Orange County Women Lawyers Association's 35th Anniversary Celebration Sells Out
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On May 19, 2011, Orange County Women Lawyers Association welcomed over 350 attorneys, judicial officers and friends to its 35th Anniversary Dinner at the Newport Marriott in Fashion Island.
California's Chief Justice
Honorable Tani Cantil-Sakauye
The event featured California's Chief Justice, the Honorable Tani Cantil-Sakauye, as the keynote speaker. She delivered a wonderful and truly inspiring speech addressing diversity and the challenges we all face in this changing profession. Also honored for their dedication to OCWLA were Orange County Superior Court Judge Jamoa Moberly as "Judge of the Year" and Wylie A. Aitken as "Attorney of the Year."
The event, titled "Celebrating Our Stars" featured a video presentation which documented many of the female trailblazers who made OCWLA the powerhouse organization it is today.
The event could not have occurred without the tireless work of event chair Past President Ashleigh Aitken and a whole host of other wonderful, strong and hardworking women. Not only was the event a great success, it was beautiful too. The grand ballroom was dressed in black, white and pink for this special occasion. Flowers adorned each table and pink lights lit up the stage.
Judge of the Year
Honorable Jamoa Moberly
The evening was preceded by a sponsors-only reception in the Presidential suite at the hotel. With an unparalleled view of beautiful Newport Beach, Dana Point, and the ocean beyond, all in attendance, including many of our Orange County Superior Court and Appellate Court Justices, enjoyed a beautiful afternoon and a very successful evening.
OCWLA would like to thank all those who attended, sponsored and otherwise worked to make this a fabulous, one of a kind event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit many worthy causes through the Orange County Women Lawyers Association Foundation.
- Solange Ritchie, Past President
Attorney of the Year Wylie Aitken
OCWLA President Melinda Bell (center) and OCWLA Past President Solange Ritchie award bar stipends to recipients Vickie Gillette (Whittier Law School, left) and Mallory Miller (Western State School of Law), below.
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OCWLA June Event: Litigating Women's Rights as Human Rights
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On June 7, 2011 Orange County Women Lawyers Association was proud to welcome Mary-Christine "M.C." Sungaila to present at the June event at the Grand Catered Events venue in Orange. Sungaila is an engaging speaker and a knowledgeable and accomplished attorney. She has successfully briefed and argued appeals raising cutting-edge and core business issues statewide as well as nationally and internationally. Sungaila has authored various articles on effective amicus briefing, appellate brief writing, and gender issues have been cited in over 35 law review articles, treatises and blogs.
OCWLA President Melinda Bell and
presenter Mary-Christine "M.C." Sungalia
In her presentation, Litigating Women's Rights as Human Rights, Sungaila chronicled the issue of human rights, and in particular the plight of women's human rights in Mexico, most notably in the city of Ciudad Juárez. From 1993 to 2003 an estimated 268 women and girls were murdered, with only 20% of these crimes ending in trial and convictions, while the disappearances of an additional 250 women and girls also remained unsolved. Sungaila took on the task of writing the brief to be submitted on behalf of amici curiae Amnesty International and over 50 other human rights organizations and law professors to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, on behalf of the tortured, murdered and missing women of Ciudad Juárez. The case is named Campo Algodonero, for the abandoned cotton fields in which the bodies of three young women were found.
On December 10, 2009, the November 16th decision of the court was made public. It held Mexico responsible for failing to respond to the disappearances of three of the young women. In its landmark decision, the Court held that Mexico had violated human rights laws by failing to punish officials who mishandled the murder investigations and ordered the Mexican government to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages to the families of the three victims. The Court also called for Mexico to place a memorial in the field which gave the case its name, public recognition by Mexico of its fault, a requirement that Mexico fully investigate the murders and disappearances, etc.
Sungaila explained that international condemnation can be a powerful force in effecting change. She further explained and emphasized that empowering women and girls is the fastest way to lift the developing world out of poverty. The way a society treats its most vulnerable members, in particular low-income women and girls, who are especially vulnerable in developing countries, can provide an overall gauge of that society's development and progress.
The event was well-attended and a great success. Sungaila's moving presentation sparked much continued discussion among the attendees.
- Lynn Matus-Collins, Director
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Public Law Center's "Volunteers for Justice" Dinner
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Fermin Valencia
One of the charities that Orange County Women Lawyers Association supports is the Public Law Center. The PLC provides access to justice for Orange County's low income residents. Through volunteers and staff, the Public Law Center provides free civil legal services, including counseling, individual representation, community education, and strategic litigation and advocacy to challenge societal injustices. Now in its 30th year of service, PLC works with more than 972 volunteer lawyers, paralegals and law students from throughout the county who volunteer their time and expertise.
At this year's "Volunteers for Justice" dinner, the PLC honored Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP as its "Law Firm of the Year." Paul Hastings makes pro bono a priority for its lawyers. In 2010 Paul Hastings attorneys provided pro bono representation in 39 PLC cases. In addition, attorneys devoted many hours providing counsel and advice or brief legal services at PLC's Homeless Shelter legal clinics and staffed the Justice for All Legal Clinic at PLC's offices during the ABA's National Celebrate Pro Bono Week. Special qualities of the Orange County Office include the variety of matters accepted, courage of taking cases outside of an individual attorney's scope of practice, and willingness to accept monolingual Spanish and Vietnamese speaking clients.
The PLC also awarded "Attorney of the Year" to Fermin Valencia. Valencia's commitment to the Public Law Center is best illustrated by the 25 new pro bono cases he took in 2010. His case work for PLC focuses on immigration and bankruptcy matters. Additionally Fermin volunteered his time providing intake and advice at PLC's Homeless Shelter legal clinics at the Santa Ana Armory. Fermin has been providing pro bono services to PLC's low-income clients from start of his legal career, when he opened his law office in 2008.
- Laura Hess, Secretary |
Proudly Defending California's Driving Public
OCWLA Members Receive a 10% Discount |
Our 35th Anniversary Sponsors
Gold Sponsor: Aitken Aitken Cohn
Silver Sponsor: Robinson, Calcagnie & Robinson
Bronze Sponsors:
Keller Rackauckas LLP * Kendrick, Jackson & Kearl * Minyard Morris
Newmeyer & Dillon, LLP * Skorheim & Associates, AAC * Whittier Law School
The Law Office of Brian Gurwitz, APLC * Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Solange E. Ritchie and the Law Offices of Steven R. Young
Supporting Stars:
Elizabeth Jones, APC * Justice Sheila Prell Sonenshine (Ret.)/JAMS
Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear * Law Offices of Marjorie G. Fuller
Nelson Hittelman * Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP * Veritext
Hodes Milman LLP * ADR Office of Michelle A. Reinglass/Judicate West
Sarnoff Court Reporters/PMA Dispute Resolution |
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Announcements |
Help OCWLA Support our Collaborative & Juvenile Court Efforts!
Remember to bring the following donations to any of our meetings or events:
1) New/Gently Used books for children 0 - 14 Years Old
2) New/Gently Used sweaters/jackets for children 0 - 14 Years Old
3) "Sample Size" personal care products.
Pasta Donations Needed
OCWLA is proud to donate dry pasta to The White House Restaurant's dinners for children at the Anaheim Boy's and Girls' Club. Donations brought to a meeting will make a difference in a child's life!
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Proud Sponsor of Orange County Women Lawyers Newsletter
www.kringandchung.com
2011 OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
President:
Melinda Bell
President-Elect:
Patricia Lee-Gulley
Vice President:
Linda A. Iannelli
Treasurer:
Cari Baum
Secretary:
Laura Hess
Immediate Past President:
Ashleigh Aitken
DIRECTORS
Sara Annis
Hon. Joanne Coane
Betty Fracisco
Jane Grilliot Kearl
Lynn Matus-Collins
Caroline Ann Molloy
Solange Ritchie
Roxana Watrous
STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVES
Emmanuelle Soichet
University of California at Irvine School of Law
Sadaf Nejat
Chapman University
Law School
Mallory Miller
Western State University
School of Law
Michelle A. Philo
Whittier Law School
LIFE
MEMBERS
Ashleigh Aitken
Wylie Aitken
Amy Anderson
Victoria Avey
Mary Biggs
Rebecca Callahan
Hon. Marjorie Laird Carter
Karen Casey
Maltaise Cini
Debbie Cotton
Judith Curtin
Bonnie Dohrmann
Marjorie Edwards
Mark Edwards
Grace Emery
Betty Farrell
Mari Frank
Linda A. Iannelli
Rashida Jaffer
Jennifer Keller
Deirdre Kelly
Sherry Mancini
Pearl Mann
Linda Marquis
Elizabeth Martin
Susan Medwied
Hon. Jamoa A. Moberly
Caroline Ann Molloy
Veronica Norris
Terese Oliver
Elizabeth Pierson
Rose Pothier
Virginia Ramesh
Nancy Richmond
Joanne Rocks
Glenda Sanders
Diane Smith
Jan Smith
Todd Spitzer
Hon. Elaine Streger
Jeanne Thomas
Comm. Richard G. Vogl
Johanna Wilson
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September 6, 2011
How to Avoid Losing Your Appellate Case in the Trial Court featuring Judge Franz Miller and Marjorie Fuller
11:45 am - 1:30 pm
Orange County Central Justice Center
Department C14
700 Civic Center Dr West
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Additional Details: info@OCWLA.org
SAVE THE DATE
October 4, 2011
October Meeting
& Introduction of Slate
at Grand Catered Events
December 5, 2011
Annual Holiday Party
& Installation Dinner
at White House, Anaheim
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