About Us

History and Mission of OCCDBA

OCCDBA was founded in 2009 by a group of highly experienced criminal defense attorneys as a way to provide a voice for the private criminal defense bar in Orange County.

As a guardian of the constitutional rights of the accused, OCCDBA provides advocacy, training, resources, mentoring, networking and educational opportunities for criminal defense attorneys who have a passion for justice, enabling members to achieve a level of excellence in their practices.   Through monthly meetings and initiatives benefiting the criminal defense community in the justice system, OCCDBA serves criminal defense attorneys who previously lacked adequate representation in the decision-making process in the Orange County justice system. With a commitment to preserving the rights of others, OCCDBA is the voice of the private criminal defense bar in Orange County that aims to establish fairness and protect our independent judiciary.

Our Vision

Founded in 2009 as the voice of the private criminal defense bar in Orange County, OCCDBA seeks to represent its members at all levels of the decision-making processes of the Orange County criminal justice system.

Mission Statement

As a guardian of the constitutional rights of the accused and a  champion of fairness in the justice system, OCCDBA strives:

• to preserve and enforce the rights guaranteed by our state and federal constitutions to those accused of crimes;
• to provide a professional forum to improve our own skills through education and training;
• to encourage communication and cooperation among our members for the betterment of our clients;
• to support changes in the law to benefit our clients and the justice system, and to oppose those that would create injustice;
• to advocate for the highest quality criminal defense for people of all income levels;
• to protect our independent judiciary.

Board Members

Officers

Kate Corrigan, President

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Kate Corrigan represents individuals and entities facing criminal investigation and prosecution in California state courts, and federal courts across the country.  She is an officer of the Federal Bar Association (OC Chapter), a 9th Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representative, and a member of the Central District of California CJA Advisory Committee and Trial Panel.  She speaks around the country on federal criminal issues for groups such as NACDL and the AO of the U.S. Courts, and has participated in numerous local and state panels on criminal defense issues.   She enjoys membership in a variety of associations, including NACDL, CACJ, and OCBA.

Gary Pohlson, Vice President

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Gary Pohlson has practiced criminal defense since 1980. He has defended over 3,000 clients and tried over 250 cases to verdict.  Named a Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine, he is a past president of the OCBA, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Public Law Center. He was named OCTLA’s Criminal Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1999.

Jennifer L. Keller, Treasurer

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Jennifer Keller is a certified specialist in criminal defense and past president of OCBA. In civil litigation, she won the nation’s largest business jury verdict ($350 million) in 2009.  She has been repeatedly listed in The Best Lawyers in America, LA Magazine’s Superlawyers, named by the Los Angeles Daily Journal as “One of the Top 100 Lawyers In California” and “California’s Top Women Litigators,” and the American Trial Lawyers Ass’n’s “California’s Top 100 Trial Attorneys.”

Board of Directors

Jack M. Earley, President

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Certified as a criminal law specialist by the State Bar of California, Jack M. Earley received his J.D. from Loyola Law School and is currently practicing law in Irvine.  He is a past president of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ), a lecturer at UC Irvine and a frequent lecturer regarding various criminal issues.

John Barnett

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John Barnett has been in practice for over 35 years, and is regarded as one of Orange County’s top criminal defense practitioners. He has lectured at the State Bar Litigation Section meeting on trial tactics, argued a matter before the United States Supreme Court, and served as consultant or expert witness on trial skills and tactics. He is a Member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a regular lecturer on trial tactics to bar associations in Orange, Riverside, and Los Angeles counties.

Paul Meyer

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Paul S. Meyer, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and International Society of Barristers, has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for over 10 years. He is named a Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine and a recipient of the Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer of the Year award.

Mike McDonnell

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Mike McDonnell has maintained a successful state and federal criminal defense practice for over 40 years.  He handles criminal defense cases exclusively including theft, narcotics, and white collar crimes throughout the United States. His memberships include the Orange County Bar Association, California Trial Lawyers Association, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, California Public Defenders Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Board of Directors for the Orange County Criminal Defense Bar Association.

Edward Munoz

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Mr. Munoz has more than 27 years of litigation experience as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. He has tried more than 85 criminal jury trials, including murder cases, 10 civil jury trials, 15 civil case mediations and 5 professional licensing board hearings.  During his 10 years as a prosecutor Mr. Munoz was named OC Deputy District Attorney of the Year (1984-1985) by the OC Narcotics Officers Association.  For 17 years he has practiced criminal defense, personal injury, and professional license defense.

Edward Flores

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Ed Flores, a former Orange County Deputy District Attorney, is an accomplished trial lawyer in the criminal courts.