Advocacy Letter

View the PDF version. January 16, 2024 The Honorable Anthony J. Portantino Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee 1021 O Street, Suite 7630Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: SB 662 (Rubio), as amended April 27, 2023 - Support Dear Senator Portantino: The California Lawyers Association (CLA) strongly supports SB 662. SB 662 addresses a growing crisis in our court system caused by the critical shortage of court reporters, depriving many litigants of a verbatim record of court proceedings. The California Supreme Court has recognized… Read more

View the PDF version. October 25, 2023 Board of TrusteesThe State Bar of California180 Howard StreetSan Francisco, CA 94105 Re:      Proposal for a Portfolio Bar Examination Dear Trustees of the State Bar of California: California Lawyers Association (CLA) submits these comments in response to the recommendation to adopt a Portfolio Bar Examination (PBE) as an alternative pathway to licensure to practice law in California. 1. Background  CLA has evaluated several different proposals from the State Bar to adopt an alternative… Read more

The California Lawyers Association (CLA) respectfully opposes SB 42, as introduced. We greatly appreciate discussions that have taken place about our concerns with this bill, and look forward to ongoing discussions to address those concerns. Read more

The California Lawyers Association (CLA) submits these comments in response to the request for input on alternatives for a proposed new Rule of Professional Conduct, rule 8.3. In our comments below, we address (1) issues that are common to both Alternative 1 and Alternative 2; (2) issues that are unique to each Alternative; and (3) overarching concerns, as addressed in CLA’s February 17, 2023 letter on the initial proposal for new rule 8.3, which remain unresolved by the revised proposal.  Read more

I am writing on behalf of the California Lawyers Association (CLA) in support of the request of the California Access to Justice Commission (CalATJ) pertaining to Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs) in the State Budget Act. LRAPs are a critical part of addressing the recruitment and retention crisis in legal aid and thereby strengthening the civil legal safety net in our state.  Read more

The California Lawyers Association (CLA) supports SB 662, which authorizes a court to order that, in any civil case, the action or proceeding be electronically recorded if an official reporter or an official reporter pro tempore is unavailable, as specified.  Read more

On October 11, 2022, we submitted comments on behalf of the California Lawyers Association (CLA) expressing our concerns with the proposal that was under consideration by the Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) to establish a “non-exam pathway” for licensure to practice law in California as an alternative to the California Bar Exam. CLA urged the BRC not to recommend a non-exam pathway. At the same time, we encouraged the BRC’s continued exploration of other issues under consideration, including potential revisions to the California Bar Exam.  Read more

The California Lawyers Association (CLA) is pleased to support Senate Bill 21, which extends until January 1, 2026, the existing authorization for a party to appear remotely and a court to conduct conferences, hearings, proceedings, and trials in civil cases, in whole or in part, through the use of remote technology. Read more

This is CLA's Comment on the Proposed Amendments to Rules Governing Minimum Continuing Legal Education  Read more

This is CLA's comment on the Proposed Amendments Requiring Attorneys to Complete Annual Civility Pledge  Read more