On Friday, September 20, 2024, the California Orange County Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society held its Annual Dinner with featured speaker Shane Reese, President of Brigham Young University. Hosted by The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, CA, the Annual Dinner was an opportunity for nearly 150 Law Society members and guests to gather in honor of the founder of the Law Society, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and the legacy that the Orange County Chapter has carried on in his name for decades.
President Reese’s address centered on the mission of BYU to become the university that prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have foretold—to become the world's greatest institution of learning and the fully anointed university of God. He focused on four initiatives: (1) strengthen the student experience; (2) promote BYU’s double heritage; (3) dare to be different; and (4) invest in mission-inspired scholarship. Specifically, he mentioned BYU’s new required course for all incoming students, UNIV 101, which helps students understand the unique mission and purpose of BYU. President Reese personally teaches a section of UNIV 101.
Dan Livingston, a business litigation partner in the Orange County office of Payne & Fears and former chair of the Orange County Chapter, also received the chapter’s prestigious J. Reuben Clark Award for outstanding contribution to the legal profession.
Another key feature of the Annual Dinner was the transition of the chapter chair, with Stan Mortensen finishing his term and Douglas Dixon taking on the role. Other attendees included Joseph I. Bentley, former JRCLS Chair of the International Board. Law Society Executive Director, Forrest Hansen, was also in attendance and gave an introduction to President Reese.
The dinner was organized by Daniel Ricks and many other members of the Orange County Chapter. The Annual Dinner was a great opportunity for Law Society members to focus on their important role in promoting pro bono service and professionalism in the community.
