Company Name: Haynes and Boone, LLP 

Recent Professional Accomplishment: I recently started a new position at Haynes and Boone as a Business Transition Specialist supporting the M&A Corporate Team. 

Fun Fact About Me: Halloween is my favorite & I relish in cultivated relationships! People are our truest investments! 

Philanthropic Interests: Supporting organizations that focus on women and children, as well as supporting my community.

What is your favorite part about OCWLA?: I love the camaraderie and the friends I have made through OCWLA. Volunteering with the OCLWA before becoming a member was an honor and I’m grateful to the connections I’ve made since. 

Is there anything else you'd like the OCWLA Members to know about you?: One of my biggest joys is connecting with people and being able to help them! I’ve recently been elected to my second term as PTSA President at my local high school and am slated to become Huntington Union Councils President as well; overseeing 22 units ranging from Elementary to HS. I have ambitions to remain active in the school district and my community well after my daughter graduates in 2026. 

Company Name: California Dept. of Social Services

Recent Professional Accomplishment: In December 2024, I took a position as Administrative Law Judge for California Department of Social Services. Prior to this position, I worked in Child Welfare for 30 years first representing Orange County Social Services Agency for over 26 years, and then in private practice specializing in cases involving special medical issues and/or women who have survived domestic violence. I have arranged and/or moderated two seminars for the National Association of Women Judges, Improving the Courts’ Response to Neurodiverse Persons and Citations to Slavery: Why Acknowledgment Matters.

Fun Fact About Me: I have an amazing daughter, who is a sophomore at Cal Berkeley. When she has time in her busy schedule, we love to travel to different places around the world to experience different cultures, arts, and cuisine. I also love almost all things Disney.

Philanthropic Interests: My passion is empowering and assisting women who are survivors of domestic violence, to assist them in changing the direction of their life to be free from violence and abuse. Further, my desire is to continue to be a voice to address disparities in treatment and the barriers which some face in accessing justice in our legal system.

What is your favorite part about OCWLA?: MCLE's, Mixers, Judges Reception, Book Club!!!

Is there anything else you'd like the OCWLA Members to know about you?: One of my favorite quotes comes from Maya Angelou -- "We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color." As members of the legal community, I believe it is imperative that we continue to strive for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all, and to address any barriers one may face in accessing their right to use the legal system to enforce their rights.

Practice Area: Administrative Law Judge

Company Name: Clarus

Recent Professional Accomplishment: Celebrating 10 year anniversary of starting my own practice!

Fun Fact About Me: I sang rap to my boys when they were little instead of lullabies :)

Philanthropic Interests: The Orange County Human Trafficking Project.

What is your favorite part about OCWLA?: MCLE's, Mixers and Networking!

Is there anything else you'd like the OCWLA Members to know about you?: I am married with two kids and live in Newport Beach.

Practice Area: Workplace Investigations/Employment Law

Find me on Socials! 

• LinkedIn

Company Name: Signature Resolution

Fun Fact About Me: I met my husband on stage at karaoke and our kids are singers.

Practice Area: Arbitration & Mediation (Commercial, Employment, Intellectual Property, Data Privacy)

Find Me On Socials!

LinkedIn

Company Name: Collins + Collins, LLP.

Recent Professional Accomplishment: I have reached the one-year mark in practicing law! I recently settled a case in under three months after being brought in.

Fun Fact About Me: My father is a (fraternal) twin, and I am an identical twin too. (Something must have been in the water in that small town, Indiana!)

Philanthropic Interests: Pro bono services; veterans assistance.

What is your favorite part about OCWLA?: MCLE's and Networking!

Is there anything else you'd like the OCWLA Members to know about you?: I am a first-generation attorney who is passionate about ethical lawyering and achieving just results. I am the proud daughter of military veteran parents (and grandparents). Born and raised in the Midwest, I bring my Midwestern work ethic and politeness to my practice of law. Licensed to practice in California and Nevada, I work as an associate attorney specializing in civil and complex litigation. I handle all aspects of the civil litigation cycle, including (but not limited to) drafting pleadings, engaging in discovery and motion work, and communicating directly with clients and insurance adjusters, with the help of my team. I also handle cases on both sides of the isle--plaintiff and defense cases, which affords me a well-rounded perspective.

Practice Area: Civil litigation; transactional

Find me on Socials! 

• LinkedIn

Company Name: Forootan Law

Recent Professional Accomplishment:  Chapman Dale E. Fowler School of Law - Golden Gavel Quarterfinalist (1L Oral Argument Competition)

Fun Fact About Me: Farsi was my first language.

Philanthropic Interests: Education for women in Afghanistan.

What is your favorite part about OCWLA?: Networking, support and awareness for women in the legal profession.

Is there anything else you'd like the OCWLA Members to know about you?: I graduated from the University of California Merced in 2021, with a bachelor's degree in political science and a minor in psychology. Throughout my undergraduate career I was fortunate enough to participate in the Merced Pre-Law Society, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, organize fundraising and volunteer for the Merced Center of Visual Enhancement, and work closely with the political science department to evaluate and grade upper division course work. I am currently a second-year Juris Doctor candidate at Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law. During my first year, I joined the Corporate Law Society, Chapman Women Lawyers Association, I was invited to join the Chapman Law Moot Court Team, and began working as a Law Clerk at Forootan Law. I will be participating in the National Moot Court Competition in November 2023, with the hopes of advancing to the finals in New York City. I will also be working toward obtaining a Business Certification in addition to my Juris Doctor until my anticipated graduation in 2025.

Practice Area: I am pursuing employment litigation. 

Find me on Socials! 

• LinkedIn

Company Name: Veterans Legal Institute

Recent Professional Accomplishment: With the help of the legal community, Veterans Legal Institute, in advance of its 10 year anniversary, recently surpassed serving 10,000 low income and homeless veterans and their families.

Fun Fact About Me: I love involving my two teenage sons in philanthropy.

Philanthropic Interests: I feel strongly about legal civility and justice which is why I serve on the board of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association. I served 6 years as a board member of the Orange County Bar Association and presently co-chair the OCBA Veterans and Military Committee and have served several terms on its audit committee promoting financial transparency.For years I have enjoyed my position on the OCBA Mentorship Committee because I value and want to promote growth of the future leaders of our profession.

What is your favorite part about OCWLA?: Working alongside other female legal minds to create a stronger sense of community and equity in our field.

Practice Area: Public Interest

Find me on Socials! 

• LinkedIn: Antoinette Naddour
• IG: AntoinetteEsquire
• Facebook: Antoinette Naddour

 Company Name: Gartman & Montenegro, A Family Law Firm

 Recent Professional Accomplishment: I have yet to lose a Domestic Violence Trial in the last 4.5 years of   practice.

 Fun Fact About Me: I cracked my chin when I was 6 years old trying to fly on a carpet down a flight of stairs!

 Philanthropic Interests: Helping women and children throughout Orange County. I was an active member   in the Assistance League of Orange but have decided to shift my focus this year toward Women in the Legal   community.

 What is your favorite part about OCWLA?: Mixers, Judges Reception, Networking

 Is there anything else you would like the OCWLA Members to know about you?: I am a Mom to 4 children, Maverick (5), Harrison (4), Colton (3) and Capri (6 months). I finally got my girl and our puzzle is complete.

Practice Area: Family Law

Find me on Instagram! @ocfamilylaw_legalqueen

 Company Name: Orange County District Attorney's Office

 Recent Professional Accomplishment: I created the IPV (interpersonal violence) Task Force in Orange   County to properly address the investigation and potential prosecution of strangulation-related assaults.

 Fun Fact About Me: I am running for Judge in the next election cycle. I love kickboxing, I have 3 children and I   like to bake.

 Philanthropic Interests: Veteran Affairs, Gang Reduction Intervention, Poverty Prevention Project

 What is your favorite part about OCWLA?: Mixers, Wine Events, Judges Reception, Networking!

 Is there anything else you would like the OCWLA Members to know about you?: I have a long history in   the field of sexual assault prosecution and train for CDAA on related issues. I would love to provide any support   or guidance to the membership in this arena as it is where my passion lies.

Practice Area: Criminal Law

Company Name: Minyard Morris

Recent Professional Accomplishment:  I was selected for Best Lawyers One To Watch 2024.

Fun Fact About Me: I am a proud mom to a 4 and 3 year old.

What is your favorite part about OCWLA?: Mixers, Wine Events, Judges Reception, Networking!