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ORANGE COUNTY WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

FOR WOMEN LAWYERS AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT THEIR ADVANCEMENT

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  • Monday, June 03, 2019 12:00 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    OCWLA Community,

    Summer is officially here and the energy of OCWLA's members has never been better. Members continue to take advantage of the fantastic educational panels and networking opportunities. OCWLA encourages you to participate in one of our events as we continue to EmpowHer™ women attorneys in Orange County.


    May Recap:



    In May, OCWLA joined California Women Lawyers with honoring Hon. Maria Hernandez with the Joan Dempsey Klein Award. Judge Hernandez was recognized on behalf of CWL by CWL President Amee Mikacich, on behalf of NAWJ by Hon. Jamoa Moberly (Ret.), and on behalf of OCWLA by President Michelle Philo. Special remarks were given by Hon. Kathleen O'Leary and Hon. Douglas Hatchimonji. OCWLA thanks Judge Hernandez for her ongoing commitment to addressing human trafficking in our local community, on a statewide level, and nationally.

    OCWLA also hosted a trade secrets CLE seminar in May. During the luncheon, OCWLA honored Jane Stoever with the Everyday Hero Award. Amongst her many responsibilities, Jane is the Director of the Domestic Violence Clinic at UC Irvine School of Law. OCWLA thanks Jane and her team for their ongoing support of domestic violence victims.


    Upcoming Events:


    Monday, June 24 - The June book club book is The Library Book by Susan Orlean. This no host group continues to meet at Mimi's Café in Tustin for casual conversation about the monthly books.  

    Tuesday, June 25 3rd Annual Membership Mixer at Pelican Hill. OCWLA returns to Pelican Hill's Great Room Social Lounge to enjoy the company of fellow members and the sunset views of Newport Coast. This year, we will also recognize the many non-profit organizations OCWLA has supported with philanthropy awards. This event has sold out in the past - be sure to register early!

    Friday, July 12 - OCWLA will host its popular in house panel in collaboration with OCBA's Corporate Counsel Section. The program, A 360 View on In House Counsel, will discuss both what it takes to be in house counsel, as well as how to interact with in house counsel from the firm side.

    Thursday, October 3 -The Annual Gala will return to Pelican Hill with an exciting program honoring Hon. Elizabeth Macias as the Judge of the Year and Lei Lei Weng Ekvall as the Attorney of the Year. OCWLA is also recognizing Walsworth Franklin Bevins McCall with the Advancement of Women Award. Registration is now available.


    Other Opportunities:


    Sponsor the Gala: OCWLA's 2019 Gala Sponsorship Package is available.

    The Gala Committee is currently seeking sponsorships and donations to the silent auction.


    Do not hesitate to reach me with your ideas, thoughts, and goals. In the meantime, we will continue our work to EmpowHer™ women in our legal community.


    Cheers,
     

    Michelle A. Philo

    OCWLA President

    Philo Law Firm, P.C.

    michelle@philolaw.com

    michellephilo@gmail.com


  • Monday, June 03, 2019 9:59 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Fisher Phillips LLP has an opening in our Irvine or Los Angeles office for an Appellate Counsel position. The job description can be found below. Applicants should submit their resume, transcript, and cover letter, and complete the application at the following link: Fisher Philips Career Opportunities.

    Description:

    Fisher Phillips seeks an Appellate Counsel with 6-12 years of experience for its Irvine or Los Angeles office. Qualified candidates will have successfully briefed and argued appeals before the Ninth Circuit and California appellate courts. Candidates should also have experience assisting trial counsel during all phases of the litigation process in preserving and developing issues for appellate review. Prior federal appellate clerkship experience is preferred, as is some prior experience with labor and employment law. Candidate must have excellent academic credentials, strong writing and analytical skills, and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Successful candidate will be a self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Must be admitted in California. 

    We are not accepting resumes from search firms for this position.


  • Monday, June 03, 2019 6:50 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    FEDERAL CAREER OPPORTUNITY 

    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FULL-TIME PERMANENT POSITION 

    TRIAL ATTORNEY 

    The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor (SOL) seeks a top-quality, experienced trial attorney to join the San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, or Los Angeles, CA sub-Regional office. This is a full time, permanent GS-0905 position in the excepted service. This position has promotion potential to the GS-14 level. The Trial Attorney will handle all phases of litigation before federal courts and administrative bodies under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and other statutes enforced by the Department. Demonstrated interest in public interest law and/or experience with employment laws and/or vulnerable worker populations is desirable. Ability to speak Chinese, Korean or Spanish is not required, but preferred. Must be active member of the California Bar if selected for San Francisco or Los Angeles. 

    SALARY: For more information, refer to the 2019 OPM General Schedule Salary Tables for the locality areas of Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA, and Los Angeles, CA. 

    QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS: 

    Requires a first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and active membership in good standing of the bar of a court of general jurisdiction of a state, territory or possession of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In addition to being a member of the bar, applicants must have had the amount of post-law school legal experience indicated below. An LL.M may be substituted for a maximum of one year experience. 

    The qualifying experience must have been progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature that demonstrates the ability to perform the work at the grade level for which application is being made. At the GS-14 level, at least twelve months of the qualifying experience must have been at a level of difficulty comparable to the next lower grade in the federal service. Qualifying experience in military service shall be counted as a continuation of any legal position held immediately prior to such service. In any case, the experience of the applicant must be of sufficient recency to indicate that he/she is capable of performing the duties of the position. 

    EMPLOYMENT/ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: U.S. Citizenship or eligible for employment in the United States; must meet DOL investigation requirements. 

    TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit cover letter, resume, writing sample, and veteran’s documentation (if applicable) to Hoffman.maryvette@dol.gov by June 21, 2019. All resumes and supplemental documentation must be received by 11:59pm, Pacific Time on the closing date of June 21, 2019. Please use code PN-19-SF- SOL-002 in your cover letter. 

    VETERANS: If you are a veteran of the U.S. military, you must include a Copy 4 of your DD214, Report of Discharge, with your application/resume. If you are a veteran with a service-connected disability, you must also include a statement from the VA, along with an SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans Preference. 

    REFER TO THESE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: DOL SOL WEBSITE, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS GENERAL INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, EVALUATION OF FOREIGN EDUCATION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY, SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION, BENEFITS 


  • Wednesday, May 29, 2019 2:52 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Comments sought:

    The Advisory Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions has approved and posted for public comment the latest cycle of proposed revisions and additions to the criminal jury instructions (CALCRIM). The committee is very interested in your input.

    The proposed changes are at this link: https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/calcrim-2019-01.pdf  ­­­­­­­Only these proposed changes and additions are being submitted for comment at this time. We will gladly accept other comments, but the committee will not be able to consider them until the next release cycle. 

    Our preferred way of receiving your comments is in a Word file attached to an e-mail sent to kara.portnow@jud.ca.gov. However, you may also respond online.  And we have also posted a comment form that you may use to comment on individual instruction or groups of instructions. Please do NOT comment by Reply All to this e-mail.

    Comments by letter should be sent to:

    Ms. Kara Portnow, Attorney

    Judicial Council of California

    Advisory Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions

    455 Golden Gate Avenue

    San Francisco, CA 94102

    The deadline for receiving comments is Friday, July 5, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

    The committee will review all comments and make recommendations to the Judicial Council's Rules and Projects Committee and then to the full council. Comments received will become part of the public record of the council's action.

    When submitting comments, please:

    • Indicate whether you agree with the proposal, would agree with the proposal if it is modified, or do not agree with the proposal.
    • Clearly identify the specific language in the instruction that you are commenting on.
    • Suggest alternative language, if appropriate.
    • Provide any applicable authority for your position.

    We encourage your comments and critique because they help us refine both the particular instructions and the more global choices about format and approach.  We appreciate your participation in this effort.

    On behalf of the Advisory Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions

    Hon. Peter J. Siggins, Chair


  • Tuesday, May 28, 2019 6:49 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Job Title Attorney-Adviser
    Location Washington, DC 

    Compensation $112,524 to $212,478 / Per Year 

    Series & Grade SK-13/14 

    Position Number 19-EX-10505693-CMH Application Deadline June 10, 2019 

    Summary 

    The Division of Investment Management is seeking to fill an Attorney-Adviser position in the Disclosure Review and Accounting Office, Disclosure Review Office No. 3. 

    Responsibilities 

    • Analyzing policy and regulatory issues under the federal securities laws as they relate to the regulation of investment advisers;
    • The review of various disclosure documents for open-end funds, closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds, including registration statements, proxies, and other filings required by the federal securities laws;
    • Utilizing financial technology to analyze investment companies and review disclosure documents;
    • Preparing recommendations and guidance as they relate the federal securities laws, statues, and Investment Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act;
    • Drafting substantive legal documents including draft releases and memos explaining proposed and final rulemaking initiatives;
    • Researching, analyzing and developing rule text to implement regulatory initiatives;
    • Consulting and coordinating with staff across the Division and Commission and public and industry representatives regarding regulatory policy and registration documents.

    Qualifications 

    SK-13: Applicant must have two years of post J.D. work experience as a practicing attorney, one year of which includes: providing legal interpretation of federal securities laws, statutes, rules, particularly those related to the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 

    SK-14: Applicant must have three years of post J.D. work experience as a practicing attorney, two years of which includes: providing legal interpretation of federal securities laws, statutes, rules, particularly those related to the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and conducting reviews and analysis on issues to assure legal adequacy, sufficiency and soundness of action recommended or taken. 

    To Apply 

    To learn more about this employment opportunity and to apply online, please visit https://go.usa.gov/xmAgn 

    For assistance, please contact the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion at (202) 551-6046 or omwi@sec.gov. The SEC is an equal opportunity employer 


  • Tuesday, May 28, 2019 6:47 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Fisher Phillips LLP has openings for two (2) mid-level employment litigation associates – one for our Los Angeles office and the other for our Irvine office. The job descriptions can be found below.

    Description - LA:

    The Los Angeles office of Fisher Phillips seeks a mid-level employment litigation associate with 3-5 years of experience. The ideal candidate will have wage and hour litigation experience, including class/collective action experience. Qualified candidates will be comfortable drafting and responding to discovery and initial pleadings, drafting motions, and drafting agency position statements. Candidate must have excellent academic credentials, strong writing and analytical skills, and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Successful candidate will be a self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Must be admitted in California. 

    We are not accepting resumes from search firms for this position. 

    Applicants should submit their resume, transcript, and cover letter, and complete the application at the following link: Fisher Phillips LA Career Opportunity.

    Description - Irvine:

    The Irvine office of Fisher Phillips seeks a mid-level associate with 2-5 years of employment litigation and/or class action experience. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience handling California wage-hour class action claims and PAGA cases. Qualified candidates will be comfortable drafting and responding to discovery and initial pleadings, drafting and arguing motions, as well as taking and defending depositions. Candidate must have excellent academic credentials, strong writing and analytical skills, and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Successful candidate will be a self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Must be admitted in California.

    Applicants should submit their resume, transcript, and cover letter, and complete the application at the following link: Fisher Phillips Irvine Career Opportunity.


  • Tuesday, May 14, 2019 11:49 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    The General Counsel’s Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking applications from appellate attorneys for two(2) openings in its Adjudication Group. The work of the Adjudication Group generally involves assisting the Commission in resolving administrative appeals from decisions of administrative law judges and appeals from the actions of self-regulatory organizations such as FINRA.  In these matters, the Commission issues decisions in the form of legal opinions with the assistance of the attorneys in the Adjudication Group.  The Commission’s adjudicatory opinions serve as legal guidance and precedent for the securities industry and the securities bar.

    Applicants have specialized experience in appellate work or done a substantial amount of appellate work, critical motions writing, or opinion writing. 

    Qualifications: For SK-13 level, applicants must possess a J.D degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction). In addition, applicant must have two years post J.D. experience as a practicing attorney, one year of which was in the specialty area of the position to be field.

    Please submit a cover letter and resume to GCResumes@sec.gov

     If you have any questions, feel free to call Allan Capute at (202) 551-5122. 

    -----

    The Philadelphia Regional Office of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has openings for attorneys within the Enforcement Division.  Applicants must possess a J.D., and be an Active member of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 

    Applicants must have 2 years of post J.D. work experience as a practicing attorney, 1 year of experience which includes: securities litigation, complex business litigation or federal financial regulatory matters. 

    Duties:

    Duties of an Enforcement Staff Attorney include investigating possible civil securities law violations, developing evidence, recommending actions to the Commission, drafting pleadings and leading, co-chairing, or assisting at trials and administrative proceedings.  Preferred candidates should have at least 5 years of law firm, government, or other related experience as practicing attorney. 

    Application deadline: May 24, 2019

    Salary range: $109,026 – $179,296

    Please submit cover letter and resume to: David W. Butler, Jr. at  butlerda@sec.gov 

    The SEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse workforce.

    The SEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse workforce.


  • Friday, May 03, 2019 10:49 AM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) in Washington DC is seeking candidates for an attorney advisor in its Regulatory Policy Group.   Applicants should have demonstrated interest in international affairs and direct experience in international securities –related work.

    Preferred candidates should have 5+ years of legal experience, the ability to use their advocacy and strategic thinking skills in regular engagements with foreign counterparts, other U.S. financial regulatory agencies, and SEC senior staff on various international work streams.

    Duties:

    Duties of an International Affairs attorney advisory include taking a leading role on significant issues impacting the global financial markets, with a particular focus on issues in the asset management sector; monitor and contribute to international organizations’ work streams – including Financial Stability Board’s (FSB) efforts to evaluate the effects of G20 regulatory reforms; and draft reports and analysis for FSBs, the Chairman, Commissioners and SEC senior staff regarding developments in the cross-border financial markets.

    Application deadline is May 15, 2019. 

    Please submit cover letter and resume to: Beau McMillian   mcmillanb@sec.gov

    The SEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse workforce.


  • Wednesday, May 01, 2019 3:00 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)



    OCWLA Community,

    The passion of OCWLA continues show through the organization's events. Members continue to take advantage of the fantastic educational panels and networking opportunities. As OCWLA launches into Summer, the promise of more sold out events are on the horizon. OCWLA encourages you to participate in one of our events as we continue to EmpowHer™ women attorneys in Orange County.



    April Recap:


    OCWLA's Equal Pay Day program had a record turn out. Equal Pay Day is the day women would need to work until in order to receive the same pay as their male counterparts for the year before. Several attendees wore red, representing the disparity in pay between men and women. The panel started off with an overview of the current pay statistics, demonstrating a penny increase to 80 cents on the dollar. Under moderator Maria Stearns, the panelists (Joni Lee Gaudes, Victoria Harvey, Karen Polyakov, and Sheniece Smith) provided invaluable tips on pay negotiation as well as maneuvering other aspects of the profession to level the playing field. The program received excellent reviews. 


    Upcoming Events:

    Friday, May 10 - A Start Up Success Story: Trade Secrets and a $112 Million Verdict. This program provides an intellectual property for everyone. The lessons learned in trial affect strategies for in house counsel as well as outside counsel advising or litigating on behalf of the trade secret holder. The MCLE program is presented by Christy Lea. 

    Friday, May 17 - CWL Southern California Judicial Reception Honoring Hon. Maria Hernandez. OCWLA is proud to co-host this reception and congratulates Hon. Maria Hernandez on being named as California Women Lawyer's Joan Dempsey Klein Award recipient. The judicial reception will be held at the Noguchi Sculpture Garden. Registration for sitting judges is complimentary.

    Monday, May 20 - The May  book club book is Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton. This no host group continues to meet at Mimi's Café in Tustin for casual conversation about the monthly books.

    Tuesday, June 25 -  3rd Annual Membership Mixer at Pelican Hill. OCWLA returns to Pelican Hill's Great Room Social Lounge to enjoy the company of fellow members and the sunset views of Newport Coast. This event has sold out in the past - be sure to register early!

    Thursday, October 3 - Save the Date! The Annual Gala will return to Pelican Hill. OCWLA is honoring Hon. Elizabeth Macias as the Judge of the Year and Lei Lei Weng Ekvall as the Attorney of the Year. OCWLA is also recognizing Walsworth Franklin Bevins McCall with the Advancement of Women Award.


    Other Opportunities:

    Sponsor the Gala: OCWLA's 2019 Gala Sponsorship Package is available. The Gala Committee will be reaching out for sponsorships and donations to the silent auction.

    Do not hesitate to reach me with your ideas, thoughts, and goals. In the meantime, we will continue our work to EmpowHer™ women in our legal community.


    Cheers,


    Michelle A. Philo
    OCWLA President
    Philo Law Firm, P.C.


  • Monday, April 29, 2019 2:24 PM | Executive Director (Administrator)

    Top Orange County plaintiff personal injury practice located in Costa Mesa is seeking a seasoned, motivated, and dedicated Senior Associate Attorney.  Qualified candidates will have a minimum of 7 years recent plaintiff personal injury experience with an emphasis on litigation and staff management *OR* 7+ years heavy defense litigation with day-to-day staff management experience.  The Senior Associate works under a name Partner managing the litigation caseload and supervising a team of Case Managers and Associates.  Exemplary litigation, strong case prioritization, and staff organization skills are essential.  The firm is looking for a proven team builder who inspires by example and is highly motivated to advocate passionately for its clients.  The firm offers competitive salary and excellent benefits.  $120-180K DOE.  Please apply with a resume, writing sample, and professional references to our Office Administrator Tony Mannara at tmannara@mulaw.com  



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