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Welcome to September, OCWLA Members!
Thanks to all of you who helped honor our women judges at the Annual Women Judges Reception on August 21. We had a record turn-out for the event with 144 registered. We are very grateful to our gracious host, Rutan & Tucker, LLP, who helped coordinate the event as it has done the last several years.
We are also very grateful to our sponsors, including Gill Law Group, PC, CalPrivate Bank, Bock & Plummer, Ferruzzo & Ferruzzo LLP, Steno, Carno Law Group, Kahana Feld, Judicate West, Cottle Keen Lopiccolo & Heyde, LLP, Buchalter, JAMS, Minyard Morris, Rutan & Tucker, LLP, Leslie Law Firm, Mediator Michelle A. Reinglass, Montage Legal Group, Traut Injury Law, Aptus Court Reporting, Silvana Sarkis, and Krystal Mosqueda. Without you this special event would not be possible.
| | | We would also like to thank our gracious sponsors Bock & Plummer, Silvana Sarkis, Leslie Law Firm, and Lexitas Irvine for hosting our first annual Suffragette Day Coffee. Members were able to enjoy breakfast and coffee with colleagues from across Orange County while celebrating the remarkable women who fought for women’s right to vote. We also heard from the League of Women Voters on their work to protect voting rights. | | |
We have an exciting MCLE opportunity coming up September 26, when two former homicide prosecutors will present on the People v. Hosein Nayeri case. The case is the subject of the Hulu documentary “Devil in the Desert,” and the ABC podcast of the same name hit the number one spot in the country for several weeks this summer. Matt Murphy is now with ABC, and Heather Brown has her own practice where she specializes in representing victims of sexual assault. Get your ticket now to hear from these two fantastic speakers while enjoying a delicious lunch at the Pacific Club—this event will sell out.
Also coming up this month is our members-only book club on September 29 at Mimi’s Café in Tustin. OCWLA Past President and current Board Member Dana Heyde will lead the discussion on Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore.
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We have worked with professionals this year to help our members to hone their personal brand and marketing message. Our final event in the professional tool kit series will be generously hosted by the Veronica Beard store in Fashion Island. Members can register to attend this private shopping experience with a friend or client, and the store has graciously agreed to donate 15% of the proceeds to the OCWLA Foundation. Don’t miss this great opportunity to support the OCWLA Foundation, update your wardrobe and network with colleagues and clients. The event will be on October 9 from 4-7 pm.
I’d like to take the opportunity to also give recognition to this year’s OCWLA honorees who will take center stage at the OCWLA Golden Legacy Gala at the VEA hotel on October 16:
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Gala tickets are selling fast and the event will sell out. Secure your spot with a sponsorship to market your business. We are also still soliciting donations for our silent auction.
Also, it’s time for OCWLA’s annual election for ten (10) Director positions. If you are interested in running, and a current member, please find more information here.
Finally, we’d like to highlight some fall pro bono opportunities for our members:
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May your fall be productive and full of happy surprises.
Warmly,
Tracy Hughes
Raines Feldman Littrell LLP
2025 OCWLA President
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Volunteer with OCWLA
Support Orangewood Foundation’s Kitchen Program!
Join OCWLA in giving back to our community by preparing and serving meals for foster and community youth (ages 18–24) at the Orangewood Foundation Resource Center. Get Involved! Make a difference.
September 16, 2025
Only 8 spots available!
Arrive at 2:00pm to meal prep
Dinner Service from 3:30pm to 6:30pm
Orangewood Foundation
1575 E. 17th St., Santa Ana, CA 92705
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1 Hour MCLE Credit Provided by Orange County Women Lawyers Association
OCWLA Presents: A True Crime MCLE
Get a behind-the-scenes look at a true crime story that made international news from the two Orange County prosecutors that handled the case. Former homicide prosecutors Matt Murphy and Heather Brown will walk us through the complexities of bringing People v. Hossein Nayeri to trial. Heather and Matt are featured in Hulu’s new docuseries, Wicked Game: Devil in the Desert, that chronicles the investigation and trial in the Nayeri case. The story is also the subject of the Devil in the Desert podcast, which premiered as the #1 podcast in the country. Register now to save your seat and hear from these fascinating speakers! Lunch and parking are included!
Our Speakers:
- Matt Murphy
- Matt Murphy Law APC
- Heather Brown
- Heather Brown Law
- Fight for Survivors
Pacific Club, 4110 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach, 92660
September 26, 2025
- Registration: 11:45 am
- Lunch: 12:00-1:00 pm
- Program: 12:15-1:15 pm
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OCWLA Members Only
September Book Club
August 29, 2025
No-Host Dinner & Discussion: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Mimi's Cafe Tustin
7231 E. 17th St. Tustin, CA 92780
Dana Heyde of Cottle Keen Lopiccolo & Heyde, LLP will lead a discussion on Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore.
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OCWLA 50th Anniversary
Golden Legacy Gala
October 16, 2025
VEA Newport Beach
900 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Support a night of celebration, recognition, and impact within the legal community. Sponsorship opportunities offer premium visibility, community engagement, and the chance to champion women in law.
Sponsorships available! Contact info@ocwla.org for more information.
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Celebrate 50 years of OCWLA &
Become an Annual Sponsor!
Learn how you can advance women in the legal profession, raise awareness of discrimination and bias, and support charitable organizations by becoming an Annual Sponsor of OCWLA.
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Share Your Recent Achievements: We love learning more about our members! Our Featured Member Series is a great way for members to introduce themselves to the membership and share their recent accomplishments. Nominate yourself, or another spectacular OCWLA member, today.
Let’s Celebrate Each Other!: OCWLA’s Everyday Hero Award recognizes members of our profession who have made a positive impact in the community through their hard work, generosity, and commitment to justice. At an upcoming event, the OCWLA will recognize one "Everyday Hero" and the great work they do. To nominate an Everyday Hero, fill out this form.
Join Us!: We would love to have you join OCWLA! Renew your membership today to become a part of this active and dynamic group! Discounted and/or complimentary membership rates are available for judges, government attorneys, attorneys with less than five years of practice, and law students.
Become A California Women Lawyers Member: Over forty years ago, OCWLA became an Affiliate Organization with California Women Lawyers, which in 1974 established itself as the only statewide women lawyers organization. The mission of both OCWLA and CWL is the advancement of women in the legal profession through collaboration and leadership. OCWLA Members can join at a discounted annual rate of $125 when they sign up for an "Affiliate" membership Join CWL as an "Affiliate Member" today!!
| | RECOGNIZING OCWLA'S MEMBERS | | |
Welcome New & Renewing Members!
Thank you & welcome Claudia Alvarez, Monique Bartley, Cara Bender, Daniela Chavez Garcia, Christa Cheng, Andrea Coller, Kaelee Gifford, Ava Granados, Victoria Huang, Sharmila Iyer, Manali Joshi, Shannon Kennedy, Michelle Khanou, Lydia Kim, LeeAnna Knopes, Mary Kreber Varipapa, Randy Ladisky, Katherine Lewis, Karla Lopez Serafin, Rachel Lustig, Aurora Marquez, Dr. Frances Marquez, Kathleen Martinez, Emily McCorry, Michael Mooney, Lisa Ramirez, Mia Bella Rodgers, Shireen Rogers, Lisa Salisbury, Cheyenne Slowensky, Yuting Su, Eric Traut, and Lindsay Waters! We are thrilled that you joined OCWLA! We look forward to seeing you at the next event.
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