Hispanic Bar Association

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Hispanic Bar Association

Hispanic Bar Association

OCHBA Statement Updated May 2026

The Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County (OCHBA) was founded in the 1970s by a small but determined group of Orange County attorneys of Hispanic heritage. Among its founding members was the late Honorable James O. Perez, the first Latino judge appointed to the Orange County bench. In honor of his legacy and dedication to public service, the OCHBA continues to recognize outstanding members of the legal community and promote diversity within the profession.

The OCHBA is committed to advancing education, unity, and excellence within the Latinx legal community and the broader Orange County community. Each year, the Association brings together attorneys, judges, law students, and community leaders to celebrate these values and raise funds for future leaders in the legal profession.

On March 7, 2026, the OCHBA proudly hosted its 48th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser, Awards, and Installation Gala at the Hyatt Regency Irvine—its signature fundraising event of the year. With the generous support of sponsors, community partners, and members, the evening raised critical funding for the OCHBA’s scholarship programs, which support law students dedicated to serving the Latinx community.

This year, the OCHBA awarded four Wally R. Davis Scholarships of $10,000 each to outstanding law students: Emily G. Rivera, Clarissa A. Echevarria, Samantha Lopez, and Laura Pelaez. These students were selected for their academic excellence, resilience, leadership, and commitment to serving their communities. In addition, the OCHBA awarded Bar Exam stipends of $1,500 each to Helena Garcia Ochoa, Raul Gomez, Maria Campos Tello, and Roger Valencia Ricardez to help offset the financial burden associated with preparing for the California Bar Exam.

The Gala also honored distinguished leaders whose work has made a meaningful impact on the legal profession and the community. The Hon. Manuel A. Ramirez, Presiding Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two, received the Hon. Francisco Briseño Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary career and dedication to justice. Congressman José Luis “Lou” Correa, Representative for California’s 46th Congressional District, was recognized with the Guardián de la Justicia Award for his continued commitment to public service and advocacy for the community.

The OCHBA proudly honored Angel Carrazco Jr. with the Attorney of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession and dedication to serving clients and the community. Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County received the Corporate Citizen Award for its impactful work addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable families throughout the region. Finally, Minyard Morris was recognized as the Law Firm of the Year for its continued commitment to legal excellence and support of the Latinx legal community.

The evening also celebrated the installation of the OCHBA’s 2026 Board of Directors, led by President Laura Hassan, whose leadership continues to strengthen the organization’s mission of mentorship, community outreach, and advancement of Latinx representation in the legal profession.

The continued success of the OCHBA and its programs, including scholarships, mentorship initiatives, community legal clinics, and professional networking opportunities, is made possible through the support of its members, sponsors, and community partners. Together, they ensure that the next generation of diverse legal leaders has the resources and opportunities needed to succeed.

We encourage judges, attorneys, law students, and community members to participate in our many events throughout the year, including our Cinco de Mayo Mixer, Angels game outing, Annual Judges’ BBQ, Día de los Muertos Mixer, and a variety of mentorship, networking, and community service initiatives that advance the mission of the OCHBA. Today’s OCHBA sets the standard for diversity and inclusion. Our leadership and membership frequently include members of other ethnic backgrounds, including past presidents and many past and current officers. OCHBA is proud to carry this heritage forward.

For more information about membership and upcoming events, please visit www.ochba.org or contact info@ochba.org.

Hispanic Bar Association

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