Applicant: Jodie P. Filkins Webber, supplemental-21683

Supplemental Application for Citizens Redistricting Commission

• Name: Jodie P. Filkins Webber
• City: Norco

Submission Timestamp: 04/15/2010 20:21:44

Part 1: Essay Questions:

The responses to the essay questions are limited to no more than 3200 characters including spaces (approximately 500 words) per essay question. You may cut and paste text from any word processing program such as Microsoft Word.

1. Please describe why you are interested in serving on the Citizens Redistricting Commission.

I understand and agree with the purpose of Proposition 11. To quote the purpose of the Article itself, ‘[a]llowing politicians to draw their own districts is a serious conflict of interest that harms voters.’ Many citizens of this State expressed their concerns regarding a lack of adequate representation by their own elected representatives, as have I. I am interested in serving on the Citizens Redistricting Commission to serve our citizenry and State to insure adequate representation of each citizen to meet the purpose of the Proposition and allow for full participation of independent voters in the election process.

I was astonished to see that upon one election after another there was no change in the elected representative, while there was no doubt that the citizenry of a given locale changed in race, gender, and socioeconomic status. As a practicing litigation attorney for 15 years, following each election, I inevitably came across either a party litigant, colleague or judge who expressed their feelings of being disenfranchised. Regardless of political persuasion, race or socioeconomic status, the sentiment was the same.

I was compelled to obtain my Jurisprudence Doctorate upon discovering that many of my own family members needed legal guidance and felt unable to represent themselves in many affairs. I only recently heard that 27% of our United States’ population has a college degree. With both a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Cooperative Major in Law and Society and a Law Degree(Jurisprudence Doctorate), I feel compelled to offer my education, intellect, analytical skills and impartiality to serve as a Commissioner in this State. I have the necessary analytical skills to evaluate district data, resolve complex problems, and represent a citizenry in an impartial manner to meet the goals of the Article as enacted, and I look forward to serving.

2. Please describe your ability to be impartial, as discussed in Regulation 60800. You may include with this description any occupational, academic, volunteer, or other life experiences you have had that demonstrate this ability.

As a litigation attorney for 15 years and advocate for my clients, I am a proponent for the position I defend or prosecute in any area of litigation for which I am hired. But such devoted advocacy mandates that I set aside my own personal views or motivations to serve the interests of my clients. I am also obligated to do so by Rules of Professional Responsibility. I have represented clients with far more diverse and often opposing positions regarding many issues; however, my professional responsibility to zealously represent their interests prohibits me from allowing my personal opinions to impact my representation.

I appear before judges, mediators and arbitrators in Superior Court and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Boards throughout Southern California and, as such, understand the necessity of an impartial arbiter. As a Commissioner, I will uphold the mandate of the legislation to be impartial to my ultimate client, the citizenry of the State of California.

I was a Mock Trial Judge for Whittier Law School’s Association of Trial Lawyers’ Competitions. As a judge in an educational setting, I demonstrated the necessity of impartiality for the education of our future lawyers and the integrity of the litigation process.

In the political process, and in making decisions that will affect a citizenry of diverse interests, impartiality is mandated. I am not motivated by any particular gain and do not have a client to serve as a potential Commissioner other than the purpose of the Article itself; to insure that the redistricting cannot be controlled by our elected politicians and to secure full participation by our voters. In doing so, I have the education, intellect and utmost integrity for the essential professional responsibility required to be open-minded and set aside personal views to serve the interests of our citizenry to achieve the purpose of the Article.

I have never been in a situation that caused me a conflict of interest with any personal financial interest, bias for or against any individual or geographic group or any political candidate. Unlike many other professions, I am bound by Rules of Professional Responsibility that delineate situational conflicts of interest attorneys may encounter throughout their career. With each new case, I am obligated to evaluate potential conflicts of interest, disclose or eliminate such that may conflict with my own personal or financial interests or the interests of a present or former client. This is my daily practice of impartiality.

In summary, although I am generally an advocate by profession, a position on the Redistricting Committee would be similar to serving any other client regardless of my own personal political affiliation or interest. California is in desperate need of redistricting to allow for full participation of our citizenry in the electoral process. Such requires fairness by all those selected to serve for the benefit of society as a whole rather than any special interest.

3. Please describe your appreciation for California’s diverse demographics and geography, as discussed in Regulation 60805. You may include with this description any occupational, academic, volunteer, or other life experiences you have had that demonstrate this appreciation.

I have traveled by vehicle and met people in every major geographic area of California for either vacation, family function or business. Upon further reflection, it is apparent by my own experiences, that California is one of the most geographically diverse states in our Nation. Such diversity creates a myriad of demographics challenging to describe, and challenging to redistrict. There is no doubt that California’s population diversity and demographics heightens the necessity for redistricting to achieve effective participation of all persons in our electoral process.

I have resided in Riverside County most of my life. This County is distinct in its own character allowing one to enjoy the beach, desert, mountains, lakes and wine country all within a one hour drive (on a good day with little traffic). As such, I have had the opportunity to engage in activities with local residents such as skiing Big Bear and Arrowhead, body surfing in Laguna Beach, wine tasting in Temecula, driving off-road vehicles in Ocotillo Wells, and enjoying the nite life in Downtown Los Angeles.

As a litigation attorney, I have deposed thousands of persons in every city and county in California from Eureka to El Centro, and everywhere in between. I have also driven to nearly every place, in between, to depose a particular individual, attend hearings or investigate necessary places of interest for litigation purposes. On every occasion, I am fascinated with the geography and sociology of each area. Further, I uncovered information regarding the cause for any diverse demographics in a given locale either due to agricultural, international or economic interests.

In every location, the residents appreciate their locale for its own special characteristics and seek to differentiate themselves from other cities. As an example, water siphoning from the McCloud River became a significant issue for the residents in Northern California when Nestle Waters North America entered into a contract that would have resulting in depleting local area water resources. As an appreciative member of CORVA (California Off Road Vehicle Association), we strive to work with the Bureau of Land Management and local residents to help protect local resident interests in conserving local resources, wildlife and vegetation while balancing the rights of recreational enthusiasts to use Public Lands.

I recently moved to “Horsetown USA,” also know as Norco. Pursuant to local ordinance, most residential homes are built on a minimum of 10,000 to 20,000 square foot lots and allow for horses and other animal “units.” This city is distinctly proud of maintaining equestrian trails. Our present representatives’ districts cover this area and a portion of Orange County, where residents would not have such an equine interest. I am also a former resident of Lake Forest, Orange County and can appreciate the differences. This is one such example of a district with widely differing interests that could cause a representative to have a conflict of interest if legislation is proposed that could impact one area over another. Re-districting would be of benefit to each community.

4. Please describe the analytical skills you have that are relevant to serving on the Citizens Redistricting Commission, as discussed in Regulation 60827. You may include with this description any occupational, academic, volunteer, or other life experiences you have had that demonstrate those skills.

My occupation, as an attorney, sets me apart from many other candidates as I am required to analyze the law on a daily basis. I graduated from an ABA Accredited Law School following strict adherence to the Socratic method and I passed the California State Bar Exam the first time.

At the present time, I defend employers in the State Workers’ Compensation system. Unlike other areas of the law in California, workers’ compensation is a pure statutory system. The law in effect for a given date of injury controls, until the legislature enacts other laws, as was most recently done in April, 2004. Thus, with each case, I must know the law applicable to a given situation for dates of injury in my present case load including the law in effect for 1999, 2000, 2004, post April 2004, and 2005 as well as follow all subsequent changes mandated by legislation that has retroactive and prospective effect. I know of no other area of the law more complex in its necessity to analyze various statutes requiring application of differing laws. Most other litigation allows an attorney to practice based on the interpretation of law at a state or federal level, which also is challenging. However, not one of those attorneys has a practice that mandates application of a different set of laws in the same area to each case, like workers’ compensation.

In the past, I have been involved in class actions requiring the study of complex and diverse legal issues and class member matrix studies of demographics to determine commonality for a class. In particular, this involved the cemetery litigation in Los Angeles County. I was Cumis Counsel for nearly 30 mortuaries involved in the litigation which also required complex analysis of insurance policies to argue for insurance coverage in the claims alleged.

As a litigation attorney, I attend hearings and participate in trials on a weekly basis. As such, I am required to “listen carefully” to witness testimony to formulate necessary questions for cross-examination. In the context of a public hearing, such skills are necessary to elicit information relevant to the hearing, not for the purpose of litigation or advocacy for a particular side, but to seek clarification of the information presented.

Throughout my career I have hired and deposed countless experts for any given litigation. For most litigation, such experts are retained in the advocacy of a given position. However, in workers’ compensation, a benefit delivery system, such experts are retained for the assistance of my clients to advise them regarding the potential value of a case, not for advocacy, but to determine the value of certain benefits allowable under the law. Thus, I have experience in retaining experts for both advocacy and allowable benefits.

Based on the foregoing, it is evident that I have the necessary analytical skills to apply the laws for redistricting, understand the legal principles that govern redistricting, and evaluate the validity of significant information gathered by the Commission in order to work effectively to promote redistricting decisions that are factually and legally defensible.

Part 2: General Information

Education

	Yes	No
Did you graduate from high school?
If not, do you possess a GED or equivalent?
If not, enter the highest grade you completed:

University or College, Business, Correspondence, Trade, or Service School(s) Attended

School Name and Location:	University of California, Riverside
Course of Study/Major:	Political Science and Law and Society
Diploma, Degree, or Certificate Obtained:	Bachelor of Arts
Date Completed, If Completed:	June 1990
Number of Years Attended:	4

School Name and Location:	Whittier Law School, formerly Whittier College School of Law
Course of Study/Major:	Law
Diploma, Degree, or Certificate Obtained:	Jurisprudence Doctorate Degree
Date Completed, If Completed:	May 1994
Number of Years Attended:	3

Employment History

• Begin with your most recent job.
• List each job separately.
• Employment history must include at least 10 years. Employment job classifications may include retired, volunteer, not employed outside the home, or not employed. Please account for all of your time during the past 10 years.
• Include all employment history you believe is relevant beyond 10 years.

From:	3/1/2004
To:	Present
Employer Name:	Self-Employed Practicing with Law Offices of Susan Gorelick
Title/Job Classification (Include Range or Level, if applicable):	Attorney
Total Worked (Years/Months):	6 years
Description of Duties Performed*:	Litigation defense attorney representing self-insured employers, including The Regents of the University of California, and insurance companies in defense of claims for workers’ compensation benefits, subrogation, personal injury and insurange coverage. I practice before all Southern California Courts and WCAB.

From:	1996
To:	2004
Employer Name:	Hollins Schechter
Title/Job Classification (Include Range or Level, if applicable):	Junior Partner, Attorney
Total Worked (Years/Months):	7 years and 5 months
Description of Duties Performed*:	Civil litigation defense practice with emphasis of workers’ compensation, subrogation, bad faith, personal injury, coverage, class actions, construction defect and products liability.

From:	1992
To:	1996
Employer Name:	Rose, Klein & Marias
Title/Job Classification (Include Range or Level, if applicable):	Sr. Law Clerk and Associate Contract Attorney
Total Worked (Years/Months):	4 years
Description of Duties Performed*:	Litigation of plaintiffs’ personal injury and Applicant workers’ compensation cases.

From:	1987
To:	1987
Employer Name:	Inland Counties Legal Services
Title/Job Classification (Include Range or Level, if applicable):	Internship
Total Worked (Years/Months):	4 Months
Description of Duties Performed*:	Assisted indigent clients in preparation of legal forms for divorce, landlord tenant issues and completed all court mandated documents for a complex conservatorship application.

* In your current employment, if you serve as staff to, or a consultant to, or are under contract with the Governor of California, a member of the California Legislature, a California member of Congress, or a member of the State Board of Equalization you must disclose that here.

Activities:

Describe the professional, social, political, volunteer, and community activities in which you have engaged that you believe are relevant to serving as a commissioner, as discussed in Regulation 60847. The responses to this question are limited to no more than 3200 characters including spaces (approximately 500 words). You may cut and paste text from any word processing program such as Microsoft Word.

Quite apart from my legal profession, I have participated in a number of activities evidencing my involvement in group functions that require collaboration for decision making to address issues for a particular group. While in college, I became a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority. In holding a position as an officer, I was required to present ideas to membership regarding functions, fund-raising and rulemaking.

Upon graduation from law school, I became a mentor in Volunteers in Parol. Attorneys volunteer their time to become a mentor to an adolescent incarcerated with the California Youth Authority in Camarillo. Following my experience, I proposed a number of recommendations to advise future volunteers on the challenging aspects of this commitment to the community. This experience was much more difficult than the assistance I provided to the Special Olympics as an event coordinator in my youth.

I am presently a member of the Corona Norco Republican Women, Federated club. I do not hold a position on the Board, but have created their web-site, proposed ideas and solutions for various issues including insurance, fund-raising and voter registration campaigns. I personally participate in voter registration in my community and fund-raising events to support the club’s projects.

I have also participated in public comment for proposed regulations in Workers’ Compensation, as well as those regulations that would effect CORVA (California Off-Road Vehicle Association).

Upon personal invitation, I recently participated in the First Annual Whittier Law School Law Firm Reception which provided students an opportunity to interact with practicing attorneys. As an attorney participant, I provided advice and recommendations for developing a successful career and enjoyable personal life. I also assist my alma mater as a mock trial judge in the trial advocacy competitions.

Finally, on a personally touching and enjoyable note, my husband and I participate in an Annual Easter Event known as the “Ride For Life.” This group coordinates off-road weekend events in Ocotillo Wells to raise money for children battling leukemia. Each year, we have donated raffle gifts, money and assistance to the event to help raise money to defray the devastating costs to a family with a child suffering the battle of this disease.

These activities evidence my myriad of interests and involvement in groups that, as a member, require me to work as an individual for a common goal and assist the leadership in decision making for the membership as a whole.

Criminal History

Have you ever been convicted by any court of a felony?

Yes
No

If yes, please provide the following information:

Date:
Court:
Location:
* Offense (other pertinent information):

* If known, include the reference to the statute under which you were convicted (i.e. Penal Code section 424).

Voting Information

When you voted in any of the last three statewide general elections (i.e. the elections in November 2004, November 2006, and November 2008), did you vote using a different name or address than your current name or address?

Yes
No

Former Residences

List all of the places you have lived for 30 days or more at one time during the last 10 years (but list no information for where you lived prior to your 18th birthday). This does not include your current residence. If you lived in temporary housing while permanently residing somewhere else, note that with an * in the address line.

From Date:	9/1996
To Date:	6/2005
City, State, Zip Code:	Lake Forest, CA 92630
County (or Country if Outside the United States):	Orange

From Date:	6/2005
To Date:	5/2009
City, State, Zip Code:	Corona, CA 92880
County (or Country if Outside the United States):	Riverside

Financial Contributions

List all of the monetary and non-monetary contributions of $250 or more that you have made in any single calendar year during the past 2 years to any professional, social, political, volunteer, and community organizations and causes. Begin with your most recent contribution.

Date of Contribution, if known:
Organization:
Location:
Amount:

Part 3: Family Information

You must provide information about each living family member described in this paragraph. Information about each applicant’s family members is necessary to determine whether an applicant has a conflict of interest that would prohibit the applicant from serving on the commission. In this part of the application, you must provide information about your living parents, spouse, registered domestic partner (RDP), children, siblings, parents in-law, siblings in-law, sons and daughters in-law. Step-parents, step-children, and step-siblings count as parents, children, and siblings.

Do you have any family members as described above?

Yes
No

You are required to list information for each family member in a separate set of fields. The relationship, name, occupation, and employer may be posted on the Internet as explained in the privacy statement contained in this application. No other information will be posted on the Internet.

Name:	Leslie Webber
Relationship:	Spouse/Registed Domestic Partner (RDP)
For this family member, you must state whether within the past 10 years the person has engaged in any of the activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest under the Voters FIRST Act. The following is a list of those activities: Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office. (“Appointed” means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization.) Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office. Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee operating in California. Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government. Been a registered federal lobbyist. Served as paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff. Contributed $2,000 or more during a calendar year to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office.
Within the past 10 years, has this family member engaged in any of the activities listed above that could cause you to have a conflict of interest?:	Yes   No
If you answered “Yes” to the last question:
– When did the activity occur?:
– What was the activity?:
For each family member you must indicate whether you have a special (bona fide) relationship with that person. You have a special (bona fide) relationship with a family member if during the past 12 months you have (Guidance on Conflicts of Interest): Resided with that person for a period or periods totaling 30 days or more – Examples. Shared with that person ownership of any real or personal property having a total value of $1,000 or more – Examples. Provided to or received from that person a financial benefit totaling $1,000 or more – Examples.
Do you have a special relationship with this person based on any of the three factors described above?:	Yes   No

Name:	Donald Filkins
Relationship:	Parent
For this family member, you must state whether within the past 10 years the person has engaged in any of the activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest under the Voters FIRST Act. The following is a list of those activities: Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office. (“Appointed” means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization.) Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office. Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee operating in California. Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government. Been a registered federal lobbyist. Served as paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff. Contributed $2,000 or more during a calendar year to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office.
Within the past 10 years, has this family member engaged in any of the activities listed above that could cause you to have a conflict of interest?:	Yes   No
If you answered “Yes” to the last question:
– When did the activity occur?:
– What was the activity?:
For each family member you must indicate whether you have a special (bona fide) relationship with that person. You have a special (bona fide) relationship with a family member if during the past 12 months you have (Guidance on Conflicts of Interest): Resided with that person for a period or periods totaling 30 days or more – Examples. Shared with that person ownership of any real or personal property having a total value of $1,000 or more – Examples. Provided to or received from that person a financial benefit totaling $1,000 or more – Examples.
Do you have a special relationship with this person based on any of the three factors described above?:	Yes   No

Name:	Christina Filkins
Relationship:	Parent
For this family member, you must state whether within the past 10 years the person has engaged in any of the activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest under the Voters FIRST Act. The following is a list of those activities: Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office. (“Appointed” means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization.) Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office. Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee operating in California. Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government. Been a registered federal lobbyist. Served as paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff. Contributed $2,000 or more during a calendar year to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office.
Within the past 10 years, has this family member engaged in any of the activities listed above that could cause you to have a conflict of interest?:	Yes   No
If you answered “Yes” to the last question:
– When did the activity occur?:
– What was the activity?:
For each family member you must indicate whether you have a special (bona fide) relationship with that person. You have a special (bona fide) relationship with a family member if during the past 12 months you have (Guidance on Conflicts of Interest): Resided with that person for a period or periods totaling 30 days or more – Examples. Shared with that person ownership of any real or personal property having a total value of $1,000 or more – Examples. Provided to or received from that person a financial benefit totaling $1,000 or more – Examples.
Do you have a special relationship with this person based on any of the three factors described above?:	Yes   No

Name:	Shawn Clair
Relationship:	Brother or Sister in-law: Sibling of Spouse/RDP
For this family member, you must state whether within the past 10 years the person has engaged in any of the activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest under the Voters FIRST Act. The following is a list of those activities: Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office. (“Appointed” means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization.) Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office. Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee operating in California. Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government. Been a registered federal lobbyist. Served as paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff. Contributed $2,000 or more during a calendar year to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office.
Within the past 10 years, has this family member engaged in any of the activities listed above that could cause you to have a conflict of interest?:	Yes   No
If you answered “Yes” to the last question:
– When did the activity occur?:
– What was the activity?:
For each family member you must indicate whether you have a special (bona fide) relationship with that person. You have a special (bona fide) relationship with a family member if during the past 12 months you have (Guidance on Conflicts of Interest): Resided with that person for a period or periods totaling 30 days or more – Examples. Shared with that person ownership of any real or personal property having a total value of $1,000 or more – Examples. Provided to or received from that person a financial benefit totaling $1,000 or more – Examples.
Do you have a special relationship with this person based on any of the three factors described above?:	Yes   No

Name:	Hal Clair
Relationship:	Brother or Sister in-law: Spouse/RDP of Your Spouse’s/RDP’s Sibling
For this family member, you must state whether within the past 10 years the person has engaged in any of the activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest under the Voters FIRST Act. The following is a list of those activities: Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office. (“Appointed” means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization.) Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office. Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee operating in California. Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government. Been a registered federal lobbyist. Served as paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff. Contributed $2,000 or more during a calendar year to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office.
Within the past 10 years, has this family member engaged in any of the activities listed above that could cause you to have a conflict of interest?:	Yes   No
If you answered “Yes” to the last question:
– When did the activity occur?:
– What was the activity?:
For each family member you must indicate whether you have a special (bona fide) relationship with that person. You have a special (bona fide) relationship with a family member if during the past 12 months you have (Guidance on Conflicts of Interest): Resided with that person for a period or periods totaling 30 days or more – Examples. Shared with that person ownership of any real or personal property having a total value of $1,000 or more – Examples. Provided to or received from that person a financial benefit totaling $1,000 or more – Examples.
Do you have a special relationship with this person based on any of the three factors described above?:	Yes   No

Name:
Relationship:
For this family member, you must state whether within the past 10 years the person has engaged in any of the activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest under the Voters FIRST Act. The following is a list of those activities: Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office. (“Appointed” means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization.) Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office. Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee operating in California. Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government. Been a registered federal lobbyist. Served as paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff. Contributed $2,000 or more during a calendar year to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office.
Within the past 10 years, has this family member engaged in any of the activities listed above that could cause you to have a conflict of interest?:	Yes   No
If you answered “Yes” to the last question:
– When did the activity occur?:
– What was the activity?:
For each family member you must indicate whether you have a special (bona fide) relationship with that person. You have a special (bona fide) relationship with a family member if during the past 12 months you have (Guidance on Conflicts of Interest): Resided with that person for a period or periods totaling 30 days or more – Examples. Shared with that person ownership of any real or personal property having a total value of $1,000 or more – Examples. Provided to or received from that person a financial benefit totaling $1,000 or more – Examples.
Do you have a special relationship with this person based on any of the three factors described above?:	Yes   No

Other Relevant Material:

Describe any other relevant information that you consider important that was not otherwise requested in the application. The responses to this question are limited to no more than 3200 characters including spaces (approximately 500 words). You may cut and paste text from any word processing program such as Word.

I am presently self-employed which allows me to work my own hours throughout the week, except for court mandated hearings. In my practice, court appearances are scheduled equally by the court and by me personally. Thus, I am able to control my calendar. The hearings are generally 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and conclude within a few hours. This schedule will allow me to travel to any other part of California as necessary for commission business next year.

Trials before the WCAB do not run concurrently day by day. Trials commence on one day and may be continued several months later, if needed. Thus, my present employment and case load permits me to a more open schedule to accommodate travel to evening and weekend hearings as a commissioner. I acknowledge the time commitment necessary as a commissioner, and presently do not have any personal, business or family obligations that would hinder my ability to travel during the week, evenings or on weekends to complete the necessary duties of a commissioner.

As a former junior partner of a mid-sized firm and in my present practice, I have been responsible for hiring numerous attorneys, experts and support staff; thus, I have experience in hiring the necessary staff to assist the commission.

I am also required to present litigation budgets to my clients to appraise them of the anticipated costs and expenses of litigation. Thus, to the extent any such budget requirements will be necessary, I have experience working within budgets as mandated by the legislature.

Finally, I am an assertive, committed, and proactive woman eager to volunteer my skills to achieve the purpose of the Voters First Act. My motivation for the position is simply to see that the purposes of the Act are achieved for the benefit of all individual voters throughout the state of California.

Part 4: Letters of Recommendation

An applicant must submit or arrange for the submission of three letters of recommendation from individuals or organizations. A letter of recommendation may be no longer than two pages. A description of the elements of a letter of recommendation is provided at the bureau’s web site. (Note: A public comment submitted about you will not count as a letter of recommendation.)

An applicant shall submit the required letters of recommendation to the bureau on or before April 19. Applicants shall submit the letters of recommendation to the bureau via e-mail to votersfirstact@auditor.ca.gov, or by facsimile, United States mail, or other common carrier. Letters of recommendation received by the bureau after April 19 will not be considered, and the applicant will not continue on in the application process.

On all of your letters of recommendation, you must include your application ID, which is 21683. The identification number is unique to your application and insures that each of your letters of recommendation is correctly attached to your application file before it is reviewed by the Applicant Review Panel. The letters of recommendation may be addressed to the Applicant Review Panel and can be mailed to 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA, 95814 in care of the State Auditor. They may also be faxed to 916-319-9295 or e-mailed to votersfirstact@auditor.ca.gov. E-mail is the preferred method of delivery.

Part 5: Financial Disclosure Form

If likely to be selected for an interview, you will be required to submit FPPC Form 700, Statement of Economic Interests. You do not need to submit that form now.

Part 6: PRIVACY NOTIFICATION AND WAIVER

LEGAL AUTHORITY AND REASON FOR COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

The Voters FIRST Act (the Act) and the regulations implementing the Act require that the selection of commissioners on the Citizens Redistricting Commission (commission) be open to public scrutiny and the press (see California Constitution, Article XXI, section 2, subdivision (c); California Goverment Code sections 8252, 11120, 11121, and 11125.1; California Code of Regulations, title 2, sections 60836, 60842, and 60846). The Act also requires that the Bureau of State Audits (bureau) select 60 of the most qualified applicants based upon their voter affiliation, their eligibility to serve pursuant to Article XXI of the California Constitution, the absence of any conflicts of interest, their relevant analytical skills, ability to be impartial, appreciation for California’s diverse demographics and geography, and their racial, ethnic, geographic, gender and economic diversity. To determine each applicant’s identity and qualifications to serve on the commission, and to track the demographic information of the applicant pool, this application seeks personal information about applicants that will be provided to the Applicant Review Panel, bureau staff, the public, including members of the press, the Legislature, and the commission.

CONSEQUENCE OF NOT PROVIDING ALL REQUESTED INFORMATION

Failure to provide all of the requested information will result in your disqualification and the removal of your name from the applicant pool. Thus, if you wish to serve on the commission, for each item of information requested, it is mandatory that you submit a response.

PERMISSION TO USE AND RELEASE PERSONAL INFORMATION

By submitting this application, you acknowledge that the application, all documents submitted in support of your application, including a Statement of Economic Interests (FPPC Form 700), if you are asked to submit one, letters of recommendation, materials generated as a result of any bureau or Applicant Review Panel investigation of you, and all comments about and responses to comments about your application are public records. You agree that the bureau shall provide copies of these materials to members of the public and the press, members and staff of the Applicant Review Panel, bureau staff, the Legislature, the commission, and as otherwise compelled by law. You understand that members of the Applicant Review Panel and the public may make public statements about you. You authorize the bureau to use the information submitted by and about you as the bureau deems necessary to select commissioners and replacement commissioners or otherwise comply with its legal duties, and you also authorize the bureau to post all materials related to your application to serve on the commission on its website.

VOLUNTARY WAIVER OF PRIVACY RIGHTS AND BUREAU LIABILITY

By applying to be a commissioner, you are waiving your privacy and other rights under various state and federal laws, including, but not limited to, the Information Practices Act (Cal. Civil Code section 1798 et seq.), and any defamation, invasion of privacy, and negligence claim you may have against the bureau and those acting on its behalf. Accordingly, by waiving your privacy rights, you are agreeing to permit the bureau to release any and all information submitted by or about you, EXCEPT that the bureau will not post on the Internet your date of birth, physical, mailing, and e-mail addresses (excluding the city and county), and telephone numbers, or the addresses and telephone numbers of your immediate family members. At this point in the process, the bureau will not collect, and please do not voluntarily submit to the bureau, your social security number, driver’s license number, financial account numbers, or health information. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to the release of the information you and others are providing related to you, and except as specifically provided above, you are waiving your right to privacy regarding all information relating to you and your application to serve as a commissioner. This waiver authorizes the bureau to make public information submitted by or about you for a period of twelve (12) years from the date of your application, even if you are not selected as a commissioner. You are providing this waiver voluntarily, understanding that the bureau shall not be legally liable as a result of the release of information submitted by or about you, or as the result of comments made about you by others, that the bureau posts on its website or otherwise releases publicly. This includes claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, and any other statutory or common law claims.

WHO TO CONTACT

You have a right to review personal information the bureau maintains about you and verify its accuracy. Please contact the bureau’s Privacy Officer at (916) 445-0255, 555 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, California, 95814 if you would like to view or obtain information about the location of your records and the categories of persons who use the information in your records.

Affirmation

I affirm, by entering my initials in the box, that the statements contained in this application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and that I have read and understand the Privacy Notification and Waiver.

INITIALS:

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