CLA eNews

It was only five minutes into a virtual meet-and-greet with my new colleague when we realized our mutual passions—associations, members, and exercise. Our paths to the California Lawyers Association were almost identical, except where Erika went to law school and I graduate school. Despite our degrees, we quickly remembered that we had met nearly 20 years prior in the halls of the State Capitol and now, again, as colleagues. Of course, I asked her a million questions, only fitting for someone whose professional career as a communications executive!  Read more

California Lawyers Association (CLA) and the D.C. Bar shared findings today from a groundbreaking research project offering insight into personal and workplace risk factors for mental health problems among practicing attorneys. In 2020, the two organizations announced their participation in the project, which has now yielded the third in a series of published papers. Titled “Stressed, Lonely, and Overcommitted: Predictors of Lawyer Suicide Risk,” the findings were published February 11, 2023 in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Healthcare. The research project was led by attorney mental health and well-being expert Patrick Krill, of Krill Strategies, and Justin J. Anker from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota. Read more

“Be careful what you wish for, or you just may get it!” Those were the words from my mother when I told her that I wanted to be Chair of the Board of Representatives for California Lawyers Association (CLA). She was worried that as a small firm attorney, I would not have the support that an attorney from a larger firm might have taking on this role. What my mom did not know is that I had all the support in the world, because CLA is an organization that prides itself on supporting its volunteers in whatever capacity they choose to follow. What drives a person to take on a role like chair that is so time-consuming and is a purely voluntary position? I can tell you without reservation it’s because it is extremely fulfilling. Read more

Known as John Box around CLA Headquarters, John doesn't see anything in boxes.  An adventurer, family man, and former United States Marine, John Box is always the person you want on your team. No, really, he won an award for outstanding service in the Marine Corps and saved a pilot from harm when serving as the Incident Commander! If there were ever a movie about John Box, Tom Cruise would play the role of John for his bravery, skills, and abilities to do what is impossible for most.    Read more

Thinking back on the heroes that had an impact on childhood experiences, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and civil rights champion Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” This rings as true today as it did when the words were spoken. It is one of the truer statements ever to be made.  Read more

This Ethics Spotlight highlights changes in the California Rules of Professional Conduct during 2022, as well as ethics advisory opinions that were issued during 2022 by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility (“ABA”), the Orange County Bar Association’s Professionalism and Ethics Committee (“OCBA”), and the California Supreme Court’s Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions. Read more

California Lawyers Association has established a first-ever Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion appointments policy to ensure that leadership at every level of our organization reflects the racial and gender diversity of our state. This board-driven and unanimously board-approved policy is a substantive and quantifiable commitment to DEI.  Read more

What does advocacy mean to you, CLA? Historic Supreme Court cases, power positioning, proposed laws, heated debates surrounding public policy—no matter what direction we look, the law is central to every decision and discussion governing our everyday, and the power of our advocacy begins and stops with our members. Read more

First and foremost, hoping your holiday season has been fantastic and wishing you a Happy New Year.  It has been a year to remember and there are many things to reflect on as an organization and serving as President.  Being President has been one of great honors of my life and career to this point.  Read more

Dozens of new laws recently took effect that are of interest to California lawyers. Ensure you’re up to speed on the changes, some of which are highlighted below. These laws went into effect on January 1, 2023, unless otherwise stated.   Read more