October 9, 2025 @ 12 noon PDT: Opening a Law Office
October 14, 2025 @ 12 noon PDT: Law Firm Administration
October 23, 2025 @12 noon PDT: Client Communications & Expectation Setting

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, those requiring modifications or accommodations to observe and participate in this webinar should contact LAP at lap@calbar.ca.gov. Please provide notification at least 72 hours prior to the webinar to allow sufficient time to make arrangements for reasonable accommodations.

The United States District Court, Central District of California, is currently accepting applications from qualified attorneys interested in serving on the Central District of California’s Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel. For more information, please see the attached Notice from the Clerk. The Notice is also available on the Court’s website under Notices from the Clerk.

2025-09-23 Notice - MSP Recruitment.pdf

Dear Members of the Legal Community,

Registration is open for the State Bar of California’s Legal Specialist Examination, which will be administered remotely online on October 30, 2025. 

Becoming a Certified Legal Specialist helps attorneys stand out in their field, build trust with clients, and enhance their professional reputation in a competitive legal market.  Specific examinations will be administered for the following specialty areas:   

•            Admiralty & Maritime Law

•            Appellate – Civil Law

•            Appellate – Criminal

•            Bankruptcy Law 

•            Criminal – Federal Law

•            Criminal – State Law

•            Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law

•            Family Law 

•            Franchise & Distribution Law

•            Immigration & Nationality Law

•            Legal Malpractice Law

•            Taxation Law 

•            Workers’ Compensation Law. 

To become a certified specialist, one must pass the legal specialist exam in their desired area and submit an initial certification application within 18 months of the exam date. To complete the certification application, one must provide information showing that they meet the task and experience requirements, have completed 45 hours of continuing education in the specialty area (36 hours every three years thereafter), and have received favorable evaluations from attorneys and judges. For more about the requirements for each specialty area, refer to the State Bar’s rules and specialty area standards.   

Now is a great time to apply because the timely filing deadline is September 1, 2025. Applicants can still apply after that date with a late fee. Apply by logging into the State Bar’s Applicant Portal. Click "Applications” and “View Application Forms,” and select the "Legal Specialist Examination Application. 

Learn more at the Becoming a Certified Legal Specialist and October 2025 Certified Legal Specialist Examination webpages. If you have questions, please contact the State Bar of California’s Legal Specialization unit at legalspec@calbar.ca.gov.

Interested in Running for a 

2026 OCWLA Director Position?

It’s time for OCWLA’s annual election for ten (10) Director positions. The time commitment for an OCWLA Director (or Officer) is a one (1) year term, and includes:

1. Attendance at the OCWLA monthly Board meetings;
2. Attendance at the OCWLA monthly lunch or evening programs;
3. Participation in OCWLA committees; and
4. Participation in the Board Retreat.

Collegiality and camaraderie are all integral to the OCWLA Board experience.

If you are interested in running, please submit a short Candidate's Statement and photo (optional) to us by the close of business on Friday, October 17, 2025, via email to info@ocwla.org. The 2026 Slate of Director candidates and voting portal will be presented to the membership via email on October 20, 2025.

Elections will be held online only this year, and will close on November 1, 2025. Election results will be announced at the end of the OCWLA November lunch meeting (date TBA).

The 2026 Officers and Board of Directors will be installed at the OCWLA Holiday Reception & Installation Dinner on December 2, 2025.

We are very excited about your interest in joining the OCWLA Board. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@ocwla.org.

Comments Sought:

A new proposal has been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

CIVIL JURY INSTRUCTIONS (CACI)_CACI-2025-02 

Title: Civil Jury Instructions: Revisions to Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions (2026 ed.)

Summary: The Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions seeks public comment on proposed revisions and additions to the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI). Under

California Rules of Court, rule 10.58, the advisory committee is responsible for regularly reviewing case law and statutes affecting jury instructions and making recommendations to the Judicial Council for updating, revising, and adding topics to the council’s civil jury instructions. On approval by the Judicial Council, all changes will be published in the 2026 edition of the official LexisNexis Matthew Bender CACI publication.

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Dear Future Prosecutors:

We are excited share the save-the-date for the Inaugural California Prosecutorial Job Fair, taking place on September 12, 2025, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA 92660. 

This event is a fantastic opportunity for you to explore a variety of career options within various District Attorney Offices. You'll have the chance to learn about the unique office cultures, job openings, and the numerous benefits that come with a career in prosecution. Moreover, you can engage in on-the-spot interviews, which could be a significant step toward your future career.

But that's not all! They are also offering free professional headshots and a complimentary lunch, making your experience even more fruitful. This event highlights the rewarding nature of prosecutorial careers, including the fulfilling opportunity for community service, job stability, and competitive salaries.  Visit the website to view full details Southern California Job Fair – Sacramento County District Attorney's Office 

If you would like to pre-register, please do so HERE !  

Mark your calendar and don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!

The University of California General Liability Program Defense Panel for Southern California is seeking applications from interested law firms to participate on our defense panel in Southern California. Please see the attached announcement for more information as well as a weblink to the application.

GL Panel Refresh 2025 Southern CA - Announcement.pdf

CRIMINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS (CALCRIM)_CALCRIM-2025-01

Summary: Additions and revisions to jury instructions reflecting recent developments in the law and user suggestions

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Monday, June 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time) 

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL_ LEG24-04

Title: Proposed Legislation: Remote Access to Electronic Court Records

Summary: The Remote Access to Electronic Court Records Working Group was established by the Judicial Council to review the California Rules of Court relating to remote access to electronic court records consistent with the council’s Remote Access to Electronic Court Records—Policy, Rationale, and Guidance. Having completed its determination of which rules fall within the Legislature’s responsibility because they concern the scope of remote access, the working group now proposes that the Judicial Council sponsor legislation to add 19 new sections to the Government Code to contain provisions from the rules that relate to who may access which electronic court records.

http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

The United States District Court, Central District of California, is currently accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representatives.  The selected Lawyer Representatives will be representative of the entire district and reflect the diversity of lawyers practicing before the Court.   For more information, please see the attached Notice from the Clerk. 

2025-06-04 Notice - Lawyer Reps (deadline extended).pdf

On April 25, 2025, the Judicial Council made changes to the California Rules of Court with the effective date of July 1, 2025.  The changes are shown in strikeouts and underlining in the attached.

2025-04-25-rules-effective-07-01-2025.pdf