In 2024, a group of local lawyers formed the Chinese American Lawyers Association of Orange County (“CALA OC”) with a vision to develop, empower and elevate Chinese American contributions to the legal community and civic life of Orange County.
Since opening for membership in January this year, CALA OC has grown to over 80 members, whose practice areas span a wide spectrum, including business, intellectual property, technology, real estate, labor and employment, financing, litigation and dispute resolution, immigration, and white collar criminal defense.
CALA OC lawyers work in law firms (ranging from small entrepreneurial firms to global elite firms), corporations (locally-based as well as multinationals), governments and universities.
Many are fluent in Mandarin and other Chinese dialects, and some have work experience in Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
One aspect of CALA OC’s mission is to advance its members’ professional development through networking, educational seminars and mutual support.
In particular, CALA OC seeks to help its members overcome bias and other barriers to fully develop their potential and thrive professionally.
CALA OC President Amy Chen (right to left) pictured with Career Milestone Achievement Award recipients Tommy Du, Michael Chow, Sheila Chen, and CALA OC Counsel David Lee.
Additionally, CALA OC leaders believe it’s important for Chinese Americans to become more visible and engaged in civic life, so that Chinese Americans are seen as valuable contributors to American society.
Thus they encourage members to serve and lead legal associations and community organizations.
To counter anti-Chinese sentiment during this time of US-China geopolitical tension, CALA OC hopes to work with SCCCA and other organizations to constructively promote cross-cultural understanding and to expand the Chinese community’s influence in OC.
Thus far in 2025, CALA OC has held two networking events and one panel discussion on the impact of US-China tension on trade and investment as well as civil rights.
In May, the organization successfully held its Inaugural Gala at the Bowers Museum with over 160 guests,including SCCCA CEO Yulan Chung and Bowers Museum Chairwoman Anne Shih.
The keynote speaker, Justice Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court, inspired the audience with his own career journey, highlighted the lack of Chinese American lawyers in top positions, and urged CALA OC members to reflect on their duty as guardians of the rule of law.
More information about CALA OC can be found at their website at https://calaoc.org/.