Hon. David Bartick

Outstanding Jurist Award (Awarded Posthumously)

“A few judges stand out among their peers because of their extraordinary grace, patience, and compassion. Judge Bartick was one of these. He epitomized judicial temperament. He had a well of patience and respectfulness that seemed to be without limit.” — Hon. Barry Ted Moskowitz, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of California

“Judge Bartick always made it look so easy to be kind and honorable. He made it look refreshingly normal to be respectful to everyone he encountered. It was second-nature for Judge Bartick to come to work early, stay late, diligently review every document, join every committee, volunteer for every extra duty, fill in for his colleagues, and do it with vigor and a smile. It is who he was.” — Chrysta Elliott, Law Clerk to Hon. David Bartick

“Sometimes a person’s reputation in the community is more telling than one’s opinion of the individual. In David’s case he was the person about whom I never heard anyone speak of him except in the most laudatory terms.” — Jan Ronis, Law Offices of Ronis & Ronis

“[Judge Bartick] is one of those rare individuals about whom no one has anything bad to say, and who, by example, made others want to be better professionals and people.” — Hon. Yvonne Campos, San Diego Superior Court

“Judge Bartick loved being a judge and that joy is reflected in the reports of the lawyers and litigants who appeared before him. During the 16 months that I covered his calendar, I was reminded of his patience and judicial temperament as reflected in the remarks by those most familiar with him.” — Hon. Lousia Porter (Ret.)

Why do you serve?
Because there are things that need to be done in the community that no one is funding, and if we all do a little we can get everything done that is needed.

What advice would you give others to inspire them to serve?
You will learn a lot and meet many interesting people you would not otherwise have met, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing you contributed to the general good.

What/who inspires you to serve?
I was raised to believe that we all have an obligation to help others.

Three noteworthy people (living or dead) you’d invite to dinner:
Thurgood Marshall, Harvey Milk and Eleanor Roosevelt.

What is one item on your bucket list?
Seeing the Northern Lights.

Your favorite quote?
Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.

Favorite place on earth?
My wonderful house where I have lived for more than 25 years and in which Len and I raised our kids.

Favorite place in San Diego?
Warwick’s bookstore.

Cherished advice that you have received from a loved-one, mentor or colleague?
From D.C. Circuit Judge Spottswood W. Robinson III: “Don’t ever not do something that you want to do just because you‘re scared.”

If you could magically change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Eliminate nuclear weapons.

In what ways does serving the wider community benefit the legal profession?
The legal profession is part of the wider community, and our profession does well when the community does well.

As a recipient of a 2018 Service Award, who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank the Lawyers Club and Johanna Schiavoni, who nominated me, and my firm, Sullivan Hill, and Jim Hill, for supporting my nomination, and Shari Lawson, Greg Vega, Professor Michael Devitt,  the Honorable Stephanie Sontag,  and anyone else who wrote in support of my nomination.

Why do you serve?
It is my responsibility and honor to do so.

What advice would you give others to inspire them to serve?
Identify a service that aligns with your interest and passions; then it’s not an obligation, it’s a pleasure.

What/who inspires you to serve?
My family and friends.

Three noteworthy people (living or dead) you’d invite to dinner:
Jeff Bezos, Barbra Streisand and LeBron James, with our chef, Alice Waters.

What is one item on your bucket list?
Attend the Academy Awards.

Your favorite quote?
“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” - Vince Lombardi

Favorite place on earth?
Simon Pearce Restaurant in Quechee, Vermont in autumn.

Favorite place in San Diego?
Coronado.

Cherished advice that you have received from a loved-one, mentor, or colleague?
Get comfortable in a courtroom.

If you could magically change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Make teleporting available.

How can others make giving back part of their daily lives?
Understand that what you get back is far greater than any effort you put into it.

In what ways does serving the wider community benefit the legal profession?
Working within our communities together helps lawyers and non-lawyers understand and appreciate each other more.

The SDCBA Law Day theme this year is “Equality and Justice for All.” What does this theme mean to you in your work and in your daily life?
Treat everyone with respect, civility, make sure they have an opportunity to speak and be heard.

As a recipient of a 2018 Service Award, who would you like to thank?
My parents. They lived lives comprised of continual service and leadership.

Why do you serve? 
Since elementary school and throughout my life, I have been helped by so many people. I believe that it is important to help others as a means of paying it forward for those who helped shaped your life.  I have always believed that knowledge is power and with power comes opportunity to give, serve and help others.

What advice would you give others to inspire them to serve?
Helping others is more valuable than any money that one can earn.

What/who inspires you to serve?
I am inspired by my family.  While we had humble beginnings, we were taught to be thankful for what you have and not look at what you don’t have.  My parents always helped people and I have learned to do the same.

Three noteworthy people (living or dead) you’d invite to dinner:
Thomas Jefferson, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela.

What is one item on your bucket list?
To take my mom to the Vatican.

Your favorite quote?
“Live from the inside out and not the outside in”

Favorite place on earth?
London, England.

Favorite place in San Diego?
La Jolla Cove.

If you could magically change one thing about the world, what would it be? 
For true equality for all.

How can others make giving back part of their daily lives?
By doing the simple things first, i.e., opening the door for a person, and then work on the bigger things like engaging in pro bono work and mentoring others.

In what ways does serving the wider community benefit the legal profession?
The wider community is served by the legal profession in that we, as lawyers, can make sure that justice is served for everyone. When we see a wrong, it is our obligation to take action to legally correct the wrong.

The SDCBA Law Day theme this year is “Equality and Justice for All.” What does this theme mean to you in your work and in your daily life?
Treating others equally, taking on cases that affect an overall change in the law that benefits the public at large.

As a recipient of a 2018 Service Award, who would you like to thank?
Those who serve with me on my Judicial Evaluations Committee and those who served as Panelist in the Civil and Criminal Trial Seminars that I moderated. Each person was so well prepared, organized, and made me look good, when it was each of their hard work and preparation that deserved all the credit.

Why do you serve?
We service clients, so serving in the community is a natural extension of our profession. It makes my practice more dynamic. Being around people reminds me that I went into law to help others.

What advice would you give others to inspire them to serve?
It’s so worth the effort. I find when I give of myself and my time, the universe seems to warm up and pay back huge returns on my investments, in ways I often cannot foresee. Plus, you feel good about yourself. It’s a win-win.

What/who inspires you to serve?
My children. What I want most for them is to be happy and fulfilled. In my experience, service to others has a direct correlation to that outcome. I also want them to know that work doesn’t have to be a grind; to the contrary it can and should be rewarding.

Three noteworthy people (living or dead) you’d invite to dinner:
Alexander Hamilton, for his Constitutional discernment and foresight; Sallie Krawcheck, for her insight as a strong, female public figure who successfully weathered our country’s financial services tumult; and J-Lo because I admire how hard she works at her craft and I would hope we could go dancing afterward.

What is one item on your bucket list?
To choreograph a play.

Your favorite quote?
“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford

Favorite place on earth?
Lucca, Italy. It’s such an old, beautiful city that breathes history and warmth.

Favorite place in San Diego?
It is a three-way tie between my home, any bookstore, and (if it counts as San Diego) Carlsbad State Beach, where there is nothing but miles and miles of ocean.

Cherished advice that you have received from a loved-one, mentor or colleague?
My managing partner, Erwin Shustak, told me this years ago before I gave a closing argument: “Speak from your heart. If you can do that, you will find your voice, and others will listen.” I rely on those words not just in my cases but in life.

If you could magically change one thing about the world, what would it be?
I would end sexual exploitation and human trafficking, particularly of children.

How can others make giving back part of their daily lives?
Have coffee with someone new. Be generous with advice to students and newer attorneys. Hold the elevator door for that person in a rush. Be open and be in the moment. I think being 100% present with someone is one of the best gifts we can give a person.

In what ways does serving the wider community benefit the legal profession?
It makes us more effective client representatives. Whether we are in a contentious litigation or drafting a complex deal, people and humanity are at the core of our profession. The more diverse our experiences, the more excellent and compassionate advocates we are.

The SDCBA Law Day theme this year is “Equality and Justice for All.” What does this theme mean to you in your work and in your daily life?
It means working hard, consistently honing my skills, taking care of myself, and not being complacent, so I can ensure each of my clients gets the opportunity to be heard and gets the best possible results.

As a recipient of a 2018 Service Award, who would you like to thank?
SDCBA for this humbling recognition, and Lawyers Club and FALSD for their nominations. I am also grateful to my husband, children, my mother and my tight family circle, Shustak Reynolds & Partners, and my friends inside and outside our wonderful legal community. This award is for our service, together.

Why do you serve?
I have always made volunteering part of my life, and as a lawyer, I recognize that we have unique opportunities to give back to our communities. I believe volunteering makes our community a better place and I enjoy giving back.

What advice would you give others to inspire them to serve?
You will undoubtedly get more in return than you give. You will be inspired by the people you volunteer for and with.

What/who inspires you to serve?
I am inspired by the Lawyers Club leaders who came before me, like Hon. Lynn Schenk, Justice Judith McConnell and Judge Patricia Cowett, who continue to lead and inspire others.  I hope that I can likewise serve as an inspiration to the next generation of women lawyers.

Three noteworthy people (living or dead) you’d invite to dinner:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Barack Obama and Sonia Sotomayor.

What is one item on your bucket list?
Vacation to Australia.

Your favorite quote?
“You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.” Glenda, Wizard of Oz

Favorite place on earth?
Relaxing on a beach in Hawaii.

Favorite place in San Diego?
On the soccer field, either playing myself or watching my son play.

Cherished advice that you have received from a loved-one, mentor or colleague?
Many years ago, David Casey suggested that I join and get involved with Lawyers Club. That advice definitely changed the trajectory of my career and life for the better.

If you could magically change one thing about the world, what would it be?
I would make sure that all children have the opportunities and confidence in themselves to achieve their goals.

How can others make giving back part of their daily lives?
Giving back is easy once you find what inspires and motivates you. Figure out what you are interested in or how you’d like to leave your mark on your community and focus your volunteering in that direction. If it’s something you love, you will continue volunteering and it will become part of your daily life without any effort.

In what ways does serving the wider community benefit the legal profession?
Members of the legal community should keep in mind that we are part of the overall community and work to help those without access to the justice system understand legal processes. To increase the community’s knowledge of the legal system helps our justice system work better.

The SDCBA Law Day theme this year is “Equality and Justice for All.” What does this theme mean to you in your work and in your daily life?
In my work with Lawyers Club and California Women Lawyers, I focus on their missions of supporting women in the law and society. I’m very proud of the work that both organizations do to support both women lawyers and non-lawyers alike and their ongoing efforts towards Equality and Justice for All.

As a recipient of a 2018 Service Award, who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank my firm, CaseyGerry, for always being supportive. I would also like to thank my parents, Pat and Glen Reed, my husband, Sean, and my sons, Connor and Colin, who support me in all of my endeavors and inspire me to continue to serve my community.

Why do you serve?
I went to law school to make a difference every single day of my career. I serve because it’s a privilege to do so. I am fortunate to have had so many great opportunities in life. Using those opportunities to help fight for child victims as a Deputy District Attorney is an absolute honor. Let passion drive your profession.

What advice would you give others to inspire them to serve?
What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what. Start small and dream big. My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment, puts you in the best place for the next moment.

What/who inspires you to serve?
Women paving the way for other women who have changed the world. A few favorites are Condoleezza Rice, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Mother Teresa, Helen Keller, Elizabeth (Eliza) Schuyler Hamilton, Amelia Earhart and of course, Beyoncé.

Three noteworthy people (living or dead) you’d invite to dinner:
Pope Francis, Rosa Parks and, my paternal grandmother, Angela Ialeggio.

What is one item on your bucket list?
To run the Boston Marathon. I’ve run quite a few marathons so far, but to qualify for Boston would be the cherry on top.

Your favorite quote?
“I’ve always believed that one woman’s success can only help another woman’s success.” Gloria Vanderbilt.

Favorite place on earth?
I got married in 2015 to my amazing husband Matt in a beautiful 13th-century church in a small, walled, medieval hill town called San Gimignano in Tuscany, Italy. It was as dreamy as it sounds.

Favorite place in San Diego?
Windansea Beach.

Cherished advice that you have received from a loved-one, mentor or colleague?
To have a meaningful and purposeful life rather than to chase one specific dream.

If you could magically change one thing about the world, what would it be?
I wish more of the world could unite to see being tolerant of differences doesn’t mean sacrificing your own heritage or beliefs. Tolerance to me is being patient and understanding our differences without judgment.

How can others make giving back part of their daily lives?
Start small, dream big.

In what ways does serving the wider community benefit the legal profession?
Serving the wider community puts public trust back into the legal profession.

The SDCBA Law Day theme this year is “Equality and Justice for All.” What does this theme mean to you in your work and in your daily life?
I often remind jurors during closing argument that justice is blind. Lady Justice is an allegorical personification of the moral force in judicial systems. Her attributes are a blindfold, a balance, and a sword. The blindfold represents objectivity and impartiality, in that justice is or should be meted out objectively, without fear or favor, regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness.

As a recipient of a 2018 Service Award, who would you like to thank?
Lawyers Club for nominating me, my San Diego District Attorney’s office family for giving me my dream job and my immediate family for loving and supporting me. Also to SDCBA for recognizing me. What a true honor to be in such great company.

Why do you serve?
No one succeeds on his or her own. I have been helped by countless people in countless ways in my career.  It’s an honor and privilege to be able to do my part in return, and to teach my kids that they must do their part.  As a bonus, I find that I always get back far more than I give.

What advice would you give others to inspire them to serve?
Think of all the ways you have been helped by others in your life. Then think of all the ways in which you can help others. That should inspire you to serve. And if it doesn’t, serve anyway. I guarantee you will get back more than you give – and in unexpected ways – and then you’ll be hooked on serving!  

What/who inspires you to serve?
I see people who work two or three jobs to support their families, and still make time for service, and I think to myself, “How can I sit on the sidelines and not do my part?”   

Three noteworthy people (living or dead) you’d invite to dinner:
James Madison and Jesus to settle debates on politics and religion. And Christopher Hitchens to stir the pot.

What is one item on your bucket list?
An African safari.

Your favorite quote?
Hanlon’s Razor: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” (A lot of conflict could be avoided if people kept this rule in mind.)

Favorite place on earth?
India. And within India, the Lotus Temple in New Delhi, and my wife’s grandparents’ hometown – a simple village in the hills of central India.

Favorite place in San Diego?
Famosa Slough - a hidden gem among urban sprawl that is great for bird photography.

Cherished advice that you have received from a loved-one, mentor, or colleague?
It’s pointless to try to get in the last word in an argument with a lawyer who’s being paid by the hour.

If you could magically change one thing about the world, what would it be?
To have everyone actually live by the mandate to “love thy neighbor as thyself.”  There are variations of this in every religion and culture, yet all of us get hung up on “otherness” and fall far short of living by this rule.  If we could change that, it would end violence, bigotry, hunger, and so many other ills.  

How can others make giving back part of their daily lives?
Our daily lives are stretched thin, but every day each of us can teach our kids (or anyone else who looks up to us) to be kind and generous.  And when the opportunity presents itself to help others, or to join an organization that does compelling work, we can all answer the call. 

In what ways does serving the wider community benefit the legal profession?
Lawyer jokes are popular for a reason.  By getting out there and doing good, we can prove those jokes wrong. 

The SDCBA Law Day theme this year is “Equality and Justice for All.” What does this theme mean to you in your work and in your daily life?
I think it is our mandate as lawyers. Unfortunately, some lawyers don’t seem to have bought into this concept – we need to demonstrate to them that achieving it is best for the common good.  The rest of us believe in equality and justice for all, but could do more to attain that goal. Self-reflection is needed – along with a kick in the butt at times.

As a recipient of a 2018 Service Award, who would you like to thank?
My grandparents and parents for setting a great example of community service.

My wife, Deval (“Dev”) Zaveri, for bringing me to San Diego, for setting a great example for me of service (starting with her joining the Navy), and for encouraging me to serve.

My kids, Leela and Kavi, for being kind souls, and for making me want to set a good example and make them proud.

My friend Ziyad – the first person I helped to get asylum.  He fought against all odds to get here, and he is now a U.S. citizen, a kind-hearted member of the community, and forever my brother.

Why do you serve?
As attorneys, we have a unique skill set and a privileged position in society. We have a duty to give back to others, particularly to help indigent and vulnerable populations access our legal system.

What advice would you give others to inspire them to serve?
Find what you are passionate about and identify who’s already working in that area. Reach out and ask what you can do to help. I guarantee there’s something you can do to have an impact.

What/who inspires you to serve?
I am inspired every day by the clients we serve at Free to Thrive. They are the most resilient people I have ever met. They have experienced horrors most of us could never imagine and have overcome tremendous adversity. Many of them are leaders in our community. They are entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and activists. They tell their deeply personal stories to help prevent others from the same fate. They are simply incredible and I truly love working with them to help them overcome the barriers impeding their future success.

Three noteworthy people (living or dead) you’d invite to dinner:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Gloria Steinem and Michelle Obama.

What is one item on your bucket list?
Hike Machu Picchu.

Your favorite quote?
“Imagine the world you want to live in and then work to create it.”

Favorite place on earth?
San Sebastián, Spain.

Favorite place in San Diego?
Balboa Park.

Cherished advice that you have received from a loved-one, mentor or colleague?
I have had several people remind me that in order to take care of others you must first take care of yourself. I have to constantly remind myself to practice self-care and avoid burn-out. This is my life’s work and I am just getting started.

If you could magically change one thing about the world, what would it be?
I wish for all people to have compassion and empathy.

How can others make giving back part of their daily lives?
Giving back does not have to be a grand gesture. Small acts of giving and kindness can be very powerful. It’s really about being thoughtful and considerate of other people. Smile at a stranger.

In what ways does serving the wider community benefit the legal profession?
Helping those around us improves our community and in turn benefits us all.

The SDCBA Law Day theme this year is “Equality and Justice for All.” What does this theme mean to you in your work and in your daily life?
In my work with human trafficking survivors I see how many people are not treated equally in our society. I also see how you can only get justice if you have access to the legal system. We as a legal community must be proactive in ensuring that marginalized, vulnerable and underrepresented groups within our community have access to justice.

As a recipient of a 2018 Service Award, who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank all of the people in my life who have mentored and supported me along the way. There are far too many people to name individually, but so many of the leaders within Lawyers Club of San Diego have invested in my personal and professional growth. I am also deeply grateful to my former law firm, Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savich LLP which provided my invaluable training as a new lawyer and has been incredibly supportive of Free to Thrive. I am also deeply grateful to my family for always supporting me and encouraging me to follow my dreams.

This is an extended version of a feature that appeared in the May/June 2018 issue of San Diego Lawyer, the San Diego County Bar Association’s bi-monthly magazine. See the Award Winners feature in the digital version of the magazine below.

Learn more about San Diego Lawyer at www.sdcba.org/sandiegolawyer