2026 Committees

Committee: Nomination Committee
Defined by: See Article 6 of Bylaws
Chair: Jennifer Corona

Co-Chair: Alejandro Ruiz

Description: The Nominating Committee shall meet prior to the Board of Directors meeting in October and nominate a slate for President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Chief Financial Officer and new directors. Members may nominate themselves or other members for any of the above-referenced positions, except for the position of President, by notifying the Nominating Committee in writing of any such nominations prior to the last Board of Directors meeting in October. It is the duty of the Nominating Committee to interview each of the candidates thus selected prior to placing their names on the ballot to secure their permission for such action. Each candidate should be made fully aware of duties involved and term of office for which the member is being nominated. It is the duty of the Nominating Committee to file the list of nominees with the Secretary no later than the November Board meeting. It shall also be their duty to supervise the preparation of the ballot which shall contain clear instructions for voting.

Committee: Tellers Committee
Defined by: See Article 6 of Bylaws Section 6.4
Chair: Christopher J. Ayala

Co-Chair: Nathaniel Perez

Committee Members: Brian Orue
Description: The Tellers Committee, appointed by the President, consists of the Nominating Committee chairperson and no more than two (2) other members. The sole responsibility of the Tellers Committee is counting the election ballots.

Committee: Finance Committee
Defined by: Article 9 of Bylaws Section 9.7
Chair: Manohar Sukumar

Co-Chair: Patricia Santamaria

Committee Members: Alejandro Ruiz, Jennifer Corona

Description: The Finance Committee is responsible for preparing the annual budget for approval by the Board and ratification by the membership. The Finance Committee may from time to time submit supplements to the budget for the current fiscal year if deemed necessary.

Committee: Program Committee
Defined by: Article 9 of Bylaws Section 9.5
Chairs: Alejandro Ruiz

Co-Chair: Laura Hassan

Committee Members: Shelly Aronson, Allison Kray, Patricia Santamaria, Alexxandra Nevarez, Jennifer Corona, Nathaniel Perez, Brian Orue
Description: The Program Committee shall be responsible for arranging all programs for the pleasure and education of the membership with the approval of the Board. This includes the mentor-ship program, MCLE, AVID, Mixers/Socials, Judges BBQ, Christmas Party, Community Outreach, pro bono programs.

Committee: Membership Committee/ Ad Hoc Swearing-In Committee
Defined by: Article 9 of Bylaws Section 9.6

Chairs: Gardenia Montero

Co-Chairs: Allison Kray
Committee Members: Jennifer Corona, Jeannette Garcia, Patricia Santamaria, Maria Elena Parada
Description: The Membership Committee is responsible for processing all new memberships, having all required documentation prepared before presenting potential members to the Board for approval and administering procedures of involuntary termination of membership as set forth by Section 4.4 of Article IV of the Bylaws.

Committee: Dinner Committee
Defined by: Board
Chair: Alejandro Ruiz

Co-Chair: Laura Hassan

Committee Members: Shelly Aronson, Christopher J. Ayala, Patricia Santamaria, Catherine Navarro, Maria Elena Parada, Jennifer Corona

Description: The Dinner Committee is responsible for planning the annual Installation Dinner and Scholarship Fundraisers. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to save the date cards and invitations; sponsorships; awardee nominations; program design and production; menu; hotel logistics; advertisements; silent auction, etc.

Committee: Scholarship Committee
Defined by: Board

Chair: Jennifer Corona

Co-Chairs: Alejandro Ruiz
Committee Members: Allison Kray, Christopher J. Ayala, Patricia Santamaria, Catherine Navarro, Rafael Serrano

Description: The Scholarship Committee is responsible for recommending scholarship criteria and number of scholarships, disseminating scholarship application materials, communicating with HEEF and the Orange County Community Foundation regarding investments and accounts; collection and review of applications and recommendation of Scholarship awards.

Committee: Communications Committee
Defined by: Board
Chair: Miguel Alvarez
Description: The Communications Committee is responsible for maintenance of the web site, press release information, e-mail blasts, HBA Journal Newsletter publication, and publicity.

Committee: Social Media
Defined by: Board

Chair: Miguel Alvarez

Co-Chairs:  Maria Elena Parada
Committee Members: Julio Perez

Description: The Social Media Committee is responsible for maintaining the OCHBA's online presence and strengthening engagement with the legal community through online content. The committee promotes OCHBA events and initiatives on Instagram.s.

Committee: Social Issues/ Ad Hoc Immigration Task Force
Defined by: Board

Chair: Manohar Sukumar

Co-Chairs:  Violeta Shultz
Committee Members: Patricia Santamaria, Gardenia Montero, Miguel Alvarez, Catherine Navarro, Maria Elena Parada, Rafael Serrano, Julio Perez, Frank Chirino

Description: The Social Issues Committee focuses on identifying emerging social issues affecting our community. Through free legal clinics, know-your-rights programs, and immigration clinics, the Committee strengthens the connection between the legal profession and the community and inspires the next generation of Hispanic lawyers and leaders.

Committee: Community Outreach Committee
Defined by: Board

Chair: Jennifer Corona

Co-Chairs:  Gardenia Montero 
Committee Members: Miguel Alvarez, Maria Elena Parada, Manohar Sukumar

Description: The Community Outreach advances OCHBA’s mission by recommending advocacy, partnerships, and initiatives aligned with the organization’s goals. The Committee strengthens the connection between the legal profession and the community and inspires the next generation of Hispanic lawyers and leaders.

Committee: Judicial Evaluations Committee
Defined by: Board
Chair: Shelly Aronson

Co-Chairs: Jennifer Corona, Jeannette Garcia

Committee Members: Jeannette Garcia, Christopher J. Ayala, Catherine Navarro, Rafael Serrano, Frank Chirino, Chris Hernandez, Nathaniel Perez
Description: The Judicial Evaluation Committee ("JEC") is a committee of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County ("HBA") that conducts evaluations of candidates for judicial offices and sitting judges seeking retention within Orange County, and elsewhere. The JEC evaluates and considers applicants for the judiciary that reflect the diversity of the State of California. The Committee accomplishes this mission by: (1) encouraging Latino and Latina attorneys to seek appointments to the bench, (2) evaluating the qualifications and judicial temperament of candidates seeking the HBA's endorsement, and (3) advocating on behalf of the those candidates HBA has endorsed. The HBA believes that the quality of the administration of justice in our courts is determined in large part by the quality of our judges.

Committee: Trip Committee
Defined by: Board
Chair: Frank Chirino

Co-Chair: Shelly Aronson

Committee Members: Jeannette Garcia

Description: The Trip committee handles the planning of OCHBA yearly trip. This year the OCHBA destination is Puerto Rico. The Committee works on creating the program, group activities for the trip, and MCLE schedule.

Committee: Mentoring Committee
Defined by: Board
Chair: Maria Elena Parada

Co-Chair: Allison Kray

Committee Members: Miguel Alvarez, Alexxandra Nevarez, Gardenia Montero, Nathaniel Perez
Description: The mentoring committee will create, implement, and monitor a comprehensive mentorship program involving Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County (HBA) member attorney mentors and high school, college, and law school protégés. The mentorship committee will explore opportunities for collaboration with nonprofit organizations and local schools to promote the mentorship program and to compile a pool of protégé applicants. The mentoring committee will interface with representatives from possible nonprofit partners as well as leaders of Latino student organizations. The mentoring committee will also collaborate with the HBA membership and program committees to reach out to potential protégés and to put on events that foster mentoring relationships.

Committee: Health and Wellness Committee
Defined by: Board
Chair: 

Co-Chair: Shelly Aronson

Committee Members: Brian Orue
Description: The Health and Wellness Committee is responsible for promoting postive physical and mental health activiites that engage the membership.

Committee: Education Committee
Defined by: Board
Chair: Shelly Aronson

Co-Chair: Chris Hernandez

Committee Members: Alexxandra Nevarez, Jennifer Corona
Description: The Committee is responsible for planning and organizing quarterly MCLE programs, seminars, and workshops that address the evolving legal needs of OCHBA attorneys. These educational offerings are thoughtfully designed to vary in both content and format, ensuring accessibility, engagement, and practical value for practitioners at every stage of their careers.

Committee: Rapid Response Committee
Defined by: Board
Chair: Miguel Alvarez

Co-Chair: Alejandro Ruiz, Laura Hassan

Committee Members: Jennifer Corona (Vice President), Manohar Sukumar (Social Issues), Comms Chair
Description: Responding to immediate and urgent community matters that require public statements and decisions on organizing or joining events. Comprised of President, President-elect, Vice-President, Social Issues Chair, and Communications Chair

Committee: Judicial Mentorship Committee
Defined by: Ad hoc
Chair: Laura Hassan

Co-Chair: 

Committee Members: Violeta Schultz, Allison Kray, Jennifer Corona, Maria Elena Parada, Miguel Alvarez, Patricia Santamaria
Description: