Join Fellow OCBA Members for Judges' Night at Irvine Marriott
This year's Judges' Night & Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026 at the Irvine Marriott. This time-honored event recognizing Orange County judiciary will feature the installation of Shirin Forootan as 2026 OCBA President, as well as the installation of the OCBA Officers and Directors and the OCBA Charitable Fund Directors. A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Franklin G. West Award, the highest honor bestowed by the OCBA to Mark P. Robinson, Jr. (Ret.).
For full event details or to register, visit the event webpage or download the flyer.
Featured Seminar
Presented by the OCBA Education Committee
Monday, January 12, 2026 - Monday, March 16, 2026
*Attorneys in MCLE Compliance Group 3 (N-Z) Must Complete 25 Hours of CLE by 3/29/2026*
Click here to register for the webinars.
OCBA News
The OCBA Lawyer Referral & Information Service is NOW accepting 2026 LRIS New Member Applications.
Join for an annual membership fee of $225 and receive referrals throughout 2026! Discounted rate for OCBA Members only.
Click here to join or email lris@ocbar.org for more information.
Don’t forget to RENEW your LRIS Membership! Deadline to renew is January 31, 2026.
OCBA Young Lawyers Division is now open to attorneys in their first 10 years of practice
Created to meet the needs of Orange County Bar Association members in their first ten years of practice, the Orange County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD) brings new attorneys together through educational, community outreach, networking and business development activities. These activities help new lawyers adapt to their demanding profession, encourage early involvement in the legal community and build camaraderie with fellow lawyers.
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
JANUARY 12, 2026
OCBA 2026 Last Dash On-Demand
*Attorneys in MCLE Compliance Group 3 (N-Z) Must Complete 25 Hours of CLE by 3/29/26*
JANUARY 13, 2026
OCBA MFA Advanced Arbitrator Training
Registration open to MFA Committee Members only. Register by email at feearbitration@ocbar.org.
JANUARY 20, 2026
OCBA Mommy Esquire Monthly Meeting
JANUARY 22, 2026
2026 Judges' Night & Annual Meeting
JANUARY 29, 2026
OCBA Mommy Esquire Committee Dinner and a Show
SAVE THE DATE
Volunteer Opportunities
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.
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.
MAKE AN INFORMED CLIENT REFERRAL
Does a client or prospective client's legal need fall outside of your area of practice?
Refer with confidence to the OCBA LAWYER REFERRAL & INFORMATION SERVICE (LRIS). A trusted referral program over 55 years.
Feel free to refer callers by phone to (949) 440-6747 or provide link to the LRIS online referral request form: http://www.lrisoc.org/referral.html.
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.
JANUARY 13, 2026
OCBA YLD 2026 Open House & Annual Business Meeting
FEBRUARY 18, 2026
OCBA YLD Seminar: On The Record: Winning Your Case In Deposition
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.
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 Getting to Know Our Incoming President: Shirin Forootan
by Joel S. Miliband and Joseph L. Chairez
- In the Vacuum of Federal Legislation, California Sets National AI Policy
by Lily Li
- Marketing Representations and Court Interpretations: The Current State of Consumer Class Actions
by Abby H. Meyer and Julia C. Anderson
- Liars and Vishers and Scams, Oh My!
by Jeffrey L. Van Hoosear
- The ELDR Center: Celebrating a Decade of Serving as Counsel to the Community
by Brooke A. Weitzman, with Akhil Sheth
- Ethically Speaking Ethics Update: 2025 Year in Review
Affiliate Bars
From the Courts & State Bar
For more information, please visit the Courts and State
Bar websites.
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