BRIEFLY IN BUSINESS

Hospital chief to address chamber

Bruce Christian, the new administrator at South Coast Medical Center, will be the keynote speaker at the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce’s February networking luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, at the hospital, 31872 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.

Christian will present his vision for the hospital, and attendees will be served “gourmet” hospital food. A tour of the hospital will be included.

The cost is $20. For more information, call (949) 494-1018.

Pottery Place to host mixer

The Old Pottery Place will host the February Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce mixer.

The event will be held Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Old Pottery Place, formerly the Pottery Shack, at 1200 So. Coast Highway.

For more information, call (949) 494-1018.

Local lawyers earn ‘Super’ status

Three Laguna Beach attorneys from the Snell and Wilmer Orange County office, and a local divorce lawyer, Violet Woodhouse, have been named “Southern California Super Lawyers” by the annual law publications of the same title.

William O’Hare, who specializes in general business litigation, Frank Cronin, a trial attorney who specializes in labor and employment issues, and Robert “Hoot” Gibson, whose specialty is commercial and environmental law, were honored with the distinction.

Woodhouse practices in Newport Beach. She is a former recipient of the National Leadership Award from the Republican Party and is also a member of the Professionalism & Ethics Committee of the Orange County Bar Association.

In addition, Woodhouse serves as a Judge Pro Tem for Orange County’s Family Law Court

She is the author of “Divorce and Money: How To Make The Best Financial Decisions During Divorce,” now in its eighth edition.

Just 5% of Southern California’s attorneys are granted the title of “Super Lawyer.”

The complete list of Southern California Super Lawyers will be published in the February issue of Los Angeles Magazine and posted on www.superlawyers.com

Workers’ comp symposium

Workers’ compensation specialists from around the country are expected to converge on Laguna Beach at the Institute of WorkComp Professional’s 2007 Graduate Symposium, planned at the Surf & Sand Resort from February 11-13.

“We’ve brought together some of the best-trained WorkComp Advisors from across the nation, and they are ready to share their experiences on how the Institute’s training has prepared them with the skills needed to assist employers in reducing the high-cost of Workers’ Compensation,” said Frank Pennachio, director of curriculum.

The three-day symposium will feature more than 30 peer presentations by Certified WorkComp Advisors who will offer insights on how to work with businesses to reduce their Workers’ Compensation costs.

“We look at the symposium as the perfect conduit for the free-flow of ideas, suggestions and challenges that all Certified WorkComp Advisors face in their day-to-day business experiences,” said Preston Diamond, executive director of the Institute.

Located in Asheville, N.C., the Institute of WorkComp Professionals trains, tests and certifies professional insurance agents to help manage Workers’ Compensation programs.

For more information: www. workcompprofessionals.com