admin, Author at The Bar Association of San Francisco

Get Certified: The California Certified Paralegal Exam

In February of this year, 30 paralegals from across the state – myself included – took the first California Certified Paralegal (CCP) exam sponsored by the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA) This exam tests a paralegal’s knowledge in the…

Pro Bono for the Soul

Chances are you do not want your bar association to ask only what you can do for us, but you also want to know what your bar association can do for you. We get it, and we think the answer…

Let’s Move the Profession Forward

Some of the most important discussions we can have as members of the legal community involve how to make progress as a profession. Topics like how to better serve our clients, provide access to legal services, and embrace innovation and…

A Conversation with Presiding Judge Teri L. Jackson

San Francisco Superior Court Presiding Judge Teri L. Jackson is a fantastic judge and a wonderful person. She is also a strong supporter of the Barristers Club and the Bar Association of San Francisco. This year, the Barristers Club is…

Vote Yes on Prop F [VIDEO]

Thousands of tenants are evicted each year in San Francisco and many face the eviction and the possibility of homelessness, without a lawyer. Nationally, 90% of landlords go into an eviction proceeding with an attorney, while only 10% of tenants…

The Limits of Advance Waivers

Law firms have aggressively pursued advance waivers to represent concurrent clients whose interests conflict in unrelated matters. For example, Law Firm represents Client A in an action against Client B. Normally, this representation would preclude Law Firm from representing Client…

Prisoner Denied Medical Care Accesses Justice Through Law Firm’s Pro Bono Representation

A prison left ‘Mr. S’ in debilitating pain for weeks after another inmate attacked him. Despite having four fractured ribs, Mr. S received no medical attention for over three weeks, during which time he was unable to walk, sleep, eat,…

Plan Ahead If You Want Kids Conceived After Death To Inherit

These days, fertility science can bring the joy of parenthood to those surviving a deceased partner. But what about the inheritance rights for such miracle progeny? Well, there are limits. That’s the decision of the U.S. Second Circuit Court of…

Avoid block quotations; use only the “hearts” of quotes

Effective legal writers avoid block quotations and quote supporting authorities sparingly. They do not create their briefs by stringing together a list of long quotes. Instead, they make the arguments and points in their own words—blending the heart of a…

Orrick Attorneys and UC Hastings Students Step Up to Help Homeless San Franciscans

The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) thanks Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe attorneys Penni Takade and Matteo Daste for volunteering with the Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP), engaging UC Hastings students in their work as well. Penni and Matteo volunteer at HAP’s…

The Psychology of Impasse – Part 2

In part 1 of my column, I discussed the psychology of mediation, presenting study materials that were developed by a European project for mediators based on my previous publications. Here again are excerpts from the TIME project (the European Project…

Mediation Confidentiality

The statutory framework for California mediation set forth in California Evidence Code Sections 1115-1128 imposes ethical duties on lawyers representing clients (whether or not a lawsuit is filed). Definitions are in Evidence Code § 1115: (a) “Mediation” means a process in…