the Briefs

Editor

John M. Hunt

Associate Editors

Karen L. Middlekauff & Lauren Brusca

Hearsay Columnist

Ana “Ani” Rodriguez-Newbern YLS on the Move

Vaughn Glinton

SideBar

Alena V. Baker

OFFICERS

Karen L. Persis, President

Amber N. Davis, President-Elect

Arti Ajit Hirani, Treasurer

Keshara Cowans, Secretary

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Michael Barber

Chris Carmody

Euribiades Cerrud, II

Lisa Gong Guerrero

Kate T. Hollis

Kristopher J. Kest

Bruce Mount

Alisia Adamson Profit

Rafael O. Rodriguez

C. Andrew Roy

Jessica A. Travis

Brandon M. Sapp

Eric C. Reed, Ex-Officio

Stephanie Alcalde, YLS President

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Rob Garay

Advertising & Sponsorship Manager

Ursla Gallagher

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

DEADLINE INFORMATION

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Copy – 15th of the month six weeks prior to the month of publication

If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day. Publication of advertising herein does not imply any endorsement of any product, service, or opinion advertised. The opinions and conclusions, including legal opinions and conclusions contained in articles appearing in The Briefs, are those of the authors and do not reflect any official endorsement of these views by the Orange County Bar Association or its officers and directors, unless specifically stated as such.

All contents ©2023 Orange County Bar Association. All rights reserved. Designer: Catherine E. Hébert Cover photo: OCBA Law Week 2023 Posters

ISSN 1947-3968

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I Write this Last President’s Message with a Heart Full of Gratitude

o one person could ever get through serving as the president of this organization living alone on an island. I am grateful for our resilient staff who experienced considerable change and uncertainty in their routines as we searched for a new executive director. I am grateful for committee chairs who were willing to take a chance with new programming, such as the Parents in the Law committee and the Diversity Certification program. And I am proud of our Executive Council, a group of attorneys that is always ready to respond, ready to work, and always looking out for the best interests of our members and staff.

Personally, I know I could not have survived this year juggling the titles of Mom, Wife, Lawyer, Business Owner, and OCBA President without the support of my family, but also, my friends.

My family is stuck with me. They jumped on this crazy train at birth or by marriage and have been riding this ride far too long to get off. That is not meant to dismiss the extra efforts my husband and parents go to to help make all the puzzle pieces fit in a day or a week. When it is seemingly impossible for me to meet every deadline, exceed all client expectations, and attend all the events and meetings, but also coordinate all of the sports practices and games, all of the school projects and programs, and get all of the homework done, my husband is always there to share in the responsibilities. And his schedule is no prize either. Yet, even with as much relief he provides at home while also managing his own challenging schedule, he and I both know that the two of us alone would not be enough to survive, and thrive, this past year. I am grateful to all of my parents, and particularly, my mom, for catching any ball we were about to drop on the parenting front during this eventful year, while also trying to manage our professional obligations.

My friends, though – this was a group of people that voluntarily boarded the train – with a first class ticket – with no return date booked. My friends were often the missing pieces to the puzzle for the day. Or, sometimes they were the hammer that smashed down a piece to make it fit into the puzzle just so, to make it work long enough. Friends are unique because they can leave at any time.

NInstead, they have supported my firm, my family, and me far more than I could have ever dreamed. They provide advice and guidance and wisdom at all hours of the day and night. They are there to calm me down, and they are there to pump me up. They are there to assure me, and more importantly, perhaps, they are there to tell me when I am wrong. They have helped with school pickups, dinners, babysitting in moments of desperation, and they have helped with elementary school projects, even when some of them don’t have kids of their own.

We often read the expression that “Behind every successful woman is …” Most frequently, you read it is a tribe of other successful women supporting her, or a group chat hyping her, or a friend fixing her makeup in the bathroom, or another woman answering her texts at midnight. Sometimes you read that behind every successful woman is herself. And every now and then, you read that behind every successful woman is a supportive spouse.

I would argue that all can be true. You most certainly need to believe in yourself to succeed. It certainly does not hinder success to have a spouse supporting you. But you also need your friends behind you. Sometimes, though, those friends are not behind you. Sometimes they are on the frontlines, fighting the battles so you don’t have to, and paving the way for your success. Sometimes they are in front of you, pulling you along, despite your reservations or self-doubt, because they believe in you in ways that you cannot even see for yourself - yet. Sometimes they are alongside you, walking with you to support your successes, but also to be there to catch you if you stumble. And they can definitely be behind you -supporting you, pushing you, cheering you, hyping you up, answering texts at midnight, and yes, even fixing makeup in the bathroom.

I learned a lot this past year. A lot of it was practical – about lawyers, and practice areas, and vendors, and sponsorships, and HR, and building security, and personalities, and technology, and health. But I also learned, or perhaps, realized, how lucky I am to have my family, my Bar family, and my friend family. That is a lesson I will never forget.

And for that, OCBA, I thank you.