Did You Finish Your Homework?

April 2025

By Betty Williams
CLA President

On Friday afternoons when I was in high school, I just wanted to be finished with my homework. I didn’t need an “A;” good enough was good enough and I would take the “B.” This of course was back in the days when editing typed papers could require retyping the entire document. Always cognizant of my time, I was destined to be a part of the billable-hour profession many of us practice in our careers.

My attitude wasn’t because I didn’t care about my grades. I just didn’t like the anxiety that went along with an outstanding chore that needed to be completed.

I feel that way today as I write within an hour of the deadline, trying to think of something inspiring, interesting or fun to write about. There are certain topics on the forefront of all of our minds as California lawyers who swore to, “…support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California,” and to “…faithfully discharge the duties of an attorney and counselor at law to the best of [our] knowledge and ability.”  The sworn oath also includes the pledge that as an officer of the court, I will, “…strive to conduct myself at all times with dignity, courtesy and integrity.”

Add to this oath, our requirement under the California rules of Professional Conduct, to, “protect the public and to promote respect and confidence in the legal profession,” and you have a high standard, inspiring me to sit up straight as I type, and consider how we interpret the subjective language of these pledges.

I observe our leaders conducting themselves with dignity, courtesy, and integrity every single time I interact with them. Whether they are serving our membership, participating in a Board call, or attending an event for the profession, I see the high standards of personal behavior carried out.

During the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles three short months ago, numerous colleagues and members reached out with ideas of how CLA could serve our contemporaries in the southern part of our state. More recently, as other bar associations make statements about current U.S. events, I receive questions concerning the rule of law, urging a powerful statement of opposition, or in some cases, of support, regarding current activities.

As with many corporations, our actions are decided by our Board of Representatives and driven by our mission statement, which is, “Promoting excellence, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law.” As our Board follows its processes and makes decisions, I also reflect on the actions we continue to take daily to act in accordance with our mission statement.

Significantly, we educate. Many of our sections are holding webinars and conferences this month to discuss the impacts of recent executive orders, legal resources, and community support. For example:

• Legislative Day  and Evening Reception (April 8, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., April 9, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
• Environmental Law- Charging Ahead: Cutting Vehicle Pollution in the New Trump Years (April 9, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
• International Law and Immigration: Webinar: Strategic Considerations for EB-5 & Trump Gold Card Discussions (April 17, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.)
• International Law and Immigration: Immigration Conference (April 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

We take actions that make a difference, whether it is talking to diverse high school students about how they can achieve their goals with a career in the legal profession, speaking to a group of lawyers at a Unity Bar conference, or addressing a room of hundreds of people. Our participation and advocacy can make a great difference one lawyer (or future lawyer) at a time, consistent with our mission statement.

Making a difference includes providing the answers to questions arising from current events, taking effective action through our representatives in Congress, and developing a deeper knowledge of the legal rights and processes in areas ranging from immigration to the imposition of tariffs.

I trust our Board of Representatives to propel our mission forward by providing the education, membership outreach, and engagement that will answer our questions and empower our members.