2026 - Volume 2 - Summer - Flipbook - Page 2
President’s Message
By Charity M. Gilbreth
As summer comes to a close, many
law firms are preparing to welcome
a new class of associates. For those
beginning their legal careers, the
first months of practice are often
both exciting and overwhelming.
New lawyers are learning much
more than legal research and drafting
skills. They are learning how to exercise professional judgment, build
relationships, solve problems, and
carry themselves as members of our profession. That
makes this an especially good time to reflect on the importance of mentorship.
8502 E. Chapman Avenue, Suite 443
Orange, CA 92869
714.516.8106
abtloc@abtl.org www.abtl.org
CHARITY M. GILBRETH, President
JUSTIN N. OWENS, Vice President
ALEJANDRO G. RUIZ, Treasurer
JEFFREY M. SINGLETARY, Secretary
BOARD OF GOVERNORS:
Jared C. Bunker Erin L. Burke
Tamara I. Devitt Hon. Terri Flynn-Peister
Hon. Sheila F. Hanson Amy Laurendeau
Molly J. Magnuson Casey J. McCracken
Abby Meyer Joseph V. Miceli
Marc P. Miles Hon. Joanne Motoike
Lisa N. Neal Mark J. Payne
Leonard Polyakov Michael M. Purpura
Paul F. Rugani Chris Scheithauer
Jonathan P. Schmidt Hon. Deborah C. Servino
Hon. Fred W. Slaughter Chahira Solh
Hon. Autumn D. Spaeth Hon. Nathan Nhan Vu
Eva M. Weiler Daniel L. Weiss Andrew A. Wood
As lawyers, our legacy is not measured only by the
cases we win or the clients we serve. It is also measured
by the lawyers who follow us. The professionalism, civility, and integrity we display every day become the example that younger lawyers carry forward throughout their
careers.
The influence of a mentor extends well beyond teaching technical skills. Mentors demonstrate, often without
realizing it, how lawyers should treat clients, colleagues,
opposing counsel, court staff, and the judiciary. They
show that zealous advocacy and professionalism are not
competing concepts. In fact, effective advocacy is built
on preparation, credibility, sound judgment, and respect
for others.
JUDICIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Hon. Maria D. Hernandez Hon. David J. Hesseltine
Hon. John W. Holcomb Hon. Richard Lee
Hon. Layne H. Melzer Hon. Maurice Sanchez
Hon. Nathan R. Scott Hon. James V. Selna
PAST PRESIDENTS:
Donald L. Morrow Thomas R. Malcolm
Robert E. Palmer Hon. Andrew J. Guilford (ret.)
Jeffrey W. Shields Michael G. Yoder Dean J. Zipser
Hon. Sheila B. Fell (ret.) Gary A. Waldron
James G. Bohm Hon. Martha K. Gooding
Richard J. Grabowski Sean P. O’Connor
Darren O. Aitken Hon. Melissa R. McCormick
Mark D. Erickson Jeffrey H. Reeves Michele D. Johnson
Scott B. Garner Mark A. Finkelstein Daniel A. Sasse
Karla J. Kraft Todd G. Friedland Maria Z. Stearns
Matthew M. Sonne William C. O’Neill
Kenneth G. Parker Andrew R. Gray
Young lawyers notice these things. They notice when
a lawyer grants a reasonable extension instead of turning
a scheduling issue into a tactical advantage. They notice
when an attorney disagrees firmly without making the
disagreement personal. They learn professional judgment
when experienced lawyers explain not only what position
to take, but why a particular approach best serves the client’s interests and the integrity of the profession.
Those lessons matter. The habits lawyers develop early in their careers often stay with them for decades. If we
want professionalism, civility, and collegiality to remain
hallmarks of the Orange County legal community, we
must be intentional about modeling those values.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linda A. Sampson
ABTL REPORT EDITOR
Andrew A. Wood
Mentorship does not have to be formal. It can be as
simple as inviting a young lawyer to attend a hearing, reviewing a draft and providing thoughtful feedback, or
talking through a difficult issue that arises in a case.
Small investments of time can have a lasting impact.
The statements and opinions in the ABTL-Orange County
Report are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of
the editors or the Association of Business Trial Lawyers of
Orange County. All rights reserved.
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