Name: Bridget Harrison

Place of Work: Harrison Law, A.P.C.

What is your practice area? Workers' Compensation Defense and Sports Law.

Fun Fact About Me: I am an Orange County native, but have East Coast influence by way of being a graduate of the University of North Carolina (Go Tar Heels!), and by having an East Coast husband from Maryland, and who went to my college's cross-town rival, Duke. We are a true house-divided. Also, I actively play in two adult recreational leagues, including a women's basketball league, and a co-ed softball league.

Philanthropic Interests:

I love being part of OCWLA due to their philanthropic mission and dedication to supporting local non-profits that help give women access to justice.

Recent Professional Accomplishment: After practicing law for twelve years at mid to large sized firms, I have opened my own firm. I am very excited to work for myself and run a business while representing amazing clients such as the NFL, Major League Baseball, and Major League Soccer.

Favorite part about OCWLA: Networking, Meeting other smart, interesting, and successful women.

OCWLA is happy to recognize Kimberly LaSalle, who received the 2022 Fay Stender Award from California Women Lawyers (CWL).  "This is the honor of my lifetime to be acknowledged for my work with vulnerable populations...Thank you OCWLA for nominating me for the prestigious Fay Stender Award!"

CWL established the Fay Stender Award in 1982 in honor of Fay Stender, a Bay Area attorney who spent much of her professional life fighting for prisoners' rights.  CWL gives the award to a feminist attorney, who, like Fay Stender, is committed to the representation of women, disadvantaged groups and unpopular causes, and whose courage, zest for life and demonstrated ability to effect change as a single individual makes her a role model for women attorneys.

https://camsdev.net/CWL/Newsletter/Winter_2022/

Congratulations Kimberly La Salle!

This month, OC Lawyer featured an article OCWLA President, Dana M. Heyde wrote about OCWLA’s Book Club! This members only monthly event has become a cornerstone of OCWLA by offering a unique outlet for current members to network and new members to be welcomed to the organization. Through a shared love of reading, Book Club members recognize each other as kindred spirits whose instant connection leads to professional growth. We hope to see you at the next Book Club Event!

OC Lawyer Reprint MAR 2022 Out of Office.pdf

Name: Caroline Djang, 2022 OCWLA Treasurer

Place of Work: Best Best & Krieger LLP

What is your practice area? Bankruptcy.

Fun Fact About Me: I win a lot of raffles. My prizes include a flat-screen TV, a diamond necklace, a Polaroid camera, a spa basket worth more than $1,000 and many others!

Philanthropic Interests: I am a member of Women for Girls (girls inc.) and Coro Women in Leadership. Being a woman, diverse partner at a law firm gives me an enormous platform to mentor and lead future generations.

Recent Professional Accomplishment: I was recently honored on the following lists by Southern California Super Lawyers: Orange County Top 50, Top 50 Women and Top 100 overall.

Favorite part about OCWLA: CLE's, Mixers, Networking, The Gala! My firm was honored with the inaugural Advancement of Women Award, and my nominee, Judge Erithe Smith, was honored as Judge of the Year. I also love being on the Exec Board!

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you: There is no one way to achieve success as a woman lawyer. I took a non-traditional path by clerking for the Bankruptcy Court for seven years before entering private practice. I have been a partner at two wonderful law firms and chair my firm's bankruptcy practice. I enjoy mentoring young lawyers, so please feel free to contact me to chat!

Name: Jessica Munk, 2022 OCWLA Vice President

Place of Work:  Wiechert, Munk & Goldstein, PC

What is your practice area? White collar criminal defense and civil litigation in federal and state court, enforcement actions by administrative agencies including the SEC, FTC & CFPB. I am also on the CJA Criminal Trial Panel in the Central District of California representing indigent defendants.

Fun Fact About Me:  I have three little children, a Golden Doodle puppy and a 14-year-old cat.

Philanthropic Interests: Promise of Justice Initiative, Illumination Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank.

Recent Professional Accomplishment:  Selected to the 2022 Best Lawyers list in Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and recognized by 2022 Super Lawyers for the second year in a row.

Favorite part about OCWLA: Mixers, wine events, and networking.

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you: I love supporting women in the legal profession and being able to connect with such a great group of women. I am honored to be the OCWLA's 2022 Vice-President and look forward to connecting with our members at some fun events this year.

Name: Jennifer Turner

Place of Work:  Valentine Law Group, APC

Fun Fact About Me:  When I have time, I like to play video and PC games.

Philanthropic Interests: Women's Reproductive Rights.

Recent Professional Accomplishment:  I became the Managing Attorney at Valentine Law Group, APC, where we represent victims of elder abuse and neglect, and I was named as Orange County Trial Lawyer's Association's Member of the Year in 2020.

Favorite part about OCWLA: CLE's, Mixers

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you: I believe strongly in the importance of civility and ethics in the practice of law, and am inspired by the powerful women in our legal community, including those in OCWLA, who exemplify those characteristics in their practice every day.

Name: Ashley Vernick

Place of Work: Rutan & Tucker, LLP 

Fun Fact About Me:  I've hiked to Everest Base Camp (17,598 ft!) and volunteered for a month at an animal rescue center in Africa (ping me for some pics of me with lion cubs, elephants, cheetahs, and more!)

Philanthropic Interests: Animal welfare and awareness (involved in Elephant Cooperation) and mentoring women and young attorneys (at my firm, through law school, and other bar organizations).

Recent Professional Accomplishment: Selected as Rising Star, Southern California Super Lawyers and up for election to partnership (fingers crossed!) this year!

Favorite part about OCWLA: Collaborating with like-minded and like-hearted professional women!

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you: Though born and raised in OC, I spent 9 years in Chicago, which included law school and 6 years in practice (Jenner & Block). So while my bar number may start with a 3, I am of an older vintage (practicing over 10 years now!) and looking to get more involved in networking opportunities here in OC, especially OCWLA. Would love to meet up in person to get to know more of you better--be ready for me to suggest a "walk," I am an outdoorsman at heart!

 Name: Danielle Guerrero

Place of Work: Ferruzzo & Ferruzzo 

Fun Fact About Me:  I am self-proclaimed nerd and try to attend Comic-Con every year!

Philanthropic Interests: I have served on the Board of Directors for Grandma's House of Hope for the past three years. The GHH mission is to "empower the invisible populations of Orange County" through housing, education, and other programs serving the homeless and low-income population. See https://www.grandmashouseofhope.org/ for more information.

Favorite part about OCWLA: Mixers, Wine Events, Networking, Meeting fabulous women in our profession.

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you: I am always down for coffee, lunch, or happy hour!

Name: Laurie Rowen

Place of Work: Owner/Founder of Montage Legal Group - https://montagelegal.com/attorneys/laurie-rowen/

Fun Fact About Me:  My husband is a lawyer, and I'm raising two "mini-lawyer" daughters, ages 11 and 13. I also have a really cute Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Lucky, who is a treasured member of our family!

Philanthropic Interests: I've been supporting WHW (Women Helping Women) for over a decade. I've served as the President of the Board of Directors, and I'm currently the Chair of the Advisory Board. My daughters currently support WHW through their children's philanthropy club, CA Kids Giving Back. See www.whw.org and www.cakidsgivingback.com.

Practice Area:  My business, Montage Legal Group, is a freelance legal platform that connects freelance lawyers to busy law firms to assist with hourly overflow work. We started Montage to help lawyers who had left BigLaw find balance by working from home, and also to help small law firms and legal departments who need help with substantive legal work. In terms of referrals, if you meet a solo practitioner drowning in work, send them our way!

Favorite part about OCWLA: Philanthropy events, Annual Gala, Networking

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you: I'm currently on the Board of OCWLA, and serve on the Philanthropy Committee and Membership Committee. I absolutely love OCWLA!

Name: Proud Usahacharoenporn

Place of Work: Rutan & Tucker, LLP

Recent Professional Accomplishment:
I was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for five years in a row (2017-2021).

Fun Fact About Me: I have a 10 month old baby girl named Kaia, a basset hound, and an American bully dog, and I love dance, yoga, and barre.

Philanthropic Interests: OCWLA, Thai American Bar Association, Sonenshine Pro Bono Committee

Favorite part about OCWLA: CLE's, Mixers, Wine Events, Judges Reception, Networking

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you:  I am so inspired by the wonderful and powerful group of women lawyers we have here in OC!