Message From the Chair

Business Law Section (BLS) members and friends, present and future: Welcome to March and please enjoy a moment of gratitude, as we have completed one year managing the Covid-19 pandemic. This past year challenged every aspect of our lives and narrowed our priorities to the basics: good health and wellness. In that context, BLS was especially grateful for our members’ continued engagement, to offer and receive support, to exchange ideas, to build community . . . and for providing inspiration, humor and some tasty cocktail recipes along the way.

BLS has always valued communication and engagement so this year we added informal monthly virtual meetings: On the first Tuesday of the month, I host Office Hours at 10:00 am. On the first Wednesdays of the month, Tal Grinblat hosts Legislation Committee Office Hours. No appointments required. 

Certain in-demand topics will also be given center stage.  In April, Everett Green, Chair of Member Services, will join me during my office hours. Also in April, California Lawyers’ Association (“CLA”) Director of Governmental Affairs Saul Bercovitch will attend the Legislation Committee Office Hours to present a primer and Q&A session on all steps of the legislative process, from an idea through enactment, including effective ways to engage in the process and pitfalls on the way.

Also, the BLS Standing Committee Chairs and liaisons will meet on March 16, 2021 with CLA representatives specifically to discuss marketing plans and future online resources.

The BLS roadshow returns to the Santa Clara University School of Law in March and in April to California State University, Fullerton. Plans for a virtual visit to UC Davis School of Law and UC San Diego School of Law are also underway.

BLS co-hosted an event on February 23,2021: Breaking Barriers on the Bench: How to stand out & get appointed to the Superior Court, featuring Luis Cespedes (Judicial Appointments Secretary), Gonzalo Martinez (Deputy Judicial Appointments Secretary), and Judge Elizabeth G. Macias (Superior Court of Orange County and President of the California Latino Judges Association). BLS is proud to support statewide Latino bar associations and leadership organizations.

The BLS Internet and Privacy Law Committee (IPLC) continues its collaborative projects with CLA Sections and working groups. This month IPLC moved forward its investigation into requirements to create a State Bar certification in privacy specialization. In addition, IPLC works with Santa Clara School of Law to develop publishing opportunities for its students.

A Nonprofit Organizations Committee legislative proposal has been moved forward as Assembly Bill 283, which is available online here: https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB283/2021. A Nonprofit Organizations Committee and Corporations Committee jointly drafted legislative proposal has been moved forward as Assembly Bill 663, available here: https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB663/2021.

BLS continues to participate in CLA wide programming and will coordinate on this year’s CLA Legislative Day, scheduled for April 14, 2021 as a virtual event.  Leg Day presents a tremendous opportunity to explore legislative issues which potentially impact attorneys and their clients and how CLA can make a difference. Speakers have included Senators, Assembly Members, representatives of the Judicial Council, and representatives of the Governor’s office.  The program will tentatively start at 9:00 a.m., details to follow.

BLS is indeed fortunate to have many more activities as can be presented here. Please visit our website, check in with our standing committees, sign up for email lists and better yet, join us: https://calawyers.org/join-us/.

Best wishes to all who have received vaccinations. Continue to exercise discretion and maintain healthy habits.

Soyeun D. Choi
Chair
California Lawyers Association Business Law Section
Soyeun@SoyeunEsq.com