HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF. (November 21, 2005) Three top Orange County law firms have joined the KOCE-TV legal team to help preserve the television station as an irreplaceable asset of Orange County. The law firms, Aitken Aitken & Cohn, Manatt Phelps & Phillips, and Stephan Oringher Richman & Theodora, have joined St.George & Carnegie in preparation for the California Court of Appeal’s November 22, 2005 rehearing of the case filed by the Texas-based Word of God Fellowship, Inc

The religious broadcaster claims it should have been the successful bidder for the station, which was sold by Coast Community College District to KOCE-TV Foundation. The Orange County Superior Court denied Word of God Fellowship, Inc.’s claims, leading to the appeal.

According to Ardelle St.George, KOCE-TV Foundation general counsel and partner in the firm of St.George & Carnegie, the association of these powerhouses of the OC legal community reflects the importance of KOCE-TV to the County. “We are pleased that such prominent firms have joined us in the quest to assure that Orange County does not lose its public broadcasting voice.”

“These pre-eminent lawyers have brought tremendous energy to our legal team, because they fully understand the value of the station to our community,” said KOCE-TV president Mel Rogers.

“We could not have asked for stronger support or a better team,” said Bob Brown, chairman of KOCE-TV Foundation. “This gives a huge boost to our efforts in the appellate court and in responding to Word of God Fellowship, Inc.’s unfounded lawsuit brought recently in federal court.” Word of God Fellowship, Inc. filed the federal suit against Coast Community College District (and individual trustees) and the KOCE-TV Foundation, alleging what all defendants assert to be frivolous claims of conspiracy and discrimination.

Aitken, Aitken & Cohn is one of Orange County’s most respected law firms. Founding partner Wylie Aitken, renowned Southern California trial lawyer and strategist, is enthusiastic about his firm’s representation. “KOCE-TV is an essential part of this community. It exists for the greater good of Orange County – we must preserve it.”

As one of the nation’s premier law and consulting firms, Manatt Phelps & Phillips is joining in the challenge. Founding partner and incoming chair of the Orange County Business Council Tom Phelps stated, “KOCE must prevail in this matter. It is important to the community that we win this case.”

George Rudolph, senior partner in the distinguished Southern California law firm, Stephan, Oringher, Richman & Theodora, is pleased to be handling the appellate effort and working with the other counsel. “This is a team that is prepared to prevail against the unfounded attacks leveled by televangelist Word of God Fellowship, Inc.”

WHAT IS AT STAKE: KOCE-TV is thriving and public support is at an all-time high. The station has seen dramatic audience growth in the past 5 years and has become one of the most watched PBS stations in the nation. The station has a strong educational legacy serving the instructional needs of K-14 students and teachers and lifelong learning content for its estimated 5.4 million monthly viewers*.

* This figure was calculated by KOCE's program consultant and is based upon information obtained via PubTV Online.

With a strong broadcast signal that reaches from Ventura to San Clemente and Temecula, and resulting carriage on all cable systems, KOCE’s quality programs are seen throughout Southern California on multiple channels including a 24/7 HDTV channel. The station’s local focus includes its production of the only regular evening OC news programs produced in Orange County, Real Orange, Inside OC with Rick Reiff, Bookmark with Maria Hall Brown, and Help Me Grow with Sandra Robbie. KOCE-TV also produces Orange County specials including the only OC election night coverage. On September 11, 2001, KOCE was the only broadcast station providing critical Homeland Security information for Orange County residents.

The loss of KOCE would strip this resource from the 15 million people who benefit from the station’s high-quality content and eliminate the only electronic medium that regularly covers Orange County issues, events and people.