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Newsletter for February 9, 2026 – February 23, 2026

 

OCBA Members: New Website Coming Soon

The OCBA is excited to share that we will be launching an updated website in the coming weeks. The refreshed interface will feature a modernized look while maintaining the same core content and intuitive navigation our members are familiar with.

The goal is to enhance the overall user experience while ensuring continuity and ease of access to the resources our members reply on. We look forward to sharing the updated site with you soon and appreciate your continued engagement and support.


OCBA Charitable Fund Judge Kenneth Lae Charity Golf Scramble

Monday, April 27, 2026
Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club, Coto de Caza

*Sponsorship Opportunities Available*
Tee up for charity at the ever-popular Judge Kenneth Lae Charity Golf Scramble! Proceeds benefit the OCBA Charitable Fund, the philanthropic arm of the OCBA, which provides funding and resources to organizations and programs that enhance the system of justice and promote equal justice for all. Register online or download the event flyer for more information.

Featured Seminar

OCBA 2026 LAST DASH On-Demand

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

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

FEBRUARY 12, 2026
Galentine's Day Coffee with OCWLA & OCBA Mommy Esq. Committee

FEBRUARY 13, 2026
OCBA Lawyer Well-Being Committee: High Stakes, Heavy Hearts

FEBRUARY 19, 2026
OCBA Charitable Fund Grant Giving Presentation
Complimentary for OCBA Charitable Fund supporters, donors, and grant recipients - invitation only

MARCH 4, 2026
OCBA and LACBA Virtual Networking Mixer

MARCH 10, 2026
OCBA Mommy Esquire Monthly Meeting

APRIL 27, 2026
OCBA Charitable Fund Judge Kenneth Lae Charity Golf Scramble

SAVE THE DATE

Volunteer Opportunities

Winter Food Packaging Event
Presented by the OCBA Community Outreach Committee and Young Lawyers Division
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Spend a few hours packing and assembling food items into boxes for delivery to hungry families in our communities. Attire: Casual (jeans, sweatshirts, close toed shoes). Over 456,000 Orange County residents are at risk of hunger every month. Of these individuals 42% are children
Click here for more information.

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.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026
OCBA YLD Seminar: On The Record: Winning Your Case In Deposition

SAVE THE DATE


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 Mark P. Robinson, Jr., Franklin G. West Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree
    by Daniel S. Robinson
  • Just OC: A Client-Centered Approach to Legal Services in Orange County
    by Kate Marr
  • Adjusting the Standard for Patent Subject Matter Eligibility
    by Dr. Dariush G. Adli
  • Truth in Advertising: How Senate Bill 37 Raises the Bar for Lawyer Marketing
    by Eric V. Traut
  • What Is Required (and NOT Required) as Part of a Free and Appropriate Public Education?
    by Jennifer S. Chang
  • Multilingual Lawyers in Pro Bono Cases
    by Diana Hoag
  • Orange County Superior Court Judges and the California Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three Justices Who Retired in 2025
  • Index of Articles Appearing in Volume 67, 2025 Orange County Lawyer Magazine
  • Ethically Speaking A Remote Workplace Doesn’t Remove Responsibility: Competency and Confidentiality in the Digital Workplace
    by Nicole Nuzzo

Affiliate Bars

FBA/OC: Ninth Circuit Update - February 18

 

 

FLOC: Adobo Night Mentorship Event - February 27

From the Courts & State Bar

For more information, please visit the Courts and State Bar websites.

   

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