In 2010, the State Bar will consider the new appointment and/or reappointment of six State Bar delegates and one or more alternates to the ABA (American Bar Association) House of Delegates.

State Bar delegates:

• serve staggered two-year terms, beginning and ending upon adjourment of the ABA Annual Meeting in August;
• are required to pay their own travel expenses;
• are expected to attend the House of Delegates meetings at the ABA Midyear and Annual Meetings and on occasion, participate in conference calls;
• must be ABA members in good standing throughout their tenure as delegates.

The State Bar ay also select one or more alternates to serve in place of any appointed delegate who is unable to attend the Mid-Year or Annual Meeting.

State Bar alternates:

• Remain in the alternate pool for one year and may be contacted on short notice as to availability to fill-in for delegates at either the ABA Mid-year or Annual Meeting;
• must be members in good standing of the ABA in order to be certified and serve as replacement delegates;
• have no official standing with the ABA unless certified by the State Bar to replace a delegate at the Mid-Year or Annual Meeting. If asked to replace a delegate, the alternate will be responsible for his/her own travel expenses to attend the ABA meetings.

In their applications, applicants are to describe their recent ABA activities and contributions they have made to the organization. Attendance and service are factors considered for reappointment.

The Board of Governors will consider the appointments at its March 2010 meeting. At its discretion, the designated board committee may conduct interviews of the applicants.

Selection Guidelines:

The State Bar appoints a total of 11 members to the ABA House of Delegates. For these 11 appointments, the Board of Governors will strive to appoint members from its applicant pool meeting the following guidelines:

• One delegate who qualifies as the Young Lawyer representative (this position is filled for 2010);
• Up to two delegates to include the most immediate past member of the ABA Board of Governors and any immediate past officer of the ABA from the California ABA Delegation;
• Two members who have not had substantial volunteer experience but who possess the leadership and other skills to be successful delegation members; and,
• Six delegates who have substantial bar experience, especially with the ABA, and are typical of other State Bar appointments.

Unless authorized by the Board of Governors, each member of the State Bar's ABA delegation will be eligible for reappointment to no more than three consecutive two-year appointments or a maximum of six consecutive years of service with the delegation. Delegates who have completed such service may apply in the future after a period of not less than two years from the date of the expiration of the delegate's last term of service with the State Bar.

All members will be encouraged to become broadly participant in ABA activities in order to fully represent the interests of California attorneys.

For additional information on the ABA House of Delegates, please visit the ABA Web site at www.abanet.org.

Deadline for 2010 applications: February 1, 2010

2010 terms begin: Conclusion of 2010 ABA Annual Meeting (August 10, 2010).