As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve been reflecting on the many moments of gratitude this season has brought to our OCBA community. Last week, at The Big Thanks!, we celebrated our members who give so generously of their time and talent and honored Trudy Levindofske with the prestigious Scoville Award. After serving the OCBA for 35 remarkable years – 17 as our CEO/Executive Director – Trudy’s legacy of leadership and dedication continues to inspire us all.
We also honored Justice William Bedsworth at a special reception, celebrating not just an incredible legal mind but the deep roots and camaraderie of our community. No matter how far we go or how high we reach, OCBA is our home base – a place where we find connection, inspiration, and support.
I’m also inspired by the OCBA Young Lawyers Division and their creative approach to gratitude through their Ten Day Journaling Challenge. It’s a wonderful reminder to pause and reflect on the positives in our lives – an exercise we could all benefit from during this busy season!
For more reflections on gratitude and the power of community, be sure to check out this month’s Orange County Lawyer magazine and my President’s Page.
Thank you for making this community one to be proud of, time and time again. Wishing you all a meaningful season of gratitude and a very happy Thanksgiving.
Warmly,
Christina
OCBA 2025 Judges' Night & Annual Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2024
Irvine Marriott, Irvine
The OCBA is pleased to announce the Hon. Gail A. Andler (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 2025 Judges’ Night & Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Irvine Marriott.
Featured Seminar
Mastering Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Current Trends, Major Challenges and Effective Trial Strategies
Presented by the OCBA Family Law Section
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Click here to register online.
OCBA News
OCBA 2025 Section Leadership Election - Vote Online!
Online elections OPENED on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 for the Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Law, Business & Corporate Law, Corporate Counsel, Criminal Law, Environmental Law, International Law, Tax Law, and Workers’ Compensation sections. Please note voting closes on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Click here to vote.
Online elections OPEN on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 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. 2, 2024. Click here to vote.
View the full nomination and election schedule online at ocbar.org/elections.
OCBA 2025 Membership
Renew your OCBA Membership for 2025 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 4, 2024
OCBA Ethics Update 2024
DECEMBER 11, 2024
OCBA Mommy Esquire Committee Holiday Luncheon
SAVE THE DATE
Volunteer Opportunities
Holiday Cookie Decorating at Orangewood
Presented by the OCBA Community Outreach Committee and OCBA Young Lawyers Division
Monday, December 9, 2024
Come spread Holiday cheer by decorating cookies and visiting with the children at Orangewood Children’s Home!
Orangewood Children and Family Center cares for children who are victims of neglect and abuse. This is an opportunity to participate in a memorable volunteer experience. The children have said the best part of their stay is when volunteers visit with them.
Click here for more information.
Attorney Volunteers Needed to Score CRF-OC’s High School Mock Trial Program
MCLE Credit Available
CRF-OC’s 44th Annual High School Mock Trial Competition is coming up and we need your help! Approximately 80 attorney volunteers are needed to score each of the first four preliminary rounds of Mock Trial to be held on November 7, 14, 19 and 21, 2024. 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 22nd at noon. It will be recorded for your convenience. CRF-OC provides all the necessary materials; outside research is not required. Register here. See flyer for more details.
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 In-Person Volunteer Opportunity
All interested in providing a day of free legal consultations to veterans should reach out
to Antoinette Naddour at anaddour@vetslegal.com. Veterans Legal Institute conducts a monthly
legal clinic at the VA Hospital. Dates for 2024 are March 29, May 31,
July 26, September 27, and November 22 from 9am to 12pm.
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's legal need fall outside of your area of practice? Refer clients with confidence to
the OCBA Lawyer Referral & Information Service toll free at (877) 257-4762.
The OCBA Lawyer Referral & Information Service is NOW accepting 2025 LRIS New Member Applications. Click here and join now to receive referrals through 2025.
If you have any questions, click here for more information or email lris@ocbar.org.
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.
2025 Election for OCBA Young Lawyers Division Chair-Elect
All OCBA YLD members are encouraged to vote. In accordance with the OCBA YLD
bylaws, the person elected will serve as Chair-Elect in 2025 and then serve as OCBA
YLD Chair in 2026. For more information and voting instructions, click here.
Election Closes: Friday, November 22, 2024
DECEMBER 19, 2024
OCBA YLD Holiday Social
Limited Space - Register Now
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 9, 2024
OCBA Masters Division Holiday 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
Update Your Mailing Address
During this time, if you wish to re-route your print subscription to another address, you can update your OCBA member profile online.
Interested in advertising?
The OCBA has three main avenues of advertising to OCBA members and the greater legal community. DIGITAL ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES are available year round. For more information, visit the OCBA Advertising webpage or contact oclawyer@ocbar.org.
Affiliate Bars
From the Courts & State Bar
For more information, please visit the Courts and State
Bar websites.
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