Sutter County's Ban on Industrial Hemp
2025-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sutter County Courthouse, 1175 Civic Center Blvd., Yuba City, CA, 95993, United States
Former Sutter County Assistant County Counsel will present on Sutter County’s recent decision to enact a moratorium on the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp in Sutter County. Sutter County allowed for industrial hemp processing and cultivation until last December, when it halted its ordinance that grants permits for these activities. This presentation will walk through the previous ordinance, the moratorium, the legal criteria around such ordinances, and the political landscape around hemp.
Taylor Kayatta is currently Deputy General Counsel at the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), an advocate and service provider for rural county needs which is made up of 40 rural counties including Yuba and Sutter. Taylor was previously Assistant County Counsel, Deputy County Administrator, and Deputy County Counsel with Sutter County. Prior to his work in county governance, Taylor was an attorney, auditor, and analyst for the State of California. Taylor, who is both an attorney and a CPA, received a bachelor’s from UCLA, a JD from McGeorge, an MBA from Sacramento State, and an associate’s in accounting from American River College. He also serves on the Sacramento City Unified Board of Education.
MCLE: This meeting qualifies for 0.5 hours of MCLE
YSBA will provide a pizza lunch.
Please RSVP to mpoulos@suttercourts.com, by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
YSBA Newsletter April 2025

Meet the New Judges in Colusa and Sutter Counties
2025-05-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Carlito’s Mexican Restaurant, 885 Richland Road, Yuba City, CA, 95991, United States
This month we will be hearing from the newly sworn in Superior Court Judges in Colusa and Sutter Counties: Brendan M. Farrell in Colusa County, Luke Steidlmayer in Colusa County, and Fritzgerald Javellana in Sutter County.
Brendan M. Farrell was appointed by the Governor in October 2024. Prior to his appointment, he served in the Colusa County District Attorney’s Office from 2010, most recently serving as the Colusa County District Attorney. Before coming to Colusa County, Farrell worked for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
Luke Steidlmayer attended UC Davis as an undergrad and Santa Clara University for law school. He began his legal career at Downey Brand in Sacramento and then returned to his hometown of Colusa to work in private practice. He handled a wide variety of matters in his first few years in Colusa before focusing on agriculture, small business, and real property issues in the area. Judge Steidlmayer spent the past ten years in practice working with his wife, Erin, who is an attorney that specializes in Estate Planning and Administration. They have three children and remain very active in their small community.
Fritzgerald Javellana was appointed by the Governor in October 2024. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Deputy County Counsel in Sutter from 2022. He was a contract juvenile dependency attorney for Butte County Counsel from 2016 to 2022. He was a partner at Williams & Javellana LLP from 2014 to 2022, and an associate at Rooney Law Firm from 2010 to 2014. Javellana earned his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School.
MCLE: This meeting qualifies for 0.5 hours of MCLE
Lunch is $20.
Please RSVP to mpoulos@suttercourts.com, by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025.
YSBA Newsletter May 2025

Legislative Update
2025-08-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Carlito’s Mexican Restaurant, 885 Richland Road, Yuba City, CA, 95991, United States
Assembly Member James Gallagher will present the Yuba Sutter Bar Association with a legislative update, with time for questions at the end.
James Gallagher has represented California’s Third Assembly District since 2014. Before joining the Assembly, he served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors for six years. James earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at UC Berkeley before completed an Assembly Fellowship in Sacramento and a law degree at UC Davis, where he graduated at the top of his class. He advocates for small businesses and farmers in his law practice and is a partner in his family’s farming operation.
This meeting qualifies for 0.5 hours of MCLE.
Lunch is $20.
Please RSVP to mpoulos@suttercourts.com by 4:00 p.m. this Thursday, August 7, 2025.
YSBA Newsletter August 2025

Free Legal Services in Yuba and Sutter Counties
2025-09-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Carlito’s Mexican Restaurant, 885 Richland Road, Yuba City, CA, 95991, United States
This month, we have a panel of speakers to talk about free legal services in Yuba and Sutter Counties. Our panelists are:

Alex Barbera, Yuba County Superior Court Family Law Facilitator and Self-Help Attorney
Joe Carrico, Attorney for Yuba Sutter Legal Center for Seniors
Joanna Navarro, Staff Attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.
Melissa Poulos, Sutter County Superior Court Family Law Facilitator and Self-Help Attorney

This meeting will qualify for 0.5 hours of MCLE.
Lunch is $20.
Please RSVP to mpoulos@suttercourts.com by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
See the attached newsletter for more information. YSBA Newsletter September 2025

Immigration Law Overview
2025-10-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Wheatland Room, Yuba County Government Center, 915 8th Street, Marysville, CA, 95901, United States
Immigration Law Overview
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at noon.
Location: The Wheatland Room at the Yuba County Government Center, 915 8th Street, Marysville, CA 95901
The presentation aims to offer an overview of USA immigration. We will attempt to cover the roles of key agencies such as USCIS, CBP, ICE, DOS, and EOIR, and review their foundational laws and guidance. We will also touch on the basics of visa categories, explore key statuses (e.g., LPR, TPS, DACA, and asylum) as well as discuss border entry procedures and enforcement actions ( e.g., inspection and expedited removal). Finally, we’ll discuss California-specific issues, including sanctuary policies. We welcome your questions and interest in specific areas.
Maria Davari is a licensed attorney in California and Greece. She brings strategic and practical solutions to complex legal challenges in nonprofit business and immigration. She has over 30 years of experience, including service as in-house counsel and administrator. Drawing on her own immigration journey, Maria has guided families through consular processes, secured green cards, and facilitated reunification across borders. As a volunteer she has advocated for asylum seekers and immigrants in crisis. Her current focus includes Greek law, U.S. immigration, and nonprofit counseling.
MCLE: This meeting qualifies for 1.0 hours of MCLE. Please note, the presentation will start promptly at 12:00 p.m. to allow for 1 hour of education.
Cost: $10 per person to help cover the cost of our pizza lunch and the room rental.
Please RSVP to mpoulos@suttercourts.com, by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
YSBA Newsletter October 2025

Sutter County Law Library Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
2025-11-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Sutter County Library, 750 Forbes Avenue, Yuba City, CA, 95991, United States
Announcing the opening of the Sutter County Law Library, located in the California Room at the Sutter County Library. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, November 3, 2025, at noon, with light refreshments. 750 Forbes Avenue, Yuba City, CA 95991. See attached invitation for more information.
Request for artwork donations: The Sutter County Law Library is currently seeking donations of artwork to enhance and decorate the walls of its new location in the California Room at the Main Branch of the Sutter County Library. Community members and local artists are invited to contribute pieces that reflect the spirit of law, justice, or the local community.

Composure in the Courtroom
2025-11-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Carlito’s Mexican Restaurant, 885 Richland Road, Yuba City, CA, 95991, United States
Composure in the Courtroom is a training designed for legal professionals to strengthen resilience, reduce secondary trauma, and improve the quality of justice through nervous system regulation and trauma-informed practice. It explains how chronic exposure to high-stress and traumatic material affects the nervous system, decision-making, and empathy, and offers simple, science-based tools to stay grounded and effective under pressure. The session introduces trauma-informed care principles tailored for attorneys and judges, emphasizing clear communication, regulated leadership, and humane courtroom practices. At its core, this training reinforces that regulating your own nervous system isn’t just self-care—it’s a professional responsibility that directly influences fairness, ethics, and the experience of everyone in the courtroom.

Meredith Evans, LMFT, is a seasoned mental health leader, therapist, and currently the Director of Clinical Services at Hope Haven Counseling & Support Center, an extension of Casa de Esperanza. Born and raised in the Yuba-Sutter area, she has dedicated over two decades to advancing trauma-informed services, strengthening family systems, and championing equitable access to mental health care for survivors of violence and abuse. Previous experience includes developing and leading the Behavioral Health program at Peach Tree Healthcare, managing Forensics and Psychiatric Emergency Services at Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health, and a mental health clinician at River Oak Center for Children.
Meredith leads with clarity, compassion, and a forward-thinking approach to program design and clinical excellence. She has trained and mentored clinicians, shaped organizational policy, and built collaborative initiatives designed to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. Her expertise spans trauma-informed practices, leadership development, CalAIM implementation, and community-based clinical care. Meredith recently graduated from the California Healthcare Foundation’s Leadership Program as a member of cohort 2023.
Known for her warmth, humor, and ability to make complex topics accessible and real, Meredith brings a grounded, relational presence to every room she enters. She is committed to transforming systems, empowering professionals, and ensuring every individual has access to the support they need to heal and thrive.
MCLE: This meeting qualifies for 0.75 hours of specialty MCLE, Competence Issues.
Cost: $20 per person for lunch.
Please RSVP to mpoulos@suttercourts.com, by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
YSBA Newsletter November 2025

YSBA Holiday Party
2025-12-17 17:30 - 19:30 | El Zarape Restaurant, 1005 Stafford Way, Yuba City, 95991, United States

Sutter Court's New Digital Evidence Solution: Omnigo
2026-02-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Sutter County Courthouse, 1175 Civic Center Blvd., Yuba City, CA, 95993, United States
Sutter Court’s New Digital Evidence Solution: Omnigo
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at noon
Sutter County Courthouse Jury Assembly Room
1175 Civic Center Blvd., Yuba City, CA
This month’s YSBA meeting will be a demonstration and Q&A session of Sutter Court’s new digital evidence solution, Omnigo. Omnigo is an evidence management solution that allows the court to store and manage all data regarding both digital and physical evidence in one area. It is available to use across many different devices from cell phones to tablets, to PC’s making it easy to upload exhibits at a moment’s notice. Omnigo allows parties to a case to share exhibits with each other and the court in a fast, convenient manner.
Presenters:

Sal Rodriguez, Court Operations Manager for Sutter County Superior Court
AJ Guzman, Chief Information Officer, Director of IT & Facilities, Sutter County Superior Court

This meeting will qualify for 0.5 hours of specialty MCLE, Technology
Lunch: We are requesting $5 per person to help pay for our pizza lunch.
Please RSVP to mpoulos@suttercourts.com by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
YSBA Newsletter February 2026

California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District: Oral Argument
2026-03-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Sutter County Courthouse, 1175 Civic Center Blvd., Yuba City, CA, 95993, United States
The California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, will hold oral argument at Sutter County Superior Court, followed by a Q&A session. A meet and greet luncheon for members of the YSBA and invited guests will follow.
If you are a member of the YSBA or an invited guest and wish to attend the catered lunch, please submit the RSVP survey no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday March 4, 2026.
The catered lunch is $20 per person. Please indicate in your RSVP survey if a vegetarian option is requested.

Community Conversation
2026-04-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Carlito’s Mexican Restaurant, 885 Richland Road, Yuba City, CA, 95991, United States
Come be part of a community conversation with representatives from Sutter County and the City of Yuba City. The representatives may include the Sutter County Sheriff, Fire Chief and Administrator, and the City Policy Chief, Fire Chief and City Manager.
The representatives will discuss a range of community services and issues, including public safety, fire safety, and repairing roads. There will be a Q&A session at the end.
No MCLE will be offered for this meeting.
Lunch is $20, payable by cash or check to YSBA.
Please RSVP to mpoulos@suttercourts.com by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
YSBA Newsletter April 2026

Korematsu v. United States - a Reenactment & Community Program
2026-05-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Sutter County Courthouse, 1175 Civic Center Blvd., Yuba City, CA, 95993, United States
In honor of Asian History Month, Judge Fritzgerald Javellana has invited the Yuba Sutter Bar Association to a special event at the Sutter County Courthouse, Co-Sponsored by the Marysville Chapter of JACL (Japanese American Citizens League). The program will begin at noon, with a film screening of a short documentary, “Mr. Tanimoto’s Journey,” followed by a conversation with Jim Tanimoto, a 103-year-old survivor of a Japanese Internment Camp.
After the meeting, YSBA is invited to stay and watch students perform a short play titled, “Fred Korematsu and His Fight for Justice,” in which they will be reenacting portions of the U.S. Supreme Court Trial.
This meeting will qualify for 0.5 hours of MCLE
Pizza lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP to mpoulos@suttercourts.com by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
YSBA Newsletter May 2026
