2023

JANANI S. RANA, CFLS*

*CERTIFIED SPECIALIST – FAMILY LAW
THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION

HAS BEEN NAMED A PARTNER
OF THE FIRM

JENNIFER CORONA

SHABNAM SAADATKHAH

SAMANTHA K. SHEEHAN

JOINED THE MINYARD MORRIS TEAM
AS ASSOCIATES

ATTORNEY NEWS

Mark E. Minyard

Recipient of the Franklin G. West Award presented at OCBA Judges’ Night, the OCBA’s highest honor, presented to outstanding attorneys and judges whose lifetime achievements have advanced justice and law.
Only Orange County lawyer selected by Daily Journal as a Top 20 Family Law Attorney in California
Authored four-part article, “Family Law Courts – A Call for Effective Change” for The Daily Journal
Authored article for OC Lawyer Magazine, “Ten Years After the Elkins Task Force, Judicial Openings Remain”
Co-authored article for OC Lawyer Magazine “Toxic Stress on Children in High Conflict Divorces, Judicial Vacancies Remain”
Lectured at Chapman Law School on Complex Issues in Family Law
Presented at OCBA for Small Firm/Solo Practitioner Section “OCBA: The Master Experience”
Elected to the Orange County Bar Association Masters Division Board of Directors
Elected to the Orange County Bar Association Finance Committee
Elected to the Orange County Bar Association Leadership Development Committee

Michael A. Morris

Presented at Association of Certified Family Law Specialists’ Annual Spring 2023 Seminar
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Membership Committee
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Membership Long Range Planning Committee
Volunteered at the monthly Human Options Legal Clinic in San Juan Capistrano

Lonnie Seide

Matthew S. Buttacavoli

Presented at OCBA Family Law Section: “Tools for Dealing With The Non-Disclosing Business Owner: Beyond Motions to Compel”
Elected President of the Constitutional Rights Foundation-Orange County’s Board of Directors
Presented at Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, “Navigating Settlement Conferences: Harnessing the Tools to Settle Your Client’s Case” with Hon. Nancy Wieben Stock (Ret.) of JAMS

Alexander C. Payne

Appointed to the Orange County Bar Association’s Board of Directors
Youngest Fellow admitted to the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Elected to the Public Law Center’s Board of Directors
Elected Treasurer for the Orange County Asian American Bar Association
Elected President for the Orange County Korean American Bar Association’s Foundation

Janani S. Rana

Elected to the Orange County Women Lawyers Association 2024 Board of Directors
Installed as the South Asian Bar Association of Southern California-Orange County Judicial Endorsement Committee Co-Chair
Installed as the USC Gould Orange County Committee Co-Chair for 2nd Term
Co-authored article, “What Every Business Owner Should Know About Divorce in Orange County,” with CPA Robert Watts for OC Lawyer Magazine
Hosted USC Gould OC Chapter Dinner at Minyard Morris

Jonathan T. Little

Renewed board member seat to the Community Legal Aid SoCal Finance and Audit Committees Board for the next three years
Presented at the OCBA Family Law Section: “Tools For Dealing With The Non-Disclosing Business Owner: Beyond Motions to Compel”
Presented at the OCBA YLD: “Demystifying Depositions: The Laws, Tips, & Strategies You Need to Know”

Scott M. Savage

Appointed to the Orange County Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Board for a 4th year
Appointed as member of the Constitutional Rights Foundation-Orange County’s Board
Presented at the OCBA Family Law Section “Tips and Strategies to Oppose and Move-Away Request” with Judge Miller & Attorney Campuzano
Presented at the OCBA Family Law Series Part 1: “Custody, Child Support & DVPA”

Aditi Murillo

Elected to the OCBA YLD Board for the 2nd term as Diversity & Inclusion Chair
Elected to the Project Youth OC Associate Board
Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Advanced Cross-Examination Institute
Presented at the Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County’s 8th Grade Constitution Day Program
Presented at the Orange County Constitutional Rights Foundation Law Day seminar at Chapman University School of Law

John Murillo

Elected to the OCBA YLD Board for the 2nd term as Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair
Elected to the Project Youth OC Associate Board as Board Liaison
Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Advanced Cross-Examination Institute
Presented at the Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County’s 8th Grade Constitution Day Program
Co-Chaired associate attorney Jonathan T. Little’s OCBA YLD Presentation: “Demystifying Depositions: The Laws, Tips, & Strategies You Need to Know
Co-Chaired OCBA YLD Presentation: “Impaired Colleague? Addressing Attorney Competency, the Warning Signs, and Getting Help.”

Leyla S. Tabatabaie

Elected to a Second Term of the Iranian American Bar Association’s Orange County Board
Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Advanced Cross Examination

Samantha K. Sheehan

Denise H. Koeller

FIRM NEWS & ACCOLADES

Super Lawyers

Top 100 Lawyers – Southern California
- Mark E. Minyard
Top 50 Lawyers – Orange County
- Mark E. Minyard and Michael A. Morris
Super Lawyers for 2023
- Mark E. Minyard, Michael A. Morris, Lonnie K. Seide, Matthew S. Buttacavoli
Rising Stars for 2023
- Alexander C. Payne, Janani S. Rana, Leyla S. Tabatabaie, Samantha K. Sheehan

Best Lawyers in America

Minyard Morris selected as a Tier 1 Best Law Firm for 2024 (Best Lawyers® 2024 “Best Law Firms”)
Best Lawyers for 2024
- Mark E. Minyard, Michael A. Morris, Lonnie K. Seide
Ones to Watch for 2024
- Alexander C. Payne, Janani S. Rana, Scott M. Savage, Leyla S. Tabatabaie, Denise H. Koeller, Vicky Zuberi

Lawdragon

SPONSORSHIPS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Minyard Morris contributed to the following entities in 2023:

2023 badges earned v4