CALE Code of Ethics

The members of CALE are committed to practice law with the highest of ethical standards, exceeding the requirements of the California State Bar.

Each Member Agrees

1. A membership may be terminated or temporarily suspended for failure to qualify as a member pursuant to the CALE membership requirements, for failure to pay dues, for conduct in contravention of any ethical standards or Rules of Ethics adopted or hereafter adopted by the Association, or for engaging in conduct materially and seriously prejudicial to the purposes and interests of the Association, including, but not limited to, conduct which is determined by the Association to be injurious to good order, peace, reputation, or best interests of the legal profession or the Association, conduct derogatory to the dignity of or inconsistent with the purposes of the Association, failure to provide information required or providing false or misleading information on the initial application form or annual renewal form, failing to maintain the principles of good ethics and disciplinary rules of the Association, or for any other good cause which the board deems sufficient.
2. A Member shall at all times remain an active member in good standing of the state Bar of California and shall fully comply with the Disciplinary Rules of the State Bar of California and the California Rules of Professional Conduct.
3. Each Member is under a duty to self-report any complaints to the State Bar, criminal arrests, or malpractice lawsuits brought at the time of the initiation of such complaint/arrest/suit and shall report the outcome of the matter at the time of the resolution.  These reports shall be made to the President and Membership Chair in writing.
4. A Member has the duty to assure that the Member’s clients are aware of the legal rights and obligations of all parties to the matter.
5. A Member shall take all reasonable measures consistent with the confidentiality required of the attorney-client relationship.
6. A Member shall avoid conflicts of interest.
7. A Member shall inform his/her clients as to the advantages, disadvantages, legal risks, costs, benefits of and procedures involved in the education matter being considered by the client, so that the client is able to make educated and informed decisions.
8. All fee arrangements between the Member and each client shall be in writing and shall be carefully explained to the client.
9. Violation of the terms of this Code may subject a Member to censure, private or public reproval, suspension or expulsion from the Association.