Banding together to protect access to justice

The Uber initiative to deny automobile accident victims access to the courtroom

As I begin my term as CAALA President, I am filled with gratitude for the trust you have placed in me and with determination to meet the challenges ahead. Our association has always stood as a beacon for trial lawyers committed to protecting the rights of consumers, workers, and families. Today, that mission faces a direct threat: The Uber initiative to deny automobile accident victims access to the courtroom and limiting their ability to recover medical expenses when they can find an attorney to bring a case for them.

If the initiative is successful, it would create barriers for people from all walks of life seeking accountability from powerful corporations. It does this by limiting fees as low as zero percent in some cases. The only reason to have a zero percent fee cap is to close the courthouse doors to victims. In this way this initiative seeks to undermine the very foundation of our civil justice system. Even if the victims can find an attorney, the initiative restricts their ability to obtain full compensation for their medical expenses. The initiative would tilt the scales against those who have already been injured or wronged.

We cannot allow that to happen. The strength of CAALA has always been our unity. When trial lawyers stand together, we amplify our voices, protect our clients, and safeguard the principles that define our profession. This is a moment that demands solidarity.

Defeating the Uber initiative will require more than opposition – it will require action. Each of us must commit to making financial contributions to this battle, along with educating our colleagues, clients, and communities about what is at stake. We must engage in outreach, share resources, and ensure that the public understands how this initiative threatens their rights. We must also support the broader coalition of consumer advocates who are joining us in this fight.

Our opponent has deep pockets and a powerful platform. But we have something stronger: The truth and the collective will of trial lawyers who refuse to let justice be sold to the highest bidder. History has shown that when CAALA members unite, we can overcome even the most formidable challenges.

This fight is also a reminder of why our association exists. CAALA is not just a professional organization – it is a community. We mentor, educate, support one another, and stand shoulder to shoulder when justice is threatened. As president, I pledge to continue building that community, strengthening our bonds, and ensuring that every member feels empowered to contribute to this cause.

In the weeks ahead, you will hear more about coordinated efforts to defeat the Uber initiative. I urge you to participate fully – by financially contributing to the cause, by volunteering, and spreading the word. Every action matters. Together, we can protect access to justice for all Californians.

Let us remember, justice is not a privilege reserved for the few. It is a right that belongs to everyone. It is our duty, as trial lawyers and consumer advocates, to defend that right with all the energy, skill, and passion we possess.

I am honored to serve as your 2026 CAALA President. I look forward to standing with each of you in this fight, and to celebrating our victory when we have defeated this initiative and preserved the promise of justice for all.

Investing in the future of justice: CAALA scholarships

One of the most meaningful ways CAALA can strengthen our profession is by opening doors for the next generation of trial lawyers. Establishing our own scholarship program is more than financial aid. Scholarships create pathways into the legal profession and symbolize CAALA’s values.

The cost of law school continues to rise, and too many promising students are forced to abandon their dreams because of financial strain. By offering scholarships, CAALA can help ensure that access to the courtroom is not limited to those with personal wealth or privilege. Instead, it will be defined by commitment, skill, and the drive to serve clients and communities.

Scholarships also allow us to promote diversity and inclusion in the profession. When we invest in students from underrepresented backgrounds, we enrich the perspectives and experiences that shape our advocacy. A diverse bar enhances our ability to serve clients across all communities and to stand as true champions of justice.

Beyond financial support, a scholarship program would symbolize our values. It would demonstrate to students that they are not alone – that an entire community of trial lawyers stands ready to mentor, guide, and support them. It would remind our members that we are not only defenders of justice today but also stewards of its future.

By establishing scholarships, CAALA invests in more than individual students. We invest in the resilience of our profession, the vitality of our association, and the promise of justice for generations to come. This proposal is an extension of our mission: Protecting access to the courts, empowering advocates, and ensuring that the civil justice system remains strong and fair.

Together, we can build a legacy that goes beyond victories in the courtroom. We can create opportunities, nurture talent, and inspire the leaders who will carry forward the fight for justice. 

Conclusion

We face important battles in 2026, and our strength will be measured by our unity. Together, we must stand firm in the fight to preserve access to justice, while investing in the future through scholarships and mentorship. When trial lawyers and consumer advocates rise as one, we protect our clients, our communities, and the very foundation of our civil justice system.