In 2004, the managing partners and office administrators of several major Orange County firms initiated an effort to address the increasing need for firms to:
From these basic concepts, the Orange County Diversity Task Force was created. In 2014, the group’s name was changed from Orange County Diversity Task Force to the Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law, to more clearly reflect the long-standing commitment of the legal community to this effort. The group consists of Orange County law firms and other community partners dedicated to increasing diversity in the legal profession in Orange County.
OCCDL holds numerous programs throughout the year which explore all aspects of diversity within the legal profession.
Please review our events planned for this year and join us!
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PRESIDENT
Ashley Vaccaro is Senior Counsel Litigation and Trial with Rutan & Tucker. As an experienced litigator, Ashley handles all aspects of trial, pre-trial, and post-trial proceedings in state and federal courts throughout the country, including arbitration, mediation and settlement negotiations. Ashley’s matters cover a range of practice areas, focusing on complex commercial litigation, and have included employment, insurance, breach of contract, securities, environmental, unfair business practices, and business tort claims. In addition to her litigation practice, Ashley represents clients in government investigations and enforcement actions, and advises clients in connection with internal audits. Ashley guides corporate clients through any business matter they may face, including reviewing and understanding contracts, identifying potential liabilities and coverage positions, understanding and abiding by corporate compliance programs, properly handling investigations, and improving training and related policies and procedures.
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VICE PRESIDENT
Jiaxiao Zhang is an associate in the Orange County office of McDermott Will & Emery. Her practice focuses on the protection, management, and enforcement of patents and other intellectual property, and strategic guidance in the areas of intellectual property litigation, patent prosecution, corporate transactions, licensing, and competition. An experienced patent attorney and a former engineer at a biomedical device company, Jiaxiao has advocated for diversity and related mentorship in engineering, technology, and law since her student days. Jiaxiao is the Vice President of OCCDL, co-Chair of Programs for the Howard T. Markey American Inn of Court, a Public Law Center Advocate, and active in Racial & Ethnic and Gender Diversity efforts and committees at McDermott. Jiaxiao is also a proud member of OCAABA, SCCLA, APAWLA, and NAPABA.
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TREASURER
Daniel Lopez is an associate in the Orange County office of Jones Day. His practice focuses on data privacy, cybersecurity, and commercial litigation. He advises clients on compliance with various U.S. consumer privacy laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA), and the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC). He also assists clients in conducting data breach investigations, including advising clients on notification and other legal obligations arising from a data breach. Apart from Daniel’s involvement internally at Jones Day to promote diversity, he is a member of the Executive Board of the Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law.
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SECRETARY
Sarah Ayad is an associate at Snell & Wilmer. Sarah focuses her practice in product liability litigation in state and federal courts, defending companies in complex negligence and products liability cases involving catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful death. Sarah also handles consumer warranty and consumer fraud-based litigation for automobile manufacturers. Sarah is the Secretary of OCCDL, Inc., on the Board of Directors for Mariposa Women and Family Center, and is a member of Snell & Wilmer’s Diversity Committee.
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