TOP GUN honorees 2025

Our fall momentum continues the traditions of education, service and celebration

2025 October

As we wrap up the year, all roads lead to one extraordinary evening: the TOP GUN Trial Lawyer of the Year Awards Gala on November 22nd at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine. This event is the pinnacle of our year – a celebration of advocacy, perseverance, and the pursuit of justice. Each year, we honor trial lawyers who embody the very best of our profession while raising crucial funds for our charity partner, NEGU.

I am thrilled to congratulate this year’s TOP GUN honorees:

Greyson Goody, Esq. – Personal Injury

Keith Bruno, Esq. and Nick Rowley, Esq. – Medical Malpractice

William Shapiro, Esq. – Distinguished Achievement

Tom Antunovich, Esq. – Young Gun

Greg Bentley, Esq. – Hall of Fame

These attorneys represent the highest standards of excellence in trial practice and the courage it takes to stand up for clients in the toughest cases. Their achievements reflect not only their own dedication, but also the power of mentorship, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of justice that defines our community.

The Gala is more than an awards ceremony – it is also one of the most significant fundraising events of the year. This is our chance to come together as a legal community and raise a lot of money for NEGU. Every sponsorship, ticket, and silent auction item contributes to a mission that directly impacts children and families facing unimaginable challenges. By attending, you are not only celebrating excellence in advocacy but also ensuring that the message of Never Ever Give Up continues to reach thousands of children across the country.

Recapping September – LISTSERV LIVE

On September 25th, OCTLA hosted one of our most dynamic MCLE dinner programs of the year: LISTSERV LIVE: Bring Your Cases and Questions to Discuss In-Person. Attorneys Keith Bruno, Chelsee Sachs, and Clark Fielding led an engaging conversation that showcased the very best of OCTLA.

The evening’s format allowed members to bring their case issues and questions directly to the table. It was refreshing to see lawyers openly share challenges and strategies in a room full of colleagues who not only understood, but offered practical, battle-tested solutions. The program underscored one of OCTLA’s greatest strengths: the willingness of our members to help each other. Whether it’s brainstorming voir dire questions, finding the right expert, or navigating tricky discovery issues, the listserv – and now LISTSERV LIVE – proves that we are truly Stronger Together.

October MCLE dinner

Our final MCLE dinner of the year will take place on October 23rd: EXPERT REVIEW: Who Are the BEST Medical Experts Out There. We are fortunate to have powerhouse trial lawyers Rob Gibson, Pamela Traut, and Greyson Goody leading the discussion.

Every trial lawyer knows that experts can make or break a case. They not only provide critical testimony, but they also shape how a jury understands complex medical issues. Knowing who to call – and who to avoid – is a skill that comes only with experience. This program will offer members candid, practical insight on identifying and working with the very best medical experts. Like our September program, it is exclusive to Plaintiff Attorney Members to ensure open and honest discussion.

Giving back – JoyJars charity event

On October 14th, OCTLA and our charitable partner OCTLC will join forces at the JoyJar Factory in Irvine for a special afternoon of giving back. From 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., we will gather to stuff JoyJars for courageous kids fighting cancer.

Each JoyJar is filled with toys, games, and encouraging messages, then delivered to children who are in the fight of their lives. Something as simple as opening a brightly decorated jar can bring a smile, a spark of hope, and a reminder to Never Ever Give Up. This collaboration with NEGU is about more than filling jars – it’s about showing these kids and their families that they are not alone and that a community of trial lawyers is standing beside them.

Closing thoughts

As I look ahead to the final stretch of 2025, I am filled with gratitude – for our board, our members, our sponsors, and our broader legal family. Every event we host, every program we launch, and every child we support is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together.

Our fall programs, our JoyJars charity event, and our upcoming TOP GUN Gala are reminders of what makes OCTLA special. We are more than an association – we are a family of advocates united by a shared purpose. Thank you for being part of this journey and for reminding me daily that we are, indeed, Stronger Together.