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Newsletter SignupWhen the structure doesn’t support your vision, the opportunity lies in building something better. Jeremy Evans helped navigate the California Lawyers Association’s separation from the California State Bar—and this episode of Leading the Bar is a playbook for leaders who want to leave their bar stronger than they found it.
Produced by the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) in partnership with Legal Talk Network, the conversation in the second episode explores how California’s voluntary bar emerged from a regulatory split, and what that transformation reveals about the future of bar leadership.
From navigating organizational change to building a solo practice rooted in personal values, Evans offers a blueprint for leading with purpose, flexibility, and impact. Whether you’re a bar executive, board member, or attorney seeking to drive change, this episode delivers practical insights on bold, intentional leadership.
Voluntary bars can lead with more freedom.
Evans explains how separating from a regulatory bar enabled the California Lawyers Association to focus on education, advocacy, and community support in ways that mandatory bars often cannot.
➡️ “You can’t advocate effectively if you’re tied to regulation.”
Organizational structure shapes mission.
“The structure of a bar association determines not just how it operates—but what it’s capable of achieving. Evans discusses how leadership intentionally reimagined CLA’s framework to better reflect member needs.”
➡️ “Structure can be restructured. You’re not stuck.”
Leadership starts before you’re chosen.
For Evans, leadership isn’t about waiting for titles—it’s about showing up and stepping into the role before anyone hands it to you. His story reminds listeners that transformation begins with initiative.
➡️ “You don’t need permission to lead.”
These insights—and more—reinforce the core message of the episode: visionary leadership requires adaptability, clarity of mission, and the courage to rebuild from the ground up.
Catch the conversation from the beginning in Episode One:
In Episode 1, Dana and Keith Cutler laid the foundation for what it means to lead with intention, compassion, and resilience. Episode 2 builds on that foundation as Jeremy Evans brings a systems-level perspective to what meaningful change looks like in practice.
Link to EP.1 | Ep. 1 on Apple | Ep. 1 on Spotify
Leading the Bar is hosted by Amanda Arriaga and Lynette Paczkowski and features monthly conversations with dynamic leaders across the legal profession. Episodes highlight real-world strategies for managing change, building community, and navigating today’s evolving legal landscape.
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts
🎧 Or on Spotify
To learn more about National Conference of Bar Presidents, visit ncbp.org.
