CLA News

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (April 25, 2024) – A program of the California Lawyers Foundation (CLF), the California Legal Pathways Collaborative (CLPC) is proud to present two upcoming events – a Regional Mock Trial Event on April 26, 2024, and a Virtual Law Day Celebration on May 1, 2024. Free and open to the public, both events are designed to help educate, empower, and promote justice and equity for the next generation of legal professionals in California. Ruthe Ashley is the Chair of the newly created CLF CLPC program that focuses on expanding resources for the high school law academies and furthering diversity, education, and accessibility in the legal profession. The CLF is a 501(c)(3) and the non-profit arm of the California Lawyers Association.  

“We applaud the amazing work of the California Legal Pathways Collaborative that supports a diversity pipeline for the State Bar of California which is designed to expand access to justice and legal education in California,” said Betty J. Williams, President of California Lawyers Association (CLA). “We encourage students and legal professionals to join us in engaging with and learning more about some of the hard working law academy students who represent the future legal professionals in the state.”  

Regional Mock Trial Event on April 26

CLPC is proud to present the Sacramento Law Academies Regional Mock Trial Event on Friday, April 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Robert T. Matsui Federal Courthouse in downtown Sacramento. The Regional Mock Trial Event is open to the public and will include participation by the Law Academies of Burbank, Florin and McClatchy high schools that will argue the case regarding U.S. v. Stephens, which is about a woman who killed her husband after suffering years of abuse. The trial schedule (all happening simultaneously) is as follows: 

• Trial #1 – Judge Barnes in Courtroom 27 with McClatchy Prosecution v. Florin Defense; 
• Trial #2 – Judge Kim in Courtroom 25 with Florin Prosecution v. Burbank Defense;  
• Trial #3 – Judge Claire in Courtroom 26 with Burbank Prosecution v. McClatchy Defense.  

Virtual Law Day Celebration on May 1

Timed to coincide with the American Bar Association’s annual Law Day on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, CLPC is excited to present a Virtual Law Day Celebration from 1 to 2 p.m. via Zoom. The virtual event is designed to introduce various California Law Academies, share highlights about their respective programs and accomplishments, and provide a platform to connect dedicated law students with one another. Dovetailing off a “Voices of Democracy” theme for 2024, the aspiring law students will share their thoughts about democracy and the rule of law. The event will also include a number of special guest speakers that include the following: 

• Moderator Chalak Richards Guinses, CLPC Board Member and Dean of Students, Belonging and Career Development for Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law; 
• Jeremy M. Evans, President of the California Lawyers Foundation, Immediate Past President of CLA; 
• Judge Fumiko Wasserman, CLPC Board Member and judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County; 
• Carlos Garcia, CLPC Board Member and Law Academy Coordinator for Florin High School. 

In addition to the law academy students, friends and families, the Virtual Law Day Celebration is also open to the public. Community members interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance via this link. “The California Lawyers Foundation is proud to support civic engagement, access to justice, and an all-embracing community,” said CLF President Jeremy M. Evans. “The CLPC is further proof of the great opportunities CLF and its volunteers are creating for others.”

By participating in the Regional Mock Trial Event and the Virtual Law Day Celebration coordinated by the CLPC, law academy students have the opportunity to gain invaluable real-life experience in an actual court environment and also to network with other students and professionals in the industry. In turn, interested community members have the opportunity to get a glimpse into law proceedings while supporting future leaders in the field.

More information about the California Lawyers Foundation is available at www.calawyersfoundation.org and more information about CLPC is available here. 

About California Lawyers Association

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Sacramento, California Lawyers Association is the statewide voluntary bar association for all California attorneys. CLA’s mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit us at www.calawyers.org to learn more about CLA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or X.

About California Lawyers Foundation

Formed in 2019, the California Lawyers Foundation is the charitable arm and partner of the California Lawyers Association, California’s voluntary statewide bar association. While new to the scene, the CLF is a statewide foundation actively developing and supporting projects that improve access to justice for people in need and make the legal system more fair and efficient for everyone; increase diversity in the profession and help educate Californians about the 3rd branch, the role of lawyers and the rule of law. CLF is a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 501(c)(3). For more information about CLF, please visit calawyersfoundation.org.

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Media Contact:

Traci Rockefeller Cusack at 916-213-4373 or traci@trockcommunications.com