California Lawyers Association

Value Added: CLA’s Unique Value Proposition

February 2025

value

Ask any member of California Lawyers Association, “Why CLA,” and without hesitation, they will share their personal story. For some, they admittedly confess that joining CLA was required by their firm. For others, a colleague recommended exploring the opportunities CLA had to offer. Still, for others, they attended a CLA event and were “all in!”

There are as many stories about member involvement as there are members themselves, nearly 45,000 today, and growing. With each story of belonging also comes a story of commitment, professional development, partnership, advocacy, diversity, friendship, and possibility.

“Whether you’re in a leadership role, participate in webinars, write for one of the practice area Section’s publications, or read our monthly eNewsletter, everyone has their own version of why they belong to CLA,” says CEO Chris Nguyen. “It’s important that we position ourselves to reflect these stories.”

As a result, and with the establishment of the new Chief Member Experience Officer position, the concept of a value proposition was born.

“It’s obvious that CLA offers incredible benefits,” explains Nicole Stragalas, who took on the role of Chief Member Experience Officer last Fall. “From hundreds of online and in-person events to free legal research software, there are so many innovative tools to assist legal professionals in their careers. But there’s so much more to CLA than conferences, legal education, and generative AI.”

The organization’s 2025 theme, “Connect. Lead, Achieve,” was developed by leadership to speak to CLA’s mission, vision, and pillars. The new value proposition takes this theme one step further.

CLA’s Unique Value Proposition

Connect:

Network with nationally renowned colleagues in a community 45,000 members strong.

Lead:

Leverage California Lawyers Association’s prestige and credibility to grow your reputation and your presence in your profession. Write articles for prominent journals.  Speak and present at nationally recognized conferences. Lead committees and gain the influence needed to become a partner, judge, entrepreneur, or thought leader.

Achieve:

Work with a trusted collaborator who supports your goals and aspirations. Join one or more of our 18 Sections of specialty law and develop professionally through tailored events and experiences. Create a competitive edge that endures and embodies success.

“California Lawyers Association adds value to your professional life in the legal practice space,” says Stragalas. Along with CLA’s new Marketing Team Leader, Sara Jenner, the pair took a hard look at what makes CLA “real” and worked closely with long-time members and newer leaders to identify the association’s uniqueness.

Key themes emerged. CLA is the largest volunteer Bar Association in California. It is nearly the largest in the country, second only to New York. The membership includes attorneys who have argued before the United States Supreme Court, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and in national class action cases. CLA members are recognized speakers, who are on the forefront of their legal specialties. They are judges, corporate attorneys, and public sector lawyers. Individuals are also known for their technical and legal management practice expertise. CLA has its own Foundation, to encourage young people to consider the legal field. All of it is set against the backdrop of the world’s fifth largest economy, with one of the most contrasting populations in the country, and a membership that wants to reflect the innovation, rarity, and exceptional character of California as a global leader, problem-solver, and trailblazer.

The new value proposition is simple, honorable, and a statement which embodies the stories of it’s members as they: Connect. Lead. Achieve.


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