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Dear OCWLA members,
Thanks to all of you who supported and attended our 50th Anniversary Golden Legacy Gala at the VEA Hotel on October 16! Gala Chair and OCWLA Vice President Heidi Plummer did a fantastic job making sure every detail of the evening was perfect. I was particularly moved by the acceptance speeches by our incredible honorees. Thank you, Pamela Traut, for normalizing support for the Rule of Law. Thank you, Judge Kimberly Menninger, for reminding us how important it is to support other women lawyers and for how far we have come. Finally, thank you, Samantha Dorey, for highlighting the important work you do at Everett & Dorey LLP to support and uplift women lawyers.
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We had other memorable events in October. First, on October 9, OCWLA members, friends and clients visited the Veronica Beard store in Fashion Island to network, shop and enjoy champagne and soft drinks while shopping for fall and winter fashion. A women owned-brand, Veronica Beard donated 15% of the evening’s proceeds to Orange County Women Lawyers Association Foundation to support bar stipends and grants to charities supporting women and children in Orange County. We are so grateful to Desiree Salazar and the entire team at the Veronica Beard Newport Beach store for organizing this great event and for supporting the OCWLA Foundation.
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On October 25, OCWLA was out in force to support the newest fantastic program rolled out by OCBA President Mei Tsang, the OCBA Community Fair. The event featured incredible talent by our own legal community, children’s activities and face painting. The OCWLA had its own table at the event. This will surely be a highly anticipated annual event for years to come.
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In honor of Halloween, the OCWLA Book Club gathered on October 27 to discuss the book Night Bitch by Rachel Yoder. The discussion was led by Marketa Sims. Stay tuned for more details, as the OCWLA Members-Only Book Club will be celebrating its tenth anniversary of lasting connections and friendships with its First Annual Book Club Gala on January 23, 2026. Non-Members are welcome. It's sure to be a fun event!
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For our last October event, Membership Committee Co-Chairs Laurie Rowen and Mimi Ahn put on another extraordinary member coffee meetup. Generously sponsored by Cottle Keen Lopiccolo & Heyde, LLP, and Silvana Sarkis, JD, the meetup was particularly festive and well-attended, and included some fantastic and creative costumes, including “A Formal Apology,” “Miss Demeanor,” and “Miss Trial.” Special thanks to Nico Johnson and Lexitas for hosting the event at his location.
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This month has more events in store. On November 7 we are hosting our last MCLE of the Year, Elimination of Bias MCLE: Breaking The Mold, featuring Manal Richa. The luncheon will be at the OCBA Headquarters from 12-1:15. We will also be announcing the results of our recent election and our new OCWLA 2026 Board of Directors!
We are continuing to support group philanthropic events with an OCWLA CRF Moot Court Judging night on November 18. Please register here if you would like to attend.
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Finally, our Holiday Party and Installation Dinner is on December 2, 2025, at the beautiful Renaissance Hotel in Newport Beach. Get your tickets now!
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Wishing everyone a wonderful November and a Happy Thanksgiving.
Warmly,
Tracy Hughes
Raines Feldman Littrell LLP
2025 OCWLA President
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