Starting in 1962, the ABOTA National Executive Committee decided to choose an outstanding Californian to be selected as Trial Lawyer of the Year. In 1978 they formed, on a trial basis, a state group consisting of the Presidents of each of the then 7 California chapters. At that time National had 24 chapters and 1,048 members. In March of 1979 CAL-ABOTA was born — the first  state wide organization within ABOTA.  Our job was to select the California Trial Lawyer of the Year and present a seminar at the California State Bar Convention.

CAL-ABOTA now has 8 chapters and over 1,500 members.

CAL-ABOTA is dedicated to further the continuation of the independence of the judiciary. The CAL-ABOTA Chapters of ABOTA formulated a response team within each chapter with the intent that it could immediately take appropriate action when a member of the Judiciary has been unfairly attacked.

CAL-ABOTA promulgates the Juror’s Bill of Rights and encourages the reduction of the cost of litigation and avoidance of delay in dispute resolution.

CAL-ABOTA encourages the prompt filling of judicial vacancies and the increase in courtroom security.

CAL-ABOTA monitors and identifies legislation that may adversely effect the civil justice system and the right of all citizens to access to the courts.

CAL-ABOTA Chapters award the Civility and Judicial Civility Awards for career accomplishment in civility and professionalism.

CAL-ABOTA’s Code of Professionalism and Principles of Civility have elevated standards of integrity, honor, ethics, civility and courtesy in the legal profession and has promoted the image of lawyers.

CAL-ABOTA conducts “Civility Matters” presentations in law schools, law firms and other bar organizations. The DVD is only 35 minutes long and focus exclusively on why civility is critically important to our system of justice.

CAL-ABOTA is actively engaged in combating lawyer and judge bashing which is prevalent in America today.

Executive Committee Officers