by Lei Lei Wang Ekvall

As plans are underway for the 2011 OCBA Judges’ Night & Annual Meeting and the installation of the new OCBA board and officers, my phone and email inbox are definitely seeing less traffic. I am feeling a bit like the year certainly went fast—juggling serving as OCBA President, specializing in business bankruptcies during these unique financial times, and parenting a three-year old.

The most common questions I was asked related to whether it’s fun to be President. I can unequivocally say that it is tremendously fun. I met more judicial officers and attorneys (and aspiring judicial officers and attorneys) this year than I have during my entire career. The gratifying conclusion I reached is that we’re lucky here in the OC—we have a lot of talent, passion, and commitment dedicated to improving our profession and our community at large. I have had to ask a number of people to participate on committees and task forces and I can’t remember a single “no” in response to my plea for assistance. Our OC judges and lawyers are always willing to lend a helping hand, serving as mentors (in-person or via video as Mentor on Demand), speakers, and pro bono or community outreach volunteers. We also have a great deal of diversity here in the OC, and just this year, three new bar associations were formed and became affiliates of the OCBA: Orange County Criminal Defense Bar, Orange County Jewish Bar Association, and Orange County Lavender Bar Association. For those who want to get involved but are not sure how, feel free to call me (even next year, when I am a has-been).

I am often asked whether serving as OCBA President is a lot of work. Luckily, the OCBA has a wonderful staff, headed up by Trudy Levindofske, Executive Director. Trudy and the OCBA staff keep the OCBA running like a well-oiled machine. I’ve served on boards of other non-profit organizations and bar associations, and the professionalism and dedication exhibited by Trudy and her staff are unrivaled. Trudy and the OCBA staff understand that we are all volunteers who have a day job. They do all they can to make us look good without causing a significant impact on our practice.

The other often asked question is what is the most difficult part of being President. From time to time, it can be difficult to come up with a topic for the monthly President’s Page. (Sorry Jeremy and big thanks to Jeremy Miller, the Editor-in-Chief of OC Lawyer Magazine, and his staff for all the editing they do on my President’s Page and for graciously putting up with my procrastination tendencies.) When writing the first one twelve months ago, I wondered if anyone really read these. I still wonder the same thing although I have had people comment on various columns. There are a couple of columns that seemed to resonate with the readers. The first was on work and life balance and the second was on keeping senior lawyers involved in the bar.

As the profile of our membership changes, the OCBA will be focusing on both of these issues in coming years. A task force is being formed to identify ways to keep some of our more seasoned attorneys involved in the bar, even after retirement. Among the various issues to consider is selecting a name that doesn’t make members cringe. More exploration of our profession’s need to address the need for better work and life balance will also continue. Initially, the OCBA will strive to take work and life balance into account in planning events.

With that in mind, the OCBA is planning a ski trip to Beaver Creek, Colorado in March, 2011. We have negotiated a very competitive rate with The Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, a wonderfully appointed resort with ski-in and ski-out access on Beaver Creek Mountain. It is recognized by Travel + Leisure as the #10 in the U.S. and Canada as “World’s Best Family Hotels” and is on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2010 Gold List of World’s Best Places to Stay. The resort has a ski nanny and ski concierge service and offers a number of activities for non-skiers, including a spa for adults and youths. You can even borrow the resident Labrador Retriever for hikes. (And if that sounds appealing, please call me. I have a 100-pound Golden Retriever named Josh who likes walks.) For the skiers and snowboarders, Beaver Creek Mountain has runs for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, including four terrain parks, very well-groomed beginner runs, and an extreme terrain area. There is no better stress relief for lawyers than to stand on top of an expert ski run that is just slightly beyond your capabilities. You can’t possibly think about an upcoming hearing or brief when you are in fear of losing your life or limb. On top of all that, there will be a number of educational CLE programs offered over the weekend. We hope this will be the first of many events that will be mindful of the changing needs of our members.

Well, I’m not one for long speeches or goodbyes so thanks for reading, for being a member, and for being engaged in improving our profession and our community. It’s been an honor to serve as your President.

Lei Lei Wang Ekvall is the 2010 President of the Orange County Bar Association and a partner of Weiland, Golden, Smiley, Wang Ekvall & Strok, LLP, where she specializes in representing debtors, creditors, and litigants in business reorganizations and workouts.