Business-killing cuts to state court systems

Due to increasingly severe budget cuts, more and more state court systems have become dysfunctional in the last few years. In an in-depth report, a not-for-profit news organization explores the impact those cuts are having on the business climate in California and elsewhere.

In national role, bar counsel seeks graceful way out for impaired attorneys

Murray B. Greenberg, a senior trial counsel at the State Bar, wants to help attorneys across the country who are too old or too ill to practice to retire with dignity rather than face disbarment. That goal is in his sights as president of the National Organization of Bar Counsel. He is the first Californian in 19 years to hold that position.

President Kelly, four new board members, take oath

Vowing to fight for full and fair access to justice for all Californians, Patrick Kelly took the helm of the State Bar last month, joined by four new members of the Board of Trustees. (View a slideshow of the new president.)

85th Annual Meeting

The State Bar of California's annual get-together was a chance to catch up on legal education programs, find out about cutting-edge technology and software for attorneys, or participate in a race. A group of State Bar officials took on the mantle of their new offices in a swearing-in ceremony and a number of other attorneys were recognized with awards for their work. Here are a few of the scenes from the meeting in beautiful Monterey Oct. 11-14.

Bar foundation awards diversity scholarships

More than a dozen outstanding new law school students, from a former fellow in the governor's office, to an AmeriCorps' JusticeCorps intern and a military police officer, are getting a helping hand paying for their legal education thanks to the California Bar Foundation.

UC Berkeley’s Choper receives Witkin award

For more than 50 years, renowned constitutional scholar Jesse H. Choper has been inspiring law students and teaching them, as outgoing State Bar president Jon Streeter put it, “how to think like a lawyer.” Last month, Choper was recognized for those and myriad other contributions to the legal profession with the Bernard E. Witkin Medal.

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. Find out where you can make a difference.