California Lawyers Association
Get a “Leg” Up: Attend CLA’s 7th Annual Legislative Day
March 2025
More than 39 million residents call California their home. It has the largest population in the nation, and the fifth largest economy in the world. In fact, the 22 smallest states in the US combined have a population about the size of California.
In order for these voices to be heard, California has a “bicameral legislative system,” meaning there are two houses: the Assembly and the Senate. California’s State Assembly has 80 members, each elected to serve two-year terms, while the State Senate has 40 members, each elected to four-year terms. Federally, the state has 52 members in Congress and two US Senators.
This may sound like a third grade civics lesson, but it is also a reflection of the extraordinary responsibility and honor California’s elected officials undertake. With more than 50 Standing Committees, and a host of Subcommittees, Select Committees, Joint Committees, and a Special Committee, it can be difficult for the public to gain access to the very officials who have pledged their support to the people living in their Districts.
California Speaker of the Assembly, Robert Rivas, has said that he wants, “… the people of California to stay involved in their state’s legislative process.”
California Lawyers Association (CLA) agrees. For the seventh consecutive year, CLA is hosting its Annual Legislative Day on April 9, 2025. Registration opens at 8:00 am, along with continental breakfast and networking prior to the first speaker. This is a unique opportunity for CLA members to explore pressing issues facing the legal profession, proposed changes on the horizon, and how the organization can make a difference.
“It’s rare to interact directly with key decision-makers, especially at the state level,” explains Michele Brown, CLA Board Representative for the Family Law Section and Chair of CLA’s Governmental Affairs Committee. “CLA has worked closely with leaders from all three branches of government so our members have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback and make an impact on a variety of matters that legislators are addressing.”
For the first time ever, CLA has invited high school students to attend the event at no cost, in conjunction with the California Lawyers Foundation (CLF), the non-profit arm of CLA, to bring practical civics engagement education to high school students who have a passion for going to law school and becoming an attorney through the CLF’s California Legal Pathways Collaborative.
CLF President, Jeremy M. Evans, believes it is essential for students to have firsthand experiences such as the one being provided by CLA. “Our republic needs its existing and new leaders to thrive with knowledge of the law, civics engagement, and how the government should work for its people who elected them to serve, and Leg Day fulfills that role beautifully.”
In addition to talking with law makers, participants will have the chance to hear from keynote speaker Tani Cantil-Sakauye, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California and current President and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). CLA will also present its Legislator of the Year Award to Assemblymember Ash Kalra.
CLA is hosting a free Legislative Day Reception on Tuesday, April 8th, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, providing everyone a chance to share time with their colleagues.
For more information and to register for the 7th Annual Legislative Day and Legislative Day Reception. visit here.