Business Law

Message from Christopher J. Passarelli, Chair of the Business Law Section

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I hope that you are all having a terrific autumn, adjusting well to the recent time change, and that you and your loved ones have had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! In spite of the colder weather and shorter days, activity runs high at the CLA, and the BLS! First, I am very proud to announce that the CLA Amicus Brief has now been formally submitted in the matter of In Re Grand Jury (Case No. 21-1397), currently before the Supreme Court of the United States of America. The BLS assisted efforts initiated by the Taxation Section to settle a circuit split and help clarify and preserve the scope of the attorney-client privilege. A copy of that final brief is available here.

Christopher J. Passarelli

Second, the BLS is a very proud co-sponsor of the 2022 Diversity Awards Reception and Conference hosted by the Barristers Club of the Bar Association of San Francisco, and as a BLS member, you’re invited! This year’s virtual conference is fast approaching, on December 1, 2022. Do not miss this extraordinary opportunity to meet some of our profession’s most dynamic individuals, working tirelessly to change the face of our profession. You can register for this free event here.

On a related note, last week the State Bar published key findings from the eye-opening 2022 Report Card on the Diversity of California’s Legal Profession (https://publications.calbar.ca.gov/2022-diversity-report-card/), greatly elucidating the makeup and evolution of the various practice areas of our profession, by the numbers. The report also makes some very interesting conclusions for further introspection and analysis, and leaves us with specific “calls to action” for the future of our profession.

Last week the State Bar also circulated an important newsletter to all licensees regarding new 2023 reporting requirements and the Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP).  The Bar is proactively providing trainings, resources, and communication channels to help licensees comply and avoid potential penalties, including a comprehensive website (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Conduct-Discipline/Client-Trust-Accounting-IOLTA/Client-Trust-Account-Protection-Program), as well as training videos and other helpful resources to educate and prepare practitioners (and their support personnel) for the December 1, 2022 launch of the reporting period. There are also new State Bar invoicing and agency payment requirements beginning in 2023. 

SAVE THE DATES!

We are very much looking forward to the upcoming CLA Leadership Meeting in Monterey, California, which will take place from January 19-21, 2022 at the Monterey Marriott. The monthly BLS Executive Committee meeting will take place in-person on Friday, January 20th from 9am-1pm. All members on hand are welcome to attend. Also on the horizon for 2023, the BLS Legislative Day is currently slated to take place on either April 12 or 19, 2022.

TIME TO RENEW!

It is that time, again. In December, when you or your firm’s personnel log into your State Bar Profile to pay your Annual State Bar fees, when you reach the “California Lawyers Association” page, (1) confirm the CLA Membership box is selected, then (2) check your desired Section(s) (additional sections are just $40 each). If you are registered through your law firm, reach out to your finance/accounting department and ask them to pay your dues via State Bar agency billing. More information can be found by visiting here.

Lastly, the BLS is actively searching for its leaders of tomorrow. If you, a colleague, or even an adversary, have exhibited qualities that suggest a strong commitment toward leadership, protection of the public, and the advancement of our business law profession, we urge such individuals to seek appointment to one of our fifteen (15) Standing Committees. Given our recent emergence from a state of virtual-only activities, now is a very opportune window within which to seek appointment, which may not come again. The application for appointment is electronically accessible here.

We wish you all an enjoyable and productive holiday season!

Christopher J. Passarelli
Chair, Business Law Section


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