CLA eNews

Everyone has heard the saying “fake it until you make it” in the legal profession.  This means being confident and acting like you know what you are doing even if you don’t.  Certainly, every lawyer confronts a seemingly endless number of “first times” (facing a judge, facing a jury, taking a deposition) so acting like “you have been there before,” is a good idea.  But there are limits to the “fake it until you make it” when it comes to how a lawyer promotes themself in public. Read more

As the terms AI or Artificial Intelligence (AI) and more notably Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) are being used frequently in today’s world, I question its meaning in the context of the practice of law, which typically involves human beings analyzing case law, statutes and procedures; and applying such knowledge to the facts in client’s matter to provide competent representation to the client.  There is much that is being written about AI and the ethical standards that should apply[1].   However, at present, there are  no settled standards, including in the practice of law, for its use.  Lawyers continue to be bound by the California Rules of Professional Conduct (“CRPC” or “Rules”), statutes Read more

Billing is the lifeblood of law practice, but many of us have no idea what we are doing when it comes to invoicing and collecting payments. Similarly, we know we have to adhere to regulations regarding trust accounts, but how do we as attorneys actually accomplish three-way reconciliation? Law school did not prepare us to strike out on our own, and many attorneys find themselves hampered by tedious administrative tasks when we should be more focused on working our cases. Read more

If your work involves labor, employment, public entities or public employees in California,   California Lawyers Association’s (CLA) Labor and Employment Law Section Public Sector Conference is a must-attend event. Read more

As the legal economy grows more complicated and lawyers and clients look for new ways to finance legal work, lawyers in many fields have fashioned new forms of fee arrangements as an important part of their client relationships.  Whenever a lawyer enters into a fee agreement with a client, but especially when adopting a non-traditional approach, lawyers must consider whether their agreement complies with the State Bar Act and Rules of Professional Conduct.  One consideration for lawyers proposing alternative fee agreements for transactional work is whether their arrangements with their clients constitute contingency fee agreements – something traditionally thought of only in connection with litigation.  Read more

It’s in the news. It’s addressed in the law. And it’s vital to the legal profession. The “it” are technology advancements, particularly those involving Artificial Intelligence (AI). As legal professionals, how do you navigate these increasingly complicated developments— from forensics and document review to broader practice innovations—to make the best decisions for your practice needs? Read more

It is often said that women are the backbone of society.  Without women, there would be no society at all.  I was raised by a beautiful strong Black woman who instilled in me the values that have guided me throughout my life.  I have also been mentored by numerous wise women of all different Read more

More than 250 students and their teachers converged on California’s State Capitol for California Legal Pathways Collaborative’s (CLPC) Legislative Day held on February 27, 2025. Sponsored jointly by California Lawyers Foundation (CLF) and CLPC, this annual event offers high school students a special opportunity to engage with political leaders, judges, attorneys, and others in the legal profession. The goal of the day-long gathering is to inspire a diverse legal future. Read more

This article highlights the ethics advisory opinions that were issued during 2024 by the California Lawyers Association’s Ethics Committee (“CLAEC”), the California State Bar’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (“COPRAC”), the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility (“ABA”), and the California Supreme Court’s Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (“CJEO”), as well as recent changes in the State Bar Act, and other regulatory law affecting the conduct of attorneys licensed in the State of California. Read more

More than 39 million residents call California their home. It has the largest population in the nation, and the fifth largest economy in the world. In fact, the 22 smallest states in the US combined have a population about the size of California. Read more