California’s

Awareness

Milestones

Brown Act requires open meetings in local government

Bagley-Keene Act requires open meetings in state government

Public Records Act protects access to state and local records

State Constitution protects journalists’ confidential sources

State Constitution guarantees access to public meetings, records

State’s Court System opens its administrative records to public scrutiny

State Constitution amended to require more transparency in the Legislature

Who We Are:

Fighters for Your Rights and Freedoms

We help citizens, public servants and journalists in California. We are a nonprofit organization, established to keep Californians aware of what they need to know to hold government and other powerful institutions accountable for their actions.  Our mission is to support and defend open government, an enquiring press and a citizenry free to exchange facts and opinions on public issues.

In short, Californians Aware is a center for information, guidance and initiatives in public forum law.

CalAware’s prompt and expert legal advice not only helps me do my job, but helps me pass on that expertise to readers who are facing their own barriers to public access.

Thy Vo, Reporter, Voice of OC, Orange County

CalAware has been a tremendous resource to both me personally and our news organization. It is often the first entity we call when looking for sources or counsel on Brown Act and First Amendment issues, and has contributed mightily to our award winning coverage of Humboldt County. We are very grateful to have CalAware to turn to.

Thadeus Greenson, News Editor, North Coast Journal

Support our cause and get exclusive benefits such as access to our knowledge base, forums and help with records requests! Become a member today!

What We Do

Helping People Understand their Public Forum Rights

Public Forum Law protects your rights.  We fight the trends of excessive official secrecy, intimidation or retaliation and eroding opportunity.

I’m a newspaper reporter and a government watchdog in Dixon. I’m a member of CalAware, and it helped me understand my rights as a reporter and as citizen in order to hold government accountable and keep them open and transparent.

Ourania Riddle, Dixon

Access to records

of state and local government agencies and courts

Freedom to speak

associate, assemble and petition for or against change.

Access to meetings

of public officials in state and local government

Freedom to report

facts ideas and opinions in old and new media

Freedom from fear

for whistleblowing to the authorities or the press

Californians Aware

is here for you. Join us and become a member today.

We are a nonprofit organization. Your generous donation helps us in our mission.

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CalAware

TODAY

Briggs Law Corporation

Name of Lawyer Cory J. Briggs Profile: The firm's policy is to evaluate each case on its own merits before deciding whether to take the case on a pro bono or contingency basis. Not all cases will satisfy the firm''s requirements for representation on such a basis....

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Levy, Ram & Olson

Name of Lawyer Karl Olson Profile: The firm considers taking public records or other cases when there is a strong possibility of fee recovery from the other side. Geographical Area Covered: Northern California Appearances Fee: $300 - $500 Other Fees: Pro Bono Publico,...

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LAW OFFICES OF JULIA SYLVA, ALC

Profile General Practice Areas: Public Law Real Estate/Land Use Corporate/NonProfit Law Estate Planning Specialty: Cannabis Law Geographical Area Covered: Entire State of California Appearances Fee: $100 - $300 Other Fees: $100-$300 Attorney Experiences: Access to...

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COOPER, WHITE & COOPER

Name of Lawyer Walter W. Hansell Geographical Area Covered: Entire State of California Appearances Fee: $300 - $500 Other Fees: Pro Bono Publico, Contingency, or Other Arrangements (that may reduce fee impact) may be permitted. Attorney Experiences: Access to courts...

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CalAware

IN THE NEWS

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CalAware

IN ACTION

Briggs Law Corporation

Name of Lawyer Cory J. Briggs Profile: The firm's policy is to evaluate each case on its own merits before deciding whether to take the case on a pro bono or contingency basis. Not all cases will satisfy the firm''s requirements for representation on such a basis....

read more

Levy, Ram & Olson

Name of Lawyer Karl Olson Profile: The firm considers taking public records or other cases when there is a strong possibility of fee recovery from the other side. Geographical Area Covered: Northern California Appearances Fee: $300 - $500 Other Fees: Pro Bono Publico,...

read more

LAW OFFICES OF JULIA SYLVA, ALC

Profile General Practice Areas: Public Law Real Estate/Land Use Corporate/NonProfit Law Estate Planning Specialty: Cannabis Law Geographical Area Covered: Entire State of California Appearances Fee: $100 - $300 Other Fees: $100-$300 Attorney Experiences: Access to...

read more

COOPER, WHITE & COOPER

Name of Lawyer Walter W. Hansell Geographical Area Covered: Entire State of California Appearances Fee: $300 - $500 Other Fees: Pro Bono Publico, Contingency, or Other Arrangements (that may reduce fee impact) may be permitted. Attorney Experiences: Access to courts...

read more
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