June 2026 President’s Page - A Summer Tradition of Connection and Purpose

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by Shirin Forootan

A Summer Tradition of Connection and Purpose

Each June, the Orange County Bar Association gathers for one of its most anticipated events of the year—the OCBA Summer Social. What began as an opportunity to bring our legal community together at the start of summer has, in recent years, evolved into something even more meaningful: a celebration of service, leadership, and the values that define our profession.

A Tradition Reimagined
Since 2022, the Summer Social has taken on its current form, blending collegiality with purpose through the presentation of the Lei Lei Wang Ekvall Award at the Boardwalk in Irvine. Around fifteen local affiliate and affinity bar associations support and promote the Summer Social each year, helping to bring together a vibrant and diverse cross-section of our legal community.

The Lei Lei Wang Ekvall Award reflects the very best of our community—honoring a member of the Orange County legal profession who demonstrates an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, while also exemplifying professional excellence. Each honoree has, in their own way, advanced the cause of equity in our profession and modeled what it means to lead with integrity.

Honoring Service and Impact in 2026
This year, we are proud to recognize Judge Bryan Clavecilla as the 2026 recipient of the Lei Lei Wang Ekvall Award.

Judge Clavecilla has earned deep respect across the Orange County legal community as a jurist, mentor, and public servant. Prior to his appointment to the bench in 2024, he served more than sixteen years as a prosecutor in the District Attorney’s Office, trying over 100 criminal cases and working in specialized units addressing sexual assault, human trafficking, and other complex matters.

But his impact extends far beyond the courtroom. Judge Clavecilla has demonstrated a sustained commitment to mentorship, civic education, and inclusion. He has mentored young lawyers and students, coached mock trial teams, and spoken in schools throughout Orange County—helping to introduce the next generation to the justice system and the rule of law. His work reflects a genuine belief that the strength of our profession lies not only in what we do, but in who we bring along with us.

Expanding Our Recognition
In keeping with the growth and evolution of the Summer Social, this year marks an important milestone: for the first time, we will honor an additional award recipient at the event.

The Harmon G. Scoville Award recognizes a member of the Orange County legal community whose career exemplifies the highest standards of the legal profession and who has significantly contributed to the Orange County Bar Association in championing our constitutional system of justice. Established in 1990 in honor of then-retiring Appellate Court Presiding Justice Harmon G. Scoville, this award has been presented annually for more than three decades, reflecting a legacy of distinguished service to both the bar and the broader justice system.

We are honored to recognize the Honorable Robert Gerard as this year’s recipient. Judge Gerard served as OCBA President in 2003 and has remained consistently engaged with our bar ever since. He is a familiar and welcome presence at OCBA events—someone who shows up, encourages others, and continues to say “yes” to supporting the bar and its members. More recently, his work in the collaborative courts has been especially impactful. His leadership in that setting is deeply human, compassionate, and inspiring.

More Than a Celebration
OCBA’s Summer Social is more than a gathering—it is a reflection of who we are as a bar. It is a space where colleagues become collaborators, where mentorship begins, and where we reaffirm our shared commitment to the integrity of the justice system.

In a profession that often demands long hours and intense focus, taking time to come together matters. It reminds us that we are part of something larger—a community grounded in service, professionalism, and a collective responsibility to improve access to justice.

Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this year’s honorees and the continued success of the Summer Social, I encourage each of you to join us. Whether you are reconnecting with longtime colleagues or meeting new members of our bar, your presence helps strengthen the fabric of our community.

Together, we continue to build a legal profession that not only strives for excellence, but also reflects the depth of our community and the shared purpose that make Orange County such a remarkable place to practice law.

Shirin Forootan, is President of the OCBA and founding attorney and mediator at Forootan Law and Forootan ADR. She can be reached at sforootan@ocbar.org.