Legal Aid Volunteer to Receive OCC Honor
Orange County lawyer Gregory Lee Bartone will be honored at Orange Coast College’s commencement ceremony Thursday as the school’s Outstanding Citizen of 1996.
Bartone, 46, began running a free legal clinic at OCC 14 years ago and has dispensed advice to about 3,200 students since then.
“Greg is a tremendous asset to Orange Coast College and richly deserves this outstanding citizen award,” said Sharon K. Donoff, vice president of student affairs.
“He donates hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to students on this campus every year.”
His involvement with the college extends beyond his legal expertise. An avid golfer, Bartone participates every year in the school’s spring fund-raising tournament.
He also awards a $1,000 scholarship each year to a deserving drama student.
Bartone said most of the legal problems the students bring to him have to do with their living situations, driving violations, financial aid and immigration problems.
He refers them to other lawyers or to organizations that can help them with their specific situations.
“I am truly honored to be receiving this award,” said Bartone, who practices law in Santa Ana.
“I guess it means that OCC appreciates my work, and I’m very flattered and honored by that.”
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