CHAIR’S MESSAGE

By Christopher Passarelli

Hello, Business Law Section Members and Friends:

As the summer marches on, as we conclude another productive month of July at the Business Law Section! It is an exciting time, and one of significant transition for our beloved section.

2023-2024 BLS CHAIR: CATHRYN S. GAWNE

            As previously stated, we are approaching the conclusion of this 2022-2023 CLA term at the end of the State Bar Annual Meeting on September 24, 2023. I am very proud to announce the nomination for appointment of a new Chair of the BLS Executive Committee, our very own Cathryn S. Gawne, longstanding advisor, and former member of the Executive Committee. We are so pleased and fortunate to have Cathryn at the helm for the next term!

2023-2024 CLA BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES NOMINATION: NEIL WERTLIEB

With the departure of our current section Board representative, Uzzi Raanan, the BLS has likewise now appointed a new representative to the CLA Board: Neil J. Wertlieb, our esteemed advisor and former Section Chair.  Mr. Wertlieb will serve for the interim one-year period of 2023-2024. Mr. Wertlieb’s and Ms. Gawne’s respective appointments await approval by the CLA Board of Directors.

NEW SECTION MANAGER: MELISSA LEAL

In keeping with our theme of transitions, we are very pleased to formally welcome and introduce to you all our new Section Manager, Melissa Leal. Ms. Leal brings great depth of experience in professional association matters, and we greatly look forward to working together to progress BLS operations and initiatives. With her arrival comes the retirement of our longstanding, beloved Section Manager, John Buelter. As many of you are aware, Mr. Buelter has long been the critical lynchpin for the successful operation of our section, going back many years to our prior iteration as the Sections of the State Bar of California. The section will sorely miss his leadership and guidance, and we all wish him a well-deserved, wonderful set of adventures ahead!

MEET THE SECTIONS & JOIN BLS IN SAN DIEGO FOR THE CLA ANNUAL MEETING

I hope that you have all had the opportunity to solidify your hotel and travel arrangements in order to join the BLS at the 2023 CLA Annual Meeting in San Diego, from September 21-23, 2023 at the beautiful San Diego Hilton Bayfront! We encourage you to join us on the first day of the Annual Meeting, Thursday, September 21, where each of the CLA sections are hosting a lunch for all attendees to “Meet the CLA Sections and Committees” – this will be a fantastic opportunity to meet your BLS Executive Committee leaders in person, and set the stage for your successful Annual Meeting experience. You can register for the 2023 CLA Annual Meeting here.

CALL TO ACTION: INCREASING CLA MEMBERSHIP

Don’t forget! The section relies on you to spread the word about the value of your membership. Please continue to encourage your esteemed colleagues to become members of the CLA (here) and join the Business Law Section, to explore the many diverse opportunities for professional advancement and personal fulfillment that come with membership, and participation.

Above all, we thank you for your membership, and especially, your meaningful participation in the work of our section, and the advancement of our profession!