California System-Involved Bar Association
A Bar Association for Formerly Incarcerated and System-Involved Lawyers
CSIBA’s mission is to diversify California’s legal profession by increasing access to legal education and State Bar of California licensure for people with prior criminal justice system involvement. We seek to accomplish this mission through three core strategies: Public Education, Direct Services, and Policy Advocacy
Public Education
Too often, formerly incarcerated or system involved individuals are told that a career in law is “off limits” because they have a criminal history. In California, this is simply not true. Our members are licensed attorneys with histories in the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Through our outreach efforts, CSIBA works to educate members of our population on becoming an attorney, providing accurate information about law school admissions and state bar licensure. To do so, we collaborate with the State Bar of California, professional associations, law schools, and community groups to provide education and support to prospective law students, current law students, and law school graduates. So if you are interested in a career in law, but believed it was not possible, we are here to help!
Direct Services
In an attempt to mitigate many of the challenges associated with having a criminal history, CSIBA provides information and guidance to formerly incarcerated and system involved individuals interested in pursuing a career in law. We can assist with the Law School Admission Test, the law school application process, and the Moral Character and Fitness Determination for the State Bar of California. In short, we demystify the process of becoming an attorney in California and support students through that process. Drawing on our relationships with the State Bar of California, law schools, community organizations, and the invaluable lived experience of our members, we help law students and law school graduates forge a path into the legal field.
Policy Advocacy
Many believe that people who have been found guilty of committing a crime amount to nothing more than their criminal histories, and that our population is merely a collection of risks and needs. CSIBA works to inform the public and policymakers about the value and contributions that individuals with prior involvement in the criminal justice system bring to the legal profession. In particular, we strive to educate decision makers at law schools, the California State Bar, and in the California Legislature on the negative impacts that current policies and practices have on our formerly incarcerated and system involved community. In turn, we advocate on behalf of our population for policy changes to increase access to legal education and admission to the legal profession.
Contact Form
If you are formerly incarcerated or system involved and would like information about becoming an attorney, please consider joining the California System-Involved Bar Association list serve. When contacting us for support, please indicate where you are in the process: pre-law school, in law school, law school graduate, or licensed attorney. We will work to offer you a community of support and practical resources to help you achieve your goals!