State Bar committees need volunteers
The State Bar is recruiting applicants for approximately 200 volunteer positions on more than
three dozen committees, boards and commissions. Groups with open positions
range from committees dealing with access and fairness issues to section
executive committees focused on particular areas of the law to a committee
addressing questions of professional responsibility and conduct. If your
interest is the day-to-day delivery of legal services to poor and middle-income
individuals, administering the IOLTA program or exploring ways to improve
access to civil justice, positions on legal services committees are available.
Most of the appointments carry a three-year term, and the deadline application is Feb. 1. A
complete list of openings, application forms and detailed committee information
is available at www.calbar.org/appointments. Applicants can
apply to a maximum of three committees but can only be appointed to one. The State
Bar Board of Governors will make the appointments next summer and committee
terms begin October 14, 2012.
Among the committees seeking applicants are:
- Courts/administration
of justice committees that
review proposed changes in civil procedure, alternative dispute resolution,
appellate and federal rules, procedures and practices, as well as comment on
proposed legislation governing these issues.
- Insurance committees,
which act as counsel to the board of governors on insurance matters and oversee
the bar’s member group insurance programs, including life, accidental
death and dismemberment, disability, personal auto and homeowners, long-term
care, workers’ compensation, and professional liability.
- Regulatory committees
such as the Committee of Bar Examiners, Committee on Mandatory Fee Arbitration
and Legal Specialization commissions, which are established by statute and
oversee mandated admission, arbitration and certification programs of the
State Bar.
- The Council on Access
and Fairness, which is devoted to increasing diversity in the legal profession.
Applications
also are available by calling the bar’s appointments office at
415-538-2318 or by faxing 415-538-2255.
Six positions
will open on the ABA House of Delegates next August. Applicants for those positions must submit an application by Feb.
1. State Bar delegates serve two-year terms and may serve three consecutive
terms.
In addition, one
lawyer position on the Judicial Council will be vacant;
applications must be submitted by Feb. 1. Members serve staggered three-year terms
that run from September 15 to September 14.
The Commission
on Judicial Nominees Evaluation will have eight to 10 openings on its 2013
roster; applications are due by June 1, 2012, for terms that begin Feb. 1, 2013.
In addition, two positions will be open on the 2013 Lawyer Assistance Program
(LAP) Oversight committee. Members serve four-year terms that can be renewed.
The application deadline is June 1, 2012.
Detailed
information about the appointments is available at www.calbar.org/appointments;
select the link to Other Entity Appointments.