CLA Picks Up Five ABA House of Delegates Seats

February 6, 2019 — The American Bar Association (ABA), after a vote at its midyear meeting in Las Vegas, has granted California Lawyers Association (CLA) five seats in ABA’s House of Delegates, to be implemented as soon as August of this year. With support from the State Bar of California, the state will soon be represented in the ABA by six delegates from the State Bar and five delegates from CLA. 

“CLA is excited to work with both the State Bar and the ABA to promote excellence, diversity, and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. The work of the ABA House of Delegates and that of CLA intersect very nicely,” says CLA President Heather Rosing.

Following CLA’s split from the State Bar, the sharing of delegates will help better represent the interests of all California lawyers in the ABA and in its policies. State Bar Executive Director and Board of Trustees Chair Jason Lee drafted a letter in support of CLA’s involvement.

The letter states “such a split of the state-wide delegation recognizes that both the State Bar and California Lawyers Association should be represented in the American Bar Association House of Delegates to ensure full and fair representation of the interests of California attorneys on the range of issues that span both organizations.”

This month, CLA moved into its new Sacramento headquarters and bolstered staff to augment its advocacy with the Legislature. During CLA’s first Annual Meeting late last year, ABA president Bob Carlson lauded CLA’s efforts.

“We have had a long history of working with the State Bar, and now we look forward to turning the page and starting a long history of working with the California Lawyers Association,” he said. “What we need is a strong national voice in collaboration and cooperation with strong state and local voices,” he added.

CLA intends to actively and responsibly utilize its delegate seats. CLA members are public and private attorneys, in-house counsel, judges, governmental officials, law professors and law students, and other legal professionals who help to promote excellence and diversity in the legal profession and the administration of justice.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

Established in 2018, California Lawyers Association (CLA) is a nonprofit, voluntary organization, and the new home of the Sections of the State Bar of California and the California Young Lawyers Association. 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. For more information, visit calawyers.org.

Contact: Seth Horowitz, 323.347.9740, seth@horowitzagency.com

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