CLA President

It is remarkable how much life can change based on one introduction, one invitation, one job offer, one course selection, and one opportunity to which a person says, “Yes!” Read more

The average person’s IQ is somewhere between 90 and 109; the mean result for most IQ tests is 100. The average lawyer’s IQ is 112, at least 20 points below Mensa membership. Read more

I don’t think you would argue with me when I say that, “business as usual,” doesn’t apply to CLA. We are thinkers and innovators in the legal profession, and I doubt that two days ever look the same for any of us. Read more

What happens when you get more than 150 lawyer leaders together for a day of planning, networking and learning?  You make new friends, gain insight, and construct new plans to better serve CLA members, the legal community, and beyond.  Read more

We are all familiar with quips such as, “Most people don’t plan to fail; they fail to plan,” and “Bodies in motion stay in motion; bodies at rest, stay at rest.” Notions that those who have written plans, a strong worth ethic, and a positive attitude, will more readily achieve their goals, is also nothing new. Read more

Quality leadership comes in all shapes and sizes based not only on the leader but also on the team being led and the mission of the group. It is relatively easy and stress-free to motivate and collaborate with a small group that has a shared vision. Add in 50,000 lawyers and you can expect every type of challenge and reward to surface! Read more

By Betty Williams, President of CLA One of the most remarkable things an attorney may do at some point in their career is to own their own firm. Lawyers do so for a variety of reasons. Some want to be their own boss, others see a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, some want to get away from the large-firm culture, and others may have no option depending on the hiring climate. I was surprised to learn… Read more

Twenty-two times. That’s how much more frequently attorneys with high stress contemplate suicide as compared to those with low stress. Twenty-two times! As a profession, attorneys contemplate suicide two- to three- times as often as the general adult population.  Read more

When I was 15 years old, I started working at a McDonald’s restaurant for $3.35 per hour. After several months, I received my first raise of five cents per hour, for which I felt quite proud. That is until I told a friend’s father about my raise, who wasted no time pointing out that this raise would only amount to about $2 per month. My friend’s dad was very successful in business, and of course he was right. Although he extinguished my joy, he helped me quickly realize the financial value of my time. Read more

Whether you are attending an event or serving as a presenter at a function, the activities held or hosted by the California Lawyers Association are designed with you in mind. You may be present to learn, but there is always an opportunity for you to support your colleagues, whether you realize it or not. Read more