California Lawyers for the Arts is a State Bar Certified Referral Service — and is also licensed by the State Bar of California as a Multiple Activity MCLE Provider (#1248). CLA offers educational programs at least two-times per month in all of our locations, including many programs certified for MCLE. Sign-up for our weekly email newsletter to keep apprised of upcoming events and MCLE programs or check our calendar of workshops and events. 

MCLE Presenters
Also, if you're an expert in your field, you may wish to volunteer to present MCLE programs for CLA. There are many opportunities to serve as an MCLE presenter:

• in-person workshops
• seminars
• online educational programming (including livestreaming)
• videos
• podcasts
• and more!

The California Inventors Assistance Referral Program (CIAP)

Under the new “America Invents Act,” the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) established a pro bono program designed to assist financially under-resourced independent inventors and small businesses. CLA was selected as the statewide Administrator to manage pro bono intakes and placements throughout California.

This program is called the California Inventors Assistance Program [CIAP]. The CIAP assists independent inventors and small start-ups with pro bono legal help for their inventions. A detailed Inventor’s Questionnaire is required to screen the invention. To be provided with a pro bono referral, clients must start by completing a detailed financial screening application. The CIAP financial screening includes a review of adjusted gross income not to exceed 400% of the current federal poverty guidelines.  

If, after the initial free 30-minute consultation, the attorney does not wish to proceed with representation, the attorney must send the client back to CLA for a possible re-referral (if appropriate).

USPTO Pro Bono Recognition Certificate Program for Attorneys
The USPTO has announced a new certificate to recognize practitioners who provide at least 50 hours of patent pro bono service to their local pro bono program during calendar year 2020.  The personalized certificates will be signed by Commissioner of Patents Andrew Hirshfeld and William Covey, Director for the Office of Enrollment and Discipline.  

​The USPTO recognizes that patent professionals are oftentimes engaged in a very busy practice assisting paying clients with their intellectual property needs. That makes the commitment of the volunteers in this program all the more meaningful. The USPTO is grateful to all those who have dedicated their professional expertise to making the Patent Pro Bono Program a success!

The USPTO is proud to announce a USPTO Patent Pro Bono Service Certificate (see sample on the left). The Certificate will be issued annually to registered patent practitioners who have contributed at least 50 hours of pro bono service. Practitioners registered with the CIAP will have the option of having their names displayed here.

Check out these LRIS and CIAP-dedicated pages that describe the pro bono programs available to participating attorneys.

Success Story: IP Watchdog: The Bill Carpenter Story: The Path to a Granted United States Patent -- a patent granted with the assistance of the CIAP.

Law360: USPTO Pro Bono Program Lifts Up Struggling Inventors