Public Law

The Public Law Section is now accepting applications for section members who would like to join the Public Law Section’s Executive Committee. Help promote the practice of public law through the section’s work on publications, continuing education and other projects! Read more

The Public Law Section is now soliciting nominations for the 2019 Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year Award. Every year, the Public Law Section presents this award to recognize a public law practitioner who has provided outstanding service to the public and possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community and the highest ethical standards. Read more

The Summer/Fall 2019 issue of the Public Law Journal has been mailed to section members and will be available on the California Lawyers Association website soon. This edition features articles on Inverse Condemnation and Public Water Systems, Bruce Reed Goodmiller - Public Lawyer of the Year for 2018, and litigation and case law updates. The issue also includes a CLE self-study article on the First Amendment. Read more

The Executive Committee of the Public Law Section regularly hosts webinars on topics, events, and developments in the law pertinent to those who work for, and advise, public entities in California. If you are interested in hosting a webinar discussion, please contact Nikki Smith (nikki.smith@calawyers.org) with the subject “Webinar.” Read more

The CLA is offering a complimentary on-demand CLE program for the month of April. It is the 2015 Public Records Conference program entitled Ethical Issues Related to Open Government Law. Click here to view the program. Read more

The Public Law Journal is currently accepting article submissions. The article deadline for the Spring 2019 edition is March 31, 2019. Read more

PLS is seeking submissions from law students for the PLS Student Writing Competition. PLS will present the winner with an award at the Public Lawyer of the Year Reception in October. Law students can submit a 2000-3000 word article about any public law topic. The winner will receive $2000 and have their article published in the PLS Journal. Read more

This program offers 1 MCLE credit. You must register in advance to participate. Overview of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and explanation of the safe harbor provisions under AB 350 (2016) and AB 2123 (2018), as well as practical guidance on counseling clients, hiring a demographer, and drawing district maps. Speaker: Naree Chan Read more

The Public Law Section’s Executive Committee is hosting a complimentary lunch discussion in Berkeley for any students or new lawyers to explore careers in public service. The panel, sponsored by Sidley Austin LLP, will be moderated by Dean Erwin Chemerinsky. The panelists will discuss their careers dedicated to public service and the qualities they look for when hiring. Read more

Community choice aggregation, or CCA, is the process by which cities, counties, and joint powers agencies can provide retail electricity to their residents and businesses in lieu of an investor owned utility. CCA is spreading rapidly throughout California as communities are forming individual and regional CCAs that offer rate savings, climate programs and local control to their communities. Read more