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Bench-Bar Coalition

Outreach Resources

Use these tools for outreach activities. They include ethical principles for judicial advocacy, Day on the Bench information, sample letters to legislators, and sample bar association resolutions.

Legislative Liaison Project (LLP)

The Legislative Liaison Project enhances communications between BBC members, legislators, key legislative staff, and selected members of the executive branch. BBC liaisons make designated contacts on at least a quarterly basis to share information and serve as a resource on BBC priorities and matters of mutual concern to the judicial branch and justice system partners.

 

Day on the Bench Program

The Day on the Bench program brings a legislator to a court in his or her district for a half-day visit and tour. Each individually tailored visit is designed to give legislators a personal understanding of the volume, complexity, and variety of daily duties and responsibilities of a judge, as well as the extensive responsibilities of court clerks and administrators.

 

Resources for Judicial Advocacy

Ethical Principles for Judicial Advocacy
Memo prepared by the Office of General Counsel which sets forth principles that pertain to judicial officers who participate in legislative activities.

Resources for Justice Partners' Advocacy

Legal Services Organizations and Self-Help Resources
Access self-help and legal services resources available to the public to assist them in navigating the judicial system.

 

Statewide, County, and Local Bar Associations
California has more than 250 local, specialty, minority, and women voluntary bar associations. The State Bar of California's Office of Bar Relations Outreach works to create and preserve a dynamic partnership with these local bars and other state and national bars. Access the directory of local bar associations on the State Bar of California's website.

State Bar of California Lawyer Referral Services Program
Access the State Bar's Lawyer Referral Services Directory at the above link or call 1-866-442-2529 (toll free in California) or 415-538-2250 (from outside California)

State Bar of California: Registering a Complaint
All lawyers who practice in California must live up to ethical standards imposed by the California Supreme Court and the state legislature. As an arm of the California Supreme Court, the State Bar investigates and prosecutes complaints against lawyers. Contact the State Bar at the above link or call 1-800-843-9053 (toll free in California) or 213-765-1200 (from outside California).

Sample Outreach Documents

Examples of letters sent to legislators and articles on judicial branch budget.

Sample Letter on Legislation

Description Document Link
Letter to Senator Leno from Jacqueline Carey-Wilson, president, Riverside County Bar Association, urging the senator to support SB 1190, the new judgeships bill. View letter
Template for sending letters to members of the Legislature. You may use this template as an example when writing a letter in support of or opposing current legislation. View sample letter

Sample Bar Association Communications

Description Document Link
Article written by Jacqueline Carey-Wilson, president, Riverside County Bar Association, which appeared in the association’s monthly newsletter, “Riverside Lawyer,” regarding the judicial branch budget and SB 1190, the new judgeships bill. View Article
Memo from Ken Petrulis, BBC Executive Committee Member at Large and former president of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, reporting to the association on BBC activities in support of the judicial branch budget, including Day in Sacramento legislative visits. View Memo
Article written by Pelayo Llamas, Oakland City Attorney’s Office and member of the BBC, which appeared in the Alameda County Bar Association newsletter, regarding the judicial branch budget. View Article