Events

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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.

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.

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.

Ashley Vaccaro is a senior litigation associate practicing in Gibson Dunn & Crutcher’s Irvine office.  Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Ashley practiced litigation at Jenner & Block in Chicago.  Her practice focuses on white collar investigations and related counseling, as well as general business litigation, ranging from breach of contract and unfair business practices, to related employment issues.  She in an advocate for diversity, speaking on diversity-related topics at multiple events throughout the year.  She is the President of OCCDL, is a Board Member of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County, is a member of OCBA’s Diversity Committee, and participates in Gibson Dunn’s Diversity Committee.  She also feels that mentorship (and sponsorship) are wildly important for the progression of associates, especially in Orange County and especially for those with diverse backgrounds, and thus is actively involved in formal and informal mentoring.