Welcome from the International Law Section's Co-chairs

• Publication year: 2018
• Author: Alexandra Darraby

WELCOME FROM THE INTERNATIONAL LAW SECTION'S CO-CHAIRS

Alexandra Darraby

ILS Co-Chair

Michael R. Newman

ILS Co-Chair

It is our honor and privilege to serve as the first International Law Section Co-Chairs under the new California Lawyers Association.

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome to the ILS community new and renewing ILS Members, as well as members from Foreign Bar Associations with whom we have Friendship Agreements.

As many of you know, 2018 has been a year of many transitions. The California Lawyers Association (CLA), established this year, is a nonprofit, voluntary organization and the new home for all the Sections of the State Bar of California and the California Young Lawyers Association. It is a member-driven, mission-focused organization dedicated to the professional advancement of attorneys practicing in the State of California. The CLA's extensive membership represents the vast diversity of California's legal community and the various areas of law practiced throughout the State. The CLA is dedicated to promoting excellence, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law.

The International Law Section is dedicated to facilitating global and domestic outreach by California lawyers to attorneys, students and others interested in international law and the legal systems of other nations, and contributing to a dialogue between the members of the State Bar of California and lawyers around the globe to enhance mutual understanding and facilitate client representation.

The ILS is a growing and important Section-member of the CLA. The ILS is the authorized representative of the CLA to enter into Friendship Agreements with foreign bar associations that meet criteria developed by the Section. Friendship Agreements provide the international profile of CLA, and renew commitments of California and foreign counsel to concepts such as the rule of law, human dignity, mutual cooperation and objective norms in the practice and advocacy of law.

The ILS continues to perform this important function for lawyers in California under the CLA as it did under the State Bar. We are engaging in new and innovative ways to better serve our Section members and the California public and legal community in this new era.

This year the ILS joined all CLA Sections in developing and implementing policies and guidelines for the CLA. The ILS has been particularly involved in assisting with the transition...