Your voice is needed now, more than ever

Our practices and our clients’ rights are under attack in both Sacramento and Los Angeles

2026 March

As we move deeper into 2026, it is impossible to ignore the magnitude of the challenges facing our civil justice system. CAALA has always stood at the forefront of protecting the rights of consumers, workers, and families, but this year demands something more from all of us. The threats we now face are coordinated, well‑funded, and designed to reshape the legal landscape in ways that would harm the people we serve. To meet this moment, we must activate every part of our organization – not just in the courtroom, but in the halls of the Legislature and in the political arena where these battles are being shaped.

That is why I am calling on CAALA members to join our Political and Legislative Affairs Committee. This committee is not simply another volunteer opportunity. It is the engine that drives our advocacy, the voice that represents our members in Sacramento, and the force that ensures lawmakers understand the real‑world impact of the policies they consider. If we want to protect access to justice, we must show up, speak up, and stand together.

The political battle: Confronting the Uber‑backed ballot measure

The most significant threat we face this year is the Uber‑backed ballot measure. This initiative is supported by major corporate interests seeking to rewrite long‑standing protections for injured individuals. If passed, it would restrict accountability, limit the rights of victims, and tilt the legal system in favor of powerful defendants. The measure is backed by substantial financial resources and an aggressive public‑relations effort. To counter it, we need more than legal expertise – we need political engagement.

The Political and Legislative Affairs Committee plays a significant role in this fight. Members help educate colleagues, raise money, and ensure that our members understand what is at stake. This is not abstract policy work. It is hands‑on, practical advocacy that directly affects the lives of the people we represent. When CAALA members speak with one voice, we have the power to shape public understanding and influence the outcome of statewide initiatives. But that only happens when our members step forward.

The legislative battle: Engaging with lawmakers

At the same time, we are confronting a proposal from the Los Angeles City Attorney to cap attorneys’ fees in cases involving public entities. This proposal would undermine the ability of harmed individuals to secure meaningful representation. Fee caps may sound technical, but their impact is profound: They limit access to justice for the most vulnerable members of our community. When attorneys cannot be compensated for the work required to take on complex cases against public entities that are already protected with a multitude of immunities, those cases simply will not be brought. That is not fairness. That is not accountability. And it is not justice.

Our Legislative Affairs Committee is essential in addressing this threat. Committee members meet with legislators, provide education on how the proposal affects real people, and ensure that the voices of plaintiffs and their advocates are heard. Lawmakers rely on us to explain the practical consequences of the bills they consider. They need to hear from attorneys who understand the realities of litigation, who can speak to the needs of injured individuals, and who can articulate why access to justice must remain a core value in California.

Your participation matters. When legislators hear directly from practicing attorneys, especially those who live and work in their districts, it changes the conversation. It brings the human impact into focus. It reminds policymakers that behind every case is a person, a family, a story. It also reinforces the principle that justice should never be reserved only for those with power or resources.

Why your voice is essential

CAALA is more than an association. We are a community of more than 4,000 members who share a commitment to fairness, accountability, and the protection of individual rights. But numbers alone are not enough. Engagement is what gives us strength. When our members participate in political and legislative advocacy, we amplify our impact. We demonstrate unity. We show that we are informed, organized, and ready to defend the civil justice system.

The Political and Legislative Affairs Committee is where that engagement begins. It is where members learn how to communicate effectively with lawmakers, how to analyze proposed legislation, and how to mobilize others. It is where we build relationships that allow us to influence policy before it becomes law. It is where we ensure that CAALA remains a powerful voice for justice in California.

A call to action

This year, more than ever, we need your leadership. We need your experience, your insight, and your willingness to stand up for what is right. Joining the Political and Legislative Affairs Committee is not a symbolic gesture. It is a meaningful commitment to protecting the rights of the people we serve. It is an opportunity to shape the future of our profession. It is a chance to ensure that the civil justice system remains strong, fair, and accessible.

I invite you to be part of this work. Whether you have years of experience or are new to the practice, your voice matters. Your participation matters. Your leadership matters. Together, we can meet the challenges ahead. Together, we can defeat the threats posed by the Uber‑backed ballot measure and the fee‑cap proposal involving public entities. Together, we can continue to uphold the values that define CAALA.

Thank you for your dedication, your passion, and your commitment to justice. I look forward to working alongside you in this critical year.