Appointments Process for ABA House of Delegates: CA Young Lawyer Delegate and Alternate

The California Lawyers Association is soliciting applications to fill the California Young Lawyer Delegate seat at the ABA House of Delegates in addition to the California Young Lawyer Alternate Delegate.  Once appointed, the delegate will step into a 2 year term that began at the conclusion of ABA Annual Meeting 2025 and will conclude at the conclusion of ABA Annual Meeting 2027. The House of Delegates is the policy-making body of the ABA.  Members serve up to three two-year terms and no person may serve as a delegate for more than six consecutive years.  In order to apply for this position, the applicant must have been admitted to practice in his or her first bar within the past five years or must be less than 36 years old at the beginning of the term or meet the state’s definition of a young lawyer (i.e., first 7 years of practice).   

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 delegates and alternates from diverse backgrounds, firms, geographic areas, and practice areas so that the delegates and alternates will be reflective of the membership of the California Lawyers Association.  Prior leadership experience in the California Lawyers Association (or as appropriate the California Young Lawyers Association) and/or the American Bar Association is required .  Prior experience in the American Bar Association House of Delegates is helpful, though not required.   Membership in the California Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association is required.  

If you are interested in being selected to be the California Young Lawyer Delegate, or the Alternate, please send via email:

• A cover letter which includes:
  • An explanation of why you want to serve as a delegate or an alternate and can effectively represent the California Lawyers Association in the House; 
  • Your basic demographic information; and
  • Your American Bar Association membership number. 
• A resume highlighting your experience with the California Lawyers Association (or as appropriate the New Lawyers Section) and/or the American Bar Association, and 
• Up to three letters of recommendation—of which one must be from a member of the American Bar Association, to:

Brianna Hollingsworth, Projects and Committees Manager
initiatives@calawyers.org

Travel to House of Delegates meetings is required for this position. Delegates receive reimbursement for expenses up to $1700.00 to cover travel expenses and the cost to register for ABA meetings.

Applications shall be emailed, no later than April 30, 2025.