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
application deadline 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 Trustees will make the appointments
next summer and committee terms begin Oct. 13, 2013.
The committees seeking applicants include:
- 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 trustees
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 415-538-2370 or by faxing 415-538-2305.
Five positions, including the young lawyer position, will open
on the ABA House of Delegates next
August. All applicants, including incumbents eligible for reappointment, must submit
the State Bar 2013-14 application by Feb. 1. State Bar delegates serve two-year
terms and may serve three consecutive terms. The State Bar does not reimburse
its delegates for travel and meeting expenses. In addition, one lawyer position
on the Judicial
Council will be vacant. Applicants must file the
2013-14 State Bar application by Feb. 1. Members serve staggered three-year
terms that start Sept. 15.
The Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation will have 11
openings on its 2014 roster; applications are due by June 1, 2013, for terms
that begin Feb. 1, 2014. In addition, two lawyer positions will be open on the
2014 Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) Oversight committee. Members serve
four-year terms that can be renewed. Applicants, including incumbents eligible
for reappointment, must submit the State Bar 2013-14 application by June 1, 2013.
Detailed information about the application requirements for
these entities is available at www.calbar.org/appointments; select the link to Other Entity Appointments.