Name: Eve A. Brackmann

Place of Work: Stuart Kane LLP

Recent Professional Accomplishment:
Became Shareholder at Stuart Kane LLP, elected as Director at Large on the Orange County Bar Association’s Board of Directors, and celebrating two major recent appellate victories!

Fun Fact About Me: I am writing a bodybuilder cookbook, and planning a girls’ trip to Europe this summer to celebrate my 50th. I have two adorable fur babies, both toy fox terriers, 13 years old and one year old. Their names are Foxy and Bitty and they are the best!

Philanthropic Interests: Serving my community is very important to me…Some of the organizations that I am proud to support are:
• Orange County Bar Association (OCBA Board Director at Large, 2021-2024; Mentoring Committee co-chair; longstanding Mandatory Fee Arbitrator; member of the Legislative Committee for over 10 years now; regular speaker at Bridging the Gap);.
• OC Veterans Legal Institute (pro-bono work, and annual fundraiser committee member);
• USD Law School Alumni (OC Chapter Board Director since 2016)
• Project Hope School Foundation Board (Past President)

Favorite part about OCWLA: Networking, Philanthropy Events

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you:  I am a strong proponent and supporter of women lawyers, women in business, and women in the survivors’ community. I am so grateful that we live in a time when we can be truly independent, successful, and help each other. As Stevie Nicks has said, “Don’t be a lady, be a legend!” Many thanks to OCWLA for supporting women lawyers and diversity in our OC legal community!

Name: Michael Lucien Baroni

Place of Work: BARONI LAW - Business & Entertainment Law

Recent Professional Accomplishment:
Entertainment Lawyer of the Year - USA (Lawyer Monthly Magazine)

Fun Fact About Me: In entertainment law, my biggest client wasn't an A-list actress. It was a Killer Whale!

Philanthropic Interests: Human Trafficking. Founding the OCBA's Human Trafficking Task Force was the most meaningful thing I've ever done as a lawyer. I will never give up the fight against traffickers.

Favorite part about OCWLA: CLE's, Mixers, Networking

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you:  Currently working on a new TV show, UNICORN HUNTERS, with a #1 rated TV Producer.

Name: Dana Heyde

Place of Work: Cottle Keen Lopiccolo & Heyde, LLP

Recent Professional Accomplishment:
My law firm purchased a historic home in Orange for our office.

Fun Fact About Me: I love to play Monopoly!

Philanthropic Interests: Youth literacy.

Practice Area:  I take great care to help people resolve emotional situations in Family Law and Litigation practice areas.

Favorite part about OCWLA: Book Club.

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you:  I am a passionate advocate for my clients and for the advancement of women in the legal profession. I am honored to be OCWLA’s 2021 Vice-President and look forward to connecting with other dynamic members at our fun events. 

Name: Larisa Dinsmoor

Place of Work: Deputy Public Defender, Office of the Orange County Public Defender.

Recent Professional Accomplishment: Orange County Bar Association President.

Fun Fact About Me: I have lived in Russia, Uganda and South Africa. I love to travel and do volunteer work with lawyers in developing countries. I've had the privilege of working with lawyers in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. I also like yoga, running, and trying new cuisines, although I don't like to cook.

Philanthropic Interests:  International Bridges to Justice, Avocats Sans Frontières, Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) with Bryan Stevenson.

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

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you:  I am extremely accessible. Feel free to reach out to me. I believe in mentorship, allyship, and investing in women lawyers. Together, we can bring about more connection, community and unity.

Name: Shirin Forootan

Place of Work: Workplace Justice Advocates

Recent Professional Accomplishment:
Joined Workplace Justice Advocates as Partner in 2019, Served as Chair of the Labor & Employment Section of OCBA in 2020, Appointed Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee of OCBA in 2021.

Fun Fact About Me: I enjoy baking for others and reading historical fiction.

Philanthropic Interests:  I wholeheartedly support the Orange County United Way and the important work they do for our community.

Practice Area:  I represent employees and executives in employment litigation, although for many years I defended employers in such cases. 

Favorite part about OCWLA: The Annual Gala is always such an exceptional and fun event. I have met so many incredible and supportive women through OCWLA that I would not have met otherwise, and for that I am very grateful.

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you:  I have greatly enjoyed OCWLA throughout the years and I look forward to continuing my involvement with this amazing group of smart and passionate women.

Name: Jacqueline Beaumont

Place of Work: Call & Jensen

Recent Professional Accomplishment:
As a litigation partner, I really enjoy the teamwork that goes into crafting a winning summary judgment motion, or negotiating a well-valued settlement - and the celebrations afterwards.

Fun Fact About Me: I speak French and Mandarin Chinese, and have lived in both countries.

Philanthropic Interests: Girls Inc., MOMS Orange County, and other organizations that lift women and girls into their full potential and leadership through mentoring and special programs.

Practice Area:  I handle employment defense of class actions and lawsuits, plus kitchen-sink advising on all employment law issues under the sun for businesses. There is not an employment issue that I do not handle for Southern California employers!

Favorite part about OCWLA: CLEs, Annual Gala, Networking

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you:I'm passionate about advancing opportunities and equality for women in the workplace, and always open to discussing new ideas or events for OCWLA.

 
Name: Terri Bui

Place of Work: Kahana and Feld, LLP 

Fun Fact About Me: I am lactose intolerant and allergic to shrimp -- but you can often find me eating ice cream and shrimp ceviche. (Don't worry, my allergy is completely non-life threatening).

Philanthropic Interests: Organizations that support the advancement of women and minorities, particularly from underserved communities.

Practice Area:  I represent businesses and insurers in general litigation matters, including real estate, construction, employment, and personal injury.

Favorite part about OCWLA: Philanthropy events, CLEs, Networking

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you: I am thrilled to be a part of a community that supports and advances women's careers and understands the problems we encounter within the legal community!

Name: Kelly Galligan Dunn

Place of Work: Rutan & Tucker, LLP 

Fun Fact About Me: I am a COVID bride and recently married my best friend, Gordon.

Philanthropic Interests: Project Youth OCBF, and serving youth in our community.

Practice Area:  I am a general corporate transactional attorney and assist clients with all of their outside general counsel needs. I specialize in mergers and acquisitions, and love to help clients buy and sell companies!

Favorite part about OCWLA: The remarkable friends I have made.

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you: I love networking with women on the golf course and started a women's golf group called The Lady Birdies. Reach out if you'd like to join!

Name: Laura G. Lopez

Place of Work: McNeil Tropp & Braun LLP

Fun Fact About Me:  I am a former Ballroom and Latin dance instructor and performer.

Practice Area:  My practice areas included medical malpractice, healthcare law, business litigation, insurance defense, and personal injury defense.

Favorite part about OCWLA: CLEs, Annual Gala, Networking

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you: 

I strive to be a positive example for women in the legal profession and encourage a collaborative and supportive environment with my colleagues. It is my mission to share experiences and empower other women, as my incredible mentors have encouraged me, to progress strong female leadership in law.

Name: Heather Stangle-Smith

Place of Work: Associate General Counsel, Optum

Fun Fact About Me:  I’m an animal lover, and my husband and I have two cats and two dogs, all rescues. I also became a vegetarian when I was 10 after watching the movie “Babe” (with the talking pig)!

Philanthropic Interests: Some organizations that are close to my heart include the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County; The Guidance Center in Long Beach; Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles; Forever Footprints; Charlotte’s Purpose; and many animal rescues, including Heritage Humane Society and Zoey’s Place Rescue.

Practice Area:  As Associate General Counsel, I provide legal support for the federal health services business of Optum and UnitedHealth Group, which helps federal agencies tackle some of the biggest challenges in health care.

Favorite part about OCWLA: Book club, Philanthropy events

Anything else you would like OCWLA Members to know about you: I’m proud to be starting my third year as a member of the OCWLA Board of Directors—something I only dreamed of when I moved to California from the Washington, DC area five years ago and attended my first OCWLA event without knowing anyone. This organization truly empowered me as an attorney in my new home state, and continues to do so.