Last year’s plebiscite campaign once again put the spotlight on California’s attorney discipline system, with members voicing concerns about its cost, efficiency, effectiveness and penalties. Most attorneys felt the system was still too slow, consumed too much of their bar dues, picked on the little guy and did not serve to adequately protect the public…
A new era begins in California’s legal system as Chief Justice Ronald George (center) completes his first full year in office, Marc Adelman (right) takes over the reins as the new president of the State Bar of California and Steve Nissen (left) prepares to become the new executive director of the bar on Nov. 1
“There was a time, not so many years ago, when the legal profession was truly honored . . . and when the courts and lawyers were held in the esteem of the general public . . . I believe the public has lost faith in the administration of justice and in lawyers and judges.” My…
As you undoubtedly know, the legislation authorizing the State Bar to collect 1998 fees from our membership was vetoed last month. Our mission in fulfilling our responsibility to regulate the legal profession and the conduct of attorneys in California is threatened. As is often the case in crucial moments like these, we can view our…
At press time, many issues remain unresolved as to the future of State Bar funding. It is still too early to predict the outcome. But no matter what the resolution, it is clear to me that attorney professionalism and civility will remain a high priority for us in the legal profession. The warning signs are…
Thanks George Kraw. I hear you loud and clear. Thank you Robert Rosenthal, Bruce Busch, Al Bianchi, Dale Bacigalupi and William Walters … you too have made an impression on my thought process. The bar president always receives a steady stream of letters and e-mail messages, but the governor’s veto of our funding authority has…
After weeks of listening to the governor and legislators, as well as hundreds of attorneys from all corners of the state, we have jointly come up with what I believe is the best solution to the funding crisis which continues to threaten the State Bar’s existence. The introduction of AB 1669 represents an enormous step…
The jury system is the cornerstone of our system of justice, but in many parts of California the jury system is in a state of crisis. The system is premised on the participation of a broad cross section of citizens. However, obtaining a representative jury pool is increasingly problematic. Low response rates to jury questionnaires…
During my inaugural address at last September’s annual meeting, I asked our membership to take on issues involving the representation of our children in need. There are more than 2.3 million children in the state of California living at or below the poverty level. There is no better group suited to advocate on their behalf…
On the rare occasion that my wife, Erin, is still awake when I return home at night from Sacramento, her first question usually is, “Any setbacks today?” My response is rarely “No.” Running as fast as I can in shoulder-deep water is an apt analogy for the progress we are making. Slow, but steady. In…