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  • Wednesday, July 29, 2026 12:25 PM | Amelia Montgomery (Administrator)

    NOTICE OF DISTRICT GOVERNOR ELECTIONS:

    CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR 2027 BOARD OF GOVERNORS

    If you are committed to advancing the position of women in the law and society,
    consider running for a
    District Governor seat!

    Key Dates to Remember:

    • Nominations Due: Friday, August 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT
    • Elections Open: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
    • Voting Closes: Monday, September 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT

    Open District Governor Positions (2-Year Term)

    District

    Open Seats

    Counties Included

    Length of Term

    District 1

    1 Position

    Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yuba

    2 years

    District 2

    1 position

    Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Napa, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, Tuolumne, Yolo

    2 years

    District 3

    1 Position

    Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara

    2 years

    District 4

    None

    Marin, San Francisco

    District 5

    None

    Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Tulare


    District 6

    1 Position

    Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura

    1 year

    District 7

    1 Position

    Los Angeles

    1 year

    District 7

    1 Position

    Los Angeles

    2 years

    District 8

    1 Position

    Orange

    2 years

    District 9

    1 Position

    Imperial, San Diego

    2 years

    Why Run?

    • Expand Your Network: Connect with passionate, committed women leaders statewide.
    • Lead the Profession: Work on critical issues and gain valuable board-level leadership experience.
    • Make an Impact: Drive meaningful progress for women lawyers and judges in California.

    Responsibilities & Eligibility

    • Responsibilities: Attend six Board meetings per year (primarily via videoconference), assist with events, participate in committees, recruit members, and support fundraising efforts.
    • Candidate Eligibility:
    1. Active member of the State Bar of California in good standing.
    2. Class 1 CWL Member* in good standing.
    3. Principal business office or residence located within the geographic District.

    How to Apply

    Submit your candidate package to info@cwl.org by Friday, August 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT:

    1. A current Resume
    2. A Candidate Statement (maximum 1/2 typewritten page)

    *Note: Candidates may not distribute additional written campaign materials outside of those included with official election ballots.


    Questions or sample statements?

    Contact the CWL office at info@cwl.org or call 619-320-5297.

    *Class 1 members must be:

    • A member in good standing of the State Bar of California;
    • A judge of a court of record in the State of California;
    • A full-time member of the faculty or a dean of a law school in the State of California;
    • A member in good standing of the Bar of another state;
    • A law student attending a California law school; or
    • A California resident who has graduated from a law school within the last three years and is not yet admitted to the State Bar of California, but only upon written application to the corporation's principal offices and upon timely payment of dues.


  • Wednesday, July 29, 2026 11:11 AM | Amelia Montgomery (Administrator)

    The First-Generation Pre-Law Association (FGPLA) is a pre-law organization created specifically to support first-generation students at UCLA pursuing careers in the legal field. Through a year-long, one-on-one mentorship, students receive guidance, resources, and insight into the legal field, helping them build confidence, skills, and professional connections to succeed in higher education and beyond. 

    Program Highlights:

    • One-on-one pairing: build a strong relationship with your mentee

    • Flexible commitment: 1 check-in a month

    • Hybrid Format: Virtual coffee chats are fine, but if distance isn’t an issue, we highly suggest meeting in person!

    FGPLA outreach mentor interest form  https://forms.gle/Zgsczn4SH6zQY8SZ8


  • Thursday, July 16, 2026 10:55 AM | Amelia Montgomery (Administrator)

    The First-Generation Pre-Law Association (FGPLA) is a pre-law organization created specifically to support first-generation students at UCLA pursuing careers in the legal field. Through a year-long, one-on-one mentorship, students receive guidance, resources, and insight into the legal field, helping them build confidence, skills, and professional connections to succeed in higher education and beyond. 

    Program Highlights:

    • One-on-one pairing: build a strong relationship with your mentee

    • Flexible commitment: 1 check-in a month

    • Hybrid Format

    • Virtual coffee chats are fine, but if distance isn’t an issue, we highly suggest meeting in person!

    FGPLA outreach mentor interest form  https://forms.gle/Zgsczn4SH6zQY8SZ8


  • Tuesday, July 07, 2026 12:10 PM | Amelia Montgomery (Administrator)

    President's Message

    As we welcome July, we are reminded that this season represents both celebration and responsibility. While many of us gather with family and friends to commemorate our nation’s 250 year independence, it is also a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the role the legal profession plays in protecting the rule of law, expanding access to justice, and ensuring that our legal system serves every member of our communities with integrity and fairness.

    At California Women Lawyers, our mission has always extended beyond professional advancement. We are a community of advocates, mentors, leaders, and change makers who understand that when women in the law support one another, we strengthen our profession and the communities we serve.

    This year has already demonstrated the extraordinary dedication of our members. Across California, you continue to lead courtrooms, boardrooms, classrooms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and law firms with excellence. You volunteer your time, mentor the next generation, champion meaningful legislation, and advocate for clients facing life’s most difficult moments. Your commitment is the very heart of California Women Lawyers.

    This month, I also want to extend an extra special congratulations to Jodi Cleesattle on her election to the bench in San Diego County. Jodi has been a valued member and leader within the California Women Lawyers community, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement. On behalf of our entire organization, congratulations, Judge-Elect Cleesattle. We thank you for your continued service to our profession and wish you every success as you begin this exciting new chapter of judicial service.

    As we look toward the months ahead, I encourage each of you to find one new way to engage with CWL. Attend a program, join a committee, invite a colleague to become a member, mentor a law student, or share your expertise through one of our educational offerings. Every contribution, large or small, helps advance our mission and expands the impact of our organization.

    Thank you for your continued leadership, your generosity, and your unwavering commitment to lifting one another up as you climb. Together, we are creating opportunities, opening doors, and leaving the legal profession stronger than we found it.

    I wish you and your families a safe, joyful, and restorative summer.

    With gratitude,


    Judge Patanisha E. Davis Pierson, Esq.

    President, California Women Lawyers


  • Tuesday, June 30, 2026 11:00 AM | Amelia Montgomery (Administrator)

    Event Details:

    Pathways to the Profession
    A Bay Area Legal Networking Scavenger Hunt

    Saturday, July 18, 2026
    11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    San Francisco Ferry Building

     

    This event will bring together:

    • JIOP students
    • Pre-law students
    • Law students
    • Judicial interns and law clerks
    • Young lawyers
    • Attorneys and judges 

    Rather than a traditional panel, participants will explore the Ferry Building and Embarcadero in small teams, completing networking challenges and building authentic professional relationships in a fun, engaging environment. Every student attendee will also receive a gift card thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and partners.

    Please RSVP or direct any questions to tiega@varlacklegal.com.


  • Wednesday, June 24, 2026 3:44 PM | Amelia Montgomery (Administrator)

    If you are considering or would like to learn more about becoming a law professor, please join us for a pre-recruitment workshop at UC College of the Law, San Francisco (“UC Law SF,” formerly “UC Hastings”) on August 5. This half-day event is co-hosted by participating ABA-accredited law schools in Northern California in coordination with the American Association of Law Schools. It is one of several regional workshops taking place nationally.

    The August 5 half-day workshop focuses on pathways to securing full-time law school faculty roles that involve a mix of teaching and research, commonly called “tenure-track roles.” The event is free to registered attendees. It includes two substantive panels. The first focuses on pre-market considerations, such as how to create a scholarly record and prepare a “job talk” article, pre-market teaching opportunities such as “VAPs” and fellowships, and information on how to apply for tenure-track positions. The second panel focuses on the interview process at law schools, including advice on how to give a successful job talk, how to interview well, and the hiring process, including timelines. To register, you must complete this registration survey. Be sure to select the San Francisco iteration of the pre-recruitment event.


  • Wednesday, June 24, 2026 11:13 AM | Amelia Montgomery (Administrator)

    One new Special Cycle proposal is now available for your review and comments. You can access the proposal here: http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

    Judicial Administration

    ITC Number: SP26-02

    Title: Judicial Administration: Revisions to Judicial Branch Contracting Manual

    Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Tuesday, July 14, 2026, no later than 5:00 PM (Pacific Time).

  • Monday, June 22, 2026 3:06 PM | Amelia Montgomery (Administrator)

    Focus on Low and No-Income Litigants: LA Child Support Services Department

    Monday, June 29  •  3:15 PM - 4:15 PM EDT

    Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law

    Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/focus-on-low-and-no-income-litigants-la-child-support-services-department-tickets-1992076768239?aff=oddtdtcreator



  • Monday, June 22, 2026 3:04 PM | Amelia Montgomery (Administrator)

    The State Bar seeks public comment on the following three proposals. Please click the links for more information and to comment:

    Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct Related to Artificial Intelligence

    The proposed amendments address attorneys’ ethical obligations under the Rules of Professional Conduct, including Competence (rule 1.1), Communication with Clients (rule 1.4), Confidential Information of a Client (rule 1.6), Candor Toward the Tribunal (rule 3.3), Responsibilities of Managerial and Supervisory Lawyers (rule 5.1), and Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants (rule 5.3).

    COPRAC made several changes to the proposed rules in response to public comments received during thefirst public comment period, which closed on May 4, 2026. At its June 12, 2026, meeting, COPRAC approved the modified rule proposals for a second round of public comment.Public comment form 

    Public comment deadline for these proposals:August 6, 2026.

  • Thursday, June 04, 2026 11:41 AM | Amelia Montgomery (Administrator)

    Special Cycle proposals are now available for your review and comments. You can access the proposals here: http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

     

    CRIMINAL

     

    ITC Number: SP26-03

    Title: Criminal Law: Pretrial Release or Detention

    Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, June 24, 2026, no later than 5:00 PM (Pacific Time).

     

    COURT INTERPRETERS

     

    ITC Number: SP26-04

    Title: Court Interpreters: Revised Credential Review Procedures

    Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Monday, July 13, 2026, no later than 5:00 PM (Pacific Time).


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