CAALA President Mike Arias ARIAS SANGUINETTI WANG & TORRIJOS, LLP October 2018 Issue

The importance of politics to CAALA and the importance of CAALA to politicians THIS ELECTION IS ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE

In a few short weeks, the mid-term Republicans, we will take back the House. efforts to pare down, strip down and take elections will take place, and I hope I don’t What does this mean to you as a Trial away access to justice.” Swalwell added that have to tell you how important this election Lawyer? It means that the wrath of legislta- “23 seats are between where we are and cut- is for consumer attorneys and the people tion that has emanated out of the ting in half our time in hell. We can prove we represent. Like so many CAALA mem- Republican-controlled House – that is that we are better than that in America.” bers, politics means a lot to me; not just designed to limit consumer rights, deny and both said they because I’m CAALA’s President and I’m trial by jury and eliminate our practices – have lived a life of service. Katie as a nurse and about to be installed as President of our will stop. Cisneros in the Navy. They say they are both state trial lawyer association, CAOC. And As is usually the case, is at the fighting to keep President Trump from taking not because I’m a political junkie who center of the national political landscape, away what trial lawyers work to do. would follow politics 24 hours a day if I and five Congressional races are being held is a tenured professor of could. No, it’s because this election will in Districts where law at U.C. Irvine and she said that she has seriously impact our livelihood and the Democrats have a very good chance of spent her whole career fighting for families work we do. I know that sounds dramatic, defeating incumbent Republicans or taking ripped off by banks and businesses. She and it’s not my style to overstate or sensa- over open seats previously held by says that like trial lawyers she is fighting so tionalize things, but this election is really Republicans. All five of these Districts are families get a fair shake in our economy. that important. within driving distance of most of CAALA’s is running for the seat I spend a lot of time talking to CAALA 3,200 attorney members; they are literally in vacated by . Levin told the members, from young attorneys to veteran our own backyard. Along with the help of our CAALA members he has taught his two trial lawyers, and from solo practitioners to partners at AAJ, I invited all five of the key young children they aren’t to lie or bully members of big firms. I must admit I’m a California Democratic candidates plus promi- and to treat people with respect. Levin little surprised sometimes when members nent Northern California Congressman Eric asked, “Why don’t those same rules apply tell me they don’t have much interest in Swalwell to attend the CAALA Convention. to the President?” politics. I patiently explain why having an People told me the candidates would never is in a fierce fight interest in politics is so important for trial do that since Labor Day is the start of their to defeat long-time Conservative attorneys and I usually get a very shocked campaign season. I found out that those peo- Congressman Dana Rohrbacher. Harley is look when I tell them exactly what CAOC ple were wrong when I heard from every one an attorney and successful businessman and our national association, AAJ, do every of the five candidates and that who reminded us that, “You took an oath day to protect their clients and their prac- they were eager to attend the Convention to support and defend the Constitution, tices. When I finish, they almost always say, and meet our members. I was extremely so why shouldn’t Rohrbacher honor the “Wow, I had no idea.” proud to have played a part in bringing same oath?” I also like to remind members that them to the convention but also proud that We all know how important it is to win CAALA is a large and very important plain- being at the convention meant so much to back the House. Here’s how we can do it. tiff trial lawyer association, probably the the candidates and to a prominent At the end of his comments, Levin most important local trial lawyer association Congressman. turned to the attorneys in the room and in the country, and that our association and On Saturday afternoon, the five candi- said: “We need you to show up, we all need our members are very important to elected dates and Swalwell met and spoke to our your help. Can you all commit to do some- officials, both in Sacramento and in members. The room was full, and I must thing for us? You don’t have to go out of Washington D.C. It really does surprise me tell you it was one of the most motivating state to make a difference, come to that most members don’t realize they are and inspiring political events I’ve experi- Carlsbad or Palmdale or Irvine and help us part of a very powerful organization. enced in my 35-year career. take back the House.” The five candidates are Gil Cisneros Eric Swalwell told a story about Katie Candidates came to CAALA Vegas (CA-39), Katie Hill (CA-25), Mike Levin Hill recruiting trial lawyers to volunteer to (CA-49), Katie Porter (CA-45) and Harley help her campaign and that they went A few weeks ago, at the CAALA con- Rouda (CA-48). Their districts are in L.A. door to door in her district asking, “Can vention, we all had first-hand proof of just County, Orange County, and Katie Count on You?” Swalwell turned to how important this election is to consumer San Bernardino. the attorneys in the room and said, “I am attorneys and how important consumer I want to share with you a few words asking you the same question for Katie, attorneys are to elected officials and the from these candidates to give you some Katie, Harley, Mike and Gil: Can They right candidates. idea why it is so important that these five Count on You?” Even if you don’t follow politics closely, remarkable people be part of a Democratic- I am asking every reader of this column you know that on November 6, Democrats controlled House of Representatives in the same question. Whether it is giving have a very good chance of taking back the November. Each of them comes from a financial support, helping with a phone U.S. House of Representatives. On election different background but all five are strong- bank, or walking precincts in Orange day, all 435 seats in the House of ly in favor of consumers and the County, San Bernardino or San Diego, I Representatives will be contested. I can’t attorneys who represent them. hope these candidates can count on CAALA think of anything more important than members. I don’t have to tell you how Democrats winning back the House, which Introducing the candidates important it is to put them in Congress in is currently controlled by Republicans, many November. of whom are pro-Business, anti-Consumer Eric Swalwell began by introducing the and anti-Civil Justice. If Democrats win only five candidates. He said they all “Take on 23 key Congressional seats now held by causes greater than themselves and will fight