In Support of SB 770

May 18, 2021

Hon. Richard D. Roth
Member of the Senate
State Capitol, Room 2080
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: SB 770 (Roth) – Support

View the PDF version here.

Dear Senator Roth:

We write on behalf of the California Lawyers Association (CLA) in support of SB 770.  CLA is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization dedicated to the professional advancement of attorneys practicing law in California.  CLA’s mission is promoting excellence, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law.

SB 770 expands the California LAW pathways, a statewide initiative that creates a model pipeline of diverse students from high schools, community colleges, four-year institutions, and law schools into law or law-related careers so that the legal profession reflects the diverse population of California.  California LAW is a program created to implement the goals of the California LAW initiative by connecting, communicating, collaborating and coordinating with programs that are part of the educational pipeline for diverse students into the legal profession or law-related careers.  California LAW is housed at the Foundation for California Community Colleges and is closely aligned with the Foundation’s strategic goal to expand student access, success, educational, and career outcomes through the promotion of student-centered resources and tools.  Since its inception, California LAW continues to receive strong community support, especially from the legal profession, with numerous judges and lawyers serving on advisory councils for each of the high school and community college partners. 

An investment from the state’s budget would support the growth of an innovative statewide initiative that promotes racial justice and student equity through an unprecedented education pipeline program.  The statewide pipeline currently includes 22 high school law academies, 28 community colleges, 10 four-year universities, and 10 law schools in California.  This investment will assist in producing a future workforce that represents the population of the State of California with its rich diversity, especially in race and ethnicity, as well as students who have critical thinking skills, understand the justice system, and are more civically engaged as a whole.

We appreciate your consideration of our comments.

Sincerely,