CLA

Whether you binged all six seasons of Better Call Saul, enjoy settling in on the couch for a weekly dose of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, or can’t get enough of true crime documentaries produced by Netflix, these programs all have something in common. They each share a “take” on the life and work of attorneys. Read more

Attorneys from northern California learned and laughed together at California Lawyers Association’s (CLA) In-House Counsel Conference held on Friday, March 21 at CLA’s headquarters in Sacramento. The educational event was designed to enhance the effectiveness, ethical awareness, and strategic impact of in-house counsel in the evolving business and regulatory landscape. Read more

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

Join CLA members and author and leadership expert Michael Melcher in discussing his book, “Your Invisible Network: How to Create, Maintain, and Leverage the Relationships That Will Transform Your Career.” The book presents a practical plan with manageable practice exercises to foster meaningful connections and the various types of relationships critical for career success. 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

The program will cover the basics of the recent Rule 8.3, including when and what a lawyer is obligated to report and how that obligation may be impacted by the lawyer’s duty of confidentiality. Read more