California Lawyers Association Announces Chris Nguyen as Chief Executive Officer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (December 20, 2023): California Lawyers Association (CLA) is pleased to announce the selection of Chris Nguyen as its new Chief Executive Officer. CLA is one of the largest voluntary bar associations in the country and the statewide leader in promoting excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession. Chris will also serve as CEO of the California Lawyers Foundation (CLF), the charitable arm of CLA. CLF shares a common mission with CLA and executes its goals through civics education, access to justice and other programs.

“We welcome Chris and look forward to his leadership and successful impact,” said Betty Williams, President of CLA. “With his impressive background in law, operations and financial management, coupled with a passion for visionary leadership, we are confident Chris will elevate our mission to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law.”

Nguyen joins CLA from Sofia University in Palo Alto where he served as Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, he worked for San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton as Vice President for Administration Services, as well as for SUNY Ulster in New York as Vice President for Administrative Services. Nguyen has overseas experience with several highly respected educational institutions in both executive management and as a law professor. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Santa Clara University, a Master of Business Administration from the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University, and a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School.

“I am thrilled to be selected to lead California Lawyers Association and California Lawyers Foundation. I look forward to working with staff, leaders, and the Board of Representatives to make CLA the premier voluntary bar association in the country, focused on serving its members while promoting excellence, inclusiveness and diversity,” said Ngyuen. “I am also excited about collaborating with CLF and its board to further impact our California communities.”

CLA is headquartered at 400 Capitol Mall in Sacramento, California. For more information about CLA, visit: www.calawyers.org.

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

About California Lawyers Foundation

Formed in 2019, the California Lawyers Foundation is the charitable arm and partner of the California Lawyers Association, California’s voluntary statewide bar association. While new to the scene, the CLF is a statewide foundation actively developing and supporting projects that improve access to justice for people in need and make the legal system more fair and efficient for everyone; increase diversity in the profession and help educate Californians about the 3rd branch, the role of lawyers and the rule of law. CLF is a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 501(c)(3). For more information about CLF, please visit calawyersfoundation.org.

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Media Contact: Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com