Dear Colleagues, Members and Friends,

I am honored to be one of the two nominees for the 2022 OCBA Secretary position. It has been a privilege to serve on the Board of Directors of the OCBA for the last six years, and on various committees and task forces for over twelve years. I am also overwhelmed by the support I have received from leaders in our Bar who have already endorsed my candidacy — including former OCBA Presidents, retired judicial officers, former OCBA board members, committee and section leaders, and affiliate and affinity bar leaders, among many others. I look forward to the opportunity to continue my service to the OCBA and the profession. I hope to have your vote.

Why Am I Running?

For 120 years, the OCBA has lived by the mission to enhance the system of justice, to support the lawyers who serve it, and to assist the community served by it. Our profession is facing very challenging times. All the traditional rules seem to be up in the air, ranging from how we work, who we are (in the face of State Bar changes), to our generational differences, and even to how we connect with each other. The OCBA has been tackling these challenges head on, and I am proud to be part of those efforts. I am running to continue to help lead our organization address these challenges.

I am also running because I know firsthand how much the OCBA can give us in terms of knowledge and opportunities to expand our horizons. It provided a community for me when I moved here 15 years ago. The OCBA also led me to Umberg/Zipser LLP, a firm steep with a rich history of community service and participation, where I am a partner practicing intellectual property.  I want the OCBA to work for you, too. I will listen to your concerns and act on them so that the OCBA can better serve you.

Why Am I Qualified to Lead?

Having been in the profession for almost 20 years.  For the last 15 years, I have been heavily involved with the OCBA, with extensive experience in leadership roles, including the following in addition to my six years on the OCBA Board:

• Co-chairing the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the last three years
• Leading and generating OCBA programs (see webinars below)
• Chairing the Raise Your Glass Event with the OCBA Charitable Fund
• Raising tens and thousands of dollars for the OCBA Charitable Fund
• Chairing the Intellectual Property and Technology Section
• Contributing articles on various topics for the OC Lawyer Magazine over the years
• Contributing to and serving as a member of a host of committees and task forces, including the Racial Justice Task Force, Intergenerational Task Force, Mentoring Committee, Lawyer Well Being Committee, and Mommy Esq.

In addition to my service to the OCBA, I have held significant roles in a variety of affiliate and other Orange County professional organizations, including Community Legal Aid of SoCal, where I am currently the President-Elect and chair its Fund Development.  I am also proud to be a member of Orange County Women Lawyers Association, Orange County Asian Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association, Thurgood Marshall Bar Association, Lavender Bar, ABTL, and a volunteer for the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County

Perhaps most importantly, besides my extensive experience with the OCBA and our local organizations, I am passionate about lawyers and the values our profession holds, such as civility, honor, professionalism, and kindness. Being a Chinese immigrant who came to this country at the age of 13, have learned how to adapt and evolve. I will lead our OCBA to adapt and evolve with your voices being heard. I hope I have earned your vote to help me lead.

Shirin Forootan is also running for this position and I have had the pleasure of serving with her on the OCBA Board for the last few years. Regardless of the outcome, I am honored to have this opportunity and I know the OCBA will be in good hands.  

Please note that the election will start on Wednesday Sept 1, 2021 and end on Sept 21, 2021 and the OCBA will send you an email with details on how to vote.

Cheers,

Mei