by Joseph L. Chairez

This spring the OCBA will return to the spiraling volcanic peaks, blue lagoon, and white sandy beaches of Moorea for its 2010 MCLE travel seminar. Adventure seeking attendees will be offered eight MCLE credits from distinguished jurists and attorneys. Our featured panelist for this year’s travel seminar is California Supreme Court Associate Justice Carlos Moreno. Justice Moreno was sworn in as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California on October 18, 2001. He began his career as a deputy city attorney before moving to a litigation practice. He then served as a judge in the municipal court, superior court, and federal district court. Justice Moreno and other panelists will offer a variety of CLE programs including those hard to get units in ethics, elimination of bias, and substance abuse.

The OCBA seminar will take place at the beautiful Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa. The property is stunning with its rooms scattered amongst lush gardens, an emerald lagoon, and the beach. The over-the-water bungalows were a big hit at the last two OCBA Moorea trips. There is nothing like stepping off your patio into four feet of aqua marine water after a long day of activities and seminars.

Moorea is one of the 118 islands in French Polynesia. It is known for its sparkling lagoons teaming with tropical fish and corals. Although not large in size (125 kilometers), it is always big in adventure. While many things can be said for action packed days of horseback riding, scuba diving, surfing and such, nothing quite beats sitting on the beach in a lounge chair enjoying a cool tropical beverage.

To maximize the MCLE adventure, the educational seminars are spread throughout the trip and are scheduled at optimum times in the afternoon. We have found that setting seminars between 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. promotes the best seminar attendance and allows attendees plenty of time to experience full day and evening activities. With this schedule, there is no need to worry about rushing your snorkeling, fishing, or hiking excursions to make it back in time for the seminars.

The OCBA Moorea Spring Travel Seminar is set for April 25 through May 1, 2010. If you are interested in high adventure CLE units, do not wait too long. The travel seminars sell out quickly and have limited spaced availability. This year’s Moorea seminar will be no exception. Given the price, location, and quantity of the spaces, tickets will go fast!