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2023 News Releases

California Lawyers Association Announces Chris Nguyen as Chief Executive Officer

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (December 20, 2023): California Lawyers Association (CLA) is pleased to announce the selection of Chris Nguyen as its new Chief Executive Officer. CLA is one of the largest voluntary bar associations in the country and the statewide leader in promoting excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession. Chris will also serve as CEO of the California Lawyers Foundation (CLF), the charitable arm of CLA. CLF shares a common mission with CLA and executes its goals through civics education, access to justice and other programs.

“We welcome Chris and look forward to his leadership and successful impact,” said Betty Williams, President of CLA. “With his impressive background in law, operations and financial management, coupled with a passion for visionary leadership, we are confident Chris will elevate our mission to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law.”

Nguyen joins CLA from Sofia University in Palo Alto where he served as Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, he worked for San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton as Vice President for Administration Services, as well as for SUNY Ulster in New York as Vice President for Administrative Services. Nguyen has overseas experience with several highly respected educational institutions in both executive management and as a law professor. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Santa Clara University, a Master of Business Administration from the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University, and a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School.

“I am thrilled to be selected to lead California Lawyers Association and California Lawyers Foundation. I look forward to working with staff, leaders, and the Board of Representatives to make CLA the premier voluntary bar association in the country, focused on serving its members while promoting excellence, inclusiveness and diversity,” said Ngyuen. “I am also excited about collaborating with CLF and its board to further impact our California communities.”

CLA is headquartered at 400 Capitol Mall in Sacramento, California. For more information about CLA, visit: www.calawyers.org.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

About California Lawyers Foundation

Formed in 2019, the California Lawyers Foundation is the charitable arm and partner of the California Lawyers Association, California’s voluntary statewide bar association. While new to the scene, the CLF is a statewide foundation actively developing and supporting projects that improve access to justice for people in need and make the legal system more fair and efficient for everyone; increase diversity in the profession and help educate Californians about the 3rd branch, the role of lawyers and the rule of law. CLF is a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 501(c)(3). For more information about CLF, please visit calawyersfoundation.org.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association’s Criminal Law Section to Present Annual Trial Skills Update Seminar on November 4

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (October 26, 2023): The Criminal Law Section of California Lawyers Association (CLA) is proud to present the Annual Trial Skills Update Seminar in Oakland on Saturday, November 4, 2023. The annual seminar will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at CSU East Bay in the Oakland Professional Development & Conference Center. The event itinerary includes compelling presentations by industry leaders on topics such as the Elimination of Bias/Implicit Bias, The Road Map to Making Your Case in Opening Statements, and Disaster Preparedness: Making A Record and Protecting Your Client While Thinking About Appeals, just to name a few.

“The Annual Trial Skills Update Seminar presented by the Criminal Law Section of California Lawyers Association provides an information-rich opportunity for both practicing attorneys and law students preparing for their future careers,” said Betty Williams, President of California Lawyers Association. “The day-long seminar provides valuable insight, tips, and useful training, designed to strengthen crucial trial skills that can make your case a success.” 

Registration is open to all California attorneys and law students, and attendees do not have to be members of California Lawyers Association to participate. Space is limited and the deadline to register in advance is October 30. To register and/or find out more detailed information about the seminar is available via this link.

The mission of the Criminal Law Section of the California Lawyers Association is to provide education in the area of criminal law, and to promote diversity, fairness and ethical behavior in the profession. More information is available at www.calawyers.org/section/criminal-law.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association’s Intellectual Property Section Announces the 47th Annual IP Institute in San Diego November 2-4

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (October 20, 2023): The Intellectual Property Section of California Lawyers Association (CLA) is hosting its 47th Annual IP Institute event in San Diego on November 2-4, 2023. The event is one of the nation’s premiere IP conferences, offering access to top industry leaders and sessions. The event is attended by members of both large and small leading California IP law firms, various in-house legal counsels, members of the judiciary, and academic professionals practicing in the areas of patents, trademarks, copyrights, litigation, trade secrets, international law, licensing, entertainment and sports law, technology law, social media, and privacy. Space is limited and advance registration is required and available via this link.

The keynote address will be delivered by Eric Goldman, Associate Dean for Research, Professor of Law, Co-Director of the High-Tech Law Institute, and Supervisor of the Privacy Law Certificate, at Santa Clara University School of Law. The title of Goldman’s keynote is “Section 230: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.” Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act (CDA) is the legal foundation of the modern Internet that is poorly understood by many lawyers. The keynote address will demystify the law and underscore why the topic is critically important in today’s fast and ever-evolving world of information sharing, communications, and technological advancement.

A sampling of the timely session topics includes Generative AI and Copyright: Where We Are, Trademark Licensing as Brand Strategy and Business Driver, and Hot Topics in Legal Ethics, just to name a few. In addition, the Section will recognize Vanguard Award recipients, given to outstanding legal professionals in the judiciary, private practice, in-house practice, academia, and public policy advocacy for their contributions to the advancement of intellectual property law. In addition, the IP Section has created the annual Larry Maxham Award to recognize and celebrate a lifetime of commitment to our IP Section, as well as a lifetime of contributions to serving clients in the field of IP law. The inaugural Larry Maxham Award will be posthumously presented to Larry Maxham at the event.

“The IP Institute presented by the Intellectual Property Section of California Lawyers Association covers topics that are incredibly important and relevant to us all,” said Betty Williams, President of California Lawyers Association. “The thought-provoking subjects and insight will be beneficial to attendees and, ultimately, help to protect clients and achieve greater success in related case work.”

First organized in 1976, the Intellectual Property Law Section works to further the knowledge of its members in the law of patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyright, licensing, technology, privacy, entertainment, and sports.

To learn more about the Intellectual Property Section of California Lawyers Association, please visit www.calawyers.org/section/intellectual-property-law.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association Attorneys Convene Largest Gathering of Leaders in Environmental, Land Use and Natural Resources Law in Yosemite National Park

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (October 11, 2023): The Environmental Law Section of California Lawyers Association (CLA) is hosting its 32nd Annual Environmental Law Conference in Yosemite National Park on October 19-21, 2023. The conference is the largest and most prestigious gathering of leaders who are passionate about the environment, energy, land use and natural resources law. 

“The Annual Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite is the pride and joy of the Environmental Law Section of California Lawyers Association,” said Betty Williams, President of California Lawyers Association. “One of the reasons that this conference is so well attended by environmental leaders from around the country is that the conference affords attendees a chance to experience what they are fighting to protect. The Annual Environmental Law Conference is a complete experience of education and inspiration.” 

The Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite has confirmed a variety of speakers who have advanced appropriate access to culturally significant spaces, environmental justice through affirmative litigation, green infrastructure development, farming innovations, coastal regulations, greenhouse gas emission reductions, environmental justice, Endangered Species Act protections, CEQA deveopments, and more. The conference features equal opportunities to learn, experience Yosemite National Park, alongside colleagues and family. 

“I have been attending the Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite since 1999,” said Mary Akens, Chair of the Environmental Law Section of California Lawyers Association. “Rarely can one attend a conference that is as good as its brochure advertises.  But the Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite not only exceeds expectations, it will remind one why they enjoy the field of environmental law. Year after year, the conference provides top notch training, continuing legal education, an opportunity to make new connections, and for colleagues to reunite in person. I always leave the conference feeling inspired and reinvigorated.” 

The mission of the Environmental Law Section is to advance the quality, breadth, and availability of information and services related to environmental, natural resources, land use, and energy law, and to enhance the profession by cultivating a well-informed, collegial, and diverse group of lawyers and law students throughout the state. It further aims to bring attention to emerging issues related to environmental laws and to foster an informed understanding of the role of such laws in encouraging sustainable use of natural resources, protecting public health and safety and the environment, and addressing climate change and environmental justice. To learn more about the Environmental Law Section or the 32nd Annual Environmental Law Conference, please visit www.calawyers.org/section/environmental-law.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association’s Insolvency Law Committee Has Filed an Amicus Curiae Brief in Supreme Court to Offer Expertise in Complex Case Related to Bankruptcy of Purdue Pharma

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (October 10, 2023): The Insolvency Law Committee (ILC) of the Business Law Section of the California Lawyers Association filed an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court of the United States in William K. Harrington, United States Trustee, Region 2, v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., a case arising out of the bankruptcy of Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, in which Purdue Pharma and related entities filed for bankruptcy. Members of the Sackler family, the owners of Purdue Pharma, did not file for bankruptcy but agreed to contribute $6 billion to fund the bankruptcy plan. In exchange, the Sacklers would be released from liability for opioid-related claims.

“The Supreme Court’s resolution of this case will have a significant impact nationwide,” said Christopher Passarelli, Immediate Past Chair of the Business Law Section’s Executive Committee, which oversees the Insolvency Law Committee. “The Business Law Section is proud to provide the expertise of its committee members while the Supreme Court considers the crucial issues in this case.”

Non-consensual third-party releases, which release parties who have not declared bankruptcy from liability without the consent of all claimants, are frequently used in mass injury as well as other types of cases. The federal circuits are currently split on whether bankruptcy courts have statutory authority to approve this type of release.

As amicus curiae, ILC has not taken a position on the ultimate disposition of this case, an issue that will certainly be fully briefed by the parties. Instead, ILC has encouraged the Supreme Court to consider various concerns in reaching its decision, emphasizing that the impact of any decision on future third-party releases in bankruptcy cases will depend on the scope of the Court’s opinion. ILC urges the Supreme Court to limit its decision to addressing whether the Bankruptcy Code authorizes nonconsensual releases such as those at issue in this particular case, without deciding the validity of other types of nonconsensual releases of third-party claims against nondebtors.

“It is the responsibility of California Lawyers Association to provide the perspective of California practitioners on issues of nationwide significance, in furtherance of our commitment to fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law,” said Betty Williams, President of California Lawyers Association. “Preparation of this brief provides a stellar example of collaboration among our member leaders. I am particularly grateful for the contributions of Leonard Gumport of the ILC and CLA Amicus Committee members, Leah Spero and Reuben Ginsburg.”

The Supreme Court will hear oral argument in this case in December 2023 and will issue an opinion by the time the Court recesses for the summer in late June or early July 2024.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association Announces Departure of Oyango A. Snell, Esq. and Appoints Sheila Johnston to Serve as Interim Executive Director

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 28, 2023): Today, the California Lawyers Association (CLA) announced the departure of Oyango A. Snell, Esq., after nearly two years as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Director. Effective October 2, 2023, Sheila Johnston will serve as interim CEO/ED until the Board of Representatives identifies a permanent replacement. Snell joined CLA in December 2021 and led both the association and its charitable arm, the California Lawyers Foundation (CLF).

“A heartfelt thank you to Oyango for his service and I truly wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Jeremy M. Evans, who served as President of CLA during Snell’s tenure. “I wish Oyango well as he continues his leadership of other organizations in the future,” added Sabrina Green, who served as Chair of the CLA Board of Representatives this past year and will serve as Vice President in the year ahead.

Snell led the execution and implementation of CLA’s Strategic Plan, Antitrust Policy, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy. 

“I am truly proud of the team that we put together and for the CLA Board of Representatives for believing in me as the leader of a wonderful and thriving organization,” said Snell. “When it comes to my career, my primary professional goal is to leave an organization in much better shape than I found it, and I believe that I have completed that goal at CLA with unwavering certainty that the team I hand selected and fostered will continue the legacy we have built together.”

The Board of Representatives will begin recruitment efforts to fill the permanent position of Executive Director immediately.  Interested candidates can send their resumes to Joanne Kenison, HR Manager at joanne.kenison@calawyers.org.  

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association Announces New Board of Representatives Officers

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 18, 2023): The California Lawyers Association (CLA) is proud to announce the election of new officers to lead the organization and its Board of Representatives. As the voluntary bar association for California attorneys, CLA is the statewide leader in representing attorneys of all practice areas. 

The new officers represent a diverse class of some of the nation’s most prominent attorneys and are set to take office on Monday, September 25, 2023:

  • Betty Williams – President, Managing Shareholder at Law Office of Williams & Associates, PC
  • Sabrina Green – Vice President, Managing Partner at Stratton & Green, ALC
  • Tara Burd – Chair, Senior Counsel at Klinedinst PC
  • Terrance Evans – Vice Chair, Partner & Co-Leader of the Banking & Financial Services Practice at Duane Morris LLP
  • Anthony Lai – Secretary, Associate Attorney, Feinberg Mindel Brandt & Klein, LLP
  • Jill M. Manning – Treasurer, Partner at Pearson Warshaw, LLP

“We are excited to announce and welcome six wonderful attorneys, Betty, Sabrina, Tara, Terrance, Anthony and Jill to CLA leadership,” said Jeremy M. Evans, who serves as the current CLA President and will complete his two-year term after the Annual Meeting in September.  President Evans will continue to serve as Immediate Past President through 2025. “As an organization that has achieved a statewide, national, and global spotlight in our commitment to elevate not only the practice of law, but the rule of law, our new officers are poised to further advance the innovation and initiatives that expand our impact and serve our members. We look forward to their unique perspectives and leadership to serve our members and strengthen the legal profession.“

CLA solicits nominations from its members and sections to serve in a leadership capacity as officers and on the Board of Representatives. Each nomination is vetted by an independent committee before recommendations are evaluated and approved by the Board of Representatives.

“The new officers appointed to the Board of Representatives represent a new chapter in CLA’s history,” said Oyango A. Snell, CEO & Executive Director of the California Lawyers Association. “Not only do these leaders reflect the most diverse slate in the organization’s history, each officer has achieved a status in the legal profession that will inspire present and future attorneys to reframe their abilities to make impactful change in their communities. The future of law is represented in the new officers of the Board.”

CLA’s Board of Representatives guides the association’s leadership in policy advocacy, professional development, diversity initiatives, operational excellence, and news and insights. The Board of Representatives has 18 members, expanding the impact of the legal profession not only in California, but worldwide.

Betty Williams – President, Managing Shareholder at Law Office of Williams & Associates, PC

Betty Williams is the Managing Shareholder at the Law Office of Williams & Associates, P.C. in

Sacramento, California. She specializes in civil and criminal tax matters including audits, appeals, and settlements of any tax controversy, including multi-state and residency matters. She defends criminal clients in tax evasion and related crimes. Betty has obtained penalty abatement for her clients in the millions. She has represented clients before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Tax Court, the International Chamber of Commerce, in Superior Courts, and before the California Office of Tax Appeals. Betty serves on the U.S. Tax Court Appointments Committee of the American Bar Association, and is the former Vice President of the California Lawyers Association, a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, a member of the California Office of Tax Appeals’ external advisory committee, and serves on the CJA Trial Panel for the Office of the Federal Defender.

Sabrina Green – Vice President, Managing Partner at Stratton & Green, ALC

Sabrina L. Green is a managing partner at Stratton & Green, ALC in San Diego which specializes in labor and employment and complex business/construction litigation. Sabrina is immediate Past Chair of CLA where she has served on the Board of Representatives for the past five years. Sabrina has also served as two-time Past Chair for Solo Small Firm Section of CLA, serving previously as treasurer and secretary. Sabrina is the founder of CLA Lawyers Outreach and Rural Attorney Outreach Committees and has chaired a multitude of CLA committees including Solo Small Firm Summit, Programs Committee, SSF Education, Outreach and Awards. Sabrina is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Business Association of Southern California, NCL Meals on Wheels Coordinator, and recently termed off serving locally as a Director at Large for the Labor and Employment section of the San Diego County Bar Association.

Tara Burd – Chair, Senior Counsel at Klinedinst PC

Tara R. Burd is a graduate of California Western School of Law, and Senior Counsel at Klinedinst PC. She is a State Bar of California Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law with extensive probate and trust litigation experience. Ms. Burd serves on the CLA Board of Representatives for her second term as the Real Property Law Section’s Representative, and previously served as the Co-Chair of the Real Property Law Section. She also served as Chair of the Membership Engagement Committee, which created new cross-sectional committees to serve practitioners in the areas of Cannabis, ESG, and Indian and Tribal Law. Outside of the CLA, Ms. Burd served on The State Bar of California’s Access Through Innovation of Legal Services (ATILS) Task Force, and is Past President of the Irish-American Bar Association of San Diego. 

Terrance Evans – Vice Chair, Partner & Co-Leader of the Banking & Financial Services Practice at Duane Morris LLP

Terrance J. Evans is a Partner in the San Francisco and Los Angeles offices of Duane Morris LLP, where he is the Co-Leader of the firm’s Banking and Financial Services Practice. Mr. Evans is also the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the CLA Racial Justice Committee, Past Chair of the CLA Litigation Section, Co-Chair of the American Bar Association ICLC Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Member of the Bar Association of San Francisco Judicial & Finance Committees, Past President of the Charles Houston Bar Association, and Director of Region IX of the National Bar Association. He represents clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the United States including the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Evans also regularly counsels clients regarding racial justice and diversity and inclusion issues. He has led more than 175 diversity training sessions for judges, lawyers, law students, and members of the community around the USA.

Anthony Lai – Secretary, Feinberg Mindel Brandt & Klein, LLP

Anthony Lai, CFLS, is a senior associate attorney at Feinberg Mindel Brandt & Klein LLP, specializing in family law. With nearly a decade of litigation experience, he focuses on dissolution of marriage, child custody, support, prenuptial agreements, and domestic violence cases. Anthony is recognized as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California and has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2021-2023 and one of Pasadena’s Top Attorneys for 2022-2023. Anthony is an active leader in the legal community, particularly in advocating for the unique needs and interests of new attorneys across California. He previously served as the Chair of the New Lawyers Section of CLA and is currently a member of the LACBA Barrister’s Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee. Committed to serving the Asian Pacific American (APA) community, Anthony is a member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles Board of Directors. He offers legal advice and support to the underserved APA community through various pro bono legal clinics. In his leisure time, Anthony enjoys taking his family to Disneyland and unapologetically supports the Dodgers and the Chargers.

Jill M. Manning – Treasurer, Partner at Pearson Warshaw, LLP (San Francisco Office)

Jill Manning is a Partner in the San Francisco office of Pearson Warshaw, LLP, where she represents individuals, employers and businesses who have been harmed by price-fixing and tying schemes, restraints of trade, and other types of anticompetitive conduct and unfair business practices. She has successfully represented plaintiffs in some of the leading cases brought under federal and state antitrust and consumer protection laws and has achieved recoveries exceeding $1.5 billion. Ms. Manning is one of the top-rated antitrust attorneys in Northern California and has met the stringent “Super Lawyers” selection criteria annually since 2018. In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Manning is a court-appointed mediator, neutral evaluator, settlement mentor, and discovery facilitator. Ms. Manning lives in West Marin with her husband and daughter. She enjoys cooking with vegetables grown in her garden, hiking coastal Marin and Sonoma with her Australian Shepherd, playing tennis, and exploring ancient ruins.

More information about CLA’s leadership is available at www.calawyers.org/cla/leadership.

About California Lawyers Association: Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

Attorneys and Organizations Recognized at California Lawyers Association’s and California Judges Association Presidents Gala

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 14, 2023): The California Lawyers Association (CLA) is pleased to announce the attorney influencers who will be honored during the closing ceremony of the Annual Meeting at the President’s Gala on September 23, 2023.

Each year, the California Lawyers Association takes inventory of the incredible service of attorney influencers, judges, and legal leaders who have gone above and beyond to represent the underserved, advocate for underrepresented communities, and individuals. 

The honorees that will be recognized this year include:

  • Chris Passarelli, Chair of the Business Law Section will receive the California Lawyers Association Excellence in Leadership Award. This award is presented to a CLA volunteer who demonstrates a commitment to the Association’s mission and represents outstanding leadership in the practice of law.
  • The Labor and Employment Law and International Law and Immigration Sections of California Lawyers Association will receive the Section Innovation Award. This award is presented to a Section that demonstrates a commitment to promoting excellence in the Section’s field of practice.
  • San Joaquin County Bar Association will receive the California Lawyers Association Exceptional Organization of the Year Award. This award is presented to an organization that exemplifies leadership, dedication, and a collaborative spirit that mirrors CLA’s mission to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the California legal profession, as well as a commitment to seeking a fair administration of justice and rule of law.
  • ThreeDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion awards are given annually to a Bar Association, a firm and a nonprofit organization.  This year The Filipino Bar Association of Northern California will receive the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Association Award, California Law Pathways the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Organization Award for their work creating law school pathways and Morrison Foerster the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Law Firm Award. These individuals and organizations have made outstanding contributions in promoting diversity in the legal profession, in their organization and peers.
  • Tiela Chalmers, Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of the Alameda County Bar Association and Legal Access Alameda, and Gregory Knoll, Chief Executive Officer, Legal Aid Society of San Diego (in memoriam) will receive the Loren Miller Award. The Loren Miller Legal Services Award, named after the late Loren Miller, an African American lawyer and judge who was a leader in the civil rights movement, was established in 1977 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the State Bar of California. It is considered a lifetime achievement award and is given annually to a lawyer admitted to practice in California who has demonstrated long-term commitment to legal services and who has personally done significant work in extending legal services to the poor. 
  • Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of California (retired) will receive the Bernard Witkin Medal. This award honors attorneys and non-attorneys who, through a career of extraordinary service, have made significant contributions to the quality of justice and legal scholarship in California.  


“Each of the honorees represent what all attorneys strive to be – one that uses their influence for the better,” said Jeremy M. Evans, President, California Lawyers Association. “Honoring these individuals will elevate the expectation amongst all attorneys and legal professionals, that there simply is no limit to the impact we can have to make our communities stronger, brighter, and reflect the uniqueness of our great state.”

The Presidents Gala is a red-carpet, black-tie affair hosted in partnership with the California Judges Association. The Presidents Gala is open to members, non-members, committee members, law students, and interested media (upon advance request and registration). Space is limited and registration is now open. For tickets and details, please click here.  

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association Celebrates Judge Mark A. Juhas, Recipient of the 2023 Aranda Award

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 14, 2023): The California Lawyers Association (CLA) is pleased to celebrate Judge Mark A. Juhas, Superior Court of Los Angeles County, as the recipient of the 2023 Aranda Award. Each year, the Aranda Award, co-sponsored by the Judicial Council, California Lawyers Association, and California Judges Association, in association with the California Commission on Access to Justice, is given to a judge who demonstrates a long-term, tireless commitment to improving and promoting fairness and access to the courts. 

Throughout the course of his career, Judge Juhas has worked to improve services and access to justice in family court, particularly for low- and moderate-income litigants. His work included recommended changes to statutes and court rules and helped create a program to educate and promote the practice of family law to attorneys statewide. 

Judge Juhas has also served as the longtime chair of the California Access to Justice Commission, including direct involvement in the creation of the commission’s Incubator Project. The project is part of a national movement to connect practical training for newer lawyers to help provide affordable legal assistance to low- and moderate-income clients on a range of topics, including family and housing law, labor code violations, and consumer debt.

“For the last 24 years, California Lawyers Association and formerly the Sections of the State Bar of California, has been honored to join our partners in celebrating individuals who are actively working to elevate not only the expectations, but the impact judges, like Judge Juhas have made in communities throughout Los Angeles and beyond,” said Betty Williams, President-Elect, California Lawyers Association. “It’s individuals like Judge Juhas who inspire others to act in ways that inspire change through action.”

Judge Juhas has also led efforts to improve services for self-represented litigants. He has served on the Project Advisory Board of the Self-Represented Litigation Network, the Judicial Council’s Task Force on Self-Represented Litigants, and the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants. He also serves on the Los Angeles County Law Library Board of Trustees, creating educational programs to assist self-represented litigants.

Alongside the Judicial Council, California Judges Association, and in association with the California Commission on Access to Justice, the California Lawyers Association looks forward to celebrating Judge Juhas on November 16 in Sacramento. To learn more about the 2023 Aranda Award and its past recipients, click here.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

New Lawyers Section of the California Lawyers Association Announces Monica Valencia as Recipient of the 2023 Jack Berman Award of Achievement

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 5, 2023): The New Lawyers Section (NLS) of the California Lawyers Association (CLA) has announced Monica Valencia, an attorney, and Air Force Veteran as the recipient of the 2023 Jack Berman Award of Achievement. The prestigious annual award recognizes a new California lawyer (in their first eight years of service) for distinguished service to the public, judiciary, or legal profession. The 2023 Jack Berman Award of Achievement will be officially presented to Monica at a special reception on Friday evening, September 22, in conjunction with the California Lawyers Association Annual Meeting being held September 21-23, 2023, in San Diego.

From Echo Park in Los Angeles, Monica is a first-generation Latina who was interested in advocacy of immigrants from a very young age. Destined for success, Monica, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at 18 years old, and was determined to not only support her family but also become financially secure. Monica was the first in her family to attend college, graduate and receive higher education, which included earning her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2017.

Today, Monica is a lawyer, clinical professor, non-profit director, activist, and artist. She is the Managing Attorney for the Removal Defense Unit & Student Legal Services Department at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) in Los Angeles. Monica also manages two distinct legal services teams that provide effective and intentional legal services to college students in both Southern and Northern California at the community college and Cal State University levels. As a defender, she also provides superb legal services to asylum seekers who are fleeing systemic persecution and violence around the world – with a focus on LGBTQ persecution and violence against women.

Monica considers herself a “Rebellious Lawyer” – a descriptor she prefers to use – rather than a traditional lawyer, and teaches her staff to practice under this model that is focused on perpetual learning from others and growing as people. She also teaches her law students under this model at Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco where she is the Immigration Clinic Co-Director and adjunct professor.

When asked by the selection committee what receiving the Jack Berman Award of Achievement means to her, Monica Valencia said: “The spirit of this award is what speaks to me most because it speaks to Jack Berman’s consciousness and integrity. I read that some of Mr. Berman’s friends described him as having ‘a very open heart and a very strong conscience.’ And if this is what people remember about Mr. Berman, then I can only stand before this committee and the entire legal profession and say that I am proud to be of service to the most in need with the biggest open heart and consciousness. I will never stop fighting or being the conscience of every space that I take up.”

“The New Lawyers Section of California Lawyers Association is a beautiful representation of honoring the past, while inspiring the future,” said Jeremy M. Evans, President, California Lawyers Association. “In honoring Monica, the New Lawyers Section solidifies that their goal is to empower, motivate, and recognize the contributions new lawyers are making to drive the profession forward.”

NLS first established the Jack Berman Award of Achievement in 1992 in memory of Jack Berman, a new attorney who performed outstanding service to both the public and profession before he tragically died in a shooting in San Francisco. The award honors his dedicated service to issues of concern to the profession, especially to its new lawyers. More information about the award is available here.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association to Present the
Stellar Line-up of Four Inspirational Keynote Speakers to Cover Wide Range of Industry Topics2023 Annual Meeting in San Diego September 21-23

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 5, 2023): The California Lawyers Association (CLA) is proud to present the 2023 Annual Meeting, a multi-faceted three-day event happening September 21-23 in San Diego. With a packed itinerary highlighted by four distinguished keynote speakers, this industry event also includes trending discussions and evolving topics across all legal practice settings. Of great interest to those studying law, the event features a specialized Law Student Track that brings law students from across California together to engage in interactive presentations and focused discussions, while also providing opportunities to network with legal professionals, exhibitors, and potential employers.

With an “Experience the Power of Community” theme, the 2023 Annual Meeting will kick-off with keynote speaker Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative that will be followed by a keynote address from California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. In the days that follow, other prestigious speakers will include Camille Vasquez, Partner, Litigation & Arbitration Practice Group, Brown Rudnick, and Dr. Chris Mattmann, international expert in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

“The Annual Meeting is much more than a law conference – it is a celebration of the law,” said Jeremy M. Evans, President, California Lawyers Association. “The Annual Meeting brings together the best and brightest in law – those that write regulations, those that enforce, those that utilize their networks to design policies that benefit our communities for the better. More so, the Annual Meeting recognizes those that have gone above and beyond to inspire the next generation of legal professionals.”

The annual festivities will end with the Presidents Gala, a red-carpet, black-tie affair hosted in partnership with the California Judges Association. The 2023 Annual Meeting is open to members, non-members, committee members, law students, and interested media (upon advance request and registration). Space is limited and registration is now open to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting and Presidents Gala. More detailed and updated event information is available here and a complete event itinerary broken out by day is available here.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association Applauds Signed Legislation that Extends Remote Civil Proceedings in California  

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 10, 2023): The California Lawyers Association (CLA) applauds Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to sign legislation that extends the sunset of remote civil proceedings in California to January 1, 2026.

Since 2021, CLA has strongly and consistently advocated in support of legislation that would ensure that remote civil proceedings continue beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, when emergency rules were adopted that provided temporary authorization for remote proceedings in the courts. For reasons that range from increased accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness – for attorneys and their clients – CLA will advocate making the decision permanent.

“We have seen the tremendous benefit of innovation in providing the option to participate remotely in court proceedings, including decreased costs to the litigants and increased access to justice,” said Jeremy M. Evans, President of the California Lawyers Association. “Among other benefits, remote access provides more options for working parents, caregivers, and others to participate in proceedings by avoiding travel costs and significant time commitments associated with in-person court appearances. Remote access more cost-effective and efficient for the lawyers, thereby reducing the costs to their clients, providing an important option for attorneys and clients alike.”

The legislation was signed on June 30, 2023, and went into effect immediately. The legislation extends existing law under which a party has the option to appear remotely in civil conferences, hearings, and proceedings in California, in whole or in part, if appropriate notice is given (subject to specified restrictions). The legislation exempts certain types of proceedings from the provisions governing civil cases generally and creates new provisions for these other types of proceedings, including proceedings regarding the involuntary treatment and conservatorships of gravely disabled persons, contempt proceedings, competency proceedings, and juvenile justice proceedings.

“We applaud efforts to make the justice system more streamlined and user friendly across the board,” said Oyango A. Snell, CEO & Executive Director of the California Lawyers Association. “And we won’t stop here. Our continuing goal is to advocate to make remote civil proceedings permanent in California. We look forward to reviewing the annual reports that will be required from the superior courts and the Judicial Council to assess the impact of technology issues or problems affecting remote proceedings and purchases and leases of technology or equipment to facilitate remote conferences, hearings, or proceedings.”

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on InstagramFacebookLinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

State Bar Applauds California Lawyers Association for Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Legal Profession and Honors Organization with a DEI Leadership Seal

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 5, 2023): The California Lawyers Association (CLA) has been recognized as a DEI Leadership Seal Bronze tier recipient as part of the new California State Bar’s Leadership Seal program. In its inaugural year, the mission of the program is to encourage and incentivize legal employers to take action to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in their organizations in an effort to create a more diverse, accessible, and inclusive legal workplace.

The State Bar’s new DEI Leadership Seal program honors those organizations that commit to and implement research-driven actions that further workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion. Furthermore, the program monitors and tracks progress as organizations work toward achieving Gold seal status based on clearly defined action items. 

“California is a beautiful state with many opportunities,” said Jeremy M. Evans, President, CLA. “The California Lawyers Association will continue to do its part to lead in welcoming and encouraging a state and profession that is rich in culture and differences. This award and recognition is a reflection of that work.”

Headquartered in Sacramento, CLA is very proud of its intentional focus on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the voluntary organization that represents 80,000 lawyers throughout the state.

“We recognize advancing diversity, equity and inclusion is long-term work, and involves a thoughtful, and multi-faceted approach that includes resource development and outreach to support the pathway, mentoring, stakeholder convening, and advocacy on an ongoing basis,” said Oyango A. Snell, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Director, CLA. “We’re committed to doing the work that will strengthen the profession and ultimately benefit those who work in the legal field and everyone who accesses legal guidance in California.”

More information about the California State Bar’s new DEI Leadership program is available here.  More details about CLAs commitment to advancing DEI among their membership is available here.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

Social media tags: #CALawyers, #CaliforniaLawyersAssociation, #DEILeadershipSeal, #TogethweLaw 

California Lawyers Association Elects Five New Officers to Board of Representatives

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 28, 2023): Today, the California Lawyers Association (CLA) is proud to announce the election of five new officers to lead the organization and its Board of Representatives. As the voluntary bar association for California attorneys, CLA is the statewide leader in representing attorneys of all practice areas. 

The new officers represent a diverse class of some of the nation’s most prominent attorneys and are set to take office on Monday, September 25, 2023:

  • Betty Williams – President, Managing Shareholder at Law Office of Williams & Associates, PC
  • Sabrina Green – Vice President, Managing Partner at Stratton & Green, ALC
  • Tara Burd – Chair, Senior Counsel at Klinedinst PC
  • Terrance Evans – Vice Chair, Partner & Co-Leader of the Banking & Financial Services Practice at Duane Morris LLP
  • Anthony Lai – Secretary, Associate Attorney, Feinberg Mindel Brandt & Klein, LLP

“We are excited to announce and welcome five wonderful attorneys, Betty, Sabrina, Tara, Terrance and Anthony to CLA leadership,” said Jeremy M. Evans, who serves as the current CLA President and will complete his two-year term after the Annual Meeting in September.  President Evans will continue to serve as Immediate Past President through 2025. “As an organization that has achieved a statewide, national, and global spotlight in our commitment to elevate not only the practice of law, but the rule of law, our new officers are poised to further advance the innovation and initiatives that expand our impact and serve our members. We look forward to their unique perspectives and leadership to serve our members and strengthen the legal profession.“

CLA solicits nominations from its members and sections to serve in a leadership capacity as officers and on the Board of Representatives. Each nomination is vetted by an independent committee before recommendations are evaluated and approved by the Board of Representatives.

“The new officers appointed to the Board of Representatives represent a new chapter in CLA’s history,” said Oyango A. Snell, CEO & Executive Director of the California Lawyers Association. “Not only do these leaders reflect the most diverse slate in the organization’s history, each officer has achieved a status in the legal profession that will inspire present and future attorneys to reframe their abilities to make impactful change in their communities. The future of law is represented in the new officers of the Board.”

CLA’s Board of Representatives guides the association’s leadership in policy advocacy, professional development, diversity initiatives, operational excellence, and news and insights. The Board of Representatives has 18 members, expanding the impact of the legal profession not only in California, but worldwide.

Betty Williams – President, Managing Shareholder at Law Office of Williams & Associates, PC

Betty Williams is the Managing Shareholder at the Law Office of Williams & Associates, P.C. in

Sacramento, California. She specializes in civil and criminal tax matters including audits, appeals, and settlements of any tax controversy, including multi-state and residency matters. She defends criminal clients in tax evasion and related crimes. Betty has obtained penalty abatement for her clients in the millions. She has represented clients before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Tax Court, the International Chamber of Commerce, in Superior Courts, and before the California Office of Tax Appeals. Betty serves on the U.S. Tax Court Appointments Committee of the American Bar Association, and is the former Vice President of the California Lawyers Association, a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, a member of the California Office of Tax Appeals’ external advisory committee, and serves on the CJA Trial Panel for the Office of the Federal Defender.

Sabrina Green – Vice President, Managing Partner at Stratton & Green, ALC

Sabrina L. Green is a managing partner at Stratton & Green, ALC in San Diego which specializes in labor and employment and complex business/construction litigation. Sabrina is immediate Past Chair of CLA where she has served on the Board of Representatives for the past five years. Sabrina has also served as two-time Past Chair for Solo Small Firm Section of CLA, serving previously as treasurer and secretary. Sabrina is the founder of CLA Lawyers Outreach and Rural Attorney Outreach Committees and has chaired a multitude of CLA committees including Solo Small Firm Summit, Programs Committee, SSF Education, Outreach and Awards. Sabrina is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Business Association of Southern California, NCL Meals on Wheels Coordinator, and recently termed off serving locally as a Director at Large for the Labor and Employment section of the San Diego County Bar Association.

Tara Burd – Chair, Senior Counsel at Klinedinst PC

Tara R. Burd is a graduate of California Western School of Law, and Senior Counsel at Klinedinst PC. She is a State Bar of California Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law with extensive probate and trust litigation experience. Ms. Burd serves on the CLA Board of Representatives for her second term as the Real Property Law Section’s Representative, and previously served as the Co-Chair of the Real Property Law Section. She also served as Chair of the Membership Engagement Committee, which created new cross-sectional committees to serve practitioners in the areas of Cannabis, ESG, and Indian and Tribal Law. Outside of the CLA, Ms. Burd served on The State Bar of California’s Access Through Innovation of Legal Services (ATILS) Task Force, and is Past President of the Irish-American Bar Association of San Diego. 

Terrance Evans – Vice Chair, Partner & Co-Leader of the Banking & Financial Services Practice at Duane Morris LLP

Terrance J. Evans is a Partner in the San Francisco and Los Angeles offices of Duane Morris LLP, where he is the Co-Leader of the firm’s Banking and Financial Services Practice. Mr. Evans is also the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the CLA Racial Justice Committee, Past Chair of the CLA Litigation Section, Co-Chair of the American Bar Association ICLC Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Member of the Bar Association of San Francisco Judicial & Finance Committees, Past President of the Charles Houston Bar Association, and Director of Region IX of the National Bar Association. He represents clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the United States including the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Evans also regularly counsels clients regarding racial justice and diversity and inclusion issues. He has led more than 175 diversity training sessions for judges, lawyers, law students, and members of the community around the USA.

Anthony Lai – Secretary, Feinberg Mindel Brandt & Klein, LLP

Anthony Lai, CFLS, is a senior associate attorney at Feinberg Mindel Brandt & Klein LLP, specializing in family law. With nearly a decade of litigation experience, he focuses on dissolution of marriage, child custody, support, prenuptial agreements, and domestic violence cases. Anthony is recognized as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California and has been named a Superlawyers Rising Star from 2021-2023 and one of Pasadena’s Top Attorneys for 2022-2023. Anthony is an active leader in the legal community, particularly in advocating for the unique needs and interests of new attorneys across California. He previously served as the Chair of the New Lawyers Section of CLA and is currently a member of the LACBA Barrister’s Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee. Committed to serving the Asian Pacific American (APA) community, Anthony is a member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles Board of Directors. He offers legal advice and support to the underserved APA community through various pro bono legal clinics. In his leisure time, Anthony enjoys taking his family to Disneyland and unapologetically supports the Dodgers and the Chargers.

More information about CLA’s leadership is available at www.calawyers.org/cla/leadership.

About California Lawyers Association: Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

California Lawyers Association Declares the Time for Attorney Wellness is Now

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 1, 2023): Coinciding with the start of Mental Health Awareness Month and Well-Being Week in Law, the California Lawyers Association (CLA) has declared that the time for attorney wellness is now. CLA is the nation’s largest voluntary bar association representing nearly 80,000 attorneys. Taking place May 1-5, 2023 during Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Well-Being Week in Law is a national movement to raise awareness about mental health and encourage action and innovation across the profession to improve well-being.

“California Lawyers Association recognized long ago that attorneys suffered and had few outlets to vocalize their need for help. Once we provided a platform to shine a bright light on the importance of putting one’s health and wellness first, we normalized conversations like suicide, asking for help, and supporting each other,” said Jeremy M. Evans, President of CLA. “As the largest statewide voluntary bar association in the nation, we intentionally design a prudent space to not only support each other, but normalize health in our every day.”

The results of “Stressed, Lonely, and Overcommitted: Predictors of Lawyer Suicide Risk,” a study published in collaboration with Patrick Krill of Krill Strategies and the D.C. Bar Association found that attorneys had few opportunities to vocalize concerns about their mental health. As a profession, attorneys are the first to take care of others but the last to take care of themselves.

“CLA believes this trend must end, as no individual should bear any burden alone, especially regarding thoughts of depression, stress, loneliness, or suicide,” said Oyango A. Snell, Esq., Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of California Lawyers Foundation. “As an organization, CLA normalizes wellness-focused conversations and provides opportunities to practice wellness at every moment.”

Mental health has become the central tenant of the deliverables CLA provides to internal and external stakeholders. Leading by example, CLA’s goal is to normalize wellness-focused conversations and provide opportunities to practice wellness. Whether through wellness challenges, discussions, or providing platforms to support each other, CLA is well aware that to change the current trend, we all must act and support each other as a profession.

Throughout the week, CLA will host five wellness webinars, each focused on elevating personal health and well-being. To learn more about the events, visit https://calawyers.org/health-and-wellness/.

About California Lawyers Association: Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

California Lawyers Association Attorneys Convene for Law Enforcement Practices and Liability Conference May 25-26

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (April 10, 2023): The Public Law Section of California Lawyers Association (CLA) is hosting the annual Law Enforcement Practices and Liability Conference in San Diego, California, on May 25-26, 2023. The conference will welcome hundreds of attorneys, officials representing local government entities, law enforcement professionals and non-profit partners to discuss the public policy of law enforcement practices, and barriers that assist in limiting the use of force in public safety interactions.   

“Over the last six years, California has been successful in reducing the incidences of fatal deaths resulting from law enforcement practices,” said Jeremy Evans, President of CLA.  According to a recent article by the San Francisco Chronicle, law enforcement interactions resulted in nearly 1,000 deaths over six years, over a one year period, and the past year in particular, 80 less deaths were caused by law enforcement. “These trends are due in part to the continuous conversation held by stakeholders, specifically, California’s attorneys, local law enforcement, local agencies, and coalition partners that are collectively invested in designing model behaviors that drive standards throughout the nation.  The Law Enforcement Practices and Liabilities Conference reflects the commitment of stakeholders to invest in discussions that mitigate violence and death in police interactions.” 

The Law Enforcement Practices and Liability Conference has confirmed a variety of speakers who have personally influenced the manner in which policing standards are set and executed.  Speakers will address topics such as the use of body cameras, public records requests, race and policing, mental health, free speech of law enforcement, and privacy.  Furthermore, the conference will also feature Pulitzer Prize Winner Robert Greene, known for his commentary on police issues covered for the Los Angeles Times.  

“The Public Law Section of California Lawyers Association is devoted to providing the highest quality educational programs featuring the leading practitioners and experts in their fields on the most pressing concerns facing public lawyers and the communities we serve,” said John Appelbaum, Event Chair. “The Public Law Section has found the perfect balance to discuss the most sensitive topics with the numerous stakeholders focused on one goal – identify policies that reduce the need for force in California.”  

The Public Law Section (Section) promotes the practice of public law by attorneys employed by public agencies and attorneys in private practice who represent public agencies or those who have dealings with public agencies. The Section seeks to ensure that laws affecting the public sector are clear, effective and serve the public interest. With more than 1,300 members, including law students, the Public Law Section focuses on addressing issues related to all areas of public law – including administrative law, constitutional law, municipal and county law, open meetings/open records laws, political/election law, education law, water law, state and federal legislation, public employment, government contracts, government tort liability, agency regulations, land use/environmental issues, public lawyer ethics, and public finance.

To learn more about the Section, or the Law Enforcement Practices and Liability Conference, visit https://calawyers.org/section/public-law/about/.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on InstagramFacebookLinkedIn, or Twitter.

California Lawyers Association Announces Lisa Kim of the California Privacy Protection Agency as California Privacy Lawyer of the Year

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (February 16, 2023) – During the Inaugural Annual Privacy Law Summit hosted by the Privacy Law Section of California Lawyers Association (CLA), Lisa Kim, Senior Privacy Counsel and Advisor to the California Privacy Protection Agency, was recognized as the 2023 Privacy Lawyer of the Year. The special award was presented during a ceremony culminating a two-day summit that took place February 9-10, 2023, at the UCLA Luskin Center in Los Angeles, California.

The California Privacy Lawyer of the Year Award recognizes an individual that has made meaningful contributions to California’s privacy laws. Formerly a Deputy Attorney General in the Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit of the Consumer Law Section of the California Department of Justice, Ms. Kim has been the driving force behind drafting regulations to implement the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including recent amendments enacted through the California Privacy Rights Act. During the award ceremony, Stacey Schesser, California Supervising Deputy Attorney General, and Ashkan Soltani, CPPA Executive Director, praised Ms. Kim for her exceptional dedication and hard work, with echoing comments made by CPPA Board Chair Jennifer Urban.  

“I am deeply honored to be the first recipient of the California Privacy Lawyer of the Year award,” said Lisa Kim.  “I knew that when the CCPA passed, my professional life would never be the same. I was the lucky one that got to put pen to paper to actually make the CCPA work for consumers and businesses alike and the weight of that responsibility was not lost on me. The regulations were a true labor of love, and to receive this award on behalf of that work confirms that we did a good job.  A really good job.”

The Privacy Law Summit welcomed more than 200 people to the UCLA campus. It featured speakers representing top privacy regulators from the California Attorney General’s Office, the Federal Trade Commission, and the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, as well as a wide range of practitioners from diverse settings worldwide. The Summit addressed topics relating to the California AG’s recent CCPA enforcement action against Sephora, digital advertising, the new California teen/children’s privacy law, artificial intelligence, data ethics, health privacy, cybersecurity, and more. 

“This conference was an important step towards building out the California privacy community by convening regulators and privacy lawyers and civil society groups to share perspectives on the most important issues of the day,” said CLA Privacy Law Section Chair Sheri Porath Rockwell. “We were especially grateful to have had leaders and staff from the California AG’s office and the California Privacy Protection Agency in attendance in such an intimate setting that allowed for meaningful connection.”

The Inaugural Privacy Law Summit convened at a strategic and pivotal moment when California’s laws have become the de facto US privacy laws, and it has the first state privacy agency in the nation. Indeed, California lawyers are well-positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of privacy and cybersecurity worldwide.

“In celebrating Lisa Kim, we also celebrate the incredible vision of Privacy Law Section Chair Sheri Porath Rockwell, Counsel at Sidney Austin LLP, and section leaders including Jeewon Serrato, Partner at Baker Hostetler, and Hailun Ying, Senior Lead Council of Privacy at Redbox,” said Jeremy M. Evans, President of CLA. “Their leadership reflects the section’s relentless drive to elevate the importance of privacy law by recognizing the trailblazers in the industry, like Lisa Kim. Their vast connections to the leaders in privacy law benefit not just attorneys, but the communities we, as attorneys, represent.”

Founded in 2020, the mission of the Privacy Law Section of CLA is three-fold: to bring together privacy practitioners working in diverse settings, provide members with a range of unique educational opportunities, and create a community that allows for an exchange of ideas and technical know-how. Recognizing CLA’s unique role in the discussion, the Privacy Law Section also advocates for the public by engaging with California legislators, regulators, and businesses to ensure privacy laws and regulations protect consumers and foster innovation. 

To learn more about the Privacy Law Section of CLA, or the Inaugural Annual Privacy Law Summit, visit https://calawyers.org/section/privacy-law/. Recordings of the sessions will be available in the coming weeks. 

About Lisa Kim

Lisa Kim is the Senior Privacy Counsel and Advisor at the California Privacy Protection Agency. As the Agency’s top privacy protection legal expert, she provides analyses and legal and policy recommendations to the Agency’s Board and Executive Director, and advises on privacy and data security across all the Agency’s divisions, which include Legal, Policy and Legislation, Public Affairs, Enforcement, Information Technology, and Administration. Lisa led the Agency’s team in drafting new regulations that operationalize the California Privacy Rights Act’s amendments to the California Consumer Privacy Act, including regulations that clarify the law’s data minimization principles, prohibition on dark patterns, and requirements for an opt-out preference signal. Prior to joining the Agency, she was a Deputy Attorney General at the Office of the California Attorney General, where she enforced state and federal privacy laws and drafted the regulations first implementing the California Consumer Privacy Act. Lisa received her J.D. at UC Berkeley’s School of Law and her B.A. magna cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

Lawyers with High Stress 22 Times More Likely to Contemplate Suicide than Those with Low Stress
Lawyers Experience Heightened Risk of Suicidal Ideation Compared to Other Groups; Stress, Loneliness, Work Overcommitment and Gender Among Top Predictors of Risk

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. and WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 13, 2023) – California Lawyers Association (CLA) and the D.C. Bar shared findings today from a groundbreaking research project offering insight into personal and workplace risk factors for mental health problems among practicing attorneys. In 2020, the two organizations announced their participation in the project, which has now yielded the third in a series of published papers. Titled “Stressed, Lonely, and Overcommitted: Predictors of Lawyer Suicide Risk,” the findings were published February 11, 2023 in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Healthcare. The research project was led by attorney mental health and well-being expert Patrick Krill, of Krill Strategies, and Justin J. Anker from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota.

Using a random sample of approximately 2,000 practicing lawyers from California and Washington, D.C., the latest research examined the relationship between thoughts of suicide and various factors that negatively and disproportionately affect lawyers including perceived stress, loneliness, work overcommitment, work-family conflict, alcohol use, and prior mental health diagnosis.

Key findings from the study include:

  • Lawyers were twice as likely as the general population to experience suicidal ideation.
  • Perceived stress was the number one predictor of suicidality; compared to lawyers with low stress, those with high stress were a remarkable 22 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, and lawyers with intermediate levels of stress were 5.5 times more likely.
  • Lonely lawyers were nearly three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts, and those who are highly over-committed to work more than twice as likely.
  • Male lawyers were twice as likely to contemplate suicide, a notable difference from the general population where women experience higher levels of suicidal ideation. Prior mental health diagnosis also increased risk of suicidal ideation.
  • A significantly greater proportion of lawyers who contemplated suicide indicated that working in the legal profession was detrimental to their mental health and contributed to their substance use and feelings of burnout.
  • The profile of a lawyer with the highest risk for suicide was a lonely or socially isolated male with a high level of unmanageable stress, who was overly committed to their work, and may have a history of mental health problems. The heightened risk of suicidal ideation extends well beyond this specific profile.

Key takeaways for legal employers and other stakeholders:

  • A two-fold strategy whereby stressors in lawyers’ lives are reduced, and their stress tolerance is enhanced, would seem to be the most efficacious approach for mitigating the stress-suicidality risk in this population.
  • Considering the profound impact of stress on lawyer suicidality, all options should be considered for mitigating stress, including an examination and recalibration of attitudes, norms, and cultures relating to their work.
  • Employers may be able to help mitigate some of the loneliness their lawyers experience by making collaboration and regular social interactions in the work environment more of a priority.
  • Given the high rates of alcohol misuse among lawyers, efforts to combat loneliness and isolation should avoid reliance on alcohol-based events as a primary means of increasing socialization and connection.
  • By raising awareness of the notable downsides of being too committed to one’s work, encouraging lawyers to set appropriate boundaries in their lives, and reframing notions of success, the legal profession may be able to temper the harmful effects of work overcommitment.

“The legal profession has known that lawyers are disproportionately predisposed to suicidal thoughts, but we’ve been largely relying on assumptions and anecdotes to understand why,” said Patrick Krill of Krill Strategies. “With this research, however, we now have the beginnings of a data-driven formula for successfully mitigating risk and ultimately saving lives.” 

California Lawyers Association CEO and Executive Director Oyango A. Snell, Esq. and D.C. Bar CEO Robert J. Spagnoletti thanked the researchers for continuing to glean new insights from their collaboration on the project.

“The results of this joint study validate what the California Lawyers Association has known for quite some time – attorneys spend so much time taking care of others and do not take enough care of themselves,” Snell said. “Alongside our partners at Krill Strategies, the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota, and D.C. Bar, we commit to all attorneys that our focus has been and will always remain the health and well-being of attorneys. The data released in this study will further guide the strategies we are actively designing to mitigate these trends of self-harm and improve overall well-being.”

“Thanks to Patrick Krill and Justin Anker’s groundbreaking study of the lives of lawyers, we now have a better understanding of the many challenges they face in the pressure-filled legal profession,” said D.C. Bar CEO Robert J. Spagnoletti. “In addition to experiencing higher-than-average rates of depression and substance use disorders, Krill and Anker have confirmed that lawyers face a higher risk of suicide. Bar associations should lead the way in providing their members with critically important mental health services to reduce lawyer suicide. The D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program, which provides lawyers access to free confidential mental health, addiction, and well-being resources when they need them, is one example of how bars can support their members at risk of self-harm.”

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

About D.C. Bar

The District of Columbia Bar (D.C. Bar) is the largest unified bar in the United States, with more than 111,000 members in all 50 states and more than 80 countries and territories. Established by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in 1972, the D.C. Bar is responsible for licensing and disciplining attorneys who have been admitted to practice law in the District. The D.C. Bar is committed to enhancing access to justice, improving the legal system, and empowering lawyers to achieve success through its award-winning Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program, diverse programming and initiatives, and other professional services. Learn more at www.dcbar.org.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Foundation Announces Recipients of Annual Grants Totaling Nearly $350K

For a link to the following article, click here.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (February 7, 2023) – The California Lawyers Foundation (CLF), in its first three years of operation, has awarded over $450,000 to California organizations that are actively working to enhance diversity in the legal profession and achieve fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. CLF is the charitable arm of the California Lawyers Association (CLA), California’s largest voluntary bar association, representing nearly 80,000 attorneys. Now in its fourth year, CLF will award an additional $350,000 in grant funding to qualifying organizations to increase access to justice, enhance civics education for K-12 students, and eliminate financial and academic hurdles for students of color and students from low-income communities who want to pursue a career in law. 

“The State Bar of California recently reported that the state’s adult population comprises 61 percent people of color, but only 34 percent of California’s active licensed attorneys,” said Oyango A. Snell, Esq., Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of California Lawyers Association (CLA). “Furthermore, California is growing increasingly diverse, with only 36 percent of Californians identifying as Non-Hispanic White according to the most recent census data. That means that the majority of Californians do not have access to an attorney that represents their background.”

California Lawyers Foundation believes that fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law begins with representation. Since inception, CLF has actively worked to diversify the legal profession by channeling its efforts to eliminate burdens to enter and access the legal profession. CLF develops and supports projects that improve access to justice for people in need and make the legal system more fair and efficient for everyone, and help educate Californians about the third branch of government, the role of lawyers, and the rule of law.

“By awarding nearly $350,000 to the state’s most impactful organizations, we, as a united profession of attorneys, judges, and legal scholars, continue to ensure that trends affecting the most disproportionate populations in the legal civil and criminal justice system will be addressed,” said Snell.  

Recipients of the 2023 Grant Award include:

Access to Justice

  • California Access to Justice Commission received $50,000, a project to connect advisors with seniors and others who need to make legal arrangements for their health care decision making and end of life planning. 
  • Legal Access Alameda received $50,000 to help fund Free Legal Answers California, an online legal advice platform benefitting low-income populations throughout California, founded in partnership with CLA.
  • The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area received $30,000 to work with low-income entrepreneurs of color to protect and build locally held wealth, thus staving off commercial evictions and loss of income for small business owners and their families.
  • Legal Link received $50,000 to provide timely, effective, community-based legal support for families experiencing poverty and housing insecurity in California.
  • Veterans Legal Institute® (VLI) received $7,500 to help eradicate barriers to employment, foster self-sufficiency, and free legal services support for indigent Veterans in Southern California.

Civic Engagement

  • California Judges Association’s Judicial Fairness Coalition received $40,000 to educate people on the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary and to combat attacks and unfair criticism on judges and the judicial branch.  
  • Legal Education Access Pipeline (LEAP) received $50,000 to continue making law school and legal careers more accessible to underrepresented groups. 
  • San Joaquin County Bar Foundation received $4,000 to restart the Foundation’s First Impressions program, bringing civic education to fifth grade students in the San Joaquin County area.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  • The Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC) received $40,000 to support attorneys and legal aid staff from marginalized backgrounds with the end goal of increasing the critical issue of retention and representation of attorneys from these groups.
  • UC College of the Law, San Francisco; Black Alumni Council received $25,000 to fund an established scholarship fund benefiting students who have worked to better the experience of the UC College of the Law, San Francisco African-American community. 

In addition to the annual awards to deserving organizations, CLF is always seeking support from law firms and corporate legal departments who believe in diversifying the legal profession, improving access to justice, and enhancing vital civics education. For more information on CLF, its grant funding process, and initiatives, visit www.calawyersfoundation.org.

About California Lawyers Foundation

Formed in 2019, the California Lawyers Foundation is the charitable arm and partner of the California Lawyers Association, California’s voluntary statewide bar association. While new to the scene, the CLF is a statewide foundation actively developing and supporting projects that improve access to justice for people in need and make the legal system more fair and efficient for everyone; increase diversity in the profession and help educate Californians about the 3rd branch, the role of lawyers and the rule of law. CLF is a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 501(c)(3). For more information about CLF, please visit calawyersfoundation.org.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association Announces Attorney General Rob Bonta as Keynote Speaker for Legislative Day on April 19 in Sacramento

For a link to the following article, click here.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (January 30, 2023): California Lawyers Association (CLA), the state’s largest voluntary bar association representing nearly 80,000 attorneys, is proud to announce Attorney General Rob Bonta as the keynote speaker for Legislative Day, taking place on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Sacramento, California. An annual event typically attended by attorneys and industry colleagues, Legislative Day brings attorneys from all practice areas together to advocate, educate, interact with and learn from the state’s leading experts.

Rob Bonta

“Legislative Day is just a snapshot into the long standing relationship that California Lawyers Association has formed over the years,” said Jeremy M. Evans, President of California Lawyers Association. “As the largest statewide voluntary bar association in the nation, we are honored to welcome Attorney General Bonta as keynote speaker for the annual celebration of Legislative Day in Sacramento.”

As the 34th Attorney General of the State of California, Bonta is the first person of Filipino descent and the second Asian-American to occupy the position. Similar to the California Lawyers Association, Attorney General Bonta represents many of the personal and professional aspirations that attorneys advocate for the diverse communities that they serve. 

“As the leading attorney of the State of California, Attorney General Rob Bonta represents the power that we hold as attorneys to advocate for the communities that we serve,” said Oyango A. Snell, Esq., Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of California Lawyers Association. “By attending Legislative Day, members of the California Lawyers Association will be inspired to act and advocate to advance the legal community in ways that set the standards for other states to follow in the pursuit of excellence and a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive industry.”

California Lawyers Association’s Legislative Day is open to all attorneys and will feature multiple opportunities to interact with representatives from the Legislative, Judicial and Executive Branches, and colleagues from around the state. Registration for the event is now open. To register and learn more, visit https://calawyers.org/event/legislativeday2023.

About California Lawyers Association: Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com

California Lawyers Association Announces Erika Frank as Associate Executive Director, Sections Chief and General Counsel

For a link to the following article, click here.

Erika Frank

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (January 30, 2023) – California Lawyers Association (CLA), the state’s largest voluntary bar association representing nearly 80,000 attorneys, is proud to welcome Erika Frank as Associate Executive Director, Sections Chief and General Counsel. The announcement was made today by Oyango A. Snell, Esq, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of California Lawyers Association. Frank will be based in CLA’s Sacramento headquarters and her first day will be January 30, 2023. 

“The California Lawyers Association represents the best attorneys in the state, and now, we have the most well known General Counsel in Sacramento and beyond joining our ranks,” said “Oyango A. Snell, Esq, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of California Lawyers Association. “Erika’s professional reputation as a collaborator, problem-solver, and inspiring manager of human capital will benefit not only our team, but the members that we serve.” 

Leveraging more than two decades of legal, regulatory, and legislative experience, Erika offers a practical and insightful approach to helping clients deal with the effects of California’s employment laws on employee relations and workplace policies. Prior to joining the Shaw Law Group, Erika served as the General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Legal Affairs at the California Chamber of Commerce, the largest broad-based trade association in California. With a focus on employment law compliance, Erika oversaw CalChamber’s Labor Law Helpline and assisted countless members with their labor and employment law questions. She also played an integral role in the launch and success of CalChamber’s “The Workplace” podcast.

“Erika’s appointment represents the strength of our association,” said Snell. “Over the last five years, we have strategically positioned California Lawyers Association as advocates, educators, and community change makers. Erika’s innate ability to innovatively unite and position our sections to make an even stronger impact in the diverse communities attorneys serve will generate an even greater impact in California, the nation, and the world.” 

As a subject matter expert in labor and employment laws, Frank has produced and conducted numerous seminars and webinars on topics including leaves of absence, wage and hour compliance, harassment, discrimination and retaliation prevention. She is known for her relentless energy and ability to transform legal concepts into simple stories and realistic scenarios.  Frank has conducted impartial workplace investigations for public and private sector employers. Her ability to quickly evaluate complex situations and commitment to “getting it right” make her a sought after investigator.

As a member of CLA’s Senior Executive Team, Frank will oversee the 18 sections and their managers, including Human Resources Teams. Her position on the Senior Executive Team will ensure that the vision and mission of CLA’s Board of Directors have an expanded reach to support the growing membership and future impact. 

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com


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