About CLA
CLA Committees
Thank you for your interest in joining a CLA Committee. We’re so excited to work with you. If you have any questions about our process, please contact [email protected].
Your application is confidential. You will be notified of your committee appointment via email to your email address on the application. Terms for most committees commence at the beginning of the calendar year.
Instructions: Complete all required and applicable fields of this online form in one sitting. On the final page, you will have an opportunity to upload your resume or CV (of up to 5 pages) and up to three letters of recommendation (all of which are optional) — permitted file types include PDF, DOC, and DOCX. Your application will be submitted once you click “Done” on the final page. If you have any challenges utilizing this online form, please contact us at [email protected].
The deadline for applying is October 31
Interested in the Section Executive Committee? Learn more about the appointment process.
Below is a description of the various CLA-wide committees.
| Committee | Description |
|---|---|
| ABA House of Delegates (ABA HOD) | The CLA Delegation to the ABA House of Delegates Committee (ABA HOD) (i.e., the policy making body of the profession) is comprised of six Delegates, one Young Lawyer Delegate, and some Alternate Delegates. The Delegation represents CLA by participating fully among the ABA House of Delegates (“House”) introducing original resolutions, sponsoring the resolutions of other ABA components and Delegations, and voting at the House at both the Annual and Midyear Meetings of the House. The CLA Delegation regularly collaborates with and supports the other California Delegations to the House. |
| Amicus (AmC) Committee | The Amicus Committee (AmC) reviews applications to file or participate in an amicus brief; provisionally approves or denies the application; if approved, works closely with the drafters to prepare the brief; provides a copy of the brief to the Board of Representatives together with a summary of the brief and a brief explanation of the determinations made by the Amicus Committee. |
| Audit (AuC) | Note: Per CLA’s bylaws, only open to Board Representatives. The Audit Committee (AuC) of the Board hires CLA’s auditors, receives and reviews the annual financial audit and the form 990 and works with the CLA team as appropriate to improve internal controls and mitigate risk. |
| Awards (AC) | The Awards Committee (AC) supports CLA’s Annual Awards celebrations. Committee members are responsible for establishing which Awards will be given and selecting who will receive the awards. |
| Budget & Finance (BFC) | The Budget and Finance Committee (BFC) works with the CFO and CLA staff to assist the Sections and the CLA in monitoring budgets and investments and developing annual budgets. The committee makes budget policy recommendations to the Board of Representatives. |
| Civic Engagement & Outreach (CEO) | The Civic Engagement and Outreach Committee (CEO) raises awareness about the importance of civic knowledge and participation. The Committee connects lawyers and other legal professionals to various volunteer opportunities that promote civics education including programs that highlight the legal profession and the role of the courts. In addition, the Committee will assist in convening stakeholders to address policy considerations to advance civic education goals. The efforts of this committee are often supported by and/or pursued in collaboration with the California Lawyers Foundation due to aligned goals and priorities. |
| Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach (DIOr) | The Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach Committee (DIOr) aims to promote and support the California Lawyers Association’s (CLA) deep commitment to diversifying the legal profession and bench to mirror the unique and broad diversity in our state and make sure that access can be achieved by all. The Committee provides policy recommendations and develops and conducts outreach initiatives to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the legal profession, including its membership, leadership, education, and programming. |
| Ethics Committee (EC) | The Ethics Committee (EC) provides feedback and comment on proposed opinions, rules, and legislation impacting attorney ethics and professionalism; writes advisory opinions on ethical issues where guidance is needed; develops educational content on ethics issues impacting the entire profession; acts as a resource to Sections and the CYLA who provides practice area-specific ethics content; and works closely with both internal and external ethics groups, including COPRAC and county bar associations. |
| Governance (GC) | The Governance Committee (GC) makes recommendations to the Board of Representatives about governance issues facing CLA as such issues arise. |
| Governmental Affairs (GAC) | The Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) advises the Board of Representatives on legislative issues and other governmental affairs matters; considers requests for CLA to take positions on or propose legislation; and resolves disputes, if any arise, between CLA’s Director of Governmental Affairs and a CLA Section or between Sections over whether a Section may take a requested position on legislation. |
| Health and Wellness (HWC) | The Health and Wellness Committee (HWC) recommends programing and develops or procures resources to promote health and well-being of the legal community. The committee aspires to reduce stigma associated with seeking help and information in addition to share best practices and liaise with other organizations committed to the well-being of law students, lawyers, judges and other legal professionals. |
| Member Engagement (MEC) | The Member Engagement Committee ( MEC) is the sounding board to offer suggestions to improve service to and communications with CLA’s members. Cannabis Practitioners Group (CPG) The Cannabis Practitioners Group Committee (CPG) is a CLA-wide group of voluntary attorneys who currently – or would like to – practice law in service of the cannabis industry and movement in California. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) The Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee ((ESG) aims to be a reliable platform for California legal practitioners seeking legal education and resources regarding the dynamic area of environmental, social, and governance matters. |
| Programs (ProC) | The Programs Committee (ProC) helps with content and speakers for the Annual Meeting (AM), the Solo & Small Firm Summit (SSFS), and other CLA-wide educational programs, such as webinars or summits. This committee suggests keynote speakers and, in the event that more program suggestions are received for an event than slots are available, helps select panels that are timely and likely to attract more participants and otherwise focus on the content and substance of CLA-wide educational offerings and flagship events. |
| Public Comment (PucC) | The Public Comment Committee (PuCC) ensures that CLA speaks with one voice on issues central to CLA’s mission, the representation of its members, and the legal profession. It also enables CLA to leverage public or media attention to educate the public about the Association’s core values. |
| Racial Justice Committee (RJC) | The Racial Justice Committee (RJC) identifies opportunities to address injustice with a particular focus on diverse and historically marginalized communities through resources, policy, and member engagement. The committee recommends and develops programming and intentionally collaborates with affinity bar associations across the state. |
| Website and Technology (WTC) | The Website and Technology Committee (WTC) serves as an advisory and strategic voice for the whole organization and leverages member-leader perspectives and experience with high-level, transformative thinking and a no constraints mindset. |