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ORANGE COUNTY WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

FOR WOMEN LAWYERS AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT THEIR ADVANCEMENT

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  • CLE Offered by UCI Law 1/9/2026 | New Laws Addressing Firearms Risks

    Friday, December 19, 2025 7:56 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    New Laws Addressing Firearms Risks in Court Proceedings and Related Contexts

    In Fall 2024, Governor Newsom signed into law over 20 new bills addressing risks associated with access to firearms. These bills were in addition to significant policies enacted over the past several years. Attorneys, judges, and other professionals play a key role in implementing these policies that are designed to increase safety for families and the broader community. This session will provide an overview of current firearms violence prevention efforts, an explanation of key legal requirements and policies impacting family law and other civil and criminal proceedings, and concrete examples of questions and approaches to consider in working with litigants and clients and in crafting parenting plan agreements and orders not only in domestic violence matters but more broadly as well. In this presentation, we will cover new law and practical approaches to implementing these policies.

    Topics will include:

    • SB 899 which will, effective Jan. 1, 2026, require courts, prosecuting attorneys, and law enforcement to implement firearms relinquishment procedures similar to SB 320’s requirements for Domestic Violence Restraining Orders 
    • SB 599 impacting child custody and visitation orders and access to firearms 
    • AB 1974 requiring child custody mediators and evaluators receive training on firearms-related risks 
    • New Judicial Council forms will also be available as of January 1, 2026 
    • Other newly enacted legislation signed in the fall of 2025 will also be covered

    Speakers will include:

    Julia Weber, Retired Annuitant/Firearms Policy, Judicial Council of California, Criminal Justice Services

    Lieutenants Johnathan Bailey and Daniel Gonzalez, Orange County Family Justice Center Commanders, Anaheim Police Department

    Participants will:

    • Learn about new laws that address firearms risks in court proceedings and related contexts
    • Understand parenting plan provisions and other practices to reduce risk and increase safety for practitioners, clients, and litigants
    • Review key questions and approaches to take in practice across domestic violence, child custody, elder abuse, civil, and criminal matters
    • Hear about new forms and processes in court proceedings regarding firearm relinquishment compliance, exemptions, notification, and service
    • Learn about the role of law enforcement in firearms relinquishment and service of process

    Attendees will include attorneys, legal professionals, community advocates, law enforcement, and other interested participants.

    January 9, 2026 | 10 AM – 12 PM

    UC Irvine School of Law | EDU 1131

    401 E. Peltason Dr.
    Irvine, CA 92697-8000


    Free to attend | Coffee and pastries provided

    Webinar option available - please select appropriate registration option
    Register
    https://zotspot.uci.edu/law/rsvp_boot?id=1943232

    This event is pending approval for 2.0 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education Credit by the State Bar of California. UC Irvine School of Law is a State Bar-approved MCLE provider.

    Co-Sponsored by:

    Please email centers@law.uci.edu with questions and accommodation requests.


  • Errata Notification: Revised Rules Document-Newly Adopted and Amended Rules Effective January 1, 2026

    Wednesday, December 17, 2025 2:11 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    On October 24, 2025, the Judicial Council made changes to the California Rules of Court with the effective date of January 1, 2026.  The changes are shown in strikeouts and underlining in the attached. 

    Please visit the council’s meeting page at http://www.courts.ca.gov/jcmeetings.htm to see the meeting materials.

    2025-10-24-rules-effective-01-01-2026.pdf

    JC-Item No. 25-037.pdf

  • Stand Out in 2026: Become an OCWLA Sponsor!

    Tuesday, December 16, 2025 8:06 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Now Accepting 2026 Sponsorships!

    OCWLA Annual Sponsorship Program

    OCWLA is pleased to offer its 2026 Annual Sponsorship Program. 

    For one singular discounted price, the program allows sponsors to receive the benefit of recognition throughout the calendar year at OCWLA's signature events including:

    • OCWLA Annual Gala
    • Women Judges Reception
    • Annual Wine Tasting 
    • Holiday Celebration & Installation Dinner

    In addition to the annual sponsorship program, OCWLA offers sponsorships for each of its MCLE continuing education luncheons. Sponsors receive branding on all e-communications for the sponsored event and are able to share promotional materials with attendees. If you would like more information about this opportunity, please email us at info@ocwla.org.

    Sponsorships support OCWLA's mission of advancing women in the legal profession by providing a professional network, raising awareness of discrimination and bias, and supporting charitable organizations. The ongoing support of OCWLA's sponsors have enabled the organization to continue to grow, offer additional resources to its members, and support the local legal community. 

    Questions about the sponsorship program may be referred to info@ocwla.org. 
    Sponsor the OCWLA!


  • Apply for State Bar Court Judge Positions, by Jan. 8, 2026

    Thursday, December 11, 2025 3:43 PM | Anonymous

    The California Supreme Court Applicant Evaluation and Nomination Committee invites qualified candidates to apply for two newly vacant Judge positions in the State Bar Court:

    One judge, appointed by the California Supreme Court, will serve in the Review Department and serve as Presiding Judge. This position may be based in either Los Angeles or San Francisco. The incumbent is not applying for reappointment to this position

    One judge, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, will serve in the Hearing Department. This position is based in Los Angeles

    The terms begin on November 1, 2026, and ends October 31, 2032. The State Bar Court is an independent, administrative arm of the California Supreme Court that makes recommendations on attorney discipline and admissions. Please read the fact sheet for details and a link to the application. Apply by January 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

  • Western State Law Review’s 2026 Symposium

    Tuesday, December 09, 2025 12:53 PM | Anonymous

    Western State Law Review’s 2026 Symposium will take place on April 11, 2026 and will bring together scholars, policymakers, and advocates to discuss critical developments in redistricting and representation. MCLE credits are available for this event!

    Check Out More Information Here! 

  • New Invitation to Comment Proposals: Winter Cycle (W26)

    Friday, December 05, 2025 11:30 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Nine (9) new proposals to amend the California Rules of Court, and Judicial Council forms have been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

    Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

     

    APPELLATE

     

    W26-01

    Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Revise Civil Case Cover Sheet

     

    CIVIL AND SMALL CLAIMS

     

    W26-02

    Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Revisions to Enforcement of Judgment and Wage Garnishment Forms to Implement Assembly Bill 774

     

    W26-03

    Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Name Change and Gender Change Rules and Forms

     

    COLLABORATIVE JUSTICE

     

    W26-04

    Title: Collaborative Justice: Guidelines for Adult Collaborative Treatment Courts

     

    CRIMINAL AND APPELLATE

     

    W26-05

    Title: Criminal Procedure: Rule and Form Revisions Related to the Racial Justice Act

     

    CRIMINAL

     

    W26-06

    Title: Criminal Law: Advisements on the Felony Plea Form

     

    FAMILY AND JUVENILE

     

    W26-07

    Title: Juvenile Law: Update to Racial Justice Act Forms

     

    PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH

     

    W26-08

    Title: Mental Health Law: Implementation of CARE Act Legislation

     

    PROVIDING ACCESS AND FAIRNESS

     

    W26-09

    Title: Access and Fairness: Gender Inclusivity of Juror Identification and Juror Questionnaires (Implementation of Assembly Bill 1899)


  • Proposed Amendments to Rules Related to Lawyer Referral Services

    Tuesday, December 02, 2025 2:46 PM | Anonymous

    Dear Interested Persons:

    The State Bar is seeking input on proposed updates to the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) rules. These changes would implement new legislation that allows certified LRSs to partner with nonprofit organizations starting January 1, 2025.

    The proposal creates a framework for these partnerships and updates existing rules to reflect current practices. Key changes include clearer definitions, streamlined application and recertification procedures, updated notice and reporting requirements, added performance measurement standards, and modernized technology and communication provisions. The updates also allow more flexibility for multicounty operations, which may help expand services in underserved areas. 

    These revisions are intended to increase access to legal services, improve transparency, and strengthen consumer protection.

    The public comment period ends January 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

    More information can be found here.

    Thank you for your engagement and feedback.

  • Judges Needed: Mock Trial Tournament - Nov. 22 & 23

    Monday, November 03, 2025 4:36 PM | Anonymous
    We are in need of judges for a collegiate mock trial tournament taking place on Nov. 22nd & 23rd at the University of California, Irvine.

    You can sign up to judge by clicking HERE.

    ***MCLE Credit Hours: The State Bar of California has approved a measure to allow attorneys to get up to two (2) hours of participatory MCLE credit for serving as a volunteer judge at a mock trial competition. Each of our trials last up to three hours, so judging even one trial can both help our students AND help you earn two participatory credit hours. 

    The trials: The trials are approximately three hours long and require no preparation. There will be two days of trials, both consisting of a morning round from ~9:00 to 12:00 PM and then an afternoon round from ~2:00 to 5:00 PM. Depending on your availability, you can judge as many or as few as you would like.

    Presiders needed! For this November tournament, all trials will have a single judge. That means all participating judges will be asked to preside over the rounds -- interacting with students, making rulings on objections and moving the trial along, in addition to scoring the trial. 

    If you'd like a refresher on judging, don't worry -- we'll provide a judge orientation session before each round (described below). Or, if you'd prefer NOT to preside, we're also recruiting judges for our winter tournament, which will have a second, non-presiding scoring judge in each round. If you'd prefer to do that event instead, you can sign up for the winter tournament through the same link above.

    The case: This year’s case is a criminal matter about the death of a reality TV game show contestant, Rob Armstrong. His death occurred during the filming of the game show called The Saboteurs. Mr. Armstrong's fellow contestant, Charlie Martin, was later indicted for murder. Prosecutors allege the defendant killed Mr. Armstrong by tampering with scuba equipment and creating dangerous conditions for Armstrong during an underwater challenge. The defendant has pleaded not guilty. The evidence and witnesses available vary across the rounds, which makes each trial unique and interesting to watch.

    Judge orientation: Before each round, we will hold a 30-minute judge orientation session. In that session, we will explain how to judge the trials, how to score the trial ballot, and other logistics. No other preparation is needed to judge (i.e., you don’t need to read any part of the case ahead of time).

    Judge check-in will open 30 minutes before the orientation session, making morning check-in at 8:00 AM and afternoon check-in at 1:00 PM each day. During both days of the trials, we will be providing bagels, coffee and lunch.

    Here's the link to sign up for our tournaments this year: https://forms.gle/HQ1kFvNiv7UufH5F7


  • New Invitation to Comment Proposal: Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules (2026 Edition)

    Thursday, October 23, 2025 2:28 PM | Anonymous
    TRAFFIC _SP25-04
     
    Title: Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules: Revisions to 2026 Edition

    Summary:

    The Traffic Advisory Committee proposes revisions to the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules, 2026 Edition, effective January 1, 2026. The 2026 proposal includes (1) recommendations based on legislation, as required under Vehicle Code section 40310, Penal Code section 1269b and rule 4.102 of the California Rules of Court; (2) recommended changes and additions proposed by courts and justice system partners; and (3) miscellaneous technical changes.

    Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

  • Check Out Board Member Laurie Rowen's Feature in OC Lawyer Magazine!

    Monday, October 20, 2025 5:10 PM | Anonymous


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