CLA eNews

Advocacy was one of the main benefits we and others envisioned when we left the State Bar to chart our own course as the voluntary bar association for all California attorneys in 2018. Advocacy for our members, the legal profession, and the public. Read more

Having a diverse judiciary comprised of individuals whose experiences give them a window into the lives of the human beings impacted by their rulings is important for many reasons. Read more

The year 2020 brought manifest challenges to our membership, our profession, and the nation. Those challenges continue in 2021. Read more

CLA members who completed the association’s first-ever #CLAWellnessChallenge said the experience helped them adopt new mindfulness techniques, integrate healthy habits and generally cope with COVID-19 restrictions. Read more

What are the ethical obligations of an attorney in responding to negative comments posted on social media (Twitter, Yelp, or other channels) by an existing client or former client, particularly if the comments are inaccurate and even if accurate, only portray part of the representation? Read more

Of all the California Lawyers Association pressing priorities, stakeholders agree one in particular has assumed heightened importance amid our country’s tumultuous politics: the civics engagement and outreach initiative. Increasing the civic awareness, knowledge and engagement of Californians is one of CLA’s top goals, and our Civics Engagement and Outreach Committee is constantly thinking of new ways to connect with everyone from elementary school children and other students to community activists, teachers and classroom volunteers. It’s always been a crucial mission, but the fierce political divisiveness and devolving discourse that culminated in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol underscore the urgency even more. Read more

Much ink has been spilled on the attack of the U.S. Capitol by a violent mob on January 6. Some of that commentary underscores the stark contrast between the way the crowd was treated in contrast to the way in which those engaging in Black Lives Matter protests during the summer of 2020 were treated. If we expand our aperture, however, and consider the events of January 6 in the context of U.S. history then we see another pattern—a pattern demonstrating the futility of attempting to separate “Black History” in the United States from U.S. History. Read more

As we celebrate Black History Month, we take this opportunity to highlight the incredible work of CLA’s Racial Justice Committee and update you on the association’s efforts to advance racial equity and diversity within the organization, throughout the justice system, and beyond. Read more

Wanna get away? Given the state of the world around us, I will assume the answer is yes, so let’s hop in the mental time machine for a moment and chart a course for exactly one year ago, to January 2020. If you are like me—or most people—that might as well be a journey back to the Carolingian Empire given how distant, remote, and fully unfamiliar it seems. “Wait, was that even a thing?” you might be asking. Indeed, it was, and it was just 12 short months ago that many of us were looking ahead to 2020 with growing optimism, enthusiasm, and energy. Read more

CLA members are sharing how they became successful lawyers, despite the obstacles they faced, to inspire young people from a variety of backgrounds to consider legal careers. Read more