CLA eNews

The State Bar of California invites California attorneys to apply to become an apprentice grader for the California Bar Exam. Read more

The American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates has adopted a resolution sponsored by the California Lawyers Association urging governments to pass anti-lynching legislation to “make it clear that such measures have no place in a system dedicated to the fair administration of justice and the rule of law.” Read more

There are certain instances where a lawyer is required to enter into a written fee contract, or engagement agreement, with a client. They include where the client is an individual and the fees and costs are expected to exceed $1,000 (Cal Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148(a)) and where the lawyer takes on the matter under a contingency fee arrangement (id. at § 6147). Read more

Are you curious about the link between plant-based diets and health? Are you looking for ways to incorporate more plant-based foods into your daily meal plans? Our Health and Wellness Committee (HWC) is delighted to share some of its recent research with you. Read more

Volunteers are needed to join California’s Free Legal Answers platform*, a virtual legal advice clinic that answers questions from low income Californians on a variety of employment, housing and family issues caused by COVID-19 and now the recent Northern Californian wildfires. Read more

After the death of George Floyd this spring, we made a commitment on behalf of our members, the profession, and the public to collectively work toward addressing structural racism and discrimination in the 21st century and to ensure justice for all. Read more

History books say the 19th Amendment “gave” women the right to vote. As has been the case with all dramatic expansions of democracy in the United States, it is far more accurate to say that women engaged in a protracted battle and ultimately took the right to vote. Read more

There is no shortage of voices out there offering tips to attorneys who are looking to go out and start their own firm. Unfortunately, with so many lengthy articles, e-books, webinars, and other resources circulating, it can be hard for attorneys to narrow down this information into practical, actionable items they can take to help make their new venture a success. Read more

This year’s graduating law school class faces tremendous uncertainty amidst the unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic. To support recent law school graduates as they enter the workforce, the California Supreme Court recently handed down new bar exam guidelines and rules, supported by input from California Lawyers Association (CLA). Read more

It is now common knowledge that law students and licensed attorneys suffer from mental health and substance use problems at greater rates than the general population.,, This recognition has prompted the State Bar of California to require all attorneys admitted after February 1, 2018, to undergo 1.5 hours of education on substance use and mental health disorders within their first year of licensure in addition to the long-standing requirement to obtain an additional hour of education on Competency Issues during each subsequent renewal cycle. Read more