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BTG

Bridging the Gap

Join our esteemed lineup of speakers, including Orange County judicial officers and seasoned attorneys alike, who will share their insights and experiences across numerous practice areas. Learn valuable tips and gain practical knowledge that will help bridge the gap between law school and law practice.

*Exclusive event for attorneys admitted to the State Bar after January 2015*

This program has been POSTPONED and will be rescheduled at a later date.

MAKING YOUR WAY THROUGH COURT
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM / 1.0 General CLE
Roy L. Comer, Esq., Attorney and Counselor at Law
Stanton (Terry) Mathews, Esq., Mathews Funk & Associates
Newer lawyers bring welcome enthusiasm and energy to the representation of their clients. While most of these matters will settle, there are still some that must be litigated. Going to court may, or may not, be like what you learned in law school. This fast-paced hour featuring two attorneys with over 80 years of trial experience will provide an overview of the basics of taking a case into litigation using a “routine” personal injury case as the framework.

VENTURING OUT
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM / 1.0 General CLE
Kayleene H. Writer, Esq., Law Offices of Kayleene H. Writer, PLC
Pamela Davidson, Esq., Special Counsel
Lizzie DeVries, J.D., Parker + Lynch
This thought-provoking program will discuss venturing out as a solo practitioner versus taking a more traditional career path with a larger firm. Explore the multiple roles you will juggle as a solo practitioner and the uncertainties you may be faced with on a daily basis. Solo practice not for you? We will also explore the latest hiring developments and learn practical steps you can take to get employed in an established practice.

BREAKOUT SESSION 1
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM / 1.0 General CLE
1A. Civil Law & Motion
Hon. William D. Claster, Orange County Superior Court
Hon. David J. Hesseltine, Orange County Superior Court

1B. Criminal Law
Bryan F. Clavecilla, Esq., Orange County District Attorney’s Office
Alan J. Crivaro, Esq., Law Offices of Alan J. Crivaro

BREAKOUT SESSION 2
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM / 1.0 General CLE
2A. ADR/Administrative
Rebecca J. Callahan, Esq., Callahan Dispute Resolution
Ronald V. Talmo, Esq., Morningside Recovery LLC

2B. Elder, Trusts & Probate
Hon. Kim R. Hubbard, Orange County Superior Court
Amy E. Haupert, Esq., Law Office of Fay Blix
Melinda Hunsaker, Esq., McGonigle & Hunsaker LLP

FEATURED PROGRAM:
THE ALLEN E. BROUSSARD PANEL ON PROFESSIONALISM AND CIVILITY
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM / 1.0 Legal Ethics CLE
Hon. Kirk H. Nakamura, Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court
Scott B. Garner, Umberg Zipser LLP, OCBA President
Joseph L. Chairez, Baker & Hostetler LLP, Past OCBA President
An engaging discussion that will present a series of hypotheticals designed to bring out the conflicts that lawyers face in their day-to-day practice as they balance their obligations to the courts and the legal system, to their clients, to society, and to themselves.

BREAKOUT SESSION 3
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM / 1.0 General CLE
3A. Family Law
Hon. Lon F. Hurwitz, Orange County Superior Court
B. Robert Farzad, Farzad & Ochoa Family Law Attorney, LLP

3B. Federal Practice
Cathrine M. Castaldi, Brown Rudnick LLP
Lisa D. Ramirez, Esq., U.S. Immigration Law Group, LLP
A. Lavar Taylor, Esq., Law Offices of A. Lavar Taylor, LLP
Federal practice includes nearly every area of the law, but also some exclusive specialties such as immigration and bankruptcy. This program features esteemed federal practitioners in bankruptcy, tax, and immigration who will share their insights on the unique characteristics of federal practice.

BREAKOUT SESSION 4
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM / 1.0 General CLE
4A. Employment Law
Brian J. Mills, Esq., Snell & Wilmer LLP
Neil Pedersen, Esq., Pedersen Law APLC

4B. Business Law
John A. Bergen, Esq., Law Offices of John A. Bergen
Donald J. Hamman, Esq., Stuart Kane LLP
"Business law" is a broad category and newer lawyers must be aware that it incorporates and carries over into many of the traditional categories of law, such as Family Law, Criminal Law, and Real Property Law. In this program, those that want to focus their practices in this area will learn of the many unique and crucial aspects of client representation and advocacy, as well as exploring the form of practice the lawyer undertakes. This wide-ranging program will provide an overview of what it takes to succeed in this field, as well as the characteristics of the thriving associate in a firm that focuses on business law.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVE WHAT YOU DO
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Diane Bass, Esq., Law Office of Diane C. Bass
Teresa A. McQueen, Esq., SAFFIRE LEGAL, PC
The importance of a healthy life-work balance cannot be underestimated. This short programs reminds our newest bar members that career satisfaction should not come at a cost to their health or happiness. Finding the right career path and striking a balance between work and home is the secret to a long and happy career. Learn tips on finding balance in your early years of practice and how our panelists have tackled these issues in their own careers.