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Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services

The Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services (SCDLS) is a 20-member advisory committee that:

identifies, develops, and supports improvements in the delivery of legal services (civil and criminal) to low-and moderate-income individuals in California.
serves as a resource to the Board of Governors on legal services issues and relevant legislation.
develops and presents educational programs and materials to improve the delivery of legal services.
maintains liaison relationships with other State Bar entities, such as the California Commission on Access to Justice and external entities such as the Legal Aid Association of California.
works to encourage pro bono participation in California.

The major project areas include:

Appointments: Recruit and review applications for appointment to SCDLS and makes recommendations to the Board of Governors.	Legislative Comments: Review and comment on proposed legislation, Judicial Council forms and rules, and other matters that impact the delivery of legal services to low-and moderate-income individuals.
Moderate Income: Identify, evaluate and promote effective legal services delivery systems for moderate-income Californians, including limited scope representation and lawyer referral services.	Pro Bono: Develop, implement and support activities that inform lawyers from all practice settings, law firms, bar associations, law schools and the general public about the responsibility of attorneys to perform pro bono work on behalf of indigent Californians and that encourage greater participation in organized pro bono programs throughout the state.
Awards/Recognition: Conduct outreach, solicit and review nominations for the President's Pro Bono Service Awards and Loren Miller Legal Services Awards, and make recommendations to the Board of Governors.	Training: Develop and present educational programs and materials at State Bar events such as the Annual Meeting, Pathways to Justice and other venues, that, in partnership with other entities, improve the delivery of legal services.

SCDLS seeks attorneys who are from diverse backgrounds and a variety of practice settings (e.g., legal aid, government/small/medium/large law firm, solo, corporate, academia, indigent criminal defense, courts). Public members with experience in the delivery of legal services to low- and moderate-income Californians are encouraged to apply.

Members should be prepared to complete tasks assigned to them and to devote a minimum of 6-10 hours on average per month on projects, plus actively participate at in-person committee meetings. Full committee meetings are usually held on Fridays and generally alternate between the State Bar offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Travel time is in addition to the scheduled meeting time.

Expected 2012-2013 vacancies: 6-8
Meetings per year: 5 - 6 (plus working group conference calls)
Chair: Catherine Bennett, Bakersfield
Staff Contact: Sharon Ngim, sharon.ngim@calbar.ca.gov

Deadline for 2012 applications: Closed
Next year's deadline for the 2013 applications will be Feb. 1, 2013.

2012 terms begin: Conclusion of 2012 State Bar Annual Meeting (Oct. 14, 2012).