Message from Cathryn S. Gawne, Chair of the Business Law Section

September 2024

Cathryn S. Gawne
BLS Chair

Dear Business Law Section Members and Friends,

While most of California is currently enjoying a glorious summer, the BLS, our fellow Sections and the CLA are focusing on next year.  It’s not that we’re skipping over the second half of 2024 (that would mean missing the college football season!), but rather that we’re getting ready for a new CLA term that begins immediately after the conclusion of the CLA Annual Meeting on September 8, 2024.

The BLS’ current preparation for the 2024-25 CLA term includes selecting our new Chair.  I am very pleased to announce that Christopher Hughes has been appointed as the new Chair of the Business Law Section for the 2024-25 CLA term.  Chris is a partner at Nossaman LLP in Sacramento, and is a litigator with extensive experience in pursuing fraudulent transfers and preferential payments and in advising clients on the purchase and sale of assets in bankruptcy cases, among other matters.  Chris came to the Executive Committee through our Insolvency Law Standing Committee.  He is a dynamic, proven leader and we look forward to his term as Chair!   

At the upcoming Annual Meeting, we will also welcome the new Vice Chairs and other officers of the Executive Committee as well as new members of our Executive Committee, and will celebrate those members whose terms are ending.  Our Standing Committees will choose their new Chairs/Co-Chairs and officers.  All of these new leaders will guide their respective committees in creating plans for the programs, publications, legislative proposals, and other activities to engage and benefit BLS members in the coming term.

The BLS could not provide any of these member benefits without you – BLS members who volunteer to present programs, write articles for our Business Law News, shepherd Affirmative Legislative Proposals through the California Legislature, participate in visits to law schools so that law students can learn more about the wide variety of practice areas within business law, and collaborate with other CLA Sections on all of the above.  If you already volunteer with the BLS, we thank you for your energy and dedication!  If you would like to know more about the opportunities offered by the BLS to its volunteer leaders, please reach out to me at cgawne@mh-llp.com.   We look forward to your participation!