Lorena Hughes

Lorena received her bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Cal Poly, Pomona. She previously worked as a manager in the hospitality industry and has extensive experience in business. Lorena moved on to pursue a career in the legal field and earned her Paralegal Certificate at the University of California, Irvine Division for Continuing Education. She is a paralegal at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, Inc., specializing in criminal defense and driving under the influence of alcohol and drug cases. Lorena is also a certified Notary Public and Spanish Interpreter at the law firm.

Lorena served as OCPA President in 2017, as Vice President of Administration in 2015-2016, and as OCPA's Compendium Editor in 2018-2021. Lorena is a frequent guest speaker for student paralegal classes at Santa Ana College and UCI Division for Continuing Education. In the past she has chaired the Criminal Section for OCPA, the Hospitality section in 2014 and 2018-2019, and co-chaired the 27th Annual OCPA Educational Conference.  Lorena is the recipient of several prestigious awards including 2021 National Affiliates Award from the NALA, The Paralegal Association (“NALA”), and the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Orange County Paralegal Association (“OCPA”).

Lorena’s goal is to continue contributing towards OCPA’s mission, paying it forward and sharing the value of learning through the OCPA organization and how it can help make positive and meaningful changes, both personally and professionally. Lorena believes in the high standards that OCPA has set for educational, career, and networking opportunities that have been specially designed for the membership over the years. Lorena enjoys and feels honored to have had the opportunity to know others and build relationships over the years during the time serving with OCPA.