In order to offer our members increased diversity alongside engaging networking and learning opportunities, the Orange County Bar Association proudly partners with a variety of Affiliate Bars. As such, we invite you to take this opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn more about our Affiliates directly from their leadership. Joining a relevant Affiliate Bar may improve your practice while simultaneously increasing your involvement in the Orange County legal community.
ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS TRIAL LAWYERS, ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER (ABTL-OC) The Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL), founded over forty-nine years ago, has five thriving chapters across California. ABTL provides a forum in which litigators and judges meet to address issues important to business trial lawyers. Judicial participation in ABTL programs and events is very strong, in part because ABTL includes both plaintiff and defense perspectives.
The Orange County Chapter (ABTL-OC) provides top quality programs, combined with social hours where colleagues can meet with each other and with judges. The first program of 2023 was entitled “From Ethical Violations to Criminal Convictions: United States v. Avenatti.” Our second program was entitled “Chain Reaction: A Trial Lawyer’s Guide to Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies.” On May 24, ABTL-OC will host our annual Robert E. Palmer Wine Tasting Dinner to benefit the Public Law Center. Please join us for our September and November programs too.
In addition to its programs, ABTL is known for its unmatched statewide Annual Seminars. In September, ABTL held its members-only Annual Seminar at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego. It drew approximately 350 attendees and offered 8.0 hours of MCLE credit to lawyers and judges from across the state. This year, the Annual Seminar will take place at the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island of Hawaii from October 11-15, 2023.
ABTL-OC is also dedicated to mentoring and fostering relations with its “Young Lawyer Division” (YLD), which is defined as those practicing ten years or fewer. Our YLD organizes events throughout the year, including brown-bag lunches, “nuts and bolts” programs, happy hours, and judicial mixers. United States District Judge Fred Slaughter hosted our first brown-bag lunch of the year.
Finally, ABTL-OC is devoted to giving back to the Orange County community. Each November, the ABTL-OC collects new stuffed animals for the Orange County Superior Court’s adoption program. Furthermore, ABTL-OC annually raises tens of thousands of dollars for the Public Law Center and was able to continue this process—raising almost $35,000 in 2022.
Every Orange County business litigator is encouraged to join ABTL-OC. For more information, visit our website at www.ABTL.org, or contact our Executive Director, Linda Sampson, at abtloc@abtl.org.
CELTIC BAR ASSOCIATION (CBA) The Celtic Bar Association (CBA) aims to promote camaraderie amongst members, civility and professionalism within the Orange County legal community, and a greater awareness of Celtic culture and history, particularly its contribution to the law. One need not be of Celtic descent to join! All we ask is that you be an OCBA member, have an outgoing nature, and support our organization’s goals.
We meet on the third Tuesday of each month at Muldoon’s Irish Pub—originally through the graciousness of one of our founding members, Ronald “O’Schwartz” (and now thanks to the pub’s new owner, Mario Marovic)—located near Fashion Island in Newport Beach. We have a longstanding tradition set forth in our bylaws that meetings cannot last more than five minutes, which is strictly adhered to at all meetings, with our leaders heckled down as the deadline approaches.
Each year, we install officers and recognize our Celtic Judge of the Year on Samhain Eve, which heralds the beginning of the Celtic New Year. This past year, we recognized the Hon. Maria D. Hernandez as the Celtic Judge of the Year and Kate Corrigan of Corrigan Welbourn Stokke as Attorney of the Year at our well-attended installation dinner. Past recipients include Judge John Nho Trong Nguyen (Ret.), Charles Margines, Judge Shaina Colover, Judge Jamoa Moberly, Judge Linda S. Marks, Judge Nancy Wieben Stock (Ret.), Judge Gail A. Andler (Ret.), Judge Dennis Choate (Ret.), Judge Sheila Fell, Judge James Di Cesare, Justice Kathleen O’Leary, Judge William McDonald, Judge C. Robert Jameson, Judge David McEachen, Judge Ronald Kreber, Judge Dan Pratt, Judge Franz Miller, Judge Michael Brenner, Judge Andrew Banks, Judge Lon Hurwitz, and Justice William Bedsworth. In 2019, we granted the inaugural Founder’s Award at Samhain Eve to Attorney Ronald Schwartz. In 2021, we instituted our annual Whiskey Tasting to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day; in March 2022, we hosted a very well-attended second edition with the OC Korean American Bar Association.
We have organized MCLE travel seminars to Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, France, Italy, England, Spain, and Wales, and this year we are returning to Ireland (Dublin and Ashford Castle) November 3-10, 2023. We have also had excursions to contemporary Irish comedies and plays, the Orange County Irish Fair, a local Renaissance Faire, and Irish and Celtic movies. There are seven Celtic nations, all of which are connected by common history and culture: Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Galicia (in Spain), Brittany (in France), and Cornwall (in England). Celtic people are known for their outgoing nature and love of the written and spoken word. While there are many Irish-American lawyers’ groups throughout the United States, we believe that the CBA is the first attempt to gather all the Celtic clans in a single legal organization.
More than 300 lawyers and judges rally to our cause. (We have modest annual dues of $25!) For further information, contact CBA President Meredith L. Williams at mwilliams@rutan.com or visit celticbarassociation.org.
FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION, ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER (FBA/OC) The Federal Bar Association (FBA) is the preeminent national organization for lawyers and judges involved in federal practice. The organization’s mission is to strengthen the federal legal system and administration of justice by serving the interests and needs of federal practitioners, the federal judiciary, and the public.
The Orange County Chapter of the FBA (FBA/OC) covers the spectrum of federal legal practice in Orange County and focuses on presenting frequent and topical CLE programs. Local federal judges participate in presenting many of the programs, provide insight on federal practice in Orange County, and serve on the FBA/OC Board of Directors. Programs and events provide a unique opportunity to interact with federal judges and personnel, stay current on developments in federal practice, and meet and learn from other federal practitioners in our community.
FBA/OC’s regular programs include: annual civil, criminal, and intellectual property practice programs on cutting-edge topics; the “Insiders’ Guide to the Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse” program that include tours of the courthouse and practical information on its workings; and special programs with nationally recognized members of the legal community. Each summer, the FBA/OC hosts two Bench and Bar luncheon events at which local federal judges provide valuable insights to practitioners. The Chapter’s hallmark event each year, Judges’ Night, draws many judges from local and regional courts.
FBA/OC also supports the local community by hosting an annual pro bono lunch to raise awareness of and participation in pro bono programs in the county. Its members also support the Federal Pro Se Clinic at the Ronald Regan Courthouse through volunteer activities.
FBA/OC is also committed to promoting the growth of younger federal court practitioners via its Young Lawyers Division. The YLD hosts brown bag lunches with local judges and networking opportunities for younger federal court practitioners. And the YLD supports the Federal Pro Se Clinic, the Constitutional Rights Foundation, and other pro bono and nonprofit organizations.
The Chapter’s membership spans a wide range of attorneys, from civil to criminal, from private practitioners to corporate counsel to government attorneys, and includes lawyers in diverse practices, from solo offices to the largest firms.
For more information, membership applications, or to join the FBA/OC, visit the website at www.fbaoc.com or contact FBA/OC Administration at info@fbaoc.com, or 949-608-9905.
IRANIAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (IABA-OC) 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. We will continue hosting numerous live and virtual programs on hot topics, providing MCLE to participants, and offering an opportunity for members and non-members to expand their networks locally and nationally.
Both the IABA and IABA-OC host separate annual galas (virtually during the pandemic, and now in-person), that foster connections and collaboration, provide an opportunity to learn and inspire, and raise funds for law student scholarships and other IABA efforts.
The annual holiday toy drive, hosted by IABA-OC in December of each year, is 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.
ITALIAN AMERICAN LAWYERS OF ORANGE COUNTY—LEX ROMANA (IALOC) Our mission is to celebrate Italian culture, provide continuing legal education opportunities to members of the Orange County legal community, and create fun and festive opportunities for networking among lawyers, non-lawyers, and anyone interested in good food, good wine, and good company.
The Italian American Lawyers of Orange County—Lex Romana (IALOC) meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Come join us for an Italian meal at different highly rated restaurants throughout Orange County. You can register at http://www.ialoc.org. Tutti sono i benvenuti. All are welcome!
Our annual highlights include the January Board Installation Dinner, cooking demonstrations, wine and olive oil tastings, and a summer bocce tournament at Il Fornaio. We will be co-hosting a “Marco Polo” dinner with OCAABA on June 13th at Golden Dragon Restaurant in Costa Mesa. It will be a festive event to celebrate the Italian and Asian cultures that were enhanced by the journey of Marco Polo from 1275-1295 from Venice, Italy to Shangdu, China.
Additionally, IALOC annually recognizes a member of the legal community for his/her outstanding lifetime legal career and support of the Italian American Lawyers of Orange County. The award is named after first honoree, Hon. James Alfano. Past honorees include, Hon. James Di Cesare, Joseph D’Antony, Andrew Lachina, and posthumously to John DiCaro.
As an MCLE provider, IALOC provides periodic CLE programs to its members while enjoying a glass of wine and good Italian cuisine. In addition to these local CLE programs, IALOC has a “CLE in Italy” program every two years. Attendees obtain MCLE credits while experiencing the history, food, wine, and culture available only in Italy. Past travels included unforgettable trips to Sicily, Tuscany, Verona, and Sorrento.
IALOC takes pride in being the premier OCBA Affiliate that places equal emphasis on the importance of legal, cultural, epicurean, and fermented contributions Italians have made to our society. We are well known for our love of Italian culture, food, and wines, and believe everyone is an Italian at heart. (Especially our German/Irish President). Italians and non-Italians are all welcome and encouraged to join. If you love good food, a nice Chianti, and/or periodic opportunities for CLE locally and in Italy, you qualify for membership in the IALOC!
IALOC established its roots in the Orange County community in 1979 with Joseph D’Antony installed as its first President. Founding members also include Hon. James Di Cesare, Frank Barbaro, John DiCaro, Joseph DiVincenzo, Andrew Lachina, and Frank Terreri. IALOC thanks all of its past presidents who still attend most dinners.
For more information on becoming a member, attending a meeting, learning about the IALOC and its history, searching our Board and Membership Directories, or getting on our CLE in Italy interest list, please visit our website at IALOC.org or contact our 2023 President, Eric Traut, who is serving his second term. Eric@trautfirm.com. Unisciti a noi per cibo straordinario mentre crei amicizie per tutta la vita. Join us for amazing food while creating lifelong friendships.
J. REUBEN CLARK LAW SOCIETY—ORANGE COUNTY (JRCLS-OC) The J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS) is a diverse, worldwide organization with active chapters throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North, Central, and South America. The JRCLS emphasizes public service, loyalty to the rule of law and to the Constitution, and appreciation for the religious dimensions both in society at large and in a lawyer’s personal life. The JRCLS Mission Statement reflects these values: “We affirm the strength brought to the law by a lawyer’s personal religious conviction. We strive through public service and professional excellence to promote fairness and virtue founded upon the rule of law.”
With approximately 150 active members, the Orange County chapter (JRCLS-OC) is one of the largest and most dynamic in the JRCLS. Our chapter hosts approximately six CLE luncheons each year, an annual Religion & the Law Symposium, Women-in-Law events, an annual dinner, and community service events. We refer pro bono matters to our members who are interested in such opportunities.
Members of the JRCLS-OC and their guests have recently heard presentations by L. Whitney Clayton (Emeritus General Authority for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), Brent J. Belnap (Senior Counsel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), Diane Biagianti (senior vice president and general counsel for Glaukos Corporation), Mark Skousen (Presidential Fellow, Chapman University), and Carl H. Esbeck (Professor at University of Missouri School of Law), and we have upcoming presentations that include Blaine Evanson (Gibson Dunn LLP) and Tad R. Callister (Emeritus General Authority for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
Our society is named after an eminent statesman, jurist, and religious leader who embodied the values we espouse. J. Reuben Clark, Jr. served as solicitor of the U.S. State Department and later in the JAG Officers’ Reserve Corps, earning a Distinguished Service Medal in his work for the U.S. Attorney General’s Office during World War II. He also served as Undersecretary of State, publishing the “Clark Memorandum on the Monroe Doctrine,” and then as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. He later served in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Membership in the JRCLS-OC is open to all law students, attorneys, and judges who support our mission statement and share these values. There is no requirement to have attended or graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University or to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All who share our mission are welcome.
Anyone interested in attending one of our luncheons or joining our organization may contact the JRCLS-OC Chapter Chair Jeffery Hallstrom at jeffery.hallstrom@knobbe.com, or visit our websites at www.jrcls-oc.com and www.jrcls.org.
ORANGE COUNTY ASIAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (OCAABA) Established in 1993, the Orange County Asian American Bar Association (OCAABA) celebrates its twenty-eighth year as Orange County’s Pan-Asian bar association. OCAABA embraces diversity, welcoming members from any and all backgrounds and practices. Interfacing regularly with fellow local bars and nationally with the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), OCAABA is a voice for our community, dedicated to service, charity, and leadership.
In 2017, OCAABA was honored with NAPABA’s prestigious “Affiliate of the Year” award, competing with bar associations all across the United States and Canada. Above all, our members and leaders make the OCAABA experience truly exceptional. There is something for everyone in OCAABA, and we welcome you to join one of our ten committees.
The Professional Development Committee organizes MCLE programs and seminars. These provide guidance for professional development and advancement and often focus on popular, present-day issues.
The In-House Counsel Section helps build relationships among in-house counsel and with outside counsel through events such as the “Must-Know GCs in OC” reception and the “Must-Know GCs” lunch series.
The Pipeline Committee works with law student associations and partners with local law schools to provide mentorship, career panel programs, and skills workshops. Student members can sign up for OCAABA’s popular mentor-mentee program.
The Community Service Committee organizes charitable drives such as supply drives for homeless people and food drives.
The Social Committee plans and coordinates social events throughout the year. The Moon Festival and Holiday Dim Sum mixers have become two of our signature events, creating opportunities for students, attorneys, judges, and community supporters to promote friendships and professional ties.
The Membership Committee works on expanding our membership base. Popular events include the Fall Membership Drive and Sushi & Sake Fest where members can also meet candidates for OCAABA’s incoming board.
The PR/Affiliates Committee interfaces with OCAABA’s affiliate bar organizations and the wider community. OCAABA often partners with affiliate bars to host events.
The Judicial Evaluation Committee evaluates qualified judicial candidates for OCAABA endorsement and endeavors to recognize and celebrate diversity on the bench.
For more information, visit www.ocaaba.org or email contactus@ocaaba.org.
ORANGE COUNTY CRIMINAL DEFENSE BAR ASSOCIATION (OCCDBA) The Orange County Criminal Defense Bar Association (OCCDBA) is the unified voice of the criminal defense bar for Orange County. The founding Board members, Paul Meyer (President), Kate Corrigan (Past President), Jennifer Keller, Gary Pohlson, John Barnett, Mike McDonnell, Al Stokke, Jack Earley, and Ed Muñoz started the association to promote the interests of the private criminal defense bar in Orange County. Ed Flores, Tom Bienert, and Ed Welbourn joined the Board and are currently serving as active members.
During the pandemic, the OCCDBA was instrumental in assisting to ensure that the rights of the accused were not lost in the process. A strong working relationship with the courts and prosecution and public agencies guarantees that the voice of the criminal defense bar continues to be effectively heard.
The OCCDBA Board members have been actively participating in courthouse and remote meetings and providing a voice for the private criminal defense bar. The concerns and input from the members have contributed to many productive changes in the Orange County criminal courts. Membership continues to grow, and great MCLE is one of the hallmarks of the OCCDBA. Expanded vision for private defense counsel and a high level of camaraderie amongst its members are highlights of the Association. Our meetings have included panel discussions with presiding and trial judges, open forums for judicial candidates, and great insights arising from those practicing trial and appellate law. In the coming year, the programs will continue to feature town-hall style exchanges with the bench and co-hosted receptions with other legal associations. The OCCDBA members range in age and experience. Seasoned attorneys offer their time and insights to younger members in a friendly and informal mentoring setting.
In normal times, we meet at 5:00 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month at Original Mike’s in Santa Ana. Our dues are $150 per year, and we offer a discount to law students and investigators. Membership is now open. For further information, please contact OCCDBA President Paul Meyer, Past President Kate Corrigan, or visit our website at www.occdba.com. OCCDBA is looking for new leadership this year and encourages any interested member of the OC legal community to contact Kate Corrigan at Kate@cwsdefense.com.
HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF ORANGE COUNTY (OC-HBA) The Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County was founded in 1970 by an astonishingly small group of Orange County lawyers of Hispanic heritage. The late Honorable Judge James O. Perez was the first Latino judge to be appointed to the bench in Orange County and, naturally, became a founding member of the organization. To proudly honor his legacy, the James O. Perez Trail Blazer Award is given at the annual Judges Barbeque yearly.
The members of the OCHBA have been committed to its purpose even in the plight of these past few years through a pandemic. The OCHBA is committed to promoting education, unity, and excellence in the Hispanic legal community. The loyal members and sponsors of the OCHBA have given strength in areas where our community needs it. This year, members, judges, past presidents, and sponsors attended the 45th Annual Gala Scholarship Fundraiser and Installation Dinner, which is the organization’s biggest fundraising event. Deserving law students Jonathan Caceres, Maria C. Tello, Mireya Valle, and Claudia Diaz Martinez received the Wally Davis Scholarships to help in their law studies, and Tamara McCormick received a Bar Stipend to help support her in her preparation for the Bar Exam. This year, we honored Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her trailblazing efforts and breaking barriers in becoming the first Latina Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California. Our Attorney of the Year was awarded to Camille Vasquez for being a powerhouse for the Latina and Latinx legal community. Our Guardian De La Justicia was Boys and Girls Club of Central Orange Coast for providing an outlet and changes the lives of the youth in our communities. Our Corporate Citizen was awarded to Skechers, for their significant contributions to our communities, especially through their Bobs charity program, which enabled the donation of approximately 600 pairs of shoes to three organizations of our choosing this past year.
The success of this organization, its programs, and events and impact upon our community are a combination of the commitment of all of its members, directors, past presidents, and sponsors as they come together to promote education, unity, and excellence in the Hispanic legal community. We are deeply committed in helping our community in areas of social justice and continuing our yearly scholarships to help our law students achieve their goals and join our legal community to further the positive impact in Orange County.
We encourage you to join us. We have many events where you can network, socialize, and get involved in our community. These are a few of our events:
We hope you will join us!
ORANGE COUNTY JEWISH BAR ASSOCIATION (OCJBA) The OCJBA was founded to provide a social environment that engenders comradeship among its members based on the Jewish traditions of Torah (law), Mitzvot (good deeds), and Tzedakah (literally, justice) while practicing law and serving the community. The OCJBA greatly appreciates Jordon Steinberg for taking the initiative to create this incredible organization.
We welcome all to our monthly “Schmooze and Booze” meetings at The Farmhouse Grill at Strawberry Farms golf course the third Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
OCJBA continues to connect with the Orange County and Long Beach communities by facilitating and participating in activities with local organizations such as Jewish Community Centers (Orange County and Long Beach), Chapman University, affiliate bars, OCBA sections and committees, the California Lawyers Association, the Anti-Defamation League, the Museum of Tolerance, OC Jewish Collaborative, Jewish National Fund, and Jewish Federation.
Being back to our new “normal,” we look forward to seeing everyone in person once again. We are hoping to see new faces and continue building relationships, so please join our friendly Jewish group. Per our bylaws, the business aspect of the general monthly meetings lasts less than five minutes and the fun lasts all evening!
For more information about OCJBA activities and to submit Mensch of the Year nominations, Board nominations, or activity ideas, please visit OCJBA.org, write OCJBA, P.O. Box 6130, Newport Beach, CA 92658, or email president Warren Morten at Warren@MorFairLaw.com.
ORANGE COUNTY KOREAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (OCKABA) OCKABA was established in 2005 to foster meaningful relationships among Korean American lawyers and law students, to provide pro bono services to the Orange County Korean American community, and to promote the appointment of Korean American judges. Over the past eighteen years, with the help and support of OCBA, other affiliate bars, and the greater legal community, OCKABA has grown significantly as an organization.
OCKABA is currently led by President Sean Kim of Edwards Lifesciences, President-Elect Mimi Ahn of Kahana & Feld LLP, Treasurer Mandy Kim of McDermott Will & Emery, Secretary Jonathan Shin of Shin Law Group, and eighteen members of the board of directors. Our officers and directors are leaders and experts in their fields, and they regularly attend and represent OCKABA at numerous events such as IAKL Annual Conference, annual NAPABA Convention, and Cal-APABA Annual Conference, just to name a few.
This year, OCKABA held its 17th Annual Installation Dinner and honored Arnold Pinkston, Corporate Vice President and General Counsel of Edwards Lifesciences, as its keynote speaker and a recipient of Leadership Award, and Eugene Kim, Chief Legal Officer and Head of U.S. Business at Levvels, as a recipient of its Trailblazer Award. In addition, Esther Eunjean Kye and Deborah Choi of UCI Law received Bar Stipend Awards to support their preparation for the bar exam.
During the 2022-2023 term, OCKABA hosted/sponsored many events including: End-of-summer pizza party; Joint Halloween party with Filipino Lawyers of Orange County (FLOC), Vietnamese American Bar Association of Southern California (VABASC), and Orange County Asian American Bar Association (OCAABA); Holiday party celebrating friendship with traditional Korean food; Mentorship mixers providing opportunities for mentors and mentees to connect; Board retreat in Temecula, a joint summer mixer with OCAABA; and Joint whiskey tasting event with the Celtic Bar Association (CBA) of Orange County.
We look forward to connecting with you at our events. For inquiries about upcoming events, membership, or sponsorship information, please contact us at admin@ockaba.org.
ORANGE COUNTY LAVENDER BAR ASSOCIATION (OCLBA) The Orange County Lavender Bar Association (OCLBA) is the official association of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+), and allied attorneys, judges, and law students in the county. OCLBA provides networking, educational, and mentorship opportunities and resources to its membership and the community with the goal of increasing the county’s participation in the broader statewide LGBTQ+ community and the visibility of LGBTQ+ issues in the county.
OCLBA launched on June 16, 2010, at a gala attended by 200 attorneys, philanthropists, business and community leaders, judges, professors, and students. The gala featured remarks by the attorneys who completed closing arguments in the landmark Perry v. Schwarzenegger case, which challenged Proposition 8 in federal court. Since then, the annual gala has provided the opportunity to celebrate advances in LGBTQ+ legal protections in California and across the nation, including the legalization of same-sex marriage. OCLBA’s Board of Directors, which includes representatives from private practice and academia, continue to implement a robust series of MCLE programs. These programs include a number of highly successful events ranging from constitutional law to tax and estate planning to addressing bias issues.
For 2023, OCLBA has focused on connecting with more community partners, including pro bono, and increasing its involvement with local law students. OCLBA members do pro bono work with the Transgender Legal Assistance Clinic (TLAC) each month. This year OCLBA is proud to sponsor a UCI law student to attend the American Bar Association’s Equal Justice Conference, where they will assist in presenting a panel on how other legal services organizations across the nation can start their own name and gender change clinics.
Since its founding, each summer, the OCLBA hosts its annual Anniversary Gala honoring community and legal leaders in the fight for justice and equality. OCLBA also awards its M. Katherine B. Darmer Equality Scholarship to a law student committed to LGBTQ+ issues in Orange County. OCLBA looks forward to hosting its Thirteenth Anniversary Party on July 12 at the Park Plaza Commons in Irvine.
OCLBA also hosted its annual Harvey Milk Day MCLE Luncheon on May 22 and will be holding a National Coming Out Day event in October.
OCLBA seeks to serve and unite not just the LGBTQ+ community but our allies as well. For more information, please visit www.oclba.org or email OCLBA President Michael Olsen at MOlsen@kadingbriggs.com.
ORANGE COUNTY TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (OCTLA) Formed in 1963, when plaintiffs’ attorneys gathered to share information and exchange tips and strategies with one another, the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA) has grown into one of the most influential Affiliate Bar organizations in Orange County. Now in its 60th year, OCTLA is stronger than ever, dedicated to providing premier advocacy for the protection of individuals and their access to civil justice through superior education and training for our members and access to the collective resources, knowledge, and experience of our membership. Below is an overview of the benefits that OCTLA members enjoy.
Best Networking Opportunities in Orange County: It’s no secret that OCTLA is one of the most prominent bar organizations in Orange County, and members are treated to regular networking opportunities with judges and top trial lawyers in the county at special events and our monthly dinner meetings.
Relevant and Interesting Educational Events: Not all MCLE educational events are created equal. OCTLA provides monthly opportunities to earn MCLE credits while learning about relevant issues from some of the greatest speakers in the state.
Informative Quarterly Magazine: From insightful interviews with Orange County Superior Court judges to practical, nuts-and-bolts articles on issues of procedure and trial skills, you will not want to miss an issue of The Gavel magazine.
Member Listserv: Some have said OCTLA’s most valuable member benefit is our members-only listserv that allows attorney members to post questions regarding their cases and solicit immediate responses from hundreds of fellow trial attorneys. It is OCTLA members connected together in a real-time, private, virtual forum sharing their collective knowledge and experience for mutual benefit.
Deposition and Document Bank: Our attorney members also have free access to our online document bank stocked with motions, pleadings, and almost a thousand deposition transcripts. It’s like having the resources of a large law firm at your fingertips.
Social Activities: OCTLA gives its members many opportunities to build lasting personal and professional relationships. These include our annual Golf Tournament which was held this year on June 1st at Oak Creek Golf Club, along with fun networking mixers, including members-only Bowling Night, Angels Game or Day at the Races. For those who enjoy more formal events, OCTLA delivers with its black-tie Installation and Judicial Awards Program held in January each year and its annual Top Gun Trial Lawyer of the Year Awards Program and charity auction, which will be held in November.
All consumer attorneys engaged in trial practice in Orange County are encouraged to join OCTLA. With benefits like these, how can you afford not to join? For more information, visit our website at www.OCTLA.org, or contact OCTLA at 949-916-9577.
ORANGE COUNTY WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (OCWLA) Orange County Women Lawyers Association (OCWLA) proudly celebrates our 48th Anniversary. Our dynamic board of directors has worked hard to ensure our events and programming reflect our mission of advancing women in the legal profession by providing a professional network to its members, raising awareness of discrimination and bias, and supporting charitable organizations.
Each year the OCWLA holds several signature events that continue to be a big success. In March we held our annual Wine Event that is always a member favorite. We also will have The Women Judges Reception this summer where we honor the many women judges of Orange County’s federal and state bench. Our Annual Gala will be this fall where OCWLA will honor our Attorney of the Year, Judge of the Year, and recipient of the Advancement of Women Award. OCWLA’s philanthropy recipients are also recognized at the Gala. The Holiday and Installation Dinner recognizes the outgoing board members and installs the incoming board.
In addition to these signature events, OCWLA hosts CLEs on relevant topics that feature members of the bench and bar. OCWLA’s most important CLE is Equal Pay Day where OCWLA raises awareness about the pay disparity women face and empowers its members to redress this issue. OCWLA also provides low or no-cost networking opportunities, such as the monthly Book Club, philanthropy activities, and coffee meet-ups.
OCWLA’s charitable arm, the OCWLA Foundation, works to aid local organizations that help women and children who are subject to domestic violence and human trafficking, and assists with the unmet legal needs of women and children. Together, OCWLA and the OCWLA Foundation provide bar stipends and diversity bar stipends twice annually to outstanding law school graduates who are studying for the California Bar Examination.
OCWLA offers free membership to first year admittees and to law students, and also offers discounted membership to young lawyers and government lawyers. In addition to the OCBA, OCWLA is an affiliate of California Women Lawyers and the National Association of Women Lawyers.
All are welcome at OCWLA! We look forward to working together with our members to advance our mission in the Orange County community.
For more information about OCWLA, visit www.ocwla.org or email info@ocwla.org.
THURGOOD MARSHALL BAR ASSOCIATION (TMBA) Thurgood Marshall Bar Association (TMBA) was founded in 2012. TMBA is a contemporary bar association committed to connect, support, and increase the Black legal community in Orange County. TMBA strives to promote diversity and inclusion, professional improvement, and the advancement of justice through positive community involvement and excellence in the practice of law for the Black legal community, allies, and the Orange County legal community at large. Everyone is welcome to join and encouraged to support TMBA.
TMBA’s leadership team includes fifteen dedicated Board Members and Officers who volunteer their time, resources, and talents to support TMBA’s mission, while at the same time leading active careers in various sectors of our legal community. We are sincerely grateful for our 2023 servant leaders who include: Honieh Udenka, Tremayne Wilson, Yemi Adeyanju, Porsche Clarke, Precious Odum, Brooke Weitzman, Cinnamon Carr, Moriah Denton, Justin Glenn, David Griffith, Melonie Jordan, Biola Macaulay, Nyja Prior, Rebekah Thomas, and Hollie Washington.
In 2023, our organizational focus is on Connection, Community, and Compassion with the goal to get people connected again and to support the community, including Black lawyers.
TMBA’s core mission of increasing the racial diversity of the Orange County legal community will be amplified by programming and events centered around connection. The organization has and will continue to serve as a platform for professional advancement through networking opportunities, coaching, mentorship, continuing education, and career placement.
TMBA will also continue to be a place of community for Black lawyers and law students in Orange County. To that end, programming and events will, to the extent possible, shift back to the in-person format to allow us to reconnect with and reignite our village. And, by serving one another with compassion, TMBA will continue to extend itself to the most vulnerable of those in our community through our charitable initiatives.
We are excited about 2023! We are invigor-ated by our incoming leadership and look forward to continuing and building on the incredible legacy of this very worthy association. Please visit www.thurgoodmarshallbarassociation.org for more information about TMBA.