MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT CLARE LUCICH OCTLA PRESIDENT
I moved to Orange County to attend college at UCI in 2003, and the people and relationships I have built over the last twenty years are invaluable. I am deeply grateful to be part of this community and committed to giving back. I was introduced to OCTLA by my mentor and former president, Keith More. Over the years, I have been proud to watch the unity of this organization as it works together to help those who are harmed and asked to stand up for access to justice.
cancer could find hope and strength. We have also partnered with Operation Helping Hands, Kim Valentine’s charity, which provides a beacon of hope for homeless youth across Orange County. A snapshot of our recent fundraising efforts is included below:
2021 – A Walk on Water: $210,000 2022 – Operation Helping Hands: $300,674 2023 – CASA OC: $251,476 2024 – A Quarter Blue: $240,000 2025 – NEGU: $285,000 While OCTLA has used its voice to do tremendous good over the last 60-plus years, I know I personally can do more — particularly by volunteering more within our community. As we move forward, I encourage each of you to consider how you can contribute to our shared mission. Look for opportunities to volunteer, support local causes, or partner with organizations doing meaningful work. Together, we can honor the legacy of individuals like Jessie Rees and ensure that our profession is not only about advocating for clients, but also about making a lasting impact on the community. In 2024, OCTLA partnered with A Quarter Blue, an organization that provides trauma recovery centers for victims of sexual abuse. Our work with charities like these is especially vital in light of the current threats to access to justice, including justice for victims of sexual assault. As an organization, we are facing one of the most significant challenges to access to justice our community — and victims of sexual assault — have ever seen: Uber’s deceptive ballot initiative seeking to limit access to the courts for automobile accident victims. In response, we have united as a group to fight back and have raised considerable funds to fight to preserve our justice system. While our clients’ access to justice is increasingly threatened by large corporations, I am proud of how many of our members have stepped up and contributed when it truly counts. This is a critical fight for those who are harmed and rely on meaningful access to care and our courts. Finally, I want to thank outgoing OCTLA President Aaron Hicks. Through his leadership and commitment to strengthening our organization, we expanded our mentorship program, connecting seasoned attorneys with newer lawyers. Being stronger together means joining forces to protect our justice system, ensure access to justice for our clients, and give back to the community that has given so much to me personally.
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As the organization’s 7 female president, I have also been honored to witness firsthand the leadership of so many remarkable women, including my good friends and colleagues — Geraldine Ly, Cynthia Craig, and Lindsey Aitken. I have likewise been fortunate to collaborate with and learn from outstanding women in our field, including Gretchen Nelson, Debbie Chang, and Geraldine Ly. OCTLA works tirelessly to protect our community by ensuring access to justice and supporting those in need. We are grateful for our partnerships with OCTLC, and others who share this mission. Each year, our Board selects a charitable organization as the focus of our annual fundraising efforts, including our auction at the Top Gun Gala. I am incredibly proud of the work we have done over the years, raising nearly $1.3 million for charity in the last five years alone. Reflecting on this charitable work helped shape my mission for this year: using our collective voice to make a meaningful difference. That mission also informs my vision for OCTLA moving forward. I am proud to lead this organization and excited about what we can accomplish together in Orange County to effect positive change. We are fortunate to be part of a strong statewide network — including CAOC, CAOIE, OCTLC, and CAALA — that amplifies our impact throughout California. Our charitable efforts have supported several important causes, including NEGU, founded by Jessie Rees, a compassionate twelve-year-old who battled cancer. Despite her own illness, Jessie focused on helping other children fighting cancer. Her motto, “Never Ever Give Up” (NEGU), reflected her mission to ensure that every child battling
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