CLA eNews

On November 23, 2023, the State Bar of California approved guidelines for generative AI use developed by the State Bar’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct. The “Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law” (“Guidance”) is based on lawyers’ current professional responsibility obligations, including as set forth in the California Rules of Professional Conduct and State Bar Act (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 6000-6043). The Guidance addresses issues arising from the use of generative AI and products in which generative AI is a part. These products range from those freely available to custom-built proprietary applications. The manner in which a lawyer’s professional obligations will apply to the use of generative AI depends on many factors, including the type of product being used, the client, matter, practice area and firm size.  Read more

California Lawyers Association’s Environmental, Social and Governance Interest Group released two new episodes of our ESG-in-Law video series. The episodes featured discussions with Professor Ramona Lampley and Christina Tusan covering litigation risks involving environmental and human rights issues.  Read more

Twelve years after our first high school law academies started, the California Lawyers Foundation (CLF) has offered us a new home and breathed new life into our commitment and passion for our students.  Read more

California Lawyers Association’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee hopes that everyone has a wonderful start to 2024 and is looking forward to making progress on a number of ESG initiatives.  Read more

It is the middle of December 2023 as I write this. California Lawyers Association and its nonprofit arm, the California Lawyers Foundation (CLF), are well into celebrating the holiday season. A season of giving time, talents, and resources to those less fortunate. However, it is always the holiday season for the CLF as its mission and duty of service consistently call for its benefactors, board, volunteers, and staff to serve its three tenets of civic engagement, access to justice, and improving the legal profession and community for fairness and equal opportunity. At CLF, we celebrate service and begin 2024 with the same call: give back.  Read more

Economic sanctions, especially those related to Russia and Iran, routinely make news headlines. However, the underlying legal changes that occur can significantly impact the operations of organizations engaging in cross-border commerce, risking exposure to relevant legal repercussions. It is therefore imperative for the legal counsel of organizations facing such sanctions risks to appreciate the legal landscape of U.S. economic sanctions, which is constantly changing based on U.S. foreign policy and national security interests, to ensure compliance with applicable legal authorities. This primer on U.S. sanctions is intended as a preview to the January 11 U.S. Economic Sanctions 101 Webinar: a comprehensive introduction for practicing attorneys on U.S. economic sanctions laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”).  Read more

January is a time for new beginnings. On behalf of the California Lawyers Association Board of Representatives, we are thrilled to welcome our new CEO, Chris Nguyen. Upon notice of the position’s vacancy, the Board quickly created an executive search committee comprised of leaders from CLA and California Lawyers Foundation, with CLA President Betty J. Williams at the helm. The executive search committee underwent numerous cycles of review and interviews before making its determination. We are particularly looking forward to Chris’s collaborative leadership, operational acumen, and creative revenue strategies.  Read more

January 1st always feels like a fresh start to me. To do better. To be better. When I was young, I began the new year by planning simple goals like writing more neatly or talking less (neither stuck). As I grew older, I made promises to myself to quit bad habits, stick to a fitness routine, and spend more time with loved ones. Read more

In the ever-evolving landscape of privacy law, the Privacy Law Section of California Lawyers Association is set to host its much-anticipated Annual Privacy Summit. The Summit brings together legal experts, industry leaders, and practitioners to delve into the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in the realm of privacy. The Section is excited to welcome attendees on February 8 and 9, 2024 in Los Angeles to a dynamic and insightful exploration of the cutting-edge issues shaping the future of privacy law. Read more

Hundreds of new laws recently went into effect, and many are of interest to California lawyers. Ensure you are up to speed on changes to the law, some of which are highlighted below. These laws went into effect on January 1, 2024, unless otherwise stated.  Read more