Chief Judge Virginia A. Phillips announced the passing of District Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell on October 8, 2017.  Judge O’Connell was 52 years old.

The State Bar of California has named a new Chief Court Counsel to lead the State Bar Court of California.

This fall, all OCBA sections will conduct online elections for the open leadership position of Secretary/Treasurer. The elections will be conducted on a staggered schedule from October through December, and the section leaders will take office in January 2018 for a one-year term.

Today Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 36 into law, the fee bill for the State Bar of California. In addition to setting the annual licensing fee for lawyers, SB 36 includes historic reforms for the public protection agency.

The OCBA's annual Board of Directors Election closed at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. In accordance with the OCBA bylaws, 2017 President-Elect Nikki P. Miliband will succeed to the Presidency in 2018.

The United States District Court for the Central District of California announces the appointment of Hemant H. (Shashi) Kewalramani as a United States Magistrate Judge.

The Italian American Lawyers of Orange County, an affiliate bar of the OCBA, honored OCBA Member Judge James J. Di Cesare as the recipient of this year's Hon. James J. Alfano Annual Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Honorable Elizabeth Macias (Orange County Superior Court) and Justin Cruz, Esq. (Assistant Dean of Admission and Diversity Initiatives, Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law) are honored at the 1st Annual Diversity & Inclusion Unity in Service Celebration on Sept. 6, 2017.

Thank you to the OCBA Young Lawyers Division and law student volunteers who helped at the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County) Annual Picnic on Aug. 5, 2017.

The OCBA Solo Practitioner/Small Firm Section hosted an evening of networking and socializing with section members on Aug. 16, 2017, at the Oak Creek Golf Club in Irvine. For more photos, visit the OCBA Facebook page.