President’s Message Amy J. Laurendeau* Amy J. Laurendeau FBA/OC President FBA/OC Officers Amy J. Laurendeau President Van V. Nguyen President-Elect Dean J. Zipser Treasurer David M. Stein Secretary Page 3 Spring/Summer 2018 I am delighted and honored to serve as President of the FBA/OC Chapter this year. FBA’s mission is to “strengthen the federal legal system and administration of justice by serving the interests and the needs of the fed- eral practitioner, both public and private, the federal judi- ciary and the public they serve.” Our chapter is at the forefront of that mission, thanks to the hard work, dedica- tion and support of many past Presidents, Board mem- bers, the judiciary and our sponsors and members. We have an exciting year ahead and a number of dates we hope you will add to your calendars. On May 8, we will host our annual Civil Practice Seminar, Unique Aspects of Discovery Practice and Consent to Magistrate Judge Juris- diction in the Central District. Magistrate Judge Kewalramani will join accomplished local practitioners in a panel discussion. On June 5, we will hold our annual Pro Bono Oppor- tunities Lunch- eon, which will highlight pro bono programs includ- ing the Central District Civil Rights Panel, the Ninth Circuit Pro Bono Appeals Program, Legal Aid Society of Or- ange County, Veterans Legal Institute, and Public Law Center. Judges Guilford, Staton and Clarkson all will participate. Our first Bench and Bar Luncheon will be June 13, with Magistrate Judge Early. We will follow that with our second Bench and Bar Luncheon on July 12, featuring Judge Carney. The Bench and Bar Luncheons are great opportunities to introduce your summer associates and new lawyers to federal prac- tice and the federal judges of the Southern Division. Planning also is underway for a number of additional events to round out the year. In September, we will pre- sent the always-popular Intellectual Property Program. We also will be hosting “Behind the Glass,” which allows local practitioners and staff the opportunity to tour the Clerk’s Office at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and (Continued on page 4) “Our Chapter is at the forefront of [the Federal Bar Association’s] mission . . .”