CLA eNews

An American jazz pianist, Pete Johnson, once stated that “strategy is a style of thinking, a conscious and deliberate process, an intensive implementation system, the science of insuring future success.” Simply put, a strategic plan is the roadmap to achieving organizational success. Without strategic vision, an association can continue to wonder about and miss the mark of producing high-quality services to its members and key stakeholders. Read more

The latest study by well-being expert Patrick Krill (done in conjunction with CLA and the D.C. Bar) found that about half of practicing attorneys are experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Lawyers are also one of the top professions for highest suicide rates. Spreading awareness that mental health issues are not only present in this profession but, in fact, common, is of utmost importance. Well-Being Week Read more

When Elizabeth Blair and I brainstormed an event primarily focused on wellness, we wanted to try something new. Rather than having attendees sit in a room all day without much opportunity to network or get up and move, we wanted to appeal to a broader, younger audience. Our goal was to shift the dynamic of what a legal conference could be. Read more

It is hard to believe that half a year has passed since we took the oath as President and Chair of the Board of Representatives for CLA. At this juncture, and with the strategic plan process moving forward, we wanted to update you on our progress. Read more

An African proverb says, “Until the lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter.” To that end, women have always been part of history, but their contributions to social, political, and economic constructs, especially in our nation, have often been overlooked and rest in the shadows of their male counterparts. As an attempt to right the wrongs of the storytellers, the essence of Women’s History Month highlights achievements and continues a much-needed discourse regarding gender equity and equality in every field of human endeavor. Read more

As fall unfolded into winter in 2020, the light dimmed, the pandemic flared, and I signed up to learn how to tell stories—the kind when people get up on stage, stand in front of a microphone, and spin an old fashioned yarn. The best ones appear on The Moth; the beginners, like me, start at Capital Storytelling in Sacramento. Read more

A law academy for low-income high school students in Oakland is one of several projects recently funded by grants from the California Lawyers Foundation, the California Lawyers Association’s charitable arm and partner. Read more

One amazing thing about having a law degree is the variety of careers we can pursue. We are not limited to practicing litigation, or even working at a law firm. We can choose to work in almost any sector of society, including courts, academia, nonprofits, and global corporations. Read more

According to Thomson Reuters’ 2022 Report on the State of the Legal Market, one of the most significant tasks law firms are facing in the current year is recruiting and retaining legal talent, once again putting lateral hiring, and the related conflicts of interest involved, in the spotlight. Read more

By Oyango A. Snell As I reflect on the 2022 CLA Leadership Conference, a few themes emerge to the forefront of my mind that made the event a huge success. First, as an association, we collectively rose to the occasion to meet the challenge of safely reconnecting in person while also providing virtual access to participate in the scheduled events. While the decision to move forward with a hybrid event was not easy, it showed that we have a dedicated,… Read more