Nominees sought for 2006 JNE Commission

The State Bar is seeking active lawyers, former members of the judiciary and members of the public who are interested in serving on the 2006 Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation (JNE Commission). The application deadline is June 1.

The JNE Commission, established pursuant to Government Code Section 12011.5, evaluates all candidates who are under consideration for a judicial appointment by the governor. Its members represent a broad cross-section of California’s diverse legal profession and general population. Appointed by the State Bar’s Board of Governors, the volunteer commission cannot nominate or appoint judges; it does, however, thoroughly investigate candidates for judicial appointment while maintaining a code of strict confidentiality. Commissioners serve terms of approximately one year and may serve up to three consecutive terms.  

Information on the commission, qualifications and time commitment, and the application form, are available on the State Bar's Web site or from the Appointments Office, State Bar of California, 180 Howard, San Francisco, CA 94105-1639, 415-538-2299; fax 415-538-2255.

The board of governors will make the appointments at its July meeting. Terms begin Feb. 1, 2006.

Nominations sought for State Bar awards

Nomination guidelines and forms are available online for four categories of State Bar awards given annually to attorneys who demonstrate a strong commitment to access to justice issues. The deadline for nominations is April 22. The awards are:

• LOREN MILLER LEGAL SERVICES AWARD. Given annually to a lawyer who has demonstrated long-term commitment to legal services and who personally has done significant work in extending legal services to the poor.
• PRESIDENT’S PRO BONO SERVICE AWARDS. Recognize attorneys who have provided or enabled the direct provision of legal services to poor persons or to organizations whose primary purpose is to provide legal services to the poor, free-of-charge, without expectation of compensation from the client.
• JACK BERMAN AWARD. Recognizes the achievements of a young lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding service to the profession and the public, as well as dedication to issues of particular concern to young lawyers.
• DIVERSITY AWARDS. Recognize outstanding efforts made by a bar association and an individual attorney in promoting diversity in the profession.

Five seats open on State Bar board of governors

Ballots for voting in both the State Bar Board of Governors and California Young Lawyers Association board elections will be mailed April 29. Five seats are open in each election. Ballots must be returned by June 30.

Any active bar member who maintains his or her principal office for the practice of law in a bar district in which there is an opening is eligible to vote. The openings are in District 4 (Marin and San Francisco counties), District 6 (Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties), District 7 (Los Angeles offices 1 and 2) and District 8 (Orange County). Winners will assume office in September.

Candidate information is available at calbar.ca.gov. Questions about ballots may be directed to billie.sivanov@calbar.ca.gov.

Access and fairness survey continues

In an effort to determine the kinds of challenges faced by women, minorities, older or gay attorneys in California, an online survey of those groups continues until Aug. 1. The Access & Fairness survey seeks information similar to that elicited in a poll of attorneys with disabilities.

The new survey can be accessed at talkingpolls.com/go/access and will seek basic demographic information and ask participants to provide feedback on their experiences in law school, with the bar exam, in seeking employment, practicing before the courts and on opportunities for advancement in the profession.

No mandatory dues were used to fund the survey. For further information, contact Patricia Lee at 415-538-2240 or patricia.lee@calbar.ca.gov.

Ethics symposium slated for April 16 at Loyola

The ninth annual Statewide Ethics Symposium, whose theme this year is Expanding Ethical Responsibilities: Duties to Clients, Former Clients and Non-Clients, will be held April 16 at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Participants can earn up to five hours of MCLE credit in ethics.

Complete information is available on the State Bar Web site.

Attorney applicants sought for legal services board

The State Bar is seeking applications from attorneys interested in serving on the board of directors for Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC) for three-year positions in Yolo and Sacramento counties. Applicants must practice or reside in the county or region where the vacancy occurs. The application deadline is May 23.

LSNC provides legal assistance to low-income residents of 23 northern California counties.

Interested attorneys should apply by letter and include a resume outlining work experience, community activity, educational background and bar number. Send materials to Chris Zupanovich, State Bar of California, 180 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105. Questions may be directed to 415-538-2534 or chris.zupanovich@calbar.ca.gov.

Nominations sought for access to justice award

The California Access to Justice Commission is seeking nominations of a California judge for the Benjamin Aranda III Access to Justice Award. The award honors a judge for his or her efforts to improve access to the judicial system for low- and moderate-income persons. The deadline for nominations is May 1. For more information, contact Chris Zupanovich at chris.zupanovich@calbar.ca.gov or 415-538-2534.

Two fee arb trainings set

Recent developments in fee arbitration will be discussed at training programs this month in Sacramento and San Francisco sponsored by the State Bar’s Committee on Mandatory Fee Arbitration. The free trainings offer 2.75 hours of MCLE credit, including one hour of legal ethics and 1.75 hours of general credit, and are open to Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area fee arbitrators and lay people and lawyers interested in joining the program.

The Sacramento training will be held April 21, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., in the Lecture Hall at McGeorge School of Law, 3200 Fifth Ave. To reserve a space, contact Vince Miles at the Sacramento County Bar Association, 916-448-1087, ext. 206.

The San Francisco training is scheduled for April 28, 5 – 8 p.m., at the State Bar offices, 180 Howard St. To reserve a space, contact Anthony Forrette at 415-538-2074 or anthony.forrette@calbar.ca.gov. For additional information, call Jill Sperber, 415-538-2023.

Women lawyers program slated for April 16

The State Bar’s Committee on Women in the Law will hold a day-long program entitled “Do You Want to Teach Law?” April 16 at the Santa Clara University School of Law. Topics for the seminar include what to expect teaching at a law school and how to find a teaching job. Attendees can earn one hour of MCLE credit in the elimination of bias.

A registration flyer with details of the seminar is available online at calbar.ca.gov.

Opt out of list sales

Attorneys who wish to remove their names from lists the State Bar provides to qualified outside entities may do so by logging on to Member Login at calbar.ca.gov. After registering with My State Bar Profile, go to “Account Information” and select “Update my mailing preferences (opt out).”

Members also may e-mail their opt out request to memrec@calbar.ca.gov. Include your bar number.

The bar has a policy under which members’ names are provided at cost to a restricted list of outside entities that meet certain criteria. The names are provided for a one-time use to, among others, MCLE providers, the Foundation of the State Bar, local bars and bar-approved insurance providers.