Community Activities on Law Begin Today

Today is Law Day, an event sponsored annually by the Orange County Bar Assn. to raise awareness about U.S. laws, rights and the legal system that will kick off more than two weeks of community activities.

This year’s 17-day campaign has as its theme “The Constitution--the Original American Dream.” Lawyers across the county will be participating in service programs to educate the public.

Attorney Patricia Herzog, the first lawyer hired by the county’s nonprofit Legal Aid Society, will receive the local bar association’s Harmon G. Scoville Award today for her contributions to society.

Herzog will be one of several people recognized at a luncheon at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Costa Mesa for their service.

Jennifer Keller, president of the county bar association, said the organization “is celebrating Law Day by promoting community service events because the success of our democracy depends upon the full and knowledgeable participation of all citizens.”

Through May 17, lawyers will speak at schools and visit senior citizen centers to give information and answer questions about elder law and estate planning.

On May 8, high school students will be paired with Orange County judges and deputy district attorneys to observe legal proceedings as part of a youth education program.

On Friday and May 10, members of the local bar association will answer legal questions from the public by telephone for free from 6 to 9 p.m. The lawyers will be taking calls this week at Western State University, (714) 753-9100; and May 10 at KOCE-TV, (800) 278-5050.

And Saturday and May 11, volunteers from the Orange County Bar Assn. Lawyer Referral and Information Service will be at the Orange County Marketplace in Costa Mesa from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to discuss legal resources available across the county.