Become a Part of CLA’s Delegation to the ABA House of Delegates!

The California Lawyers Association (CLA) is soliciting applications to fill Delegate and Alternate Delegate positions for CLA’s Delegation to the ABA House of Delegates. The House of Delegates is the policy-making body of the American Bar Association (ABA).

Fulfilling the Position

The American Bar Association House of Delegates (ABA HOD) is the policy-making body of the ABA. The ABA HOD meets twice each year, at ABA Annual and Midyear Meetings. The ABA was founded to be the national voice of state bars. These Working Rules apply to the CLA ABA House of Delegates Committee consisting of Delegates and Alternate Delegates (the Committee).

Once appointed, Delegates and Alternate Delegates will serve a term, which will begin after the close of the 2025 ABA Annual Meeting and will conclude at the close of the 2028 ABA Annual Meeting. This is a three-year term.

The deadline for applying is now March 31, 2025.

Delegates are expected to attend the ABA’s Annual Meeting and Mid-Year Meeting each year. Alternate Delegates attend only if requested in place of a CLA Delegate. Delegation members may request reimbursement of up to $1,700 for travel and registration expenses for attending either the ABA Annual Meeting or Mid-Year Meeting each year, or up to $3,400 for attending both the ABA Annual Meeting and Mid-Year Meeting each year, according to CLA’s travel reimbursement policies. This amount may be changed from time to time by CLA.

Appointment Process & Requirements

The President of CLA shall review applications for the Delegates and Alternate Delegates. The President shall consult with the CLA Chair of the Board of Representatives, CLA CEO, Chair and members of the California Delegation to the ABA House of Delegates, and as appropriate, the CLA Vice-President and/or the CLA Chair of the New Lawyers Section. 

The goal of this process is to select delegation members from diverse backgrounds, firms, geographic areas, and practice areas so that the Delegates and Alternate Delegates will be reflective of the membership of CLA.  Prior leadership experience in CLA and/or the American Bar Association is required.  Prior experience in the American Bar Association House of Delegates is helpful, although not required. Membership in CLA and the American Bar Association is required.