admin, Author at The Bar Association of San Francisco

Anti-SLAPP: A Powerful Tool Against Third Party Claims

An unintended consequence of California’s Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation statute (Anti-SLAPP), C.C.P. § 425.16, is the protection afforded attorneys against claims by non-clients. Enacted in 1992, it was designed to protect free-speech activities against retaliatory lawsuits, but it also…

Paralegals Must Take More Ethics MCLEs Than Attorneys, But Why?

The State Bar of California requires attorneys to complete 25 total hours of MCLEs per three-year reporting period, four hours of which must be in legal ethics (Cal. Bar Rule 2.72.). California paralegals are also required to complete four hours…

BASF and Barristers Club Announce Minority Bar Coalition Board Representatives

The Bar Association of San Francisco announced in November that Sigrid Irias, Irias Law, was selected to the 2017 BASF board as its Minority Bar Coalition (MBC) representative. BASF’s Barristers Club selected Lauren Young Epstein, Baker & McKenzie, as its…

Jolie Seeks to Break the Rules of Fight Club: Making Private Agreements Public

The “Brangelina” divorce is making headlines again on the heels of Angelina Jolie filing the parties’ temporary custody stipulation with the court, thereby making their agreement open to the public. The stipulation shows that Brad Pitt has weekly visitation with…

Legal Writing Tip: Start Your Brief With the “Deep” Issue

November’s column discussed the importance of drafting a clear and concise statement of the main legal question in the case. Framing the issue effectively is, perhaps, the most critical step in the process. The less time the judge has to…

Dolby Laboratories and Covington & Burling Join JDC to Serve Local Nonprofits

The Justice & Diversity Center’s Community Organization Representation Project (CORP), Covington & Burling, and Dolby Laboratories held a free clinic for eight nonprofit organizations who provide essential services to underserved communities, including: foster care, therapy and services for youth; bilingual…

Want Referrals? Join the Lawyer Referral Service for Half the Membership Price

Many individuals and businesses begin the new year with resolutions; the focus of which frequently center on shrinking midlines and growing bottom lines. While the former is up to the individual, the latter is something The Bar Association of San…

ADR Neutral with Labor Relations Expertise Joins BASF Mediation Services Panel

The newest addition to BASF’s Mediation panel, Susan Joan Davidson, has 40 years’ experience as a successful, respected ADR neutral. After earning an LLM in labor relations with an emphasis on dispute resolution, she worked in Governor Brown’s administration in…

Estate Planning Corner: Designate Retirement Account Beneficiaries to Protect Your Legacy

No one wants to pay more taxes than they owe, but your estate can wind up shelling out extra if you don’t clearly designate your retirement account beneficiaries. This mistake recently cost the estate of John DiMarco a huge chunk…

Lessons from the Launch: What I Learned from Starting a Law Firm

Last April, I took a professional leap of faith and launched a new civil litigation boutique. In a few short months, it has already proved to be the most personally rewarding decision of my career. To claim “success” is premature…

Anti-SLAPP: A Powerful Tool Against Third Party Claims

Paralegals Must Take More Ethics MCLEs Than Attorneys, But Why?

BASF and Barristers Club Announce Minority Bar Coalition Board Representatives

Top 10 Legal by the Bay Articles of 2016

Jolie Seeks to Break the Rules of Fight Club: Making Private Agreements Public

Top 10 Legal by the Bay Articles of 2016

Legal Writing Tip: Start Your Brief With the “Deep” Issue

Dolby Laboratories and Covington & Burling Join JDC to Serve Local Nonprofits

Want Referrals? Join the Lawyer Referral Service for Half the Membership Price

ADR Neutral with Labor Relations Expertise Joins BASF Mediation Services Panel

Estate Planning Corner: Designate Retirement Account Beneficiaries to Protect Your Legacy

Lessons from the Launch: What I Learned from Starting a Law Firm