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From the President
Douglas W. Schroeder Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
Here to help! OCTLA’s enduring commitment to aid our members and our community
By tradition, the incoming president
of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association adopts a slogan reflecting the theme for his or her presidency. In form- ing the slogan for my term, I sought to distill into three words the core mission on which OCTLA has been engaged for nearly 50 years – helping our members and community to face no challenge alone. “Here to help” is an apt summary of OCTLA’s enduring aims.
Educating and training One of the prime ways we accom-
plish our mission is by providing top quality education and training to attor- neys. In turn, they employ these enhanced skills to protect the rights of people in our community who have been harmed by others. At our monthly MCLE dinner meetings (usually held the fourth Thursday of the month), leading attor- neys, esteemed jurists, and recognized experts share wisdom and knowledge imperative to the work of trial lawyers. From nuts-and-bolts primers to sophisti- cated litigation strategies, from practical pointers to advice for avoiding pitfalls, OCTLA’s educational programming is a core value that pays recurring dividends to our members and the people they serve. Two upcoming programs highlight
the way OCTLA will deliver this essential benefit throughout the year. On the evening of January 26, a distinguished panel will present the ever-popular “What’s New in Tort and Trial” seminar, a three-hour program packed with the latest updates on statutory and decisional law crucial to trial lawyers across the state. On February 23, prominent lawyers and a distinguished jurist will present “Proven Tactics for Powerful Closing Arguments,” a dynamic discussion high- lighting key strategies and effective
88 — The Advocate Magazine JANUARY 2012
techniques for closing arguments useful to all trial lawyers, from novice to master at trial.
Sharing resources Another way OCTLA helps trial
lawyers and our community is by sharing access to the collective resources, knowl- edge and experience of our members. This aspect of our mission takes several forms.
Our regular members interact with
one another through OCTLA’s electronic bulletin board, a vital resource for help with a wide variety of issues. Our mem- bers frequently exchange ideas on topics like overcoming procedural hurdles, sur- mounting law and motion challenges, retaining or opposing experts, and selecting neutrals for ADR. In 2012, we will be enhancing our Internet presence, including our Web site, bulletin board, and social media interfaces. We also offer attorneys and affiliated
service providers unparalleled opportuni- ties for professional networking. Through our monthly dinner programs and social events, OCTLA offers legal professionals a cordial environment in which to build meaningful business and personal rela- tionships. On May 4, we will be hosting Kentucky Derby Night, a chance to mix and mingle with colleagues and share the excitement of this premiere sporting event. The summer and fall will find OCTLA’s members and guests enjoying our bench-bar softball tournament and family picnic, and our golf tournament. OCTLA and its members also help
the community by sharing our collective resources. For instance, each November, OCTLA’s Top Gun Awards Dinner and Charity Auction generates donations and enhances public awareness for worthwhile charities. In 2011, through the generosity of our members, OCTLA raised over
$52,500 for the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County and over $34,500 for United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County. Likewise, with the help of our members and the Orange County Chapter of ABOTA, OCTLA completed a three-year commitment to fund a $100,000 scholarship for a student in the inaugural class of the University of California at Irvine’s School of Law. No amount of propaganda by the special interests who oppose the protection of consumers’ rights can alter the fact that, year-after-year, OCTLA and the trial lawyers we represent give generously of their time and resources to help individu- als and families in need. We will continue this honorable tradition of helping oth- ers during my term of leadership.
Promoting justice The mission of OCTLA also includes
promoting laws that protect access to the civil justice system. Especially as the budget crisis threatens to imperil access to justice for injured consumers, OCTLA will help our members’ voices be heard locally and in Sacramento. To that end, we expect a sizable “Orange County con- tingent” will once again unite at the State Capitol in May for CAOC’s Justice Day event.
During my presidency, OCTLA will
continue to enhance community relations by informing the public of our core val- ues and the importance of equal access to justice. Whether through scholarships awarded to high school essay contest win- ners, assisting the Constitutional Rights Foundation-Orange County in its mock trial program, or volunteerism by our members helping the court by serving as temporary judges, you can rest assured OCTLA and its members will continue to lead by example. Now, as always, we are here to help.
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