California Lawyers Association

CLAS MISSION IS TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND FAIRNESS IN ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND THE RULE OF LAW.

CLA OFFERS SOPHISTICATED, HIGH-QUALITY CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION TO CALIFORNIA ATTORNEYSBOTH IN-PERSON AND ONLINE. CLA ALSO PUBLISHES A NUMBER OF TOP-NOTCH PERIODICALS RANGING FROM JOURNALS FEATURING LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP TO CASE ANALYSES TO PRACTICAL TIPS FOR SOLO AND SMALL-FIRM PRACTITIONERS. IN ADDITION, CLA OFFERS ITS MEMBERS ONLINE DISCUSSION COMMUNITIES AND A CAREER CENTER.CLA ENGAGES IN THOUGHTFUL AND CAREFUL ADVOCACY ON ISSUES AFFECTING THE PRACTICE OF LAW AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN CALIFORNIA. MANY OF ITS SUBSTANTIVE LAW SECTIONS SERVE AS SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERT RESOURCES TO THE LEGISLATURE, THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL AND OTHERS ON A VARIETY MATTERS. CLA HAS LAUNCHED KEY INITIATIVES IN THE AREAS OF: DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION; ACCESS TO JUSTICE; AND CIVIC EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT. TO ADVANCE THESE EFFORTS, THE ASSOCIATION MEETS WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS, ANALYZES EXISTING PROGRAM AND POLICY PRIORITIES AND IS DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO FILLING GAPS, SUPPORTING EXISTING SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS WITH VOLUNTEER STAFFING AND SUPPORTING A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN THE LABORATORY OF ITS SECTIONS. THIS INCLUDES CONVENING HIGH-LEVEL THOUGHT LEADERS AND DIRECTING MEMBERS TO HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES TO DIRECTLY IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITIES OR AREAS OF PRACTICE. RECENTLY THE ASSOCIATION ALSO FORMED A HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE AND ANTICIPATES PROGRAMMATIC GROWTH IN THIS AREA IN THE COMING YEARS.CLA OFFERS CALIFORNIAS LEGAL COMMUNITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE CONNECTIONS, LEARN AND CELEBRATE ONE ANOTHER BY HOSTING TWO FLAGSHIP EVENTS--AN ANNUAL MEETING IN THE FALL AND A SOLO AND SMALL FIRM SUMMIT IN THE SPRING. THE ASSOCIATION ALSO HELPS CONNECT THE PROFESSION THROUGH ITS OFFICE OF BAR RELATIONS, WHICH HOSTS REGULAR MEETINGS AND CALLS FOR VOLUNTEER AND PROFESSIONAL BAR LEADERS.