Find Your Next Job Through the California Lawyers Association

By President Jeremy M. Evans and 
Chair of the Board of Representatives Ryan M.F. Baron 

In recent months, we have seen many of our colleagues leave or switch jobs in what has come to be known as the Great Resignation. We are pleased to share the role that CLA has been playing in this time of unprecedented job turnover.

Our Career Center, launched at the beginning of the pandemic, has grown into a key resource for matching law firms with the awesome legal talent among our membership ranks. Law firms, government agencies, and nonprofits regularly advertise job openings. Job seekers can browse the listings online or create an account to make it easier for employers to find them. 

In addition, CLA’s events throughout the year offer jobseekers a chance to build the professional network that will carry them throughout their career. As the bar association for all California attorneys, we offer opportunities to communicate and collaborate with colleagues in the bench and bar throughout the state. 

Virtually all CLA events have gone digital since 2020, but we are hopeful that we can resume more regular in-person programming soon. Last month, we experimented with a hybrid in-person/virtual event format for our annual Leadership Conference, which was a resounding success of collaboration and fellowship. 

At the day-long leadership retreat in Monterey, we discussed how to engage young lawyers who are the future of our profession. The CLA board recently approved the creation of the New Lawyers Section (formerly California Young Lawyers Association) for members in the first eight years of their practice, and this transition will take place over the next four weeks. CLA leaders also discussed ways to increase diversity among our Sections and committees and create opportunities for collaboration among volunteers in different parts of the organization. We came away with so many great ideas including experiential events. Stay tuned for more.

Meanwhile, we invite you to check out our current offerings, which include:

• “The Heart Healthy Lawyer” program and other wellbeing resources provided by the Health and Wellness Committee.
• The popular annual Legislative Day on April 6.
• CLA’s comments on the California Paraprofessional Program Working Group Report and Recommendations.
• Winter issue of Legal Perspectives, a quarterly publication featuring a variety of practice-specific articles and features about our members and programs.
• The latest information on court closings, trial delays, and other court updates in response to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
• In case you missed it, our roundup of new laws that went into effect at the beginning of 2022.

President Evans and CEO and Executive Director Oyango Snell recently attended the John M. Langston Bar Association at Sony Studios in Los Angeles and it was a tremendous event displaying community and the awesome opportunity for growth. The CLA also hosted a joint Trivia Night with the California Judges Association, but no bragging on who won.

Finally, we hope your 2022 is off to a great start. We are certainly energized and hope to see you soon possibly in San Diego at the 2022 Annual Meeting!