by Mei Tsang and Kelly L. Galligan
In 2026, the Orange County Bar Association marks an extraordinary milestone: 125 years of service to the legal profession and to Orange County. Anniversaries naturally invite reflection, but they also invite responsibility. As we celebrate the OCBA’s past, we are equally called to consider how its values are carried forward.
At the center of that legacy is the OCBA Charitable Fund.
For generations, OCBA members have understood that the practice of law is inseparable from service. Long before access to justice became a rallying cry, lawyers in Orange County were already building programs, supporting nonprofits, and stepping into classrooms, courtrooms, and communities to ensure that the law served not only those who could afford it, but those who needed it most.
The Charitable Fund exists because of that belief, and because each generation has chosen not to let it fade.
From Foundation to Force: The Evolution of the Charitable Fund
The Charitable Fund’s history mirrors the growth of both the OCBA and Orange County itself. What began decades ago as targeted efforts to support legal education and youth programs evolved into a broader, more deliberate commitment to philanthropy. Over time, the OCBA refined how it raised funds, how it governed its charitable arm, and, most importantly, how it ensured accountability and impact.
Today, the OCBA Charitable Fund stands as the philanthropic and fundraising arm of the Association, dedicated to enhancing the system of justice and promoting equal justice for all. That mission is not abstract. It is carried out through careful stewardship, thoughtful grantmaking, and a deep respect for the organizations doing the day-to-day work in our community.
The Fund’s evolution reflects a core truth: meaningful charity requires structure, transparency, and intention. By learning from past iterations and adapting to changing needs, the Charitable Fund has remained both resilient and relevant, an anchor of service within a profession that continues to change.
Fairways, Fellowship, and the Orange County Way
Orange County has always had a special relationship with golf. From early morning tee times to long lunches that turn into longer conversations, golf here has never been just about the scorecard. It is about connection between colleagues, across generations, and within a community that values both excellence and enjoyment.
That spirit is exactly why golf became a natural home for one of the OCBA Charitable Fund’s most enduring traditions.
While the origins of golf may trace back to Scotland (yes, with a nod to Mary, Queen of Scots), the heart of the OCBA Charitable Fund Golf Tournament is firmly planted in Southern California soil. Our tournament reflects the Orange County way: collegial, generous, slightly competitive, and deeply community-minded.
But more than the setting or the sunshine, the tournament exists for a reason far more personal.
Honoring Judge Kenneth Lae: The Spirit Behind the Swing
The OCBA Charitable Fund Golf Tournament was created in 1994 to honor the memory of Judge Kenneth Lae (1925–1987), a man whose love for the law was matched only by his love for the game.
Judge Lae served the Orange County community with distinction and was appointed to the Municipal Court in 1968 and elevated to the Superior Court in 1971 by Governor Ronald Reagan. He was a proud UCLA alumnus, a USC law graduate, a World War II Navy veteran, and a former President of the American Legion’s Anaheim Chapter. Born in Trinidad, West Indies, he brought warmth, humor, and unmistakable presence to everything he did.
Golf was not simply a pastime for Judge Lae; it was a ritual. He would leave Orange County at 6:30 a.m. every Sunday to play at Fallbrook Country Club, where his favorite shot was always the drive. He loved a New York steak from the Plank House and was fiercely loyal to the Rams—so much so that one legendary court-holiday golf outing involved a limousine, Rams cheerleaders, and a driving range that promptly emptied. Whether the crowd gathered for Judge Lae or the cheerleaders remains an open question, but his smile that day is still remembered.
Perhaps most meaningfully, Judge Lae’s three daughters, and now their spouses and children, continue to participate in and support the tournament. Their presence is a reminder that this event is not only about fundraising, but about continuity, family, and honoring a life devoted to public service.
Today, the tournament remains a yearly sell-out, welcoming over 140 golfers last year alone. It succeeds because it captures what Judge Lae embodied: camaraderie, generosity, and a genuine love of community. Keeping his memory at the forefront ensures that every swing serves a greater purpose.
For many of our members, the Annual Judge Kenneth Lae Charity Golf Scramble is officially the most anticipated day on the OCBA calendar! It is the ultimate “out of office” reply, a chance to trade the courtroom for the greens and soak up the sunshine while reconnecting with your favorite colleagues and making new connections. Every hole offers something to smile about, making it much more than just a game. This is a day-long celebration of our vibrant legal community.
This year, we are taking the fun to the Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club on April 27, 2026. This is Orange County’s first private thirty-six-hole club, offering an experience that is as challenging as it is stunning. Golfers can look forward to views of the majestic Saddleback Mountains, fairways that feel like velvet underfoot, and a secluded, tranquil atmosphere that makes you feel a world away from the daily grind.
The festivities kick off with a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start, followed by an awards reception and dinner where the storytelling (and maybe some slight exaggerations about your long game) begins in earnest. While we certainly celebrate the top performers with standard golf awards, the real showstopper is our “Best Dressed” award. Year after year, our members outdo themselves with stylish, creative, and hilarious outfits that prove lawyers definitely know how to have a good time.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our incredible sponsors and the tireless efforts of our dedicated Golf Committee. Whether you opt for a Title or Tournament Sponsorship to get your firm’s name in the spotlight (complete with a foursome!), or choose a Hole Sponsorship to set up a tent with your swag and meet our golfers face-to-face, your contribution drives the OCBA Charitable Fund. Every sponsorship and underwriting option is an investment in the vital legal programs we support. We can’t wait to see you on the green.
Turning Generosity Into Impact: This Year’s Grant Recipients
Did you know that the OCBA Charitable Fund has given over $3 million dollars since its inception to our local organizations? This is incredible as our efforts translate into real-world impact. Each year, the OCBA Charitable Fund carefully directs its resources to organizations that advance justice, protect the vulnerable, educate the next generation, and strengthen our community.
This year’s recipients reflect the breadth of that mission.
We are proud to support the Collaborative Courts Foundation, whose Participant Assistance Program helps individuals successfully navigate treatment-oriented court systems. Access to justice is also advanced through Community Legal Aid SoCal, supporting its Consumer Defense Program, and the Public Law Center through its Identity Recognition Project.
Education and civic engagement remain core priorities. The Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County continues its Civic Education Project, while UC Irvine School of Law is supported through both the Pre-Law Outreach Program and the Saturday Academy of Law, programs that expand the pipeline to the legal profession for students who might not otherwise see a place for themselves in it.
Protecting those most at risk is equally vital. The Charitable Fund supports Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County and its Mentor-Advocate Program, Human Options, Laura’s House, and Radiant Futures, ensuring survivors of violence and exploitation have access to legal advocacy and protection.
We also continue to serve populations too often overlooked. The Elder Law and Disability Rights Center advances equal access to education, the Veterans Legal Institute expands pro bono legal clinics for veterans, and the OCKABA Foundation grows its Pro Bono Clinic Expansion Project. Programs like Project Youth OC remind us that early intervention can change lives.
Together, these organizations reflect what the Charitable Fund does best: support those working at the intersection of law, humanity, and hope.
So come join us and be part of our 125-year legacy at the OCBA!
Mei Tsang is the President of the OCBA Charitable Fund, and Kelly L. Galligan is an avid golfer who is the Committee Chair of the Golf Committee. You can reach them at mtsang@uzllp.com and kgalligan@rutan.com.
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