Getting To Know You

“Out of Office.”

- Your Clients’ and Co-Workers’ Email Autoreplies

Summer is here, the temperature’s rising, and it isn’t surprising that the autoreplies are going up, too. All that being said, in our profession, we don’t stop, and neither does the bar!

I have to say, I love that about us.

I used to be of the mindset that “work hard, play hard” meant finding times fully offline, much like an arm’s length take on “work life balance.” Having never achieved this, I feared something was wrong with me.

My perspective on this has since evolved. I have learned that the greatest enjoyment and deepest satisfaction is from truly being present. How remarkable it is in what we get to do, not only in our distinguished role as attorneys, but also when we get together.?

It was on a recent trip with dear friends that this became abundantly clear. There we were, exchanging stories as fellow bar leaders, looking back on shared experiences over the years, comparing our diverse practice areas. I have such immense gratitude for each of these women and these moments that drive home for me pure work life fulfillment.

We likely wouldn’t have met each other if not for the bar.

Whether as a section and committee leader, through service on the board of directors, or amidst a casual conversation at a mixer, the relationships you can build in the bar have the ability to do far more than merely grow your practice – they can expand your horizons, teach you more about yourself, and quite simply illuminate your life.

From my own experience, I just can’t encourage you enough to step out from your day to day and into the OCBA. You never know who you will get to know, and the lifelong friends you will make.

Speaking of someone you should get to know, I am thrilled to share with you that we have a new incoming CEO/Executive Director for the OCBA beginning this month.

A few months ago, on the heels of longtime CEO/Executive Director Trudy Levindofske’s announced retirement, Past President Michael Gregg and I swiftly brought together a blue-ribbon Transition Task Force to select a worthy successor (fun fact, the last time this task force was assembled was 17 years ago!). Lucky for us, Past President Dean Zipser, who led the task force back then, was up for the challenge once again, and graciously co-chaired this effort alongside Past President Nikki Miliband.

After casting a nationwide net and meeting many impressive candidates, the OCBA’s own Dennis Slaughter rose to the top. Dennis has served the OCBA for over 16 years, most recently as its COO. His passion for the OCBA and commitment to our members is evident in everything he does.

As a bar president, I am acutely aware that our term and impact is but one year at a time, while the CEO/Executive Director has the responsibility to be that ever throughline and consummate steward for our organization. I have had the pleasure to work closely with Dennis over the years, and have the utmost confidence he will do just that. Please come up to us at upcoming events. I look forward to introducing you.

I hope you have an incredibly enjoyable summer. Wherever your trips and travels take you, just know this: When you’re a member of our bar, sometimes you may be out of office, but you’re never out of touch.

Christina M. Zabat-Fran, the 2024 President of the OCBA, is a fervent champion of a local staycation, and is always happy to share her SoCal favorites! Her email is [email protected].

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This article first appeared as the "President's Page" column in the July 2024 edition of Orange County Lawyer Magazine.