News

The Orange County Women Lawyers Association invites you to submit your nominations for our 2024 Awards. The deadline for nomination submissions is Friday, March 29, 2024. Please contact info@ocwla.org with any questions. OCWLA Judge of the Year Award The Judge of the Year Award is to recognize outstanding jurists who have demonstrated excellence in their work, have significantly contributed to the legal community and who have shown a commitment to advancing women in the profession. Criteria for evaluation of nominees include: Excellence as a jurist Contributions to the legal community Leadership experience Community involvement and volunteer work Commitment to advancing women in the profession Five years experience on the bench is highly recommended Nominate Here! OCWLA Attorney of the Year Award The OCWLA Attorney of the Year Award is to recognize an outstanding member of the Orange County legal community. The successful nominee should have a proven commitment to advancing women in the profession and to advancing women’s interests. The candidate should be well-established in the Orange County legal community and have at least 10 years in practice. Evaluation criteria include: Significant career achievement and experience Contributions to the local bar and community organizations Leadership experience Public service or pro bono work Mentorship Nominate Here! OCWLA Advancement of Women Award  This award seeks to recognize and celebrate a law firm, non-profit or other organization, whose culture and work supports the advancement of women in the firm and in the Orange County legal community. Evaluation criteria include: Women in leadership within the organization The organization’s contributions to the community An environment that fosters career opportunities and development of female attorneys Members’ of the organization demonstration of leadership and participation in and support for bar and community organizations Work that advances the interests of women generally Nominate Here!

January 2024 Philanthropic Grants Available

It is the goal of Orange County Women Lawyers Association to make charitable gifts to non-profits in the spirit of assisting the advancement of the status of women and children in law and society in matters including, but not limited to: Legal services, education, awareness, and prevention services regarding domestic violence, and human trafficking. Gender discrimination, harassment, or bias against women. Access to services that support and improve the rights and lives of women. OCWLA is currently accepting applications for its philanthropic giving. All applications are due by February 29, 2024. Questions may be referred to info@ocwla.org.

Download Application

Position Base: Oakland

Location: UCOP - Broadway Building

Position Title: DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL, HEALTH AFFAIRS, PRIVACY & DATA PROTECTION

The University of California (UC) is a premier institution of higher education and is recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in teaching, research, and public service. The UC system, with an operating budget totaling $47.1 billion, serves more than 290,000 students, employs over 240,000 faculty and staff, and includes two million alumni living and working around the world.

University of California Health (UC Health) comprises the University of California’s clinical and health professional education arms, providing leadership and strategic direction for the University of California’s six academic health centers, twenty health professional schools, five NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, four children hospital campuses and a Global Health Institute. The University of California opened its doors in 1869. For over 150 years, UC has expanded the horizons of what we know about ourselves and our world. UC campuses are routinely ranked among the best in the world, but their reach extends beyond campus borders.

The Office of the President is the system-wide headquarters of the University, managing its fiscal and business operations, and furthering its public interest, academic, and research missions. It supports campuses and students through system-wide funding and programs; manages the University’s multi-billion-dollar operations and investments; oversees medical centers and national labs; provides centralized labor relations and legal services; and promotes the well-being of its diverse and large workforce through benefits and retirement programs.

The Deputy General Counsel, Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection will report directly to the General Counsel/Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs and is a member of the General Counsel’s Systemwide Leadership Team. The Deputy General Counsel for Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection has primary responsibility for providing legal advice to UC Health, which is comprised of six academic health centers, 20 health professional schools, a Global Health Institute and systemwide services that improve the health of patients and UC’s students, faculty, and employees.

As a strategic legal advisor to the General Counsel, the Executive Vice President for UC Health, the leadership at each of UC’s six academic health centers, and UC’s President and Board of Regents, the Deputy General Counsel for Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection oversees a team that includes a Managing Counsel and 10 attorneys in UC Legal’s Oakland Office. Additionally, the Deputy General Counsel for Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection, in collaboration with the Chief Campus Counsels, will jointly oversee the legal teams located at each of the six academic health centers. The Deputy General Counsel for Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection’s portfolio encompasses the operational, clinical, training and research aspects of UC’s system-wide healthcare enterprise, and includes complex healthcare transactions (mergers, acquisitions and affiliations), federal and state health care regulatory compliance, human subject and basic research, government payor reimbursement, managed care, fraud and abuse, health information privacy, cybersecurity, medical staff and peer review, health care licensing and accreditation, scientific misconduct, and conflict of interest in the context of clinical care and research.

The Deputy General Counsel for Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection will oversee UC Legal’s systemwide legal advice and counsel on matters involving data protection and cybersecurity. The Deputy General Counsel for Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection also advises on highly complex legal disputes within UC Health; leads administrative and management initiatives within UC Legal; advises and renders opinions to the Regents and senior management with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy; and works with representatives of the campuses on developing and modifying practices and procedures to conform with legal requirements.  legal disputes within UC Health; leads administrative and management initiatives within UC Legal; advises and renders opinions to the Regents and senior management with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy; and works with representatives of the campuses on developing and modifying practices and procedures to conform with legal requirements.

All members of the General Counsel’s systemwide leadership team are responsible and accountable for the stewardship of resources, including expenses associated with outside counsel, and the development of systems and procedures to protect organizational assets and institutional knowledge. They are also responsible for developing and reporting on key performance indicators and other metrics related to their practice group.

As a strategic thinker, approachable advisor, and strong relationship builder, the Deputy General Counsel for Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection thrives in a challenging fast paced environment and is clearly aligned with the University’s and UC Legal’s values including a commitment to promoting diversity and maintaining a workplace that is collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and diversity in all interactions, both within and outside of the team.

It is expected that this successful candidate will possess very strong leadership skills, including diplomacy, strategic thinking, exceptional client service, effective communication, sound judgment, integrity, and collaborative spirit, and have demonstrated experience to earn “a seat at the table”. The relationship with the General Counsel, Executive Vice President of UC Health, the hospital Chief Executive officers, and team is critical to the success of this position.

Travel Requirement: 10% occasional business travel.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are key components of The University of California’s commitment to excellence. Thus, teaching, research, professional, and public service contributions that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion are encouraged and given due recognition in the evaluation of each candidate’s qualifications. The University of California’s Diversity Statements can be found at:

https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/policies/4400.html

https://diversity.universityofcalifornia.edu/.

Review of candidate materials will begin immediately and the ability to apply or nominate will continue until the position has been filled. The complete position profile and application information can be found at: https://caldwell.thriveapp.ly/job/1117. Applications should include a cover letter, resume, and the University’s self-identification forms (found at: https://caldwellpartners.wufoo.com/forms/s1mekzac0iygcun/ ).

The University has retained Caldwell Partners, a national executive search firm, to assist with this search. Please email confidential inquiries, nominations, or referrals to: UCOPDGCHA@caldwell.com.

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $400,000 to $455,000, commensurate with experience.

Successful completion of a background check (Background check process at UCOP) is required for this critical position. 

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is 2/16/24. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. EEO/AA Employer UC Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible to any and all users. If you have comments regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at: Accessibility or email the Human Resource Department at: epost@ucop.edu.

Please apply through this link: https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucop/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=19&JobOpeningId=61205&PostingSeq=1

Now Accepting 2024 Sponsorships! OCWLA Annual Sponsorship Program OCWLA is pleased to offer its 2024 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 exclusive title sponsorships for each of its continuing education luncheons. Title sponsors receive exclusive branding on all e-communications for the sponsored luncheon and are able to share promotional materials with members attending the luncheon. 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!

JOB SUMMARY

Kutak Rock LLP, a large national law firm, has an immediate need for an associate in its Irvine office with 1+ years of experience, with a focus in civil litigation, insurance litigation, municipal/public entity litigation, and construction matters. In addition to having strong academic credentials, the ideal candidate will have excellent writing skills as well as experience taking and defending depositions, drafting dispositive motions and handling matters independently.

QUALIFICATIONS

·        Law degree (JD) from a fully accredited law school

·        Experience in civil litigation, insurance litigation, municipal/public entity litigation, and construction matters

Additional Information  Salary Range: $110,000 – $130,000

Benefits  Benefits offered include: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Dependent Life, Disability, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance. Flexible Spending Plan. Health Savings Account. Profit-Sharing and 401(k) Retirement benefits. Nine Paid Holidays and Paid-Time Off Plan. Employee Assistance Program. Back-Up Care. Domestic Partner Benefits. Commuting Benefits. Some of the foregoing benefits include Employer/Employee cost sharing.

Additional Information  Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO).

About The Firm  Kutak Rock was formed in 1965 with a commitment to exceptional client service delivered with a collaborative, team-focused approach. Our founding charter commits the firm to “allow and encourage each individual within it to be a full person,” and we strive to offer an exceptional professional environment, intellectually challenging and engaging work in multiple disciplines, competitive compensation and benefits, opportunities for training and career development. We are a leading national law firm with locations in 19 cities united by our common commitment to our core values of client service; integrity and fairness; innovation; and inclusiveness and diversity.

We are dedicated to the maintenance of a respectful, collegial, communicative, and equal opportunity workplace that encourages and rewards innovation and entrepreneurship. We measure our success not just on the basis of our revenues or our profits, but by the satisfaction we deliver for our clients and the health, engagement and loyalty of our people.

Interested individuals may apply on our website: https://www.kutakrock.com/general-content/careers

WINTER CYCLE PROPOSALS (3)

APPELLATE AND CRIMINAL 

W24-01

Title: Criminal Procedure: Racial Justice Act

Summary: The Appellate Advisory Committee and the Criminal Law Advisory Committee propose amending rules 4.551, 8.385, and 8.386 of the California Rules of Court and revising Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (form HC-001), Motion to Vacate Conviction or Sentence (form CR-187), and Order on Motion to Vacate Conviction or Sentence (form CR-188) to implement the Racial Justice Act, which prohibits the state from seeking or obtaining a conviction or sentence based on race, ethnicity, or national origin.

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Friday, January 19, 2024 at, 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

CRIMINAL

 

W24-02

Title: Criminal Procedure: Appointment of Counsel for Claims Filed Under Penal Code Section 1473(f)

Summary: The Criminal Law Advisory Committee proposes a rule of court to implement legislation requiring the Judicial Council to develop qualifications for the appointment of counsel in superior court habeas corpus proceedings under Penal Code section 1473(f).1 Section 1473(f) is part of the Racial Justice Act, which prohibits the state from seeking or obtaining a conviction or sentence based on race, ethnicity, or national origin and allows petitioners to make claims for relief based on violations of this Act.

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Friday, January 19, 2024 at, 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH AND FAMILY AND JUVENILE

 

W24-03

Title: Mental Health Law: CARE Act Rule Amendments and Form Revisions

Summary: The Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee proposes amending four rules of court and revising seven forms to implement Senate Bill 35 (Stats. 2023, ch. 283), which amended both substantive and procedural aspects of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act. In addition, the statute updated the Judicial Council mandate to adopt rules implementing the policies and provisions of the act to add a requirement that the rules include “communications between the CARE Act court and the juvenile court, if applicable,” and to remove the requirement that the rules include “the clerk’s review of the petition.” The Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee joins in proposing the amendment of rule 7.2210 and the revision of form CARE-100 to the extent those proposed changes address communications

between the CARE Act court and the juvenile court.

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Friday, January 19, 2024 at, 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

SPECIAL CYCLE PROPOSALS (2)

Posted under the following locations:

TECHNOLOGY

SP23-10

Title: Court Technology: Minimum Standards for Courtroom Technology to Permit Remote Participation in Court Proceedings (Senate Bill 133)

Summary: Senate Bill 133 (Stats. 2023, ch. 34) requires the Judicial Council to adopt by April 1, 2024, and the trial courts to implement by July 1, 2024, minimum standards for courtroom technology necessary to permit remote participation in court proceedings. The Information Technology Advisory Committee recommends adoption of these proposed standards to satisfy the statutory mandate.

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Friday, January 12, 2024 at, 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

SUPREME COURT

 

SP23-11

 

The Supreme Court of California invites public comment on a proposed amended Conflict of Interest Code for Designated Employees of the Supreme Court of California for the eventual consideration and approval by the Chief Justice of California, who serves as the code reviewing body for this code.  (Gov. Code, § 82011, subd. (g).) 

Instructions: Comments for this proposal (SP23-11) may be submitted via email to coi.feedback@jud.ca.gov.  Any comments submitted will not be deemed confidential, but please indicate whether you wish your personal information, such as your name and email address, to be kept confidential. 

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Thursday, January 11, 2024 at, 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

 

You are welcome to distribute this within your court and to any other interested parties.

If you have any questions, please contact Benita Downs, at benita.downs@jud.ca.gov, or at 415-865-7957.

Kutak Rock seeks an experienced environmental attorney to join its Environmental & Natural Resources Practice Group. This position may be located in any Kutak Rock office location: Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO; Fayetteville, AR; Irvine, CA; Kansas City, MO; Little Rock, AR: Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Richmond, VA; Rogers, AR; Scottsdale, AZ; Spokane, WA; Springfield, MO; Tallahassee, FL; and Washington, D.C.

I have included the full job description below. Interested individuals may apply at: https://www.kutakrock.com/general-content/careers

We would like to share this position with the Orange County Women Lawyers Association. Please let me know what further information is required.

Thank you!

Sarah E. Anderson

Talent Acquisition & Compliance Specialist

 

Kutak Rock LLP

901 East Byrd Street, Suite 1000, Richmond, VA 23219

sarah.anderson@kutakrock.com

p: 804.343.5248   f: 804.783.6192

Job Summary Kutak Rock seeks an experienced environmental attorney to join its Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group. Our team works closely with our colleagues across practice groups at Kutak Rock nation-wide to provide advice and counseling on environmental risk and liability to Kutak Rock clients. Attorneys in this role regularly interface with colleagues across offices and practice groups and engage directly with clients. This is an opportunity to grow an already established practice with a broad existing client base that includes state and local governmental entities, publicly and privately held corporations, not-for-profit groups, and lending organizations.

This position may be located in any Kutak Rock office location: Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO; Fayetteville, AR; Irvine, CA; Kansas City, MO; Little Rock, AR: Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Richmond, VA; Rogers, AR; Scottsdale, AZ; Spokane, WA; Springfield, MO; Tallahassee, FL; and Washington, D.C.

Responsibilities Advise on matters associated with:

• Mergers and acquisitions
• Real estate, tax credits, and financing transactions
• Permitting related to stormwater, air, and water emissions
• Risk mitigation
• Federal, state, and local statutory and regulatory compliance
• Emerging contaminants
• Renewable energy projects
• National Environmental Policy Act

Qualifications

• Strong writing and communication skills
• Law degree (JD) from an ABA accredited law school
• Bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• 5+ years of environmental law experience in the public and/or private sector
• Experience with federal law and standards (including but not limited to CERCLA, NEPA, RCRA, TSCA, FIFRA, CWA, CAA)
• Familiarity with state and local environmental regulatory requirements
• Experience with pollution legal liability insurance and prior defense sites preferred, but not required
• Portable business preferred, but not required

 

Position Information Salary Range: $150,000 - $400,000, commensurate with experience and location
Position Status: Exempt
Workplace Type: Hybrid

Benefits Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Dependent Life, Disability, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance. Flexible Spending Plan. Health Savings Account. Fertility coverage assistance. Profit-Sharing and 401(k) Retirement benefits. Discretionary bonuses. Nine Paid Holidays per calendar year. Bereavement, jury duty, military leave. Employee Assistance Program. Back-Up Care. Domestic Partner Benefits. Commuting Benefits. Some of the foregoing benefits include Employer/Employee cost sharing.

Additional Information Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO).

About The Firm Kutak Rock was formed in 1965 with a commitment to exceptional client service delivered with a collaborative, team-focused approach. Our founding charter commits the firm to “allow and encourage each individual within it to be a full person,” and we strive to offer an exceptional professional environment, intellectually challenging and engaging work in multiple disciplines, competitive compensation and benefits, opportunities for training and career development. We are a leading national law firm with locations in 19 cities united by our common commitment to our core values of client service; integrity and fairness; innovation; and inclusiveness and diversity.

We are dedicated to the maintenance of a respectful, collegial, communicative, and equal opportunity workplace that encourages and rewards innovation and entrepreneurship. We measure our success not just on the basis of our revenues or our profits, but by the satisfaction we deliver for our clients and the health, engagement and loyalty of our people.

The UC Irvine mock trial team is hosting an elite mock trial tournament this January, featuring top schools from across the county. We are very much in need of attorney volunteers from the community to serve as competition judges.

More than half of all students who participate in mock trial are women, but year to year, our judging pool is often 60-75% male. This year, we hope to actively recruit more female attorneys to serve as judges. In our view, female representation among judges at these events can be an important part of showing ambitious young women that they belong in law.

Would you please share the details of our upcoming mock trial tournament with your membership at OCWLA? Here is our information for folks who are willing and able to help:

We are in need of judges for a collegiate mock trial tournament taking place on Jan. 6th & 7th at the University of California, Irvine.

You can sign up to judge by clicking HERE. Please sign up by Dec. 15th.

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.

The case: This year’s case is a criminal matter about a heist that occurred at a charity gala. Each trial, the prosecution gets to pick one of two defendants to charge, selecting either (1) one of the alleged robbers ("Poe Cameron") or (2) a local billionaire accused of funding the operation ("Berkley De la Porta"). The evidence, charges 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: https://forms.gle/AUn3MDN2zC1C8KbR9

The IRS Office of Chief Counsel is the largest tax firm in the country with approximately 1,500 attorneys, and Small Business/Self Employed is the largest Chief Counsel division with attorneys assigned to 47 field offices, including four different offices in Southern California.  At this time, we have an open announcement to fill many GS-12 to GS-14 attorney positions throughout the country, including at our California field offices in Los Angeles, Laguna Niguel, Thousand Oaks, and San Diego.  Please see the link below for the vacancy announcement and note that the deadline to apply is December 29, 2023.  However, application reviews and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis so we encourage anyone interested to apply as soon as they can.  Please share this announcement with your members and encourage interested members to apply.

Vacancy Announcement #: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/735874700

Open Period: 07/10/2023 to 12/29/2023

For more information regarding what it’s like to work at Chief Counsel, please follow this link to learn about the many benefit programs and to read different attorney profiles.

It’s time for OCWLA’s annual election for ten (10) Director positions. The time commitment for an OCWLA Director (or Officer) is a one (1) year term, and includes:

1. Attendance at the OCWLA monthly Board meetings (on the fourth Tuesday of the month unless otherwise noticed);
2. Attendance at the OCWLA monthly lunch or evening programs;
3. Participation in OCWLA committees; and
4. Participation in the Board Planning Retreat.

Collegiality and camaraderie are all integral to the OCWLA Board experience.

If you are interested in running, please submit a short Candidate's Statement and photo (optional) to us by the close of business on Friday, October 20, 2023, via email: info@ocwla.org. The 2024 Slate of Director candidates will be presented to the membership via e-blast the following week.

Elections are held online and in-person in November. Online voting will close on November 8. In-person voting will occur during the start of the OCWLA November lunch meeting on November 9 at Avenue of The Arts, Costa Mesa. Election results will be announced at the end of the lunch meeting.

Installation of the 2024 Board of Officers and Directors takes place at the OCWLA Holiday Reception & Installation Dinner on November 29, 2023.

We are very excited about your interest in joining the OCWLA Board. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@ocwla.org.