Special Issues
Racial Justice and Rule of Law
Racial Justice Task Force Programming
We are proud to continue our free series of CLE programs related to civil rights and racial justice issues. By engaging other affinity bar associations, local bar associations, local non-profits, and experts on the topics, we aim to provide lawyers with information, resources and tools necessary to effectively advocate for racial justice and systemic reform.
Upcoming Programs
Watch the Recordings:
Prolearn is best accessed in Google Chrome. Programs are listed from oldest to newest below. More programs are available using the search feature in ProLearn.
- The Current Practice of Law in Ukraine: Live from Kyiv 6/26/23
- Examining Racial Disproportionality in Child Welfare Cases 7/10/23
- What You Need to Know About Reparations in California: Part Two – 7/17/23
- Use of the Racial Justice Act in Criminal Defense 11/13/23
- ACBA Virtual MCLE Compliance Countdown Session 2: Addressing Bias in the Legal Profession – in the Workplace and From the Bench, 12/1/24
- Building a Culture of Wellness through Mindfulness and DEI Principles – 2/8/24
- Disability Justice – How the School to Prison Pipeline Disproportionately Affects Students with Disabilities 3/18/24
- Juneteenth x Pride – Celebrations of Freedom and its Intersectionality 6/17/24
- The American Civil Liberties Union v. The Trump Administration: What is Happening & What You Need To Know, 4/30/25
Rule of Law in Action
- What Lawyers Can Do to Defend the Rule of Law, Our Democracy and Our Elections Read the article
- Resources for attorneys representing immigrants: https://immigrantjustice.org/for-attorneys/
Additional Tips For Protesting:
- Amnesty International: https://www.amnestyusa.org/pdfs/SafeyDuringProtest_F.pdf
- ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights/
Sign up to be a Legal Observer
Details on the National Lawyers Guild Legal Observer® program here
Opportunity to Represent Protesters Learn more
Support Black Owned Businesses
Check out the BAOBOB (Black Area Organization of Black Owned Businesses) directory here: BAOBOB-Directory
ACBA Statements
Special Statement From the ACBA Board of Directors
6.11.25 - Statement from Bar Associations, Rule of Law Organizations, and Lawyers re the Deployment of Federalized Troops in Los Angeles:
As a non-partisan coalition of organizations dedicated to upholding the Rule of Law, we are deeply concerned by the federal deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles without the request or consent of California's state and local authorities. The use of federalized troops for domestic law enforcement is an extreme measure that raises profound constitutional questions about executive power and federalism. Our system of checks and balances is threatened when established legal channels for state and local governance are bypassed.
While we support the First Amendment right to peaceful protest, we do not condone any acts of violence or destruction of property. However, inflammatory rhetoric from federal officials that casts protests as an "insurrection" or "invasion" serves only to escalate tensions and erode public trust. A government of laws requires that official action, especially the deployment of military force, adheres strictly to constitutional norms and collaborative processes.
We strongly urge the administration to rescind this order, return command of the National Guard to the Governor of California, and allow state and local authorities to manage the situation. We call for immediate de-escalation and a return to the established legal processes that safeguard our republic.
Special Statement From the ACBA Board of Directors
4.1.25 - The Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) is proud to join the American Bar Association (ABA) and bar organizations across the country in reaffirming our commitment to the rule of law. As legal professionals, we recognize that the rule of law is the foundation of a just and democratic society—it ensures fairness, protects individual rights, and holds those in power accountable.
In today’s complex and often polarized landscape, upholding these principles is more important than ever. The ABA’s statement serves as a reminder that bar associations and attorneys play a critical role in defending democratic institutions, promoting access to justice, and ensuring that legal protections apply equally to all.
As an organization dedicated to serving the legal community and the public in Alameda County, the ACBA remains steadfast in our mission to support justice, equity, and the integrity of the legal system. We encourage our members to read the full statement and join us in this commitment.
Read the full ABA statement here: https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2025/03/bar-organizations-statement-in-support-of-rule-of-law/
Special Statement From the ACBA Board of Directors
12.17.24 - The Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) supports the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ decision to take a transparent approach to appointing an Interim District Attorney, including public interviews and public comments. This public and transparent approach will allow our community to weigh in on the critical decision as to who is best suited to be the next District Attorney of Alameda County.
ACBA believes in the fair and impartial administration of justice. All persons, including individuals accused of crimes as well as victims of crime, deserve equal justice under the law regardless of race, sex, religion, national origin, or socioeconomic means. Our organization encourages the Board of Supervisors to choose an Interim District Attorney who exemplifies professionalism, demonstrates a strong commitment to professional ethics, supports civility in the legal profession, and possesses the legal skills necessary to manage an office of approximately 150 attorneys.
Special Statement From the ACBA Board of Directors
1.31.23 - The ACBA expresses heartfelt condolences to those impacted by the recent mass shootings in Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay, and Oakland. The victims of these shootings were Asian or Latina/o, and these events raise the specter of anti-Asian violence and violence against people of color more generally. We also mourn the killing of Tyre Nichols, and the culture of police violence from which it appears to have originated. The ACBA strongly opposes gun violence and hate crimes, and stands ready to advocate both for the legal rights of victims, and for policy changes to prevent these terrible tragedies in the future.
Special Statement From the ACBA Board of Directors
11.21.23 - The Alameda County Bar Association is deeply concerned by the dramatic increase in anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim speech and acts, including harassment, threats, discrimination, and assaults against both Jewish and Muslim people here in the US, since the latest war in the Middle East began. The ACBA strongly condemns anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and all hateful rhetoric and identity-based violence.
As a legal organization, our support of First Amendment rights goes without saying. We call on members of the legal community, including legal employers, law schools and other legal institutions, to recognize the humanity of Jewish and Muslim people when commenting on the crisis, and to ensure that employees, students and others can respectfully express their diverse views without fear of unjust punishment or censure.
ACBA Resolution Endorsing the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans
11.18.22 - The ACBA Board of Directors has passed the following resolution endorsing the mission and overall efforts of the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. View the resolution here
Special Statement From the ACBA Board of Directors
The Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) is heartbroken over the brutal killing of George Floyd.
ACBA stands for inclusion, equity, diversity, and fostering relationships within our legal and general community. We are aware of the senseless and merciless killings of unarmed black men across our nation – along with the intentional misuse of white privilege. We also recognize that these incidents have happened before and continue to happen to black women, transgender individuals and people of color. We are aware that there are systemic issues of racism that plague our institutions.
ACBA builds up attorneys who practice with fervor, skill, and compassion. We need strong voices who will stand against injustice and advocate for the voiceless. Our goal is to be a driving force in cultivating fierce advocates who will take action to ensure equal protection under the law. Breaks in our system will not be bandaged, but repaired. We stand against racism, oppression, and discrimination. We will continue to promote justice for all.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: A Call to Action from the Racial Justice Taskforce
As the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21st, the Alameda County Bar Association’s Racial Justice Taskforce stands united in its commitment to combating systemic racism and promoting equity and inclusion within the legal profession and the broader community. Read the post
Justice League: Virtual Showcase of BIPOC-led Organizations
Want to volunteer your time? Watch a recording of our spotlight on local BIPOC-led organizations on YouTube above.
Virtual Diverse Referrals Showcase
Organized by: The Alameda County Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association – Northern California, and the California Minority Counsel Program
These events provide an opportunity to increase referrals of legal matters to diverse solo and small firm attorneys who spotlight their practices and explain their expertise. Find our directory of past presenters here.
We want to hear from you
We are interested in publishing our members’ thoughts on racial justice issues, in particular, the role of the legal system and the Rule of Law in addressing police brutality and racial oppression. Blogs are 250 words, and can be submitted to valerie@acbanet.org. We’ll post blogs on this webpage, and they also go out in our newsletter.