RESUME OF JOSEPH J. BELL

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1982 - ATTORNEY, SOLO PRACTITIONER

State Bar Certified Specialist in family law since 1995, also experienced in civil litigation including environmental law, personal injury, employment, civil rights and consumer law. Pro bono counsel to various non-profit groups. Pro-tem judge, arbitrator and mediator.

 

1980-1981 - SUPERVISING ATTORNEY

Nevada County Legal Assistance, Inc. and Lawyer Referral Service: Family, consumer, public benefits, and general civil matters for low-income Nevada County residents.

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1977-1980 - LAW CLERK

Law Office of Thomas E. Horn, Esq. (now retired): Civil and criminal litigation; research and drafting responsibilities.

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San Francisco Neighborhood Legal Assistance Foundation Litigation Unit: Social security and disability administrative appeals and family and housing litigation.

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1977-1979 - LAW CLERK

Public Advocates, Inc., San Francisco Civil rights litigation and public interest law.

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EDUCATION

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1979 - J.D., New College School of Law, San Francisco, California

1969 - B.A., Political Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada

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PRO BONO AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

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Pro Tem Judge

• · Nevada County Consolidated Courts (Family Law and Small Claims)

• · Nevada County Court Arbitration and Bar Fee Arbitration Judge

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Mediator

• · Family Law and Civil Disputes

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Officer

• · Member, Judicial Council of California, Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee, 1997-2000

• · Former Member and Vice-President, Board of Governors and Former Chair, Legislative and Court Relations and Legal Services Committees, State Bar of California, 1994-1997

• · President, Nevada County Bar Association, 1986-1987

• · Ophir Hill Firefighters Association, 1991-1992

• · Vice-Chair, Ophir Hill Fire District, 1994

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Board of Directors

• · Nevada County Community Services Council, 1982

• · Housing Development Corporation, 1982

• · Nevada County Volunteer Bureau 1981-1983

• · Legal Services of Northern California, Inc., 1981-1984

• · Democratic Central Committee, 1982-1986

• · Community Players of Nevada County, 1984-1985

• · AIDS Legal Referral Panel, Northern California, 1988-1993

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Delegate

• · California State Bar, Conference of Delegates, 1984-1988

• · Member, Calendar Coordinating Committee, 1990-1992

• · Executive Committee, 1991-1994

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Member Current

• · Nevada County Bar Association

• · Placer County Bar Association

• · Sacramento County Bar Association

• · American Bar Association

• · Association of California Family Law Specialists (Past President)

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• · Nevada County Bar Fee Arbitration Panel and Family Law Section

• · Founding Member, Sierra Nevada Group, Sierra Club

• · South Yuba River Citizens League

• · Nevada County Business Association

• · Sierra Business Council

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• · National Association of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

• · Gold Country and Kiwanis International

• · Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

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Past Member

• · California Judges Association, Family Law Committee (1996-97)

• · State Bar Committee on Professional Rules and Conduct, (COPRAC)

• · Committee on Legal Services for the Poor

• · Nevada County Advisory Committee on Growth

• · Mobil Home Rent Mediation Board, Nevada County

• · Air Pollution Control Hearing Board, Nevada County

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Also Admitted

• · Federal District Court Bar

• · Northern District of California

• · Eastern District of California

• · Central District of California

• · United States Court of Appeals (Ninth Circuit)

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OTHER ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

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• Former FCC Licensed Broadcaster, KVMR, Nevada City, California

• Past member, Local 1100, AFL-CIO, San Francisco

• Peace Corps Volunteer, 1969-71, Ethiopia

Pro Bono Legal Counsel or former  counsel to:

• Sierra Nevada Group, Sierra Club

• South Yuba River Citizens League

• Yuba River Recreation Group

• Nevada County Certified Grower's Market

• Nevada County Historical Society

• Nevada County Italian Cultural Foundation

• Gold Country Kiwanis Education Foundation