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Happy December, OCWLA Members!
It has been such a privilege to serve as your 2025 OCWLA President, and I am so grateful for all the people who worked this year to bring so many programs, events and networking opportunities to life. Thank you to our generous sponsors, without whom none of our events would be possible. Thank you to our members, who support our events and whose contributions and ideas enhance our programs every year. And thank you to the people who volunteer their time and treasure to making this happen: our executive directors, Amelia Montgomery and Tori Menninger, and to our incredible 2025 Board of Directors who worked so hard this year. It has been such an honor and pleasure to work alongside you all in support of this great organization.
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Our big goals for the year were to expand our “tent” through reaching new attendees and members, expanding opportunities for philanthropic work, and expanding opportunities for members to have their voices heard through advocacy. Our board, executive directors and members realized these goals.
Expanding our Reach
Thanks to membership chairs Laurie Rowen and Mimi Ahn, and past OCWLA President Dana Heyde’s popular OCWLA book club (now ten years old!) our membership over the last two years has grown from 400 members, to over 600 members.
Heidi Plummer and the new judicial evaluation committee expanded inclusivity and OCWLA’s reach with the addition of a judicial evaluation committee and support for the Unity Bar.
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Heidi also led the Events Committee who put on this year’s extraordinary Gala, the Wine Event, the Past Presidents Tea, the Women Judge’s Reception and the Holiday Dinner.
Sayuri Espinosa and Antoinette Naddour expanded our reach with MCLE programming featuring dynamic speakers and new subject areas. New programs also included our Professional Tool Kit series, offering members professional headshots, a presentation from marketing and branding experts, and a shopping networking event at the Veronica Beard store.
Finally, past president Betty Fracisco led a team of board members to reconnect with past leaders of OCWLA in a history project documenting the last 50 years.
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Philanthropy
Our incredible Philanthropy Committee, led by Heather Stangle-Smith and Ashley Peniche Montenegro, organized hands-on opportunities for members to participate in philanthropic activities while gaining legal experience. Ashley met early in the year with the Orangewood Foundation and organized an OCWLA event to make dinner for homeless teens. OCWLA sponsored a CRF judging night, and “adopted” a conservatorship clinic with the Elder and Disability Rights Center. Our monthly updates now feature volunteering opportunities where members can also gain legal experience.
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Advocacy
Another 2025 goal was to provide opportunities for members to get involved in their communities and support issues they cared about. In light of attacks on lawyers, law firms and judges, our board was among the first in Orange County to draft and endorse a statement supporting the Rule of Law. We also sponsored a table at the Great American Write In, in which 100 organizations participated, and sponsored our first annual Suffragette Coffee, to support voting rights.
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I am also grateful for those who model the mission of our organization. Our incredible 2025 Awardees are shining examples of OCWLA’s support for civility, for support for women in the profession and the rule of law. Pamela Traut, Judge Kimberly Menninger and Everett Dorey all have contributed and continue to contribute to a legal community where woman lawyers thrive. Thank you again for the privilege to serve as the 2025 OCWLA President, and congratulations to the incoming 2026 Officers and Board of Directors!
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Congratulations to the incoming
2026 OCWLA Executive Officers and Board of Directors!
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Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season and a wonderful 2026!
Warmly,
Tracy Hughes
Raines Feldman Littrell LLP
2025 OCWLA President
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