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 President's Message
By: Jos� Gonz�lez
Spring has arrived and we enjoyed some great weather this past weekend, many of us with our families celebrating Easter.
Along with Spring's arrival, the HBA participated in a national pastime-well sort of-softball. On March 31st, the HB-A's battled alongside of 14 other teams comprised of law firms and other ethnic bar associations and went on to place 3rd in the major's division at the Mexican American Bar Association's 4th Annual Softball Tournament.
Spring also ushered in one of our most ambitious programs and exciting collaborative efforts between the HBA and our judiciary as we held our workshop on judicial appointments at the Central Justice Center on March 22nd. Judge Frederick Aguirre moderated an insightful panel of distinguished speakers consisting of Presiding Justice Hon. Kathleen O'Leary of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Greg Mu�oz, Hon. Richard Armendariz, Hon. David Thompson, and OCBA President Dimetria Jackson. This program was designed to dispel the myths of the judicial appointments process. Since one of the central missions of the HBA is to increase the number of Hispanics on the judiciary, we will continue to provide the resources and assistance necessary to ensure that the judiciary reflects the people it serves in this county.
Last week we were able to reconnect with our 2012 Guardi�n de Justicia Award recipient Human Options at the firm of Troutman Sanders LLP, who co-hosted an afternoon reception with Higgins Settlement Law [view photos]. Vivian Clecak, Human Options' co-founder and CEO, acknowledged her appreciation and her continued commitment to assisting victims of domestic violence in Orange County.
I am looking forward to enjoying a refreshing margarita at the HBA's Cinco de Mayo Mixer at Andrei's in Irvine on May 3rd. Please join us for a fun-filled evening. |
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Join/Renew Your Bar Memberships
This is a reminder to join or renew your HBA membership. Take this opportunity to join an esteemed organization known for its social networking opportunities and its involvement in the Orange County legal community. The HBA is currently one of the largest affiliate bars to the Orange County Bar Association. We host multiple events throughout the year, including bar reviews, where our members come to network, socialize and meet new friends. The HBA also affords its members the opportunity to have substantial community involvement. Last year, the HBA participated in pro bono "social justice" clinics in conjunction with the St. Thomas More Society and the Public Law Center, a softball tournament, a women's golf event and "Race for the Cure."
We also encourage all our members to join or renew their membership in the Orange County Bar Association, and when you do, please check off the box that allows for $10 of your OCBA membership to be donated in your name to the HBA, which is an affiliate member of the OCBA (at no additional cost to you).
You may renew your HBA membership on-line by visiting http://ochba.org/Membership_and_Sponsorship/BecomeHBAmember.html. The membership year is from January to December. If you have any questions about the HBA membership process, please contact the HBA at info@ochba.org. Your membership dues assist the HBA fulfill its mission as the voice of the Hispanic legal community in Orange County. We look forward to your support in 2012.
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Community Calendar & News
'Community Calendar & News' is a courtesy bulletin board service provided by the HBA to its community partners. The posters of these bulletins, not the HBA, are solely responsible for their content. Unless otherwise noted, by publishing these billboard posts, the HBA does not endorse the views, services, products, causes, or candidates referenced therein.
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DRI's Law Student Diversity Scholarship Accepting Applicants
DRI is now accepting applicants for its annual Law Student Diversity Scholarship open to incoming second- and third-year African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American students. The goal of these scholarships is to provide financial assistance to two worthy law students from ABA accredited law schools in order to promote, in a tangible way, the DRI Diversity Statement of Principle.
Two scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each will be awarded to applicants who best meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrated academic excellence
- Service to the profession
- Service to the community
- Service to the cause of diversity
DRI strongly encourages you to recommend law students you believe are deserving of this great honor by having them complete our scholarship application. Applications must be received by DRI no later than Friday, April 27, 2012. For complete scholarship details and how to apply, visit the DRI website. Scholarship winners will be notified in advance and will be officially announced at the 2012 DRI Diversity for Success Seminar, June 7-8, in Chicago.
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Positions Available for the 2013 Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation
The State Bar of California is accepting applications from California lawyers, former members of the judiciary and members of the public interested in volunteering to serve on the 2013 Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation (JNE). Commission members must have the skills, background and experience to assess candidates for California judicial appointments in a thorough, objective and professional manner. Lawyer applicants must be in active practice, and it is preferred that they have been in practice for at least 10 years. The application deadline is Friday, June 1, 2012.
For full details about the commission and the time commitments, please visit online or contact the State Bar's appointments office at (415) 538-2370.
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OCAABA 19th Annual Installation Dinner
April 26, 2012 at 6:00pm
Tahe Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport Hotel
More information
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Law Day 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 10:30am to 11:45am
Secretary of State Constitutional Wall Courtyard, 1500 11th St., Sacramento
You are invited to attend a public address by Chief Justice of California, Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and Bar Leaders on the critical importance of the rule of law in our democracy and the role of the courts in ensuring access to justice for all Californians.
Please RSVP to LawDayrsvp@jud.ca.gov by Monday, April 23, 2012.
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UCI Extension launches an online pre-law course
June 25, 2012 to August 6, 2012
Location: Online Course Fee: $790
'Prepare to Excel as a 1L' is designed to help students lay the groundwork for a successful first year of law school.
Read more
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Job & Volunteer Opportunities
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Parking Lot Justice Event
Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 6:00pm
Saddleback Church, 1 Saddleback Parkway, Lake Forest, Tent 3
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to provide free legal information to community members. Join us on April 28, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Saddleback Church (1 Saddleback Parkway, Lake Forest CA, tent 3). Attorneys are needed with experience in all backgrounds. Please RSVP to Christopher Bauer (christopherlouisbauer@cox.net).
Download more information in English | Download more information in Spanish
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Pro-Bono Opportunities for Attorneys
View all current pro-bono opportunities here >
Professional Woman Volunteers Sought for Mary's Shelter in Tustin, CA
Mary's Shelter is a home for pregnant moms and moms who have children. The moms are all under the age of 18. Duties could include anything from caring for babies to mentoring teen moms. Hispanic professional women are strongly encouraged to volunteer. For more information, please visit www.teenshelter.org
Volunteers Sought for Old Orange County Courthouse Exhibit
The Museum of Teaching and Learning is currently looking for volunteers. Docents are needed to interact with visitors at the Old Orange County Courthouse for the exhibit, "A Class Action: The Grassroots Struggle for School Desegregation in California." They are requesting a commitment of two to five hours for one day a week.
All volunteers will receive training on the history of the exhibit and successfully engage visitors. The exhibit will run through June 2012. For more information, please contact Carolina Zatary at (909) 287-9509 or email czata001@csu.fullerton.edu. |
Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC) is hosting a weekly clinic every Thursday afternoon for Legal Genie
Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC) is hosting a weekly clinic every Thursday afternoon for Legal Genie, a simple, affordable, and reliable online legal document preparation service for self-represented middle-income litigants who do not qualify for legal aid but cannot afford to hire an attorney. Legal Genie not only asks questions in a straightforward manner and completes the necessary legal documents about Family Law and Bankruptcy/Chapter 7 based on the client's answers, but also connects the client to LASOC's panel of attorneys who will review the documents and give one-on-one consultations by telephone.
Clients are invited to use Legal Genie on LASOC computers during the clinic, and staff will be available to assist with any questions about the service. For more information, visit www.legalgenie.com or call (714) 489-2719. By appointment only.
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Job Opportunities for Attorneys - New Opportunities Posted!
View current job opportunities for OC HBA members here >
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