n Thursday, May 21, 2026, at noon, join a webinar featuring practitioners who have found professional satisfaction handling appointed appeals for the California Courts of Appeal. Justice Streeter of the First Appellate District, Division Four, will underscore the essential roles that court-appointed attorneys play in the appellate justice system. He will be joined by four experienced panel attorneys from varied legal backgrounds, who will share candid insights into why they find the work rewarding.  For those considering taking on appointed cases in criminal, juvenile (delinquency & dependency), and civil commitment appeals, there will be an opportunity for Q&A with the attorneys, as well as a representative from a supervising appellate project. 

Click here to register for the event: Webinar Registration - Zoom

The State Bar seeks public comment on the following proposal. Please click the links for more information and to comment:

Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 19-0004 (Client File Release Retention)

Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 19-0004 considers: What are the ethical obligations of lawyers with respect to retention and destruction of client files, materials, and property in closed civil and criminal matters? The opinion interprets rules 1.4, 1.15, 1.16, and 3.8 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California, Business and Professions Code section 6068, subdivision (e), and Penal Code section 1054.9 Public comment form 

Public comment deadline for these proposals:July 10, 2026.

The Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA) Law Foundation is still accepting applications for our summer awards. This year we will award two fellowships, two grants and one scholarship at the AABA Summer Diversity Reception in San Francisco on June 25, 2026.  We would like to highlight one of our Fellowships, the Justice Harry W. Low Fellowship. 

This year, the criteria for this $10,000.00 fellowship has been widened to includeanystudent who either has obtained a post graduate position in public service, or who has a demonstrated commitment to pursuing a position in public service. Public service includes government, public interest organizations, and judicial clerkships.

The application for all of our summer awards, including the Justice Harry W. Low Fellowship, can be found on AABA’s website: www.aaba-bay.com/site/alfscholarships.

The deadline for submission is May 15, 2026and online interviews will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

This fellowship was funded by the family and friends of Justice Harry W. Low to honor his legacy of advocating for civil rights and his lifelong dedication to service to the Asian American communities. Justice Low was a justice on the California Court of Appeal, as well as a judge on the San Francisco Superior Court. He served as California Insurance Commissioner and President of the San Francisco Police Commission.

The State Bar seeks public comment on the following proposal. Please click the links for more information and to comment:

Proposed Amended Rules of Professional Conduct 8.2 and 8.4

Proposed amended Rules of Professional Conduct 8.2 and 8.4 makes modifications to the Rules of Professional Conduct in response to increased public criticism resulting in threats and violence against judges due to their rulings. This endangers judicial independence and public trust in the legal system. COPRAC prepared amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct that were approved by the Board of Trustees at their November 2025 meeting. The proposed changes to rules 8.2 and 8.4 were submitted to the Supreme Court of California. On April 23, 2026, the Court issued Administrative Order 2026-04-22-02, denying the proposed changes to rules 8.2 and 8.4. The Court, in its own motion, proposed amendments to 8.2 and 8.4 and directed the State Bar to solicit public comment on the Court’s proposed amendments to 8.2 and 8.4. Public comment form  

Public comment deadline for these proposals: June 9, 2026.

Deadline: June 12, 2026

Affiliate: Women Lawyers of Ventura County

Mary Sullivan Scholarship

This annual scholarship is given to a law student or recent law school graduate who represents the ideals and values of Mary Sullivan.

Apply here: https://www.wlvc.org/scholarships

The Jewish Bar Association of San Francisco is very excited to announce our 2026 law school student summer scholarship program.  JBASF will provide one-time scholarships up to $5,000 to students at Bay Area law schools whose upcoming summer work at a non-profit, government, or academic organization will include a focus on issues related to the Jewish community.  We would greatly appreciate your assistance in sharing information about the scholarship with interested students.  

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1, 2026. 

Comments Sought:

This email is to notify you that thirty-nine (39) new proposals to amend the California Rules of Court and Judicial Council forms have been posted on the California Courts website. You can review them at :http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Monday, May 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Comments Sought:

This message is to inform you that a new Special Cycle proposal is now available for your review and comments. You can access the proposal here: http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Thursday, April 30, 2026, no later than 5:00 PM (Pacific Time).

Family and Juvenile Law

ITC Number: SP26-01

Title: Child Support: Review of Statewide Uniform Child Support Guideline

Summary: The Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee invites public comment on the Review of Statewide Uniform Child Support Guideline 2025. Under Family Code section 4054 and federal regulations (45 C.F.R. § 302.56), the Judicial Council is required to review the statewide uniform child support guideline every four years and submit a report to the Legislature with findings and any recommendations for appropriate revisions. The 2025 review fulfills both state and federal requirements for the current review cycle and provides a comprehensive assessment of how the guideline operates in practice and identifies issues for further monitoring and evaluation. Prior to submission to the Legislature, the report is made available for public comment so that any comments received may be forwarded to the Legislature for its consideration.