Filipino-American Lawyers of Orange County

Join FLOC for an exciting mentorship event at the Islands Golf Center in Anaheim. 15 law students will be matched up with 15 attorney mentors while hitting golf balls into the water.

This event will take place on Thursday, February 8th at 5pm. No experience needed, join us!

Link in bio for signing up!

FLOC congratulates Founding and Lifetime Member, , on her swearing in as the President of the Orange County Bar Association! She will be the first Filipina in this role.

In her acceptance speech, Christina highlighted her Filipino culture along with stressing the importance of the bayanihan spirit. FLOC looks forward to all of the amazing things she will accomplish as President of the OCBA and to working with her for this year.

Congratulations!

Please RSVP to join this virtual event regarding Anti-Asian Bias in the Courtroom with these great speakers and the Honorable Motoike as moderator. Our very own Lifetime FLOC Member Bryan Clavecilla will be a part of this distinguished panel.

FLOC is ecstatic to announce our FLOCtastic Master of Ceremonies: Larry Valdez!
Larry Valdez is a supervising attorney for the in-house counsel department at Kemper insurance. He supervises attorneys ranging in experience from newly minted attorneys to those with over 20 years of experience. He is responsible for ensuring ethical, professional, and excellent legal representation and service to protect both the interest of Kemper Insurance and those policy holders the firm represents in lawsuits. Larry is a founding member of FLOC and continues to be involved in FLOC events.

Larry is from Las Vegas where he received his Bachelor’s of Science in Managerial Finance. He attended and graduated from Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa. Larry enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching sports, and collecting sneakers.

FLOC is excited to have Danielle Ocampo sing the Philippine National Anthem at our gala! Danielle Ocampo is a recent Juris Doctor graduate of the Loyola Law School Class of 2023. Danielle was a Legal Intern at Indeed.com supporting the Legal Data Privacy and Cybersecurity and Legal Product teams. With her interest in privacy and cybersecurity law from these internship experiences, Danielle became a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) with the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). Before venturing into the Technology sector, Danielle was a Business Development Coordinator at the multinational law firm Paul Hastings LLP in the Bay Area where she advanced the business initiatives of the Employment Law practice and chaired the Asian affinity network for the Palo Alto office. Danielle joined Paul Hastings in 2017 as a Business Development Intern at the firm’s Los Angeles headquarters where Danielle was also a full-time graduate Master of Public Administration student at the University of Southern California School of Public Policy. Danielle graduated from the University of California Davis cm laude in 2016 with a B.A. double majoring in Political Science and International Relations with a minor in Managerial Economics.Danielle is an active member of various Filipino-American bar associations. During her first two years of law school, Danielle committed herself to serving as Program Director for the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations’ (NaFFAA) Empowering Pilipino Youth through Collaboration (EPYC). EPYC is NaFFAA’s national youth leadership development and strongest initiative. Danielle is passionate about building the pipeline of Fil-Am talent, especially within the legal profession. Through her continued service to the Fil-Am community, Danielle works to increase visibility of Fil-Ams in professional and community spaces.

Thank you Sheppard Mullin for being FLOC’s Silver Sponsor!
Sheppard Mullin is a full-service, global 100 firm handling corporate and technology matters, high-stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. Founded in 1927 and with over 1,000 attorneys across our 16 offices in North America, Europe and Asia, the firm offers global solutions to clients around the world, providing seamless representation in multiple jurisdictions.

The firm is client focused and believes in being in service to the clients at all times. It is a firm that truly puts clients first. Every attorney and staff member has a plaque in his/her work space listing what the firm along with clients, consider to be Service Essentials. The firm regularly gives “Clients First” awards to attorneys and staff who “go the extra mile” for their clients. Client service is part of our culture and permeates everything the firm does.

FLOC is so honored to be chosen as one of the 10 rep DEI organizations in Orange County. Congrats to our founding FLOC member Christina who was awarded the annual spotlight on excellence award

Thank you M.S. Domingo Law Group for being FLOC’s Photo Booth Sponsor for our October 27th gala!

At M.S. Domingo Law Group, P.C., the client’s needs are top priority. The firm is dedicated to providing outstanding service, personalized legal advice and practical solutions to protect the client’s family, finances and business.

With extensive knowledge of substantive and procedural aspects of the law, strong oral and written analytical skills and superior interpersonal skills, M.S. Domingo Law Group, P.C. will work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients. Their mission is to protect clients’ rights and ensure all legal needs are met with the highest quality and personal service. Integrity, passion, and zealous advocacy are the cornerstone of their practice.

M.S. Domingo Law Group, P.C. is dedicated to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The firm ensures that attorneys, legal assistants, employees and job applicants are given equal opportunity and are respected and valued. The firm provides equality and fairness to every individual regardless of age, race, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, or s*x and s*xual orientation. Founding attorney, Ms Mika Domingo is currently the president of the California Women’s Lawyers, and the first FilAm to carry that title.

Thank you Judicate West for being FLOC’s Table Wine Sponsor for our 6th Annual Gala! We are truly grateful for your unending support and collaboration with our organization!

Founded in 1993, Judicate West is one of the leading dispute resolution providers in the United States. Based on the West Coast, with offices throughout California, and serving clients nationwide. They have established a reputation for setting the “Gold Standard in Private Dispute Resolution” by focusing on these distinguishing factors: best in class neutrals consisting of retired state and federal judges, dedicated team of experienced ADR professionals, and achieving optimal results. Congratulations on 30 years!

Thank you Constangy, Brooks, Smith, Prophete for being a Diamond Sponsor for FLOC’s 6th Annual Gala! Your constant support is much appreciated! Constangy, Brooks, Smith, Prophete is a national labor and employment law firm of wonderfully diverse, talented individuals. They are down-to-earth, yet passionate, people who represent only management. Through impeccable and consistent legal service, the firm strives to obtain the highest levels of success for their clients – success as their clients define it. The firm empowers their lawyers and sustains a culture of trust, respect, and support for lawyers and staff alike. The firm appreciates the importance of being on the cutting edge of our profession and seeks innovation in all areas of our business. Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP is a place where new ideas and solutions to challenges are encouraged, because they recognize how this enhances their performance and optimizes value for those they serve.

FLOC is excited to have Joules Recana (he/him) perform at our private reception and the American National Anthem at our general reception during our gala on October 27, 2023!

Joules is a Junior at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) with a background in Musical Theatre and Popular Music. Currently, Joules performs with Montage!, OCSA’s highly celebrated performance ambassadors. Joules is a soloist and recently performed with Disney Broadway and Disney Animation celebrities and voice actors at the Hollywood Bowl, accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Joules and Montage! have performed at Segerstrom, the Citadel, the City National Grove of Anaheim, and large Gala and Foundation fundraisers for non profits and elected public officials.
Joules’ grandfather is Judge Mel Red Recana, the first Fil-Am Judge in United States, and first Fil-Am Judge in California’s Superior Court. He still sits on the bench today, joined by Joules’ father, Superior Court Judge Julian Recana.

FLOC is excited to have Ava Grace Recana (she/ her) perform during our private reception and the American National Anthem at our gala on October 27, 2023!
Ava is a Sophomore at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) in the Musical Theatre Conservatory. Currently, Ava performs with Montage!, OCSA’s highly celebrated performance ambassadors. This last summer, Ava performed with Montage! as ensemble with Disney’s 100 Anniversary Concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Ava has performed professionally with Broadway and TV celebrities in 30+ shows at the Laguna Playhouse, and Broadway in the Park with Lythgoe Family productions. She has played lead roles in musicals like Matilda (Matilda), Peter Pan (Michael Darling), Annie (Molly), and Mary Poppins (Michael Banks), to name a few. Ava aspires to pursue a law degree like her father, Judge Julian Recana, and grandfather, Judge Mel Red Recana.

Can’t wait for to rock the FLOC gala on October 27, 2023! Kaba Modern is a collegiate dance group founded in 1992 by Arnel Calvario. This team started as a proud part of the Filipino-American club, Kababayan, at the University of California, Irvine and has since evolved to be one of the earliest pioneers of the hip hop dance community in Southern California. Now celebrating their 31st anniversary, Kaba Modern has lived on as a family of artists who embrace diverse dance forms in the pursuit of growth and creative expression. Today’s team is a product of this incredible legacy.

Congratulations FALSD for an outstanding and beautiful gala! What a perfect way to start of Filipino-American History Month! Can’t wait til Pinay Powerhouse!

Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye was the 28th Chief Justice of the State of California. She was sworn into office on January 3, 2011, and was the first Asian-Filipina American and the second woman to serve as the state’s chief justice.
Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye was nominated to office in July 2010, unanimously confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments in August 2010, and overwhelmingly approved by voters in the November 2010 general election. At the time she was nominated as Chief Justice, she had served more than 20 years on California trial and appellate courts, including 6 years on the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in Sacramento.

Before her elevation to the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye served for more than 20 years on California appellate and trial courts. In 1990, Governor George Deukmejian appointed her to the Sacramento Municipal Court and in 1997; Governor Pete Wilson elevated her to the Superior Court of Sacramento County, where she presided over both criminal and civil cases. In 1997, she established and presided over the first court in Sacramento dedicated solely to domestic violence issues. In addition, then-Judge Cantil-Sakauye chaired the court’s criminal law committee and was a member of the presiding judge’s task force on domestic violence and the Home Court committee. In 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger nominated her to the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District.
Chief Justice Ronald M. George appointed her to the Judicial Council of California in September 2008. She has also served as chair of the council’s Advisory Committee on Financial Accountability and Efficiency for the Judicial Branch, a member of the Domestic Violence Practice and Procedure Task Force and chaired its Best Practices Domestic Violence subcommittee, vice-chair of the Executive and Planning Committee, vice-chair of the Rules and Projects Committee, co-chair of the Judicial Recruitment and Retention Working Group, and as a member of the Commission for Impartial Courts Implementation Committee. FLOC is so honored to have her be the keynote speaker at our gala

Presenting our FLOC-star awardee… Ace Aldana Ace Aldana is Of Counsel at Enenstein Pham Glass and Rabatt, LLP. With more than a decade of experience as an in-house attorney, he currently serves as outside general counsel, providing clients with guidance on all aspects of general corporate matters and a wide range of legal issues. As a licensed real estate agent, Ace also assists clients in the purchase and sale of both residential and commercial properties.

Ace is a founding member and the inaugural president of the Filipino-American Lawyers of Orange County (FLOC), and has also held board of director positions with several other bar organizations, including the Asian Bar Association of Washington (ABAW), the Filipino Lawyers of Washington (FLOW), and the Orange County Asian American Bar Association (OCAABA).

Ace earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Gonzaga University and his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School. Although originally from Seattle, Ace now calls Orange County home, where he has traded his tennis racket for the popular sport of pickleball.

Kaba Modern is an urban collegiate dance group established in 1992 by Arnel Calvario. As a proud part of the Filipino-American club Kababayan, at the University of California, Irvine, he founded the
group to perform in the modern dance suite of their annual PCN (Pilipino cultural night). The group has since evolved to be one of the most cutting edge Hip Hop dance crews in California. Kaba Modern’s legacy has lived on, first and foremost, as a family of
artists, while embracing diverse styles of dance to create a name for themselves in the dance community.

Kaba Modern has a rich history of award-winning performances at competitions such as Bust-A-Groove, Bodyrock, Fusion, and Vibe. On the global scale, they recently placed 3rd in US nationals and was a
finalist among 52 competing international teams in the world for the 2009 Hip Hop International Dance competition. Kaba Modern was also featured as one of the final crews on the first season of the hit MTV show, America’s Best Dance Crew, and continues to
accrue a fan base in countries all around the world.

Often Imitated, Never Duplicated… Kaba Modern. FLOC is so proud to have Kaba Modern perform at our gala!

Judge Deborah Chuang Servino earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated with honors from Duke University. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley School of Law.
After law school, she served as a law clerk for Judge Melvin Brunetti of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. After her clerkship, she worked as an associate in the business litigation section of Rutan & Tucker, LLP. In 1997, she began her career as a prosecutor in the California Attorney General’s Office, handling complex cases of nationwide and statewide importance. She
successfully argued Yarborough v. Alvarado before the United States Supreme Court. In 2007, she was honored with the California Attorney General’s Award for Sustained Superior Accomplishment. As an adjunct professor, she taught appellate advocacy at Loyola Law School.
In 2009, Judge Servino was appointed to the Superior Court of California by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. She was the first Taiwanese American appointed to the Orange County Superior Court. She currently serves on the Unlimited Civil Panel. She has served on the Juvenile Panel, Family Law Panel, North Justice Center Panel, and Appellate Division. She was the presiding judge of the Appellate Division from July 2014 to June 2015. She is currently a member of the Orange County Superior Court Judicial Extern Committee and the Grand Jury Recruitment/Selection Committee. She is a member of the Judicial Council of California Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions. She serves on the Judicial Advisory Council of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers - Orange County Chapter.
Judge Servino was the chair of the Orange County Superior Court Judicial Extern Committee (2017-2023). She was a member of the California Center for Judicial Education and Research Juvenile Law Curriculum Committee (2016-2017). She has received the Warren J. Ferguson American Inn of Court - President’s Award, the American Board of Trial Advocates, Orange County Chapter - George Francis Civility Award, Orange County Asian American Bar Association - Judicial Excellence Award, Orange County Women Lawyers Association - Judge of the Year, and now FLOC’s Judge of the Year award.

Congratulations to incoming secretary michael fermin on a fantastic event! Excited and honored to do more events like this with the Inland Empire Unity Bar.

We appreciate everyone who came to the FLOC general meeting! Thank you to Judge Deborah Servino- Orange County; Judge Adrian Roxas- Los Angeles County; Judge F. Dino Inumerable- Ventura County; Judge Joseph Kang- Orange County; Commissioner Christine Gonong- Los Angeles County. Thank you to Vince Verde () and Ogletree ( ) for sponsoring.

The FLOC family wants to support the communities impacted by the devastating Maui wildfires and will join in by matching donations made by our members to the Emergency Relief Drive. Please see the following links:

To make a tax deductible donation to the HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION - MAUI STRONG FUND
visit: https:/ /www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

To qualify for a matching donation: (1) Make a tax-deductible donation using the link above. (2) Self-report and provide evidence of donation at https://bit.ly/mauistrong2023

Early bird ticket pricing available until 9/1! Get your tickets soon!!!!

End of summer mixer was a hit! Great seeing all our fellow bar associations as we wrap up a busy summer! .0

was in attendance at the summer joint mixer on 8/10/23! Great times with great people!

Please join us for our End of the Summer Mixer, this Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 5pm at Country Garden Santa Ana!

Enjoy delicious Filipino Food potluck with fellow FLOC Members. Meet candidates for the FLOC 2023-2024 Board of Directors. Earn MCLE Credit on Professionalism and Elimination of Bias.
Guests of honor include: Judge Deborah Servino- Orange County; J�udge Adrian Roxas- Los Angeles County; J�udge F. Dino Inumerable- Ventura County; J�udge Joseph Kang- Orange County; C�ommissioner Christine Gonong- Los Angeles County. Reserve your spot at https://rb.gy/fzmgb

On 7/28/23-7/29/23, members participated in 1st historic Leadership Conference in Chicago! 2 API Judges from Cook County were in attendance as well: Hon. Aileen Bhandari & Hon. Jasmine Hernandez

Food, friends, and sunshine! Come out for a picnic this Saturday!

Come join us at the APAWLA/FLOC/JABA/OCAABA/ OCKABA SUMMER JOINT MIXER!

This event is free for all members. Register at APAWLA.com/rsvp