Orange County Women Lawyers Association

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Orange County Women Lawyers Association

Orange County Women Lawyers Association

OCWLA Statement Updated May 2026

Orange County Women Lawyers Association (OCWLA) proudly moves forward following the celebration of its fiftieth anniversary, reaffirming its enduring commitment to advancing women in the legal profession. Building on five decades of leadership, service, and community impact, our dynamic and diverse Board of Directors continues to curate meaningful programming that reflects the core of our mission: fostering professional development, cultivating community, and championing equity within the legal field, all in furtherance of a strong and accessible system of justice.

Each year, OCWLA hosts a series of signature events that bring together members of the bench, bar, and broader community. In the spring, we gather for our annual Wine Event, a longstanding tradition that blends connection with celebration. Our summer Women Judges Reception honors the distinguished women jurists serving Orange County across both the state and federal courts, while our Past Presidents’ Tea pays tribute to the leaders whose vision and dedication have shaped OCWLA’s legacy.

In October, we host our premier fundraising event—the OCWLA Annual Gala—at the VEA Resort in Newport Beach. The Gala recognizes recipients of our Attorney of the Year, Judge of the Year, and Advancement of Women Awards, while also highlighting the vital work of our philanthropic partners. These efforts underscore OCWLA’s commitment not only to professional advancement, but also to supporting a legal community grounded in fairness, integrity, and equal access to justice.

Beyond these signature events, OCWLA remains deeply committed to professional development and accessible networking. Our MCLE programming addresses timely and impactful topics affecting today’s legal professionals, including initiatives such as our Equal Pay Day luncheon, which empowers attendees with tools to address compensation disparities. We also offer low-cost and no-cost opportunities for engagement through our monthly Book Club, philanthropy initiatives, and community coffee meetups.

The OCWLA Foundation, our charitable arm, continues to expand its impact by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing women and children throughout Orange County. The Foundation also awards bar stipends and diversity stipends twice annually to law graduates preparing for the California Bar Examination, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the next generation of attorneys and strengthening the pipeline of those who will uphold and advance the rule of law.

OCWLA remains committed to accessibility and inclusion by offering complimentary membership to judges, first-year admittees, undergraduate students, and law students, as well as discounted membership for junior and government attorneys, ensuring that those at every stage of the pipeline have access to mentorship, resources, and community.

As we look ahead, OCWLA remains grounded in its founding principles while embracing new opportunities to lead, mentor, and serve. We invite all members of the legal community to join us as we continue this important work together.

For more information about OCWLA, please visit www.ocwla.org or contact us at info@ocwla.org.

Orange County Women Lawyers Association

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