admin, Author at The Bar Association of San Francisco

Paralegals and Legal Staff: Make a Difference Through Pro Bono

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1960 Most nonprofit organizations are in need of lawyers but rarely ask specifically for assistance from legal support volunteers. While…

Real Housewife Has Real Problem with Estate Planning Attorney

Bethenny Frankel (famous for starring in “Real Housewives of New York” and for her SkinnyGirl cocktail company) and Jason Hoppy had an explosive divorce. While the couple was only married for two years, their divorce took twice as long while…

Legal Writing Tip: Make Your Headings and Subheadings Full Sentences

When writing your brief, craft the section and subsection headings in complete, informative sentences. It’s a good idea to do this early on, at the outlining stage. This practice allows the court to quickly scan your brief and get an…

Five Advantages of Having a Solo and Small Firm

I’ve had my own small firm for 15 years, my entire law career. While it’s easy to see the advantages of being employed by a large firm the benefits of owning a solo or small firm are tougher to identify.…

BASF’s Immigration Efforts Expand and Move Under the Justice & Diversity Center

Over 30 years ago, The Bar Association of San Francisco’s (BASF) Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) started the Attorney of the Day Program (AOD) at the request of the U.S. Immigration Court in San Francisco. Experienced immigration attorneys qualified…

Federal Judges Help Honor JDC Volunteers

The Justice & Diversity Center, along with 20 federal judges, celebrated law firms and attorneys who volunteer with its Federal Pro Bono Project at a reception in January. Through JDC’s partnership with the Northern District of California, judges identify low-income…

Lawyer Referral and Information Service Expands Role in Immigration Collaboratives to Ensure Due Process

In the fall of 2014, the City and County of San Francisco stepped up to fund legal representation for immigrants. In an unprecedented move, over two million dollars for two years was appropriated to help provide lawyers to unaccompanied minors…

Fear and Loathing in Depp’s Divorce

Just when it seemed that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were going to wrap up their short-lived, marriage, they are back for another round of litigation. It all started when Heard sought a domestic violence restraining order. On the eve…

San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association Volunteers at Legal Clinic

Thank you to the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association for volunteering at JDC’s December 17 Legal Advice and Referral Clinic. They want you to join them in pro bono! Visit www.sfbar.org/volunteer to learn more about the Legal Advice and Referral…

ADR War Stories: When it Really is All About the Money

As a full-time mediator of litigated matters, I often hear one, or both, of the parties proclaim, “It’s not about the money, it’s about the principle of the matter!” Sometimes that’s true; the dispute may have been brought in search…

Legal Writing Tip: Start Your Brief with a Solid Introduction

If you do not begin your brief with an issue statement, that is, a syllogism ending in a question, then open with an introduction that gives the judge a short and persuasive overview of the case. Present the facts plainly…

The Attorney-Client Privilege in Workplace Investigations

Attorneys are often called upon by employers to facilitate investigations of workplace misconduct. One reason this is done is so the findings and conclusion of the investigation may receive the protection of the attorney-client privilege. However, under California law the…