In order to offer our members increased diversity alongside engaging networking and learning opportunities, the Orange County Bar Association proudly partners with a variety of Affiliate Bars. As such, we invite you to take this opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn more about our Affiliates directly from their leadership. Joining a relevant Affiliate Bar may improve your practice while simultaneously increasing your involvement in the Orange County legal community.
Association of Business Trial Lawyers, OC Chapter
The Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL) was founded in Los Angeles in 1973 to develop a better forum for the discussion of business trials. The ABTL is unique in providing a forum in which litigators and judges meet to address issues important to business trial lawyers. Judicial participation in ABTL programs and events is very strong, in part because the ABTL includes all business litigators, including both plaintiff-focused and defense-focused lawyers.
The Orange County Chapter (ABTL-OC) was founded in 1998 and consists of about 700 members. The ABTL-OC provides top-quality legal education programs, combined with social hours where old and new colleagues can meet with each other and with judges over a glass of chardonnay or a pint of ale. The ABTL-OC typically holds its dinner programs in February, April, June, September, and November. At its most recent program on April 5, 2017, we heard behind-the-scenes stories from the $500 million trial victory in Zenimax Media Inc. v. Oculus VR Inc. At our February event, we learned how we can expect the judiciary will be shaped by the Trump administration. Our next program is June 7, which features our annual Robert E. Palmer Wine Tasting Dinner to benefit the Public Law Center.
In addition to its educational dinner programs, the ABTL is known across the state for its unmatched Annual Seminars. In even years, the seminar is held in Hawaii; in odd years, it is held somewhere on the mainland. This year’s seminar will take place October 5-8 at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad. The seminars usually draw approximately 400 individuals, most of whom are lawyers and judges from up and down the state.
ABTL-OC also is dedicated to mentoring and fostering relations with its “Young Lawyers Division” (YLD), which is defined as those practicing ten years or fewer, and organizes events throughout the year for those in the YLD. The brown-bag lunch series invites ABTL YLD members to interact with distinguished members of our local bench in an informal setting. Similarly, throughout the year, the YLD organizes “nuts and bolts” programs for our young lawyer members, happy hours, and a year-end judicial mixer. There is no cost to attend these events.
Finally, ABTL-OC is devoted to giving back to the Orange County community. Each year, ABTL-OC participates in building at least one house (often two) for Habitat for Humanity right here in Orange County. And at our November dinner program, the ABTL-OC hosts its holiday gift-giving opportunity, where attendees at the program participate by donating money to select children’s charities or by donating stuffed animals to the Orange County Superior Court’s adoption program, which offers a new stuffed animal to children on the day of their adoption.
Every Orange County litigator is encouraged to join ABTL-OC. The cost is only $110 per year, and only $85 per person if all of a firm’s litigators join. Law students can join for a special price of only $20 per year. For more information, visit our website at www.ABTL.org, or contact Linda Sampson at 714.516.8106.
Celtic Bar Association, OC
The goals of the Celtic Bar are to promote camaraderie amongst its membership, civility and professionalism within the Orange County legal community, and a greater awareness of the Celtic culture and history, particularly its contribution to the law. There are seven separate Celtic nations, all of which are connected to one another by common history and culture: Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man (if your ancestors are from Man, your dues are waived for the first year), Galicia (in Spain), Brittany (in France), and Cornwall (in England). The Celtic people are known for their outgoing nature and their love of the written and spoken word. Not surprisingly, many descendants of Celtic immigrants have entered the legal profession. While there are many Irish-American lawyers’ groups in major cities throughout the United States, we believe that the CBA is the first attempt to gather all the Celtic clans in a single legal organization.
We meet on the third Tuesday of each month at Muldoon’s Irish Pub (through the graciousness of one of our founding members, Ronald O’Schwartz), located near Fashion Island in Newport Beach. We have a longstanding tradition that is set forth in our bylaws that meetings cannot last more than five minutes, which bylaw is strictly adhered to at all meetings.
Each year, we install our officers and recognize our Celtic Judge of the Year on Samhain Eve, which heralds the beginning of the Celtic New Year. This past year, Judge Gail A. Andler (Ret.) was recognized as the Celtic Judge of the Year, while past recipients include Judge Nancy Wieben Stock (Ret.), Judge Dennis Choate (Ret.), Judge Sheila Fell, Judge James Di Cesare, Justice Kathleen O’Leary, Judge William McDonald (Ret.), Judge C. Robert Jameson (Ret.), Judge David McEachen (Ret.), Judge Ronald Kreber (Ret.), Judge Daniel Pratt (Ret.), Judge Franz Miller, Judge Michael Brenner (Ret.), Judge Andrew Banks, Judge Lon Hurwitz, and Justice William Bedsworth.
We have organized travel seminars to Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, England, Scotland, and Wales. We will be announcing our next trip soon, and hope to plan it for October 2017. We have also had excursions to the contemporary Irish comedies Stella by Starlight and Many Happy Returns at the Laguna Playhouse, Riverdance and The Weir at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Thurgood at the Geffen Playhouse, as well as the Orange County Big Irish Fair & Musicfest, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, and Irish and Celtic movies. Guest speakers at our events have included Kerry Kennedy, human rights activist and daughter of Robert Kennedy; the prominent Irish playwright, Bernard Farrell; and our own Judge McDonald (Ret.), all of whom adhered to the five-minute meeting rule.
Over 300 lawyers and judges have rallied to our cause. One does not have to be of Celtic descent to join the CBA-OC. On the contrary, all we ask is that you be a member of the OCBA, have an outgoing nature, and support our organization’s goals. (Oh yes, we do have modest annual dues at $25!) For further information, please contact CBA-OC President Susan Cameron Kelley at susan@susankelleylaw.com, or call 714.704.9232.
Federal Bar Association, OC Chapter
The FBA is the preeminent national organization for private and government lawyers and judges involved in federal practice. The organization’s mission is to strengthen the federal legal system and administration of justice by serving the interests and needs of federal practitioners, the federal judiciary, and the public.
The Orange County Chapter of the FBA covers the spectrum of federal legal practice in Orange County. Regular programs and events provide a unique opportunity to meet federal judges and courthouse personnel, stay current on the latest developments in federal practice, and meet and learn from other federal practitioners in our community. The FBA-OC has won numerous national awards as an outstanding chapter for its innovative and valuable programs, as well as for its excellent newsletter.
The Orange County Chapter focuses on presenting frequent and topical CLE programs. Regular programs include: annual civil, criminal, and intellectual property practice programs on cutting edge topics; periodic “Behind the Books” tours of the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse; and special programs with nationally recognized members of the legal community.
Local federal judges assist in planning and presenting many of the chapter CLE activities, provide valuable and specific insight regarding federal practice in Orange County, and serve on the FBA-OC Board of Directors. FBA-OC’s hallmark event each year, Judges’ Night, draws many judges from local and regional courts. Additionally, each summer, the organization hosts two Bench and Bar luncheon events, during which a local federal judge provides valuable insights to practitioners about legal developments or successful practice in their courts.
The Chapter’s membership spans all types of attorneys in Orange County, from civil to criminal, from private practitioners to corporate counsel to federal attorneys with the United States Attorney’s Office, Federal Public Defender’s Office, and other federal agencies, and includes lawyers in all kinds of practices, from solo offices to the largest firms. The Chapter also is committed to promoting the growth of younger federal practitioners via its Young Lawyers Division.
The FBA-OC supports the local community by hosting an annual pro bono lunch with the goal of raising awareness of the various pro bono programs in Orange County. Additionally, FBA-OC members support the Federal Pro Se Clinic located at the Santa Ana courthouse via volunteer activities. The FBA-OC has formed a young lawyers division focused on planning events that are of particular relevance to our members who are new to federal practice or have recently started their legal careers.
For more information, membership applications, or to join the FBA-OC, visit the website at www.fbaoc.com or contact FBA-OC Administration at info@fbaoc.com, or 949.608.9905 (phone and fax).
Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County
Since 1974, the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County (OCHBA) has advocated for a legal community that reflects the true diversity of Orange County. The OCHBA’s core mission is to increase opportunities for Latinos to:
The OCHBA encourages law school enrollment with its Wally Davis Scholarships, awarded to deserving law students every year since 1995. Wally Davis scholars have gone on to work at large and small firms, in both public and private service, and several have joined the leadership ranks of the OCHBA as presidents.
Every year, the OCHBA’s Scholarship Fundraiser and Installation Dinner draws hundreds of leaders of the local legal community. This year, we honored Thomas Saenz as Attorney of the Year and Robert Cohen with the Hon. Francisco P. Briseño Lifetime Achievement Award. Further, we gave our Guardián de Justicia Award to the Nicholas Academic Centers and our Corporate Citizen Award to Farmers Insurance, in addition to awarding $20,000 in scholarships to deserving Latino law students with strong ties to Orange County.
The OCHBA also provides professional enrichment and networking for its members, including the 2017 OCBA/OCHBA MCLE travel seminar to Cabo San Lucas. Further, the OCHBA’s annual mixers throughout the year have become a staple in the Orange County legal community including our Judges BBQ and our End of Summer Mixer, which is done in partnership with other affiliate bars in Orange County.
This year, the OCHBA has formed a partnership with the Mexican Consulate in Santa Ana to provide quality legal services to underserved community members; established a relationship to aid the Santa Ana High School Legal Skills Academy; and partnered with local law schools, community groups, and members of the private bar to establish a Justice Fund to represent detained community members.
If you are interested in becoming a member or learning more about the OCHBA, its Committees, its scholarships, or how to get involved, please visit www.ochba.org or email info@ochba.org.
Iranian American Bar Association, OC Chapter
The Iranian American Bar Association (IABA) was formed in 2000 in the District of Columbia. Having begun with one chapter and only four founding members, IABA has grown to include nine chapters nationwide and a membership of prominent attorneys, law students, and members of the judiciary. IABA’s chapters include: Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Northern California, Orange County, Phoenix, San Diego, and Washington, D.C.
IABA is a professional organization that seeks to educate and inform the Iranian-American community about legal issues of interest and to ensure that the American public at large, our local representatives, and other government officials are fully and accurately informed on legal matters of interest and concern to the Iranian American community. IABA also strives to foster and promote the achievements of Iranian American lawyers and other legal professionals. IABA is an independent, non-religious, and apolitical organization. IABA is not a lobbying or advocacy group; it is primarily an educational organization and is categorized as a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Orange County Chapter of IABA hosts many wonderful events each year, including: MCLEs that focus on the needs of our members, social mixers at a variety of local establishments, an annual toy drive during the holidays, community outreach events such as egg painting during spring and beach clean-up days, and an annual gala held in May aboard a yacht in Newport Beach that raises money for law student scholarships. Last year’s scholarship recipients attended Orange County law schools.
Each October, the membership will vote in a new Board of Directors. The Board of Directors meets monthly and is tasked with putting together the above-mentioned events. This is our second full year as an Affiliate Bar of the OCBA. One of the events that we were proud to host last year was a joint mixer with the Immigration Law Section of the OCBA. We look forward to co-hosting mixers with the other OCBA Affiliate Bar organizations in the future. We are also proud that this year’s Board has partnered with pro bono clinics in Orange County and is involved in organizing events for the low-income public who require the services of pro bono lawyers.
IABA-OC is open to all attorney members and law students, and one does not need to be of Iranian descent to join.
Italian American Lawyers of Orange County—Lex Romana
Our mission is to celebrate Italian culture, provide continuing legal education opportunities to members of the Orange County legal community, and create fun and festive opportunities for networking among lawyers, non-lawyers, and anyone interested in good food, good wine, and good company.
The Italian American Lawyers of Orange County—Lex Romana (IALOC) meets on the second Tuesday of each month at various Italian restaurants throughout Orange County. Annual highlights include our January Board Installation Dinner, cooking demonstrations, and free networking events including a Wine Tasting of “Grapes of Italy” and Appetizers in April, a July Bocce Tournament at Il Fornaio, and a special holiday event.
Additionally, IALOC annually recognizes a member of the legal community for their outstanding lifetime legal career and support to the Italian American Lawyers of Orange County, as well as awarding scholarships to worthy law students whose Italian heritage has influenced their choice of a legal profession.
As an MCLE provider, IALOC provides periodic CLE programs to its members, typically while enjoying a glass of wine and good Italian cuisine. In addition to these local CLE programs, IALOC has a “CLE in Italy” program every two years, through which attendees can obtain MCLE credits while experiencing the history, food, wine, and culture available only in Italy. Having previously traveled to Sicily, Tuscany, and the Verona region, our next trip is scheduled for 2018.
The IALOC takes pride in being the premier OCBA Affiliate that places equal emphasis on the importance of legal, cultural, epicurean, and fermented contributions Italians have made to our society. We are well known for our love of Italian culture, food, and wines, and believe everyone is an Italian at heart. Italians and non-Italians are all welcome and encouraged to join. Our membership has grown over the years and is currently approximately 100 members. If you love good food, good wine, good company, and periodic opportunities for CLE locally and in Italy, you qualify for membership in the IALOC!
The IALOC established its roots in the Orange County community in 1979 with Joseph D’Antony installed as its first president. Founding members also include Hon. James Di Cesare, Frank Barbaro, John DiCaro, Joseph DiVincenzo, Andrew Lachina, and Frank Terreri. The IALOC thanks all of its past presidents.
For more information on becoming a member, attending a meeting, learning about the IALOC and its history, searching our Board and Membership Directories, or getting on our CLE in Italy interest list, please visit our website at IALOC.org or contact our 2017 President, Dominic Rainone.
J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Orange County Chapter
The J. Reuben Clark Law Society is a diverse, worldwide organization with active chapters throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North, Central, and South America. The JRCLS emphasizes public service, loyalty to the rule of law and to the Constitution, and appreciation for the religious dimensions in both society at large and in a lawyer’s personal life. The JRCLS Mission Statement reflects these values: “We affirm the strength brought to the law by a lawyer’s personal religious conviction. We strive through public service and professional excellence to promote fairness and virtue founded upon the rule of law.”
With approximately 150 active members, the Orange County chapter is one of the largest and most dynamic in the JCRLS. Our chapter hosts approximately six CLE luncheons each year, including an annual Religion & the Law Symposium held at Chapman University, women-in-the-law events, and an annual dinner.
Recently members of the JRCLS-OC and their guests have heard presentations by Hon. Cormac J. Carney, U.S. District Court Judge, on “Civility Counts,” and by Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, former Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Our society is named after an eminent statesman, jurist, and religious leader who embodied the values we espouse. J. Reuben Clark, Jr. served as solicitor of the U.S. State Department and later in the JAG Officers’ Reserve Corps, earning a Distinguished Service Medal in his work for the U.S. Attorney General’s Office during World War II. He also served as Undersecretary of State, publishing the “Clark Memorandum on the Monroe Doctrine,” and then as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. He later served in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Membership in the JRCLS-OC is open to all law students, attorneys, and judges who support our mission statement and share these values. There is no requirement to have attended or graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University or to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All who share our mission are welcome.
Anyone interested in attending one of our luncheons or joining our organization may contact the JRCLS-OC Chapter Chair Greg Robinson at ger@rrlawyers.com, or visit our websites at www.jrcls-oc.com and www.jrcls.org.
Orange County Asian American Bar Association
Established in 1993, the Orange County Asian American Bar Association (OCAABA) is proudly celebrating its 23rd year as Orange County’s pan-Asian bar association. OCAABA’s objectives are to: (1) promote professional development and personal growth; (2) foster the exchange of ideas and information between OCAABA and the broader legal profession and community at large; (3) provide a forum for fellowship spanning other civic organizations; (4) promote educational and civic events and programs that enhance the community’s knowledge and understanding of, and thus appreciation for, the legal system and the profession of law; and (5) provide a vehicle for the expression of reasonable opinion arising in the Asian American community on current social, political, economic, legal, or other matters of interest or concern.
OCAABA’s dedication to its mission is embodied in its committees and sections:
The Professional Development Committee organizes MCLE programs and seminars on topics of interest to the OCAABA membership. These original programs focus on providing guidance to its member attorneys for their professional development and advancement.
The In-House Counsel Section strives to build stronger relationships among corporate and outside legal counsel through the exchange of ideas and information at networking events and programs such as “The Three Must Know GCs in OC” reception and “Must Know GCs” lunch series.
The Small Firm/Solo Practice Section provides a welcoming and diverse home for solo, small firm, and general practice attorneys by offering a platform of programs, networking mixers, and general support to assist members in advancing and improving their practice.
The Pipeline Committee works with law student associations and partners with local law schools—Chapman, Western State, Whittier, and UCI—to provide mentorship, career panel programs, and skills workshops to our future lawyers.
The Community Service Committee organizes pro bono clinics and charitable drives each year to provide opportunities for members to volunteer on the project(s) of their choice. OCAABA is also a strong supporter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the Public Law Center.
The Social Committee plans and coordinates social events such as the summer barbeque, Moon Festival Mixer, Holiday Dim Sum Party, Sushi & Sake Fest, student-attorney mixers, and gatherings with other minority bar organizations to promote friendship and professional ties.
The Membership Committee is dedicated to expanding OCAABA’s membership base to support OCAABA’s ongoing efforts to serve the APA community in Orange County.
The PR/Affiliates Committee focuses on outreach to OCAABA’s affiliate bars and the wider community. OCAABA partners with affiliate bars to host events throughout the year, such as a judicial reception to welcome new judges to Orange County. OCAABA also actively participates in the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and California Minority Counsel Program to offer additional resources to OCAABA members.
The Judicial Evaluation Committee evaluates qualified judicial candidates for endorsement by OCAABA.
OCAABA’s annual installation and awards dinner offers a chance for members and friends to celebrate an evening of camaraderie with a traditional multi-course Chinese banquet. OCAABA held its 23rd Annual Installation Dinner on April 26, 2016, when it installed its 2016-2017 officers and directors; recognized Hon. Jay C. Gandhi, United States Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California, with OCAABA’s Judicial Trailblazer Award; honored Union Bank with OCAABA’s Corporate Service Award; and heard from keynote speaker David Lat, author, legal commentator, and founder and managing editor of Above the Law.
For more information, please visit www.ocaaba.org or email contactus@ocaaba.org.
Orange County Criminal Defense Bar Association
The OCCDBA is the unified voice of the criminal defense bar for Orange County. The founding Board members, Paul Meyer (President), Kate Corrigan (Past President), Jennifer Keller, Gary Pohlson, John Barnett, Michael McDonnell, Allan Stokke, Jack Earley, and Edward Muñoz started the association to promote the interests of the private criminal defense bar in Orange County. Edward Flores, Thomas Bienert, and T. Edward Welbourn joined the Board and are currently serving as active members.
The OCCDBA Board members have been actively participating in courthouse meetings and providing a voice for the private criminal defense bar. The concerns and input from the members have contributed to many productive changes in the Orange County criminal courts. Membership continues to grow, and great MCLE is one of the hallmarks of the OCCDBA. Expanded VISION for private defense counsel and a high level of camaraderie amongst its members are highlights of the Association. Our meetings have included panel discussions with presiding and trial judges, open forums for judicial candidates, and great insights arising from those practicing trial and appellate law. In the coming year, the programs will continue to feature town hall style exchanges with the bench and co-hosted receptions with other legal associations. The OCCDBA members range in age and experience. Seasoned attorneys offer their time and insights to younger members in a friendly and informal mentoring setting.
We meet at 5:00 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month at Original Mike’s Restaurant in Santa Ana. Our dues are $150 per year, and we offer a discount to law students and investigators. Membership is now open. For further information, please contact OCCDBA President Paul Meyer, Past President Kate Corrigan, or visit our website at http://occdba.bizware.com/.
Orange County Jewish Bar Association
The OCBA was founded in 2010. Our mission statement explains our purpose: “Providing a social environment that will engender comradeship among its members, building upon the foundation of thousands of years of Jewish tradition steeped in the law (Torah), fostering the application of Jewish principles and morality, committing good deeds (Mitzvot) and acts of kindness (Tzedakah) while practicing law and serving the community.”
The OCJBA gives back to the Orange County community by participating in pro bono activities with Human Options and Jewish Federation & Family Services. The OCJBA’s partnership with the Anti-Defamation League has brought the Anti-Bullying Campaign in full swing as member volunteers (and others) visit Orange County K-12 schools offering a free, nationally approved program. The sole purpose is to educate schools on how best to deal with bullying issues from both the target’s and perpetrator’s perspectives.
The OCJBA meets the first Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at Muldoon’s Irish Pub in Newport Beach, located at 202 Newport Center Drive. The OCJBA is eternally grateful to Ron Schwartz for hosting our “Schmooze and Booze” meetings. The meetings are open, and all are welcome, Jewish or non-Jewish; you do not have to be a “member” to attend.
For more information about the OCJBA or pro bono activities, please visit our website at www.ocjba.org, write to OCJBA, P.O. Box 6130, Newport Beach, CA 92658, or email Brian Gurwitz at brian@gurwitzlaw.com.
Orange County Korean American Bar Association
OC KABA is proud to announce that it has been serving the Korean American community in Orange County for over a decade. OC KABA was founded in 2005 by a small group of Korean American attorneys practicing in Orange County. The goal of this group has been to serve the community and to provide networking opportunities for Korean American attorneys. Over the past eleven years, OC KABA has grown to over 100 members, and in 2016, became an affiliate organization of the OCBA.
The Korean American population in Orange County has grown tremendously since the inception of OC KABA. Orange County ranks as the third largest Korean American population in the United States. As a result, one of OC KABA’s core missions has been to serve and give back to the Korean community in Orange County. OC KABA provides pro bono clinics on a monthly basis at the Korean American Federation (KAF) of Orange County in Garden Grove and Korean Community Services (KCS) in Buena Park. Our attorneys provide legal consultations in many areas of law. Many of our members are either immigrants from Korea or were born to parents who emigrated from Korea. Therefore, OC KABA members are keenly aware of and sensitive to the difficulties immigrants face navigating through the American legal system.
OC KABA also provides MCLE seminars featuring prominent Korean American attorneys. This year, we held a General Counsel Panel Discussion of Korean American women serving as General Counsel at various companies in Orange County. OC KABA also partnered with UCI Korea Law Center, California Employment Lawyers Association, Workplace Justice Advocates, and OC Asian American Bar, in a presentation by two successful Korean American trial attorneys, Deborah Chang and Helen Kim.
Our 11th Annual Installation Dinner, held this past October, was the largest yet, with close to 350 guests in attendance. We honored John Chiang, California State Treasurer, with the Civic Achievement Award, and Professor Summer Kim, Director of UCI Korea Law Center, with the Community Trailblazer Award.
If you are interested in joining OC KABA or would like more information, please contact us at www.oc-kaba.org.
Orange County Lavender Bar Association
The Orange County Lavender Bar Association (OCLBA) is the official association of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), and allied attorneys, judges, and law students in the county. OCLBA provides networking, educational, and mentorship opportunities and resources to its membership and the community with the goal of increasing the county’s participation in the broader statewide LGBT community and the visibility of LGBT issues in the county.
OCLBA launched on June 16, 2010 at a gala attended by 200 attorneys, philanthropists, business and community leaders, judges, professors, and students. The gala featured remarks by the attorneys who completed closing arguments in the landmark Perry v. Schwarzenegger case, which challenged Proposition 8 in federal court. Since then, OCLBA’s Board of Directors, which includes representatives from private practice and academia, continue to implement a robust series of bar programs. These programs include a number of highly successful events ranging from constitutional law to tax and estate planning issues facing the LGBT community, along with social events for networking opportunities. As one recent example, OCLBA hosted a student-attorney mixer in January 2017 with UCI School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, a preeminent constitutional scholar, who provided insightful comments on the current United States Supreme Court vacancy and pending federal cases that may affect the LGBT community.
Each summer, OCLBA’s annual Anniversary Gala honors community and legal leaders in the fight for justice and equality. OCLBA also awards its M. Katherine B. Darmer Equality Scholarship to a law student committed to LGBT issues in Orange County. At our 6th Anniversary Gala in 2016, OCLBA honored former United States Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez with the OCLBA Community Leadership Award, and honored Gialisa Gaffaney with the M. Katherine B. Darmer Outstanding Community Service Award. OCLBA awarded the fourth M. Katherine B. Darmer Equality Scholarship to Zachory Burns, a law student at UCI School of Law.
OCLBA will hold its annual Harvey Milk Day Luncheon at Bryan Cave on Friday, May 19, 2017, featuring elimination of bias CLE credit, and will hold its 7th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, in the Sky Garden at the Michelson Building in Irvine.
OCLBA seeks to serve and unite not just the LGBT community, but our allies as well. For more information, please visit www.oclba.org or email info@oclba.org.
Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
Formed in 1963, when plaintiffs’ attorneys gathered to share information and exchange tips and strategies with one another, the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA) has grown into one of the largest and most influential Affiliate Bar organizations in Orange County. Now in its fifty-fourth year, OCTLA is stronger than ever, dedicated to promoting quality representation of consumers and employees while educating and supporting our membership. In addition, OCTLA is at the forefront of efforts to ensure full funding of the courts, so that access to justice is preserved for everyone. Below is an overview of just some of the benefits that OCTLA members enjoy.
Best Networking Opportunities in Orange County: It’s no secret that OCTLA is one of the most prominent bar organizations in Orange County, and members are treated to regular networking opportunities with judges and top lawyers in the county at special events and our monthly dinner meetings.
Relevant and Interesting Educational Events: Not all MCLE educational events are created equal. OCTLA provides monthly opportunities to earn MCLE credits while learning about relevant issues from some of the greatest speakers in the state, if not the country. In addition, every year, OCTLA hosts a members-only candid evaluation of local judges, arbitrators, and mediators—crucial information for every trial lawyer’s practice. This benefit alone is worth the price of membership.
Informative Quarterly Magazine: From insightful interviews with Orange County Superior Court judges to practical, nuts-and-bolts articles on issues of procedure and trial skills, you will not want to miss an issue of The Gavel magazine.
Interactive Website/Listserv/Deposition Bank: To get a glimpse of OCTLA’s website, log on to www.OCTLA.org. Some have said the most valuable feature of the website is our members-only forum listserv, which allows members to post questions regarding their cases and solicit immediate responses from hundreds of fellow trial attorneys. Our members also have free access to our online expert deposition bank stocked with numerous deposition transcripts. It’s like having the resources of a large law firm at your fingertips. Plus, our newest member benefit, a Trial Calendar that offers our members an unprecedented opportunity to gain insight and learn effective trial skills and techniques firsthand from OCTLA’s experienced trial attorneys.
Social Activities: OCTLA gives its members many opportunities to build lasting personal and professional relationships. These include our annual Columbus Day Golf Tournament (held on a court holiday so everyone can enjoy some time out on the course), plus fun networking mixers including our members only annual Bowling Night (May 18), and Angels Game Family Night (August 5). For those who enjoy more formal events, OCTLA delivers with its black-tie Installation of Officers and Judicial Awards Program held in January each year and its annual Top Gun Trial Lawyer of the Year awards program and charity auction, which will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Newport Beach Marriott.
All attorneys engaged in trial practice in Orange County are encouraged to join OCTLA. With benefits like these, how can you afford not to join? For more information, visit our website at www.OCTLA.org, or contact OCTLA at 949.916.9577.
Orange County Women Lawyers Association
OCWLA started in 1975 with five members. It was originally called the Women and Individual Rights section of the OCBA. In 1979, OCWLA became an affiliate organization of the OCBA.
Over the past forty-two years, OCWLA has been dedicated to advancing women in the legal profession. We support the continued growth and development of OCWLA and its members by providing an exceptional professional network, raising awareness of discrimination and bias, and supporting worthy charitable organizations.
In addition to helping women in the legal community, OCWLA is dedicated to donating money from its fundraising efforts to Orange County women and children in need. After a successful 41st Anniversary fundraising gala last year, this year OCWLA is in a position to make donations of over $20,000 to several important local groups this year, including Laura’s House, Legal Aid, the Bette and Wylie Aitken Family Protection Clinic, CASA of Orange County, Collaborative Courts Foundation, Human Options, Project Access Grant Application 2017, Project Military Sexual Trauma at Veterans Legal Institute, and the UCI Law Domestic Violence Clinic. The Annual Gala is our primary fundraising event and sole source of our charitable giving.
Currently, our Board of Directors is hard at work planning our Annual Fundraising Gala. We are pleased to announce that this year we will be honoring our 2017 Judge of the Year to the Honorable Maria Hernandez, Juvenile Panel-Presiding Judge/Boys Court. We are also pleased to announce Mary Christine “MC” Sungaila, partner at Haynes & Boone, as our 2017 Attorney of the Year. These awards will be presented at our Annual Gala Dinner in September at the Resort at Pelican Hill. We will also be presenting our charitable awards to Laura’s House and Legal Aid at this event.
Moreover, OCWLA uses money raised through its fundraising efforts to award bar stipends and diversity bar stipends twice annually to law school graduates who are studying for the California Bar Examination. We also provide financial support to organizations such as the Public Law Center and California Women Lawyers, of which OCWLA is an affiliate.
As a membership benefit, the OCWLA has regular MCLE lunch meetings at Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails, a non-profit restaurant in Irvine, on the second Friday of every month. Our meetings offer quality Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs at very reasonable prices featuring those from the bench and bar. We also hold several evening programs throughout the year, and plan to hold additional social events at affordable pricing to encourage attendance of all attorneys, including those new to the bar. OCWLA is also looking to collaborate with other affiliate bar associations to hold joint programs, and wish to continue building our relationships with our peers. We also held our annual Women Judges Reception at Whittier Law School in April to honor our many female federal and state judges.
Exciting and new to this year, OCWLA is also looking to create an In-House Counsel Committee to our organization—dedicated to providing programs and events to In-House Counsel in our community. We hope to hold our inaugural event later this year.
OCWLA welcomes both men and women to our organization who join us in our mission statement, and we are excited for another successful year!
For more information about OCWLA, please contact us at www.ocwla.org, or 949.440.6700, ext. 259.
Thurgood Marshall Bar Association
When Thurgood Marshall began his journey seeking equality and justice for all, racism, segregation, and discrimination were an accepted way of life in every corner of America.
At Howard Law School, Thurgood Marshall was taught to be a legal social engineer with the aim of creating a more just society. A legal social engineer is a highly skilled, perceptive, sensitive lawyer who understands the Constitution of the United States and knows how to explore its uses in order to disrupt the systems and institutions rooted in bias that negatively impact communities across America.
As a lawyer, Thurgood Marshall is perhaps best known for the Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Attorney Marshall convinced the U.S Supreme Court to vote unanimously that segregation in public schools on the basis of race is “inherently unequal.”
For many, the mention of civil rights conjures up images of the protests, sit-ins, and marches in the South. However, the West also contributed to the achievements of the era, and Orange County is no exception. From the struggle for desegregation in schools, housing, employment, immigration and economic justice, to the struggle for equality in marriage and LGBT rights, Orange County has shared in the nation’s civil rights triumphs and tragedies.
The struggle continues.
Advances in neuroscience have offered us a deeper understanding of cognitive functioning. Mindfulness, Implicit Bias, and Systemic and Institutional Bias intervention strategies are all areas to be explored in order to assist our profession in being more inclusive. Inclusion, belonging, and providing a space for multiple identities to intersect is how we connect at TMBA.
The TMBA is a multi-cultural bar association committed to connecting, supporting, and increasing the Black legal community in Orange County. TMBA strives to promote diversity, professional improvement, and the advancement of justice through positive community involvement and excellence in the practice of law for the Black legal communities, allies, and the community at large.
No matter your race, color, gender, religion, spiritual understanding, national origin, sexual orientation, or other characteristic or identity, if you stand for equality and a bias-free Orange County, then please join the TMBA community!
We need you! Please go to www.thurgoodmarshallbarassociation.org and join today.