BIZ BITES

‘Top Gun’ trail lawyers dinner to benefit veterans

The Orange County Trial Lawyers Assn. plans to host a dinner and silent auction Friday to raise money for a new program that provides stable housing for veterans.

The association has scheduled its “Top Gun” Trial Lawyers of the Year dinner for 5:30 p.m. at the Turnip Rose, at 1901 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. All proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity of Orange County’s Homes for Heroes project, a pilot program for combat-disabled veterans or surviving families of deceased veterans.

The event will also honor five attorneys for their outstanding work in the courtroom: Jeffrey Sheldon and Gary Waldron of Newport Beach, Shawn McMillan of San Diego, Larry Eisenberg of Laguna Niguel, and Michael Banks of Yorba Linda.

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Three to receive arts leadership awards

South Coast Repertory founders David Emmes and Martin Benson and Orange County Performing Artscenter Executive Vice President Judith O’Dea Morr are scheduled to be honored next month for their longtime support of the arts in Orange County.

The Orange County Business Committee for the Arts plans to present all three with Lifetime Leadership in the Arts awards at its annual ceremony Nov. 18 at the Marriott Newport Beach.

“Under the stewardship of these three arts leaders, Orange County has been established as a major cultural destination,” Betty Moss, founding executive director of the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts, said in a release.

— Michael Miller