidates, ultimately resulting in the appointment of Hon. Richard G. Cline the following year. The Bar Foundation was dissolved. The BANSDC considered starting a website. Mary Silva is selected as the Executive Director.

1998
The Bench & Bar Media Program is established. The BANSDC hosts numerous fun events, some for the first time: Tennis Tournament, Beach Party, and the Bar 52's "The Talent Night". BANSDC assists Judge Nugent in forming a new pilot program "The Small Claims Appeals Mediation Program". A new Employment Law section is formed.

1999
A new section “Y2K” is formed. BANSDC helps with furnishings for the new court house attorney lounge. The new LRS/Bar building was acquired on S Indiana Avenue office in Vista. BANSDC establishes a community outreach program “KOCT”- a call-in show.

2000
A Bar Development Committee was established. A Co-ed sports league is created- “The Bar Stools”. A Judicial Recommendations and Evaluations Committee was formed. A mediation program was established with Life Line Community to accommodate a mandated court program. A Padres Day is held with a picnic at the ballpark.

2001
Lawyer of the Year Award was re-established. A corporate counsel reception is held at Callaway Gold Corporate Headquarters. Paralegals working with BANSDC members are allowed to purchase MCLE passes and attend section meetings to fulfill paralegal continuing education requirements. BANSDC writes a letter to increase court filing fees to assist the San Diego Public Law Library funding crisis.

2002
The Unjust Judicial Criticism Committee is formed. The Bar Association of North San Diego County changes its “DBA” from BANSDC to North County Bar Association (“NCBA”). A new NCBA logo was designed by Andy Dean. A new Sustaining Membership level was added, and the cost of dinner meetings was increased to $25.00. Justice Richard Huffman was the featured speaker at the Fourth Annual Bench/Bar/Media Dinner.

2003
The North County Sluggers (baseball team) ends their season with 1 win and 4 losses. The Ethics and Civility Committee is formed. NCBA promotes the “Adopt a Platoon” program. “Peoples Law School” classes offered at Vista and Escondido Adult Schools. “Teddies for Tots” program held to collect teddy bears at the Annual Holiday Party held at Vista Valley Country Club.

2004
The Donor Advised Fund (“The Fund”) is established to help the NCBA’s charitable efforts to support education regarding the justice system. The NCBA joins the Disaster Task Force to assist the Ramona Fire/Flood Victims. The “North County Lawyer Newsletter” is renamed the “North County Lawyer Magazine”.

2005
An Ambassador Committee is established. The first joint bar dinner meeting with the North County Chapter of the Lawyers Club is held. New Bylaws are added regarding “Public Statements/Endorsements”.

2006
The NCBA celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary! The Business Law Section was re-established. A New Lawyers Section was formed. NCBA sponsors a Blood Bank Drive.
2007

The NCBA starts accepting credit cards for payment. The NCBA and Lawyers Club jointly host the Bench and Bar Reception. The NCBA and San Diego County Bar Association begin working together to create a pro-bono network that is formally established in 2009 to provide free legal services to service members who qualify for assistance under the Service Members Civil Relief Act. The Board Retreat is held at Procopio’s newly opened Carlsbad offices, which is a departure from prior retreats usually held at local hotels.

2008
For Law Week, NCBA creates YouTube video was created for access by students online. The Probate Voluntary Settlement Panel was established.

2009
Life Time Achievement Award was established as a fundraiser for the Donor Advise Fund. Pre-Filing Mediation Panel was formed. Attorney Credits Online MCLE Education established. NCBA partners with Cal State San Marcos to fund a civics camp/symposium for 5-7th graders.

2010
The Board began the creation of a Strategic Plan, and a revision of its Mission Statement, Vision, and goals. The annual Bench Bar Reception signaled the (semi-permanent) move from Shadowridge Country Club to The Crossings in Carlsbad for the monthly meeting. The NCBA began an outreach to law students, and sponsored Youth in Court for its tenth year. NCBA also hosted its first Open House. The Young Lawyers section established, civil litigation section restarted, criminal defense section restarted and Long Range Planning Committee formed.

2011
NCBA continues Youth in Court and On My Honor Programs, Law Day, and hosts the Beach Party, which thereafter becomes an annual event. Kelly Mertsoc (fka Doblado) was elected NCBA President in 2011; however, she resigns before she is sworn in as president after she is appointed a Commissioner.

2012-

2013
The Judicial Branch was reeling from budget cuts. The NCBA restarted the “Courts Committee”, where the Vista Judicial Leadership met monthly with the NCBA leadership to facilitate communication, cooperation, and outreach. The closure of court clinics made “Law Day” more vital than ever. The NCBA also made a concerted effort to reach out and cooperate with other legal organizations, such as Lawyers Club and the San Diego Bar Association.

2014 -
2015 -
2016 -
2017 –

2018
Two regular educational seminars are implemented, one in the Spring and another in the Fall, which were well attended and successful. NCBA focuses on having several themed social events where the members could have fun while strengthening the bond within the north county legal community. “The Board Awards” were presented at the membership Appreciation Dinner to celebrate achievements like cleanest and messiest desk and longest brief filed.

2019
NCBA researches and lays the groundwork for implementing an online/in-house library of CLE offerings. The Board has regular “lunch with a board member” events to connect with members.

2020
This was the year of COVID and remote engagement. NCBA successfully continued its monthly meetings via Zoom, which included events honoring retiring judicial officers and chocolate and cheese tastings in the comfort of your own home.

2021
This was a year of transition as the world came out of COVID. NCBA welcomes Courtney Provo as the new executive director following the retirement of Mary Silva. The NCBA moves out of its long-time home in downtown Vista and into a temporary home near the Courthouse. The website is updated and revamped along with the North County Lawyer magazine (both were long term projects accomplished over many years). Finally, after working the first half of the year with continued COVID protocols and mostly remote-attendance events, we returned to some in-person activities in the second half of the year.

2022
Faced with declining membership, 2022 presented an opportunity to break new ground: a newly formatted magazine and website, new events like mixers at local breweries and an inaugural diversity equity and inclusion faire (the “May Faire”). With focus on cross-generational mentoring and as well as diversity equity and inclusion, the next generation of NCBA membership and leadership found their voice.

2023
The NCBA focuses on providing cost-effective and fun events to engage its members within and outside the “traditional” legal community: Mixers at local taverns, A Night at the Theater at the Star Theater, Bar & Band Night feat. The Dad Bods & Amy, and a Member Appreciation Night at One Safe Place, are some of the events held. NCBA welcomes Camden Retzlaff as its new Executive Director after saying a fond farewell to Courtney Provo. Longtime NCBA member Larry Maxham is posthumously honored by the creation of The Larry Maxham Award celebrating lifetime contributions to the field of IP law by the California Lawyers Association.