Appointment Process

The Antitrust and Unfair Competition Law Section’s mission is to engage, inform, and inspire generations of lawyers to further the practice of antitrust and competition law in California.  Through its substantive treatise, journal, e-publication, CLE programs, and live events and webinars, the Section provides cutting-edge perspectives on legal developments in California and federal antitrust and UCL laws, as well as insights into regulatory and enforcement issues, that affect California consumers, businesses, and practitioners.  The Section honors leaders in antitrust and unfair competition law with its annual “Antitrust Lawyer of the Year” dinner and award ceremony following the Section’s preeminent day-long annual Golden State Antitrust and Unfair Competition Law Institute.

The Section is dedicated to achieving a unique balance of plaintiff, defendant, government, and in-house perspectives. Through its committees, mentoring programs, and diversity and inclusion initiatives, the Section engages a wide range of perspectives and views, and seeks to develop, support, and highlight diverse thought leaders in the antitrust and UCL fields.  We encourage Section members who have contributed to the Section’s activities to submit applications.  We consider a wide range of factors including diversity in making appointments to the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee holds a one-hour meeting each month and each quarter meets for several hours to discuss and plan the Section’s activities.  Each member of the Executive Committee is also a member of a Standing Committee and contributes to that Committee’s activities and programs.  Please feel free to contact any member of Executive Committee if you would like to learn more about being a member of it.  Meet the Executive Committee here.

The BLS Executive Committee oversees its educational, legislative, and publishing activities in furtherance of its mission in advancing the practice of business law in the State of California.  The section is comprised of fifteen (15) Standing Committees in core substantive legal specialty areas such as agribusiness, financial institutions and insolvency, as well as the Business Law News Editorial Board.  The Standing Committees are each actively involved in providing member services and educational activities as well as initiating, developing, drafting state legislation, commenting upon both state and federal legislation and participating in regulatory reform in their respective practice areas. The section currently focuses on providing resources to its members electronically, on its website and through its constituency listserv (sign up here).  The section sponsors a multitude of unique educational programs,  publishes monthly e-newsletters, as well as the quarterly Business Law News, and a host of additional legal resources for the California business law practitioner. Members of the BLS Executive Committee  act as liaisons to the section’s Standing Committees and form the members of its Ad Hoc Committees

(the Diversity Equity and Inclusion subcommittee, as well as the Member Services, Programs, and Publications subcommittees).  Members are expected to attend the regular meetings of the Executive Committee and to otherwise assist in the work of the section.  Appointment to the Executive Committee is a form honorable recognition of an appointee’s past and anticipated future efforts and volunteerism on behalf of the section. Applications from the section’s attorney members who have actively participated in the work of its Standing Committees are strongly encouraged. Section participation is a factor considered in the appointment review.  Attorneys who can meet these requirements and make the requisite time commitment are encouraged to apply.  For questions regarding section requirements or how to become more involved in section activities, please contact the staff administrator or chair. Meet our Executive Committee here.

“During my tenure and as Vice Chair of Legislation, I assisted standing committees craft and get Affirmative Legislative Proposals introduced into bills, enabled Standing Committees to issue comments on proposed legislation, formulated the Section’s Amicus Brief policy and made many, many friends in the process.” – Soyeun Choi, 2020-2021 Executive Committee Chair

The Criminal Law Section consists of nearly 2,000 criminal law practitioners in California.  We provide continuing legal education to attorneys and judges, as well as criminal justice policy advice to the California Legislature and Judicial Council of California upon request.  Our Executive Committee is comprised of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges from across the state of California, with centuries of combined legal experience. 

The Criminal Law Section offers a truly singular perspective on these issues facing the practice of criminal law in California by bringing together judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys from all over the state to discuss and mobilize around the most pressing issues in criminal law. This type of collaboration is truly unheard of and results in a unique, informed opinion on proposals to aid in the advancement of the criminal justice system

Criminal Law Section Executive committee is committed to playing an integral role in promotion of practitioners and a judiciary that represents the diversity of California. Our mission is to provide relevant, timely, and unbiased education to prosecutors and defense attorneys that practice in both state or federal court; to keep our members updated on developments in criminal law; and, promote fairness, equality, and ethical behavior in all aspects of the criminal justice system.

This section provides a statewide forum for the exchange of ideas and knowledge among California environmental lawyers and other professionals in the environmental field. The section covers a broad range of substantive areas of environmental law, including water quality and availability and use, air quality, land use and management, public resources, natural resources, solid waste, hazardous waste, toxic substances, CEQA, endangered species, wetlands, coastal protection and development, environmental justice, and energy. The executive committee includes attorneys from private firms, regulatory agencies, state and local governments, public interest groups, business, and academia. The executive committee comments upon proposed environmental legislation, sponsors numerous MCLE programs of interest and relevance to its membership, and publishes newsletters and other periodicals. The section welcomes applications from attorneys with a background in environmental law. Committee communications are conducted electronically; therefore, each member must have an e-mail address to receive committee meeting notices, agendas, reports, etc. Section participation is a factor considered in the appointment review. Attorneys from northern and southern California who can meet these requirements and make the time commitment are encouraged to apply. For questions regarding requirements or how to become more involved in the section, please contact the section manager or chair. Meet our Executive Committee here.

This section’s areas of interest encompass all aspects of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, technology, licensing, internet, privacy, cannabis, and trade secrets. The section hosts conferences and webinars regarding intellectual property law issues and works on other projects related to intellectual property law. The section meets in executive sessions four to five times per year; it also publishes a newsletter, New Matter, approximately four times per year, and sends an annual delegation to Washington DC to meet with top officials. Those with a background in intellectual property and a willingness to join a hardworking section are encouraged to apply. Section participation (e.g., involvement in one of the Intellectual Property Section’s Interest Groups, authoring an article for the New Matter publication, speaking at one of the section’s MCLE programs, etc.) is considered in the appointment review. Attorneys from northern and southern California who can meet the section’s requirements and who can make the time commitment are encouraged to apply. For questions regarding requirements or how to become more involved in section activities, please contact the staff or chair or visit CLA’s web site (www.calawyers.org). Meet our Executive Committee here.

“Come for the law. Stay for the people. This is a fabulous way to enhance your knowledge and experience with intellectual property law while getting to know and work with other practitioners who will become your great friends.” – Warren Dranit, Past Executive Committee Chair and current Advisor

“I consider the IP section’s executive committee like a second family. They’ve provided me with incredible career advice, mentorship, and a lot of laughs along the way. Through my role on the executive committee, I’ve been able to connect and develop friendships with some of the top lawyers in my practice fields. Networking like this is priceless. The executive committee has given me a lot more name recognition in my field than I ever anticipated. It’s been a fantastic experience that has really helped evolve my career to the next level.” – Emily Yu, 2021-22 Executive Committee Vice Chair

This executive committee communicates recent developments and current issues in international law (including immigration law) to its section membership and facilitates interaction among its members and foreign lawyers. The section presents MCLE-accredited programs throughout the year, organize annual retreat, publishes the monthly immigration update, the quarterly newsletter, ILS NEWS, and the California International Law Journal. 

Section participation is a factor considered in the appointment review.  Attorneys from California who can meet these requirements and make the time commitment are encouraged to apply. Our Executive Committee comprise of attorneys who are involved in all types of international work covering different areas of law ranging from international trade, aerospace, cannabis, immigration, tax to arbitration. What better way to broaden your network and meet new friends? For questions regarding section requirements or how to become more involved in section activities, please contact us at ils@calawyers.org. Meet our Executive Committee here.

Your resource for access to the latest information on labor and employment law. Whether your area of work is public or private, lawyers in firms of all sizes, public agencies, labor unions, and neutrals value the updates and information. The Section presents MCLE-accredited section programs throughout the year,  publishes six issues of the section’s Law Review, and a timely monthly e-news with the latest information. Stay informed with employment case law, legislation, wage issues, discrimination, PERB decisions, union and labor relations, and wrongful termination, among other topics. Meet our Executive Committee here.

“The Labor and Employment Law Section Executive Committee brings together a talented array of people with deep understanding of issues in the California workplace in order to advance attorney education and public awareness.  It’s an honor to collaborate with everyone involved.” – Thomas Lenz, Past Executive Committee Chair and current Advisor

“I get to learn about a wide spectrum of practice areas and perspectives.  Our Committee members practice in a huge range of specialties, from wage and hour, to plaintiff’s class actions, to neutral workplace investigations, to individual wrongful terminations.” – Laura Davis, current Advisor

“It’s been over 10 years and I love my fellow members and continue to enjoy working with all of them collaboratively and sharing ideas for how we can improve law practice management and technology for all of our members. As a member you can empower yourself and other members to participate and grow. I highly recommend joining this wonderful Executive Committee.” – Mari Frank, Esq. CIPP

“By being on the Committee, I have grown as a person, while making a difference in the litigator community.” – Kenneth Wang, Executive Committee Member

“Serving on an Executive Committee for a Section has been one of the great professional growth opportunities in my career.  The members invited people in with open arms where they were able to train, offer encouragement, business advice, and opportunities.  It is the training ground for the practice of law and as well an introduction and lifeblood to the bar association for all California attorneys to congregate.”   – Jeremy Evans, Liaison

“Being on the Privacy Law Section’s Executive Committee has given me an opportunity to shape the discourse around privacy law in California. The Executive Committee’s webinars, events, and publications bring together privacy experts in private practice, regulatory bodies, advocacy, and business to talk about the ways the field continues to evolve. As part of the Executive Committee, I play a role in not only sharing the Section, but those conversations as well.” – Cody Venzke, Privacy Law Treasurer

The Public Law Section (PLS) provides high-quality educational content and resources to public law practitioners and promotes public law and public attorneys who work in various practice settings. The field of public law is broad and includes administrative law, municipal law, political law, legislation, education law, public employment, government contracts, land use, environmental issues, public lawyer ethics, tort liability, and open meeting and public records. In addition to developing continuing legal education content for our members, PLS also publishes the quarterly Public Law Journal which includes scholarly articles and caselaw updates. PLS recognizes the accomplishes and contributions of public law practitioners by presenting the annual Ronald M. George Public Lawyers of the Year and the Outstanding Achievements in Public Law awards. Additionally, PLS encourages law students and new lawyers to enter the field of public law by holding career panels and organizing the annual Public Law Writing Competition. Public lawyers, whether in private practice or government service, are encouraged to apply. For questions about time commitment or the work of PLS, please contact the chair or staff. Meet our Executive Committee here.

“I loved being a member of the Real Property Law executive committee so much that I chose to stay involved as an advisory member after my 3 year voting term ended. The people on the committee are truly amazing to work with, and I am lucky to be able to call many of them my friends. It has been a rewarding experience to be a part of a board that desires to serve our legal community.” – Ashley Peterson, former Executive Committee Member, current advisory member

“Serving on the Solo and Small Firm Executive Committee allows me to play a role in helping increase practice effectiveness and efficiency in SSF practices so that these practitioners can increase revenues, reduce administrative burdens, and create a better work-life balance. Serving on ExCom is a wonderful way to give back to the profession and help improve the practices of solo and small firm practitioners throughout the state of California.” – Somita Basu, 2021-22 Executive Committee Chair

“Being a solo or small firm practitioner presents many challenges, and I appreciate having the opportunity, as a member of the SSF ExCom, to help develop resources our members can rely upon to better serve their clients and expand their practices.  My involvement with the ExCom has also provided me with a network of outstanding professionals from a variety of practice areas who I (and my clients) can call upon for help—many of whom have also become lifelong friends.” – Marilyn A. Monahan, Past Executive Committee Chair and current Advisor

The executive committee has oversight responsibility for the activities of substantive law and special interest committees, including presentation of annual educational programs; programs which presently include the California Tax Policy Conference, Estate and Gift Tax Conference, Income and Other Seminar and the Young Tax Lawyers Conference; coordination of annual meetings with state and federal elected and appointed tax officials in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C., and the Eagles Lodge West program; publication of a tax periodical; and overseeing the Tax Court Pro Se/Pro Bono Program at San Francisco Tax Court Calendars.  Subcommittees and projects include: corporate and pass through entities; estate and gift tax; international tax; state and local tax; tax-exempt organizations; tax procedure and litigation; income/other taxes, tax policy, practice and legislation; young tax lawyers; women in tax; the California Tax Lawyer; education and public outreach.  The executive committee seeks applications from active tax attorneys with demonstrated commitment to professional and public service from diverse geographic, ethnic and practice backgrounds who can serve as role models for our membership.  Applicants must have a minimum of six years experience with at least five years in tax.  Committee communications are conducted electronically; therefore, each member must have an e-mail address to receive committee meeting notices, agendas, reports, etc.  Section participation is a factor considered in the appointment review.  Attorneys from northern and southern California who can meet these requirements and who can make the time commitment are encouraged to apply.  For questions regarding the requirements or how to become more involved in the section, please contact the section staff or chair. Meet our Executive Committee here.

“Serving on the Taxation Section’s Ex Com has been a lot of work but also a lot of fun, and has been very personally and professionally rewarding.  I have had the pleasure of serving with professional giants in the tax field.” – Laura Buckley, 2020-2021 Executive Committee Chair

“Serving on the Tax Section Executive Committee presents an opportunity to keep the Tax Section going with its numerous activities and ensuring they are designed to best serve members. I have found this service to be a wonderful opportunity to get to know the volunteers serving on all of the tax committees, making my CLA experience overall very enjoyable and rewarding professionally.” – Annette Nellen, current Executive Committee Member

The executive committee of the Trusts and Estates Section (“TEXCOM”) has among its primary goals to improve the law pertaining to trusts and estates and the standard of practice among its members. In furthering these goals, TEXCOM is responsible for the publication of the respected California Trusts and Estates Quarterly, the dissemination of New Case Alerts summarizing recent published appellate opinions, and the Ethics Guide.  TEXCOM also produces the highest quality continuing legal education programs. TEXCOM sponsors affirmative legislative proposals, and provides critical expertise and input to the Legislature on pending legislation. Volunteers who serve on TEXCOM play a vital role in assisting TEXCOM fulfill these goals.  During their six-year term TEXCOM volunteers can expect to deepen their own knowledge of Trusts and Estates law, have an impact on the development of that law, make valuable connections up and down the state, and have fun while doing so.

“Serving on TEXCOM has been one of the highlights of my legal career.  I’m proud to be part of such a dedicated and impressive group of attorneys, working together to improve the practice of trusts and estates law.” – Carol Elias Zolla, Los Gatos, current Executive Committee member

“Being a member of the workers’ compensation executive committee has given me an appreciation of the goals and interests that all sides in the community have in common. All sides, judges, applicant’s attorneys, and defense attorneys, care about the health of the system we all work in, and improvements can be made if we can identify and focus on the areas of mutual agreement on the best practices for the benefit of all participants.” – Randy H. Pollak, Editor of the Workers’ Compensation Quarterly

“Being a member of and advisor to the Workers’ Compensation Section Executive Committee has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my legal career. You give back to the legal community and make new friends and connections. What a great forum to discuss the latest trends in the law among applicant attorneys, defense attorneys, and judges.” – Judge Robert Rassp, Executive Committee Member