As we pass the halfway mark of 2024, it’s exciting to look back on what we’ve accomplished so far.
A huge highlight this year took place just a week ago. Some background - Starting in 2023, our chapter began sponsoring and funding the Constitutional Rights Foundation-OC’s High School Mock Trial Summer Camp. More specifically, we donated money so that students without the financial means to attend, could attend the camp. We did it again this year, and the camp was attended by 80 high school students from throughout Orange County. 23 of those students were awarded need based scholarships to attend the camp at no cost, totaling $7,245.00. These costs were covered by OC-ABOTA from monies granted to CRF. These deserving young people would otherwise not have been able to attend.
Shara Witkin from CRF sent us a wonderful Thank You note saying:
“Thank you so much to ABOTA for supporting students attending the camp. The students enjoyed 5 days of learning, teamwork, camaraderie, and mentorship. They bonded as teams and put all their new knowledge and skills to work by conducting trials on Friday. We would not have been able to provide so many deserving students with this experience without ABOTA’s help. We hope ABOTA will continue to partner with us on this program.”
One of my core beliefs is that we must teach civility starting at a young age. Our chapter has been doing just that by working with the OC Department of Education, reaching out to elementary schools, middle schools and high schools, to teach Civility Matters Programs. We also do this through our Teachers Law Schools, educating the Teachers of our youngest members of society how to deal with others with civility and professionalism. Our goal is to have these youngsters carry these tenets with them into their later lives and careers.
We also do this through Journalist Law Schools, the Mendez Program and so many other ways. We encourage you to become involved in these programs. Reach out to me at pamela@trautfirm.com if you want to be involved.
In May, we embarked on the 2024 International Trip, and Orange County was very well represented. We began in Athens, Greece, then boarded a cruise ship where we cruised the Greek and Turkish Isles before heading to Taormina, Sicily. In addition to soaking in the beauty of these countries, we made new friends, and got to know ABOTA members from all over the country. Our own Hon. Linda Marks (Ret.) presented an MCLE program regarding Judicial Independence on the cruise one evening. The next international trip will be to Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti. It’s promising to be quite adventurous, so we
encourage everyone, thrill-seekers or not, to sign up.
The day after returning from Sicily, 2023 OC chapter President Yoshi Kubota and I attended the second annual Jury Appreciation luncheon at the Costa Mesa courthouse, hosted by Hon. Mark Kelley. National President La’Verne Edney was in attendance, as was National Foundation President Fred James, Cal-ABOTA President Greg Rizio, National President Elect Jennifer Doan and Foundation Vice President Deborah Tropp-Thompson. Several sitting judges from our neighboring counties were also in attendance, hoping to learn from Orange County so they may create their own Jury Appreciation events. Over 70 jurors who had sat on jury panels in 2023 returned for the lunch, three of them sharing their experiences with all in attendance. I’m personally very proud of our bench and chapter for working so hard together to make this experience an unforgettable one.
In June, we traveled to Seattle for the second National meeting of the year. Our chapter was, for the third time, a finalist for ABOTA Chapter of the Year (Large Chapter Category) along side San Francisco and Sacramento Valley. While Orange County made a very impressive showing, ultimately Sacramento Valley won the Large Chapter award this year. The Small Chapter went to Rio Grande Valley. We’ll get ‘em next year. Congratulations to both winners!
Lastly, looking forward to November, we will travel to the Big Island of Hawaii for the annual CAL-ABOTA Conference. Our very own Eric Traut will be awarded Trial Lawyer of the year for 2024. CAL-ABOTA President Greg Rizio will turn over the reins to Hon. Joseph P. McMonigle, who will be president in 2025. If you haven’t already signed up, we encourage you to do so now. Space is limited.
Moving forward, we want to encourage our members to become more involved. There’s plenty of work to be done, so if you feel inspired to give back to the Orange Chapter of ABOTA, reach out to me or a board member. We thank you in advance for your help on our mission.
Pamela S. Traut
President | Orange County ABOTA