Bar committee members sought
One attorney was looking for an opportunity to improve the justice system and
make public policy changes that benefit both attorneys and the public. A solo
practitioner and a corporate lawyer both wanted to network, to meet with members
of the bench and the legislature. Some were interested in mentoring.
Many others simply wanted to expand their knowledge in their practice areas.
There are many reasons why attorneys volunteer to serve on a State Bar committee,
commission or board, but one reason that stands out is an opportunity to help
better the profession.
If you are looking for a chance to make a difference, the State Bar currently
is seeking applicants for some 200 positions on more than three dozen State
Bar committees, commissions and boards for the 2003-2004 committee year.
Would-be volunteers have a wide range of options, from committees dealing with
access and fairness issues, to executive committees focused on particular areas
of the law, to a commission that evaluates judicial nominees for the governor.
Some committees require special qualifications.
The application deadline is January 31. Those appointed to the 2003-2004 positions
by the State Bar Board of Governors will begin their terms Sept. 7, 2003. Most
appointments carry a three-year term.
The board seeks a diverse mix of attorneys and public members from various
backgrounds and fields of practice. Applicants must be willing to volunteer
their time, expertise, experience and perspective.
Limited means should not deter an attorney from applying for a position. While
volunteers are not paid for their services, they are reimbursed for approved
travel expenses.
Nor should attorneys hesitate about applying to the same committee more than
once. Often, there are simply too many qualified applicants for a limited number
of positions, and many committee members have not been selected the first time
they applied. Following are brief descriptions of the committees, commissions
and boards seeking volunteers for the 2003-2004 term:
The ACCESS AND FAIRNESS COMMITTEES focus on attorneys from
diverse backgrounds including ethnic minorities, women, attorneys with disabilities,
senior lawyers, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered attorneys. The
Committee on Ethnic Minority Relations, Committee on Legal Professionals with
Disabilities, Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination,
Committee on Women in the Law and Committee on Senior Lawyers all seek greater
involvement of underrepresented attorneys in the administration and governance
of the State Bar's programs and activities, as well as increased diversity in
the legal profession.
Depending on the committee, members may conduct MCLE presentations, write articles,
participate in membership surveys, network on a state and national level, develop
and implement strategic initiatives, plan seminars or develop public service
programs, in addition to attending regular committee meetings.
The COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE studies and reports
recommendations on proposed changes in civil procedure, court rules and administration,
rules of evidence and other matters having an impact on the administration of
justice in the civil courts. It also evaluates and, in some cases, prepares
amendments to proposed court rules and state legislation.
In addition, committee members prepare court rules and affirmative legislative
proposals. Applicants must be attorneys with at least three years of civil practice
experience.
The COMMITTEE ON ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION analyzes and
comments on proposals relating to alternative dispute resolution (ADR). This
committee also drafts proposals for the board of governors' consideration, conducts
educational programs and identifies issues concerning ADR and the practice of
law, the administration of justice and access to justice.
The COMMITTEE ON APPELLATE COURTS reviews proposed changes
to the rules of court affecting appellate courts. Committee members also have
the opportunity to review and comment on proposed legislation affecting appellate
court operation and appellate practice.
In some instances, the 16-member committee - which currently includes appellate
court research staff, appellate criminal defense attorneys, prosecutors, law
firms and solo practitioners - may initiate legislative and rules proposals
in these areas.
The COMMITTEE OF BAR EXAMINERS examines applicants who take
the first-year law students' examination and the bar examination. The 19-member
committee also recommends qualified applicants to the California Supreme Court
for admission to the bar.
In addition, it accredits California law schools, registers unaccredited and
correspondence law schools, and studies proposed changes related to the admission
to practice law in California. Applicants must be attorneys who are not currently
employed as a law school administrator or professor, or associated with a bar
review company.
The COMMITTEE ON DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES identifies, develops,
and supports improvements in the day-to-day delivery of legal services to poor
and middle-income individuals in California. The committee also serves as a
resource to the board of governors on legal services issues and relevant legislation.
In addition, committee members work to encourage attorneys to provide pro bono
legal services to indigents.
The COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL COURTS studies, recommends and reports
on proposed changes in the rules, procedures and practices of the federal courts
in California. And by meeting with federal court judges and representatives
throughout the state, committee members seek to understand the key issues concerning
the federal judiciary. The committee also works to enhance relations between
the State Bar and federal courts statewide.
The COMMITTEE ON GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS studies proposals
for new programs and changes to existing programs in the various State Bar-approved
member group insurance programs (accidental death and disability, disability
income/extra overhead, life, long-term care and workers' compensation). It also
counsels and advises the board of governors.
The COMMITTEE ON MANDATORY FEE ARBITRATION oversees the mandatory
fee arbitration program established by the Business and Professions Code, and
the State Bar's mandatory fee arbitration department. Committee members, including
arbitrators and administrators from local bar fee arbitration programs, also
have the opportunity to comment on legislative proposals, and to recommend changes
to the State Bar's Rules of Procedure, guidelines and minimum standards.
In addition, the committee, which is responsible for drafting the State Bar-approved
sample fee agreements, breaks up into teams to work on projects involving research,
writing and editing.
The COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CONDUCT focuses
on questions of professional ethics. The committee's advisory opinions address
questions submitted by individual attorneys, local bar associations and the
State Bar Board of Governors.
The committee - comprised of attorneys and public members - also makes recommendations
regarding changes in the State Bar's Rules of Professional Conduct, and advises
the board of governors on laws and regulations regarding professional responsibility.
The COMMITTEE ON STATE BAR APPROVED PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
oversees the bar's professional liability insurance program and makes recommendations
for change. It also counsels and advises the board of governors. In addition,
the committee strives to stay attuned to the needs of California attorneys and
consumers, and works to reduce the number and severity of attorney malpractice
claims through education.
The SECTION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES oversee each of the State
Bar's 16 sections, which address specific segments of the profession. Each executive
committee directs the policies and affairs of the section, works with the board
of governors and supervises the section's activities. The sections vary in the
amount of time devoted to legislation, legal education, practice issues and
public education. For appointment, an applicant must be a member of the section.
The sections seeking new executive committee members include: Antitrust and
Unfair Competition Section; Business Law Section; Criminal Law Section; Environmental
Law Section; Family Law Section; Intellectual Property Section; International
Law Section; Labor and Employment Law Section; Law Practice Management and Technology
Section; Litigation Section; Public Law Section; Real Property Law Section;
Solo and Small Firm Section; Taxation Section; Trusts and Estates Section; and
Workers' Compensation Law Section.
The CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON ACCESS TO JUSTICE explores ways
of improving access to civil justice for Californians living on low and moderate
incomes. This 23-member commission - comprised of lawyers and judges, as well
as academic, business, labor and community leaders - played a key role in establishing
a $10 million Equal Access Fund for civil legal services to the indigent. In
seeking to improve access to the courts, the commission works closely with the
Judicial Council.
The CEB GOVERNING COMMITTEE is a joint committee of the University
of California and the State Bar of California. The committee reviews and approves
CEB's annual publishing and educational program, strategic objectives, annual
budget, and recommendations from the director on the overall operation of CEB.
Three of the four State Bar appointments must be attorneys; two of the attorneys
must also be in active practice and represent the interests of the State Bar
sections. Members serve two-year terms, and the terms may be renewed.
The CLIENT SECURITY FUND COMMISSION oversees the Client Security
Fund (CSF), which reimburses clients who have lost money or property due to
theft or an equivalent dishonest act committed by a California attorney acting
in a professional capacity.
This seven-member commission - which includes at least three public members
- evaluates CSF applications and determines payment of funds. It also makes
recommendations for changes in rules and the claims process.
The LEGAL SERVICES TRUST FUND COMMISSION administers the Interest
on Lawyer Trust Accounts program and the Equal Access Fund. The commission seeks
attorney and public member applicants who are committed to the delivery of legal
services to the poor, and are sensitive to the needs of low-income communities.
No employee or independent contractor acting as a consultant to any agency which
is a potential recipient of funds under the Legal Services Trust Fund Program
can be appointed to the commission.
The CALIFORNIA BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION administers the
State Bar of California Program for Certifying Legal Specialists with the assistance
of specialty advisory commissions. The 12-member board also provides policies
and guidelines for the certification of specialists, develops tests and legal
education programs, and advises the board of governors. At least three members
must be nonlawyers, and the attorney applicants must be specialists in their
field.
The ADVISORY LAW COMMISSIONS to the California Board of Legal
Specialization advise and assist the California Board of Legal Specialization
in the administration of its certification programs.
They pass upon certification and re-certification applications, prepare specialist
examinations, accredit programs and providers of continuing legal education,
and otherwise assist the Board of Legal Specialization.
There is a nine-member advisory commission for each of the following specialties:
Appellate Law; Criminal Law; Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law; Family
Law; Immigration and Nationality Law; Personal and Small Business Bankruptcy
Law; Taxation Law; and Workers' Compensation Law. At least one member of each
commission must be a nonlawyer and each attorney member must be a specialist
in that field.
For further information on available positions, visit the State Bars web site
at www.calbar.ca.gov. Select the link to Committees and Commissions. Or contact
the bar's appointments office at 415-538-2299, or the committee's staff liaison
by calling the phone number listed in the committee's description at the web
site.
Application Information
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