IABA Statement Updated April 2024

The Iranian American Bar Association’s mission is to educate our community about legal issues of interest and ensure that the public and our representatives are informed on such matters; to protect and advance the legal rights of our community; and to foster and promote the achievements of Iranian American legal professionals.

IABA-OC is the Orange County chapter of the IABA, which is a nonprofit, non-religious, apolitical, and all-volunteer member-funded organization that serves Iranian American lawyers, judges, students, and the community as a whole.

Since its founding over a decade ago, the IABA has been at the forefront of legal issues impacting the Iranian American community. IABA and IABA-OC have combined efforts and issued timely “Know Your Rights” educational material, assisted community members, worked to safeguard the Iranian American community against hate crimes, and held community outreach and educational town hall events. Through IABA-OC’s legal clinics, often held in partnership with local nonprofit counterparts, attorneys give back to the community by offering guidance covering a wide array of topics, such as immigration and family law, and by introducing the community to additional resources available to them.

The IABA has grown to be the largest national organization of Iranian-American legal professionals, with multiple chapters nationwide, and continues to grow in other states.

Contributing to and supporting the careers of Iranian American legal practitioners and law students is another main objective of the IABA. That’s why the IABA started the National Iranian American Law Students Association. IABA-OC has implemented a mentorship program to guide law students and young practitioners as they begin their journey in law. The mentees are paired with a mentor, empowered to pursue their personal career objectives, learn from others, and raise their professional confidence. Together with the IABA Foundation, multiple scholarships are provided to law students across the country.

IABA-OC regularly hosts events both by Zoom and in person, this year including two major events, a Nowruz Gala in March 2024 and a Fall ABC (Attorneys, Bankers, and CPA) Night in September 2024. We will continue hosting numerous live and virtual programs on hot topics, providing MCLE to participants, raising money for scholarships and charitable organizations, and offering opportunities for members and non-members to expand their networks locally and nationally. IABA-OC also hosts an annual toy drive in December of each year, which not only a celebration of the holiday season, but also benefits national and international children through charitable efforts in partnership with nonprofit organizations.

IABA-OC is open to all attorneys, judges, and law students, and one need not be of Iranian descent to join. IABA-OC invites readers to become a member and to connect with IABA-OC through the website iaba.us, and join the IABA-OC community on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @iabaoc.