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OCBA Announces Newly Appointed Board Members for 2026
The OCBA is proud to announce the following recently appointed members who will be installed as OCBA Directors at Large at the 2026 Judges’ Night & Annual Meeting. Jared H. De Jong, (Hyundai Motor America), Kristin F. Godeke, (Wells Fargo), Sean T. Lobb, (Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth), and Arjun Sivakumar, (Brown Rudnick LLP) will be installed along with the other continuing board members, OCBA officers, and OCBA Charitable Fund Board of Directors on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the Irvine Marriott. For more details about the 2026 Judges’ Night & Annual Meeting, visit the event webpage or download the flyer.
OCBA Honors Edward A. Schlatter as This Year's Harmon G. Scoville Recipient
The OCBA hosted the Harmon G. Scoville Award Reception on November 18, 2025. Congratulations to this year's recipient Edward A. Schlatter. This award annually recognizes a member of the Orange County legal community who has exemplified the highest standards of the legal profession throughout their career, as well as contributed to and championed the mission of the OCBA.
Read the full story here. To view a list of past honorees, click here.
To view the OCBA Volunteer Recognition Reception photo album, visit the OCBA Facebook page.
OCBA 2026 Judges' Night & Annual Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
Irvine Marriott, Irvine
The OCBA is pleased to announce Mark P. Robinson, Jr. (Ret.) as the next Franklin G. West Award honoree. First established in 1971 in honor of the late Judge Franklin G. West, the Franklin G. West Award represents the highest honor awarded by the OCBA. The award will be presented at the 2026 Judges’ Night & Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Irvine Marriott.
Featured Seminar
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Click here to register online.
OCBA News
OCBA 2026 Section Leadership Election - Vote Online!
Online elections OPENED on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 for the Banking & Lending, Commercial Law & Bankruptcy, Elder Law & Special Needs, Immigration Law, Intellectual Property & Technology Law, Labor & Employment Law, Real Estate Law, Tort & Trial, and Trusts & Estates sections. Please note voting closes on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. Click here to vote.
Online elections OPEN on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 for the Business Litigation, Construction Law, Conservatorship, Guardianship, & Protective Proceedings, Entertainment, Sports, & Marketing Law, Family Law, Health Care Law, Insurance Law, and Solo Practitioner/Small Firm sections. Please note voting closes on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Click here to vote.
View the full nomination and election schedule online at ocbar.org/elections.
OCBA 2026 Membership
Renew your OCBA Membership for 2026 and stay connected to the Orange County Legal Community. Continue to enjoy the benefits of member pricing on CLE programs, events and access to valuable attorney resources. Make yourself visible to the Bar with advertising discounts in Orange County Lawyer magazine. Membership is based on the calendar year, so renew early to avoid any interruption in benefits. Renew Today!
Worthy Mentions
Have Good News of Your Own to Share? Contact OCBA Communications
Manager Erick Palacios at epalacios@ocbar.org
to acknowledge your achievement through the OCBA.
Events
DECEMBER 2, 2025
OCBA Ethics Update 2025
DECEMBER 9, 2025
OCBA Mommy Esquire Committee Holiday Luncheon
JANUARY 22, 2026
2026 Judges' Night & Annual Meeting
JANUARY 29, 2026
OCBA Mommy Esquire Committee Dinner and a Show
Volunteer Opportunities
Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive
Presented by the OCBA Community Outreach Committee
Donation Deadline: Monday, December 8, 2025
Join us this holiday season in making a child’s holiday special, by donating new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment to the Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive! Coordinated by Southern California Firefighters and K-WAVE, the Spark of Love Toy Drive has successfully collected toys for disadvantaged children and teens.
Click here for more information.
Drive-Thru Pet Food Pantry
Presented by the OCBA Community Outreach Committee and Young Lawyers Division
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Come volunteer at the monthly OC Animal Care drive-through Pet Food Pantry which provides members of our community, who may be encountering financial difficulties, with food supply for their pets. This program helps pet parents keep their pet and not have to rehome or relinquish their pet at a shelter.
Click here for more information.
Attorney Volunteers Needed to Score CRF-OC’s High School Mock Trial Program
MCLE Credit Available
CRF-OC’s 45th Annual High School Mock Trial Competition requires approximately 100 attorney volunteers to score each of the first four preliminary rounds of Mock Trial on November 6, 13, 18 and 20, 2025. Volunteer check-in opens at 4:45 pm and closes at 5:15 pm. Trials will end before 8:00 pm. A virtual orientation for attorney volunteers will take place Tuesday, October 21st at noon. It will be recorded for your convenience if you cannot attend the training. CRF-OC provides all the necessary materials; outside research is not required. Register here
See flyer for more details.
We are also looking for attorney volunteers to coach mock trial teams for Portola High School (Irvine), La Quinta High School (Westminster) and John F. Kennedy High School (La Palma), and El Modena High School (Orange). If you are interested in coaching, please complete the Mock Trial Coaching Interest form or contact CRF-OC’s Program Director, Marcy Garrett, at mgarrett@crfoc.org. Please consider sharing your time, knowledge, and expertise with these very dedicated high school students. The competition begins November 6, 2025.
UC Irvine Law - Call for Moot Court Judges 2025-2026
The 2025–2026 Moot Court Competition is set to challenge 63 student advocates with a thought-provoking constitutional issue in the fictional case Whitaker v. Lancaster City Bureau of Police, examining whether the continued retention of personal property remains reasonable under the Fourth Amendment once an investigation has closed without charges filed. The competition will run from January through April 2026, featuring both virtual and in-person rounds at UCI Law, with complimentary meals and parking provided for in-person sessions. Legal professionals are invited to serve on the judicial panel—volunteering for one or multiple rounds—to help mentor the next generation of advocates. Judges will receive detailed bench memoranda to prepare for engaging and meaningful oral arguments. To participate, complete the brief availability form linked in the Judge Sign-Up Form.
Orange County District Attorney’s Office - Trial Attorney Partnership (TAP)
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office established the Trial Attorney Partnership (TAP) program to offer a select group of private attorneys the opportunity to gain invaluable courtroom experience. Through TAP, participants handle contested evidentiary hearings, litigate motions, and conduct jury trials. View the informational brochure or flyer detailing the program and featuring testimonials from former participants. Attorneys considering the program will be provided with comprehensive training, valuable courtroom experience, and the opportunity to earn significant MCLE credits—all at no cost. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the OCDA at TAP-Program@ocdapa.org.
Level Up For Justice
Family Law Pro Bono Opportunities with the Public Law Center are ongoing and available. Level 1 pro bono help includes a free consultation and advice. Level 2 pro bono help includes a free consultation, document preparation, and advice. Level 3 pro bono help includes a free consultation, document preparation, advice, plus representation. Contact Angela Mestre (Pro Bono Coordinator, Public Law Center) via email at amestre@publiclawcenter.org for more information.
Orange County Superior Court - Ambassador Recruitment Program
The Orange County Superior Court serves 3.2 million residents in the third most populated county in the State of California. As the 6th largest court in the nation, the Orange County Superior Court hosts hundreds of visitors every year. The ambassador program is designed to help these visitors gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the work of the Court, its history, and the art, and architecture of the building. All applicants are required to submit a completed online application, have the proper attachments, and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Interested in applying? Email CommunityEngagement@occourts.org.
Veterans Legal Institute Family Law Clinic - Remote Volunteer Opportunity
If you're a family law attorney, you can advise a veteran on his or her case from the comfort of your own home. VLI seeks volunteers to the monthly Family Law Clinic on the last Friday of the month from 1 PM - 4 PM. Clients receive a free consultation from a family law attorney on his or her Southern California family law case. For more information, please contact Katie Binkley at kbinkley@vetslegal.com.
Veterans Legal Institute General Legal Clinic - Remote Volunteer Opportunity
Looking for an easy way to volunteer from the comfort of your own home? VLI seeks attorney volunteers each third Tuesday of the month to conduct 20 minute phone interviews with veterans around Southern California. For more information, please contact Katie Binkley at kbinkley@vetslegal.com.
CLA SoCal: Remote Pro Bono Opportunity: Unlawful
Detainer Answer Clinic
Assist low-income tenants facing eviction during the pandemic by helping
to prepare answers to Unlawful Detainer complaints in this remote clinic that
takes place every Tuesday, shifts at 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Volunteers and clients “meet” via a conference call, and housing staff attorneys
are available to provide real-time assistance in a video conference room for
the duration of the clinic. Watch the.45-minute prerecorded training video here. To sign up, please
email Monica Mar, Associate Director of Pro Bono at mmar@clsocal.org.
CLA SoCal: Remote Pro Bono Opportunity: Eviction
Defense: Trial Co-Counsel
CLA SoCal is seeking attorneys with jury trial experience to co-counsel eviction
cases with CLA SoCal staff attorneys. Volunteers will work with CLA SoCal staff
to prepare the case for jury trial, conduct discovery, participate in settlement
discussions, and represent clients at trial, all with the support of a housing
staff attorney. To sign up, please email Monica Mar, Associate Director of Pro Bono at mmar@clsocal.org.
Join an
OCBA Committee – Your involvement is an integral component
of the OCBA’s service to its members, the community, and the judiciary.
OCBA
HELP-Line – Join the Hotline of Experienced
Legal Professionals to provide brief consultations
in your area of practice to inquiring OCBA Attorney Members.
The OCBA Lawyer Referral & Information Service is NOW accepting 2026 LRIS New Member Applications.
Join for only $225 to receive referrals now through 2026! Discounted for OCBA Members only.
Click here to join or email lris@ocbar.org for more information.
REMINDER TO ALL CURRENT LRIS PANELISTS: 2026 LRIS Renewal Applications due by January 31, 2026. All renewal apps have been sent.
Young Lawyers Division
Learn more about the OCBA Young Lawyers Division or join today! Visit the OCBA calendar to find great
opportunities to connect with fellow YLD members.
DECEMBER 4, 2025
OCBA Trivia Night
Presented by the OCBA Masters Division and Young Lawyers Division
DECEMBER 17, 2025
OCBA YLD Holiday Mixer
Masters Division
The OCBA Masters Division is open to practitioners with 25 years or
more in the practice of law. Learn more about the OCBA Masters Division or join today and discover unique networking opportunities.
DECEMBER 4, 2025
OCBA Trivia Night
Presented by the OCBA Masters Division and Young Lawyers Division
DECEMBER 9, 2025
OCBA Masters Division Winter Celebration
Law School Corner
OCBA Law Student Members:
Launching a successful legal career starts here! Click here to learn more about your membership benefits.
Law students are invited to participate in one of the 26 OCBA Specialty Sections which focus on professional growth and are a great resource to explore various areas of law. Attend your first section meeting for free, contact membership@ocbar.org to sign up.
Orange County Lawyer Magazine
- COVER STORY Space Law 101
by Mary-Christine Sungaila
- COVER STORY Out of This World: Talking With David Goodwin
by Zachary Zaharek
- COVER STORY Who Pays When You Get Hit by Space Debris?
by Alyson C. Decker
- COVER STORY Lunar Space Resource Utilization
by Francesca Giannoni-Crystal
- COVER STORY A Small Country With Stratospheric Ambitions:
Strategic Funding and Specialization Propel Lithuania into
the Global Space Market
by Eigirdas Sarkanas
- Bridging the Justice Gap: The Critical Need for
Pro Bono Advocacy in Family Law
by Kevin Camino
- Ethically Speaking To Speak or Not to Speak:
That is the Question
by Robert M. Dato
Affiliate Bars
From the Courts & State Bar
For more information, please visit the Courts and State
Bar websites.
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