Ethics Committee

Upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism, one decision at a time.

Guiding the legal profession towards ethical excellence

The Ethics Committee is dedicated to upholding the standards of ethics and professionalism in the legal profession. As a valuable resource to the entire community, the committee provides feedback and comments on proposed opinions, rules and legislation that impact attorney ethics and professionalism. The committee also writes advisory opinions on ethical issues where guidance is needed and develops educational content to educate the entire profession on ethics issues.

The Ethics Committee works closely with both internal and external ethics groups, including COPRAC and county bar associations, to ensure the highest standards of ethical behavior are upheld within the legal community. By acting as a resource to sections that provide practice area-specific ethics content, the Ethics Committee is committed to promoting ethical conduct and professional responsibility in all aspects of the legal profession.

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Upcoming Events

Today

California Lawyers Association

Webinar: Living Out Loud Through Social Media—Ethical Challenges for Attorneys

Attorney marketing through social media is expected as attorneys work to build relationships and value.  Commenting on “hot topics” in the law through Linked in, X, Facebook can help enhance an Attorney’s brand and reputation.  But there are ethical issues related to client confidentiality, candor to the court, contact with the court and jurors, trial publicity, communication about attorney’s services, advertising and soliciting potential clients that need to be considered.  

We are committed to accessibility! Virtual events are equipped with closed captioning. To request an in-person accommodation, send us a note at accessibility@calawyers.org or contact us at 916-516-1760 for assistance.

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Past Events (90 Days)

Today

California Lawyers Association

Webinar: Stuart Travels to England (and Paris)! What Liverpool, the Beatles, and Paris Teach About Attorney Ethics

Stuart Teicher has always loved the Beatles, so it was just a matter of time until he made a pilgrimage to England. In this travel-journal style program, Stuart visits historical sites in Liverpool, London, and Paris, and talks about the Beatles and attorney ethics. Oh, and you don’t have to know anything about the Beatles (or Paris) to enjoy and learn from this program.

California Lawyers Association

Webinar: Airplane Etiquette and Attorney Ethics

There are ways to behave on an airplane, and there are ways not to behave on an airplane. It’s the same thing in the practice of law. Join the CLE Performer, Stuart Teicher, as he makes comparisons between air travel and lawyering. 

We are committed to accessibility! Virtual events are equipped with closed captioning. To request an in-person accommodation, send us a note at accessibility@calawyers.org or contact us at 916-516-1760 for assistance.

View all CLA events

Read Our Recent Ethics Spotlights

See all Ethics Spotlights

Check Out Our Formal Opinions

See all Formal Opinions

Publications

See all Ethics Publications

Resources

California Rules of Professional Conduct & State Bar Act
Advisory Opinions From Other Organizations

2024-25 Committee Members

We are grateful for the tireless work and dedication of our committee members in the Ethics Committee. Their contributions in providing feedback and comments on proposed opinions, rules and legislation, writing advisory opinions on ethical issues, developing educational content, and working closely with internal and external ethics groups, have helped to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in the legal profession. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to promoting ethical conduct and professional responsibility.

Suzanne Burke Spencer, Chair
Scott Garner, Vice-Chair
Rachelle Cohen, Vice-Chair
David Samani, Secretary
Merri Baldwin
Carole Buckner
Mallory Chase
Andrew Dilworth

Alison Buchanan
Karen Goodman
David Majchrzak
Dianne Jackson McLean
Kevin Mohr
Toby Rothschild
Neil Wertlieb
Noah Rosenthal

For information on applying to join the Ethics Committee next year or to suggest topics for advisory opinions, contact us at ethics@calawyers.org

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