Young lawyers, others sought for volunteer service

Several opportunities for young lawyers are among the dozens of volunteer positions that are coming available next year through the State Bar.

The State Bar’s Board of Trustees will appoint new members to 10 standing committees, 16 section executive committees and 18 special committees, boards and commissions, along with two outside entities. 

The Committee of Bar Examiners, which oversees bar admissions and law school regulation, has two openings, including one for a young lawyer. Those admitted in California three years ago or less (as of Oct. 11, 2015) are eligible to apply.

There is also an opening for a young lawyer representative (a lawyer under 35) among the board’s five appointments to the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates.

Other 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 insurance
• Regulatory committees, 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.

More information about all of the 2015-16 appointments, as well as a link to the online application, is available on the appointments page of the State Bar's website. Applications also are available by writing to the Appointments Office, State Bar of California, 180 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105-1639, or by calling 415-538-2370.

Most of the volunteer positions carry a three-year term and the application deadline for most appointments is Feb. 2, 2015. Applicants may apply to as many as three committees, but can be appointed to only one. The Board of Trustees will make the appointments next summer, and committee terms begin Oct. 11.