Volunteering with ACA’s Attorney State Chair Program can help build your career and members’ businesses.
09/15/2023 11:35 A.M.
2 minute read
Attention, attorneys! You have just a few more days to take part in a program for member attorneys who are interested in expanding their careers by serving their state and regional units.
ACA International’s Attorney State Chair Program provides ACA units and their members with access to an attorney licensed to practice law in their state. These attorneys volunteer to take calls and make themselves available as legal resources and referral attorneys as their schedules permit.
Jessica Klander, shareholder at Bassford Remele in Minneapolis, volunteers with the program and said ACA members often call her with questions about state laws and litigation compliance.
“I’ve helped individuals with navigating state-specific compliance requirements,” she said. “I can’t provide legal advice per se, but I can point you in the right direction and get you the statute or guidance that will help focus the issue. I recently helped someone with a Minnesota-specific compliance issue and was able to provide insight into how others in the state have handled the issue.”
Program volunteers serve as a crucial liaison between ACA and the affiliated state and regional unit members, helping to strengthen relationships and partnerships between attorneys and their member clients.
“Given the ever-changing landscape of state regulations and licensing laws, it is such a benefit to be able to reach out to someone with boots on the ground,” Klander said. “If we don’t know the answer, we can more easily point you to a resource where you might find the answer you need.”
Volunteer leaders also:
- Work on legislative advocacy by engaging members in national legislative efforts. Help mobilize efforts in a state when needed, as well as identify specific statewide legislative issues.
- Assist in educating the unit membership on legislation, regulations, laws, ordinances and judicial decisions.
- Identify important and industry-significant legal issues occurring in a state, allowing ACA to assess the issues and, where possible, avoid bad case law that may impact the industry on a regional or national basis.
Applicants must be attorneys licensed to practice law in the state, as well as attorney and unit members in good standing. ACA units will be reviewing applications and making appointments in September.
Please submit applications to [email protected] by Friday, Sept. 22. Find the application (PDF) and more information on the program here.
The Attorney State Chair term runs for one year beginning Oct. 1.
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