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President's Corner
By Carlos X. Colorado
 As we look back on the first quarter of 2010, we can be
gratified with the HBA's diverse offerings so far, what with our wonderful 40th
year dinner, our early February mixer, our social justice volunteer day with
the St. Thomas More Society and the PLC, and our softball team came out swinging (see article below) (see pictures here).
But, the year is young and we're only getting started. Huatulco awaits. It's safe, it's clean, it gets 330 days
of sunshine and legend has it it's the place Quetzalcoatl came from. If you thought our first quarter was
fun, then you should see the fun we'll have in Mexico!
Huatulco, Mexico 2010 An OCBA Continuing Legal Education Travel Seminar May 27- 31, 2010
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INSIDE THE FIRST UCI LAW CLASS
By Edgar Agilasocho and Joni Carrasco
When we arrived in Irvine last August for orientation, we were excited about what was to come, yet a little uncertain of what to expect. But even by the end of our student orientation, one thing was very clear to us: the Orange County community would be graciously welcoming and supportive. An OCHBA flyer soon appeared in our student lounge, and we both jumped at the opportunity to interact with our local legal community.
Our class has begun working on various pro bono projects this semester, and Orange County legal services, organizations and pro bono attorneys have been instrumental in providing those opportunities for us to gain hands on experience, along with invaluable mentorship and guidance.
As members of a new law school, much of our experience has involved institution building. Aside from establishing traditional organizations, such as the Student Bar Association, Law Review, and Public Interest Law Fund, we have also been working towards creating many varied organizations. Our classmates have formed groups such as the International Law Society, the OC Human Rights Association, Womens' Law Society, Environmental Law Society and several others.
One organization the two of us are personally proud of is the underRepresented Student Alliance (uRSA). Our goal was to reach out to students from a broad range of disadvantaged backgrounds who have an interest in law and to address the underrepresentation of certain groups in the legal profession. To that end, we launched a mentorship program between our law students and UCI undergraduates, which we are happy to report already involves a third of our inaugural class.
We were reminded yet again of the OC community's support on March 20, when we held our Public Interest Law Fund Launch Gala to celebrate our first year and to help raise money for summer stipends for those of us working in non-paying public interest jobs this summer. It was a beautiful, successful event and we thank everyone who has provided their time and support.
Through the amazing assistance of our Career Development Office, all of our classmates have secured legal work for this summer with over half of our class doing public interest work. We are both very excited about the experiences that await us this summer. Edgar will be working for the National Day Laborers Organizing Network, and Joni will be working with the Northwest Justice Project in their farmworker services program.
What we have shared here doesn't even begin to describe the breadth and depth of our collective experiences thus far. We are incredibly thankful for the welcome reception we have received from Orange County that has allowed these experiences to happen. We are looking forward to continuing to build a relationship with OCHBA and Orange County and we are very excited about what's to come.
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THEY BROUGHT THEIR (HB-) 'A' GAME
 The HBA fielded a team in MABA's Second Annual Softball Tournament this past Saturday March 27, playing three games and winning two. The HB'A's took on Moreno, Becerra, & Casillas at 9:15; Harmless Error at 10:30 and Felipe's Warriors at 11:45 in El Monte. <See pictures here>
In their first outing, the HB-A's displayed solid skill and phenomenal energy and cohesion. "It was a positive experience for all involved," said coach José González of the Santa Ana firm of Berman, More & Gonzalez. José is HBA vice-president this year. "Everyone had a great time playing."
The HB'A's comprised HBA Board Members Martin Fontes, Karin Khan, Diana López and Marcelo Reyes; HBA members Ivan Cisneros and Aaron Flores; and, the "all-stars," a squadron of area law students: Edgar Aguilasocho and Joni Carasco from UCI, and Jimmy Cabral, Andrea Fernandez, Dave Rubalcava, Guillermo Tellez and Kristen Zierhut from Western State Law School. Guillermo is the head of the WSLS Latino law student group.
José and the team were grateful to their hosts: "The MABA people including Guillermo Santiso (organizer), Mario Trujillo and Judy Perez were very hospitable toward our group," he said. Another sporty, family-oriented outing with our MABA friends already is in discussion between the organizers. Stay tuned!
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The Lasting Impact of Mendez v. Westminster in the Struggle for Desegregation
By Maria Blanco, University of California - Berkeley Law
This paper is released in conjunction with the American Immigration Council's Immigration Achievement Awards on Friday, March 26, 2010. This year's theme is African Americans, Civil Rights & Immigration: A Legacy of Inspiration and Leadership.
Before Brown, There was Mendez: The Lasting Impact of Mendez v. Westminster in the Struggle for Desegregation (March 25, 2010)
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Upcoming Orange County Bar Association Events
Thursday, April 1, 2010 - Spring Member Mixer
McCormick & Schmick's, Irvine
Thursday, May 6, 2010 - Law Day Luncheon
Doubletree Hotel, Orange
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 26th Anniversary Judge Kenneth Lae Charity Golf Tournament
Pelican Hill Golf Club
Thursday, June 3, 2010 - Summer Member Mixer
Thursday, August 19, 2010 - New Member Reception
Thursday, September 30, 2010 - Fall Member Mixer
Saturday, November 6, 2010 - OCBA Charitable Fund Annual Fall Fundraiser
Celebrations by Turnip Rose, Costa Mesa
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OCBA seminar "Special Education Law 101"
Thursday, April 22, 2010; 5:30 p.m. Registration/Dinner, 6:00p.m. Program - 3.0 CLE Credits
At Radisson Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach 92660
Register Online @ www.ocbar.org
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The Luévano Foundation 27th Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner
Saturday, April 10, 2010
At Sisters of St Joseph of Orange
INFORMATION: (949) 553-4202 Ext. 28
"Elva Rubalcava" elva.home@verizon.net
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Diversity Staff Directors Forum
April 12-13, 2010
For the first time on a national basis, a forum will be held specifically for bar association staff who have full or part-time responsibility for diversity programs and initiatives (including bar association Executive Directors) to share experiences and expertise with peers from across the country, to create a plan of action for addressing identified challenges, and to create the vehicle for ongoing dialogue and support. More information > |
NALS of OC Spring Educational Seminar
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Technology seminar from The National Association of Legal Professionals' Orange County Chapter At Hotel Hanford, 3131 S. Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, California Topics include: Excel, Tables of Contents and Authorities (Word), Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat. Download registration form > |
OCAABA 17th Annual Installation Dinner
May 13
Keynote Speaker: Hon. Dolly M. Gee
More Information >
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Community Lawyers, Inc. 5th Year Anniversary "Celebrating Our Tradition of Advocacy."
Saturday, May 22, 2010
At 1216 East Compton Blvd., Compton, CA
Proceeds from the celebration will help support Community Lawyers Access Center and CLI's 2010 Law Student Summer Internship Program.
More Information >
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