2013 LACBA Election Process Begins

As reported in the August 2012 County Bar Update, amendments to the LACBA bylaws have changed the Board of Trustees election process to equalize the numbers of at-large, section, and affiliate trustees on the board, and standardize the criteria and nominating process for all trustee positions.

The first step of the 2013 election process is ready to begin with the selection of Nominating Committee members. The committee nominates one or more LACBA member(s) for each position of at-large, section, and affiliate trustee to be filled. At-large, section, and affiliate trustees serve two-year terms. For the 2013 election, half of the nominees will be filling one-year terms to stagger the two-year positions. The committee also nominates one or more current or former trustees for each of the offices of president-elect, senior vice president, and vice president. Officers serve one-year terms. President-Elect Patricia Egan Daehnke assumes the presidency on July 1, 2013.

The Nominating Committee consists of:

• LACBA’s immediate past president, current president, and president-elect;
• two members designated by the Barristers president;
• three trustees-at-large selected by lot from those who have served on the Board of Trustees previously;
• three members selected by lot from those who have represented LACBA sections on the board;
• three members selected by lot from those who have represented the affiliated associations on the board.

No member of the Nominating Committee may be nominated, either by the committee or by a written nomination, for an elective office, including the position of trustee, during the year of service on the committee.

All LACBA members seeking nomination by the Nominating Committee for officer and at-large trustee positions must submit a declaration of intent to seek such nomination by 5:00 p.m. on March 15, 2013. Applications not timely received will not be considered. Declarations of intent should be sent to Sally Suchil, Executive Director, Los Angeles County Bar Association, PO Box 55020, Los Angeles, CA 90055.

Members of the Nominating Committee may submit additional names of members for nomination to any at-large, section, or affiliate trustee position prior to the second meeting of the Nominating Committee, if a second meeting is held.

Nominees for president-elect, senior vice president, and vice president must have served as a LACBA trustee for at least two years prior to July 1, 2013. Nominees for the at-large, affiliate, and section trustee positions (term of service 2013-14 or 2013-15) must (1) be a LACBA member for at least three years prior to July 1, 2013, and (2) as to affiliate and section trustees, have been a member of a LACBA affiliate or LACBA section, respectively, for no less than one year. The Nominating Committee may consider whether the potential nominees have demonstrated service to LACBA through active membership on one or more LACBA sections, committees, or public service projects.

The Nominating Committee must complete its work by mid-April.

Nomination by the committee is not the only way for a member’s name to be placed into nomination for a trustee or officer position. A member meeting the eligibility criteria stated above may run for a trustee or officer position (except president or immediate past president) upon filing with the Executive Director a written nomination signed by at least 100 LACBA members. Nomination forms are available at the LACBA offices.

An election will be held in June if there is more than one candidate for any board position, nominated by the Nominating Committee or by member petition. Members entitled to vote are those whose names appear on the official membership roster as of May 15. Law students, honorary, and retired members are not entitled to vote or to hold any office. Associate members may vote but are not entitled to hold office.

Election Deadlines

• By March 15, 2013: Selection by lot of three at-large, three affiliate, and three section trustee members of Nominating Committee
• March 15, 2013: Prospective nominees’ submission of declaration of intent by 5:00 p.m.
• By April 19, 2013: Selection of nominees
• April 30, 2013: Members’ submission of written nominations to run for trustee and officer positions and candidates’ statements submitted to the Executive Director by 5:00 p.m.
• May 15, 2013: Eligible voters of record
• By May 30, 2013: Ballots distributed if required
• Mid-June, 2013: Election if required