… When parties and their counsel get antsy early on in a mediation, they often want to cut to the chase. “Can’t you just make a mediator’s proposal?” they ask. This is generally a bad idea for several reasons. First,…
“Your Legal Rights” Podcast Features Two LRIS Panel Attorneys, Discusses On-Demand and Gig Economy
On August 17, San Francisco-Marin Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) Panel attorneys Tad Devlin, Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck and Aaron Minnis, Minnis & Smallets, were the featured guests on the KALW radio show “Your Legal Rights.” Hosted by Chuck…
LinkedIn Endorsements: Potential Legal Ethics Problem?
If you are an active LinkedIn user, there’s a good chance that you have received an endorsement by someone without personal knowledge of whether you have the claimed skill. Well-meaning perhaps, but such endorsements of attorneys are potentially misleading…
Morgan Lewis Pro Bono Team Enables More Stable Housing for Family
As the housing crisis continues, pro bono attorneys from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius came to the aid of a family of four facing eviction after 14 years of living in a Mission District studio apartment. We thank the team of…
Summer Interns Gain Experience With HAP
The Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) had three great summer legal interns in 2016: Jeffrey Pettibone, from University of San Francisco Law School; Jimmy Mulgannon, from Santa Clara University Law School; and Katie Blatter Nielson from Brigham Young University. Each intern…
Skyline College’s Paralegal Clinic: Inspiring Agents for Change
Access to justice for all is a serious issue. The American Bar Association acknowledges that the legal profession fails to adequately address the “major gap between the civil legal needs of low-income people and the legal help that they…
No Limits? Master P Has Children Petition Court
American rapper/actor/reality star/ entrepreneur Master P is finding there is “No Limit” to how long or how expensive his legal battle with ex-wife Sonya Miller will be. His three youngest children, Hercy, Mercy and Itali just wrote emotional letters…
Business Attorneys Make Time for Pro Bono to Advance Societal Goals
The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) applauds two Volunteers of the Month: John Carpenter, Dolby Laboratories; and Marty Myers, Covington & Burling. At JDC’s clinic for nonprofit organizations, the two volunteers helped an urban sustainable farm that donates 12,000 pounds…
Legal Writing Tip: Create a Nonlinear Outline
Last month, we discussed the first stage of preparing a legal brief, that is, the period of research and note-taking, of jotting down ideas and points as they come without concern for their strength or order, i.e., letting the…
Single Mother Inspired by Destination Law School Program
Shronda Allen was a student at Alameda City College when she attended a Destination Law School (DLS) panel presentation last fall. While there, she met JDC’s Director of Diversity Pipeline Programs, Elizabeth McGriff, and expressed her interest in a legal…
What Hat Am I Wearing? Practical and Ethical Issues for Attorneys Practicing Dual Occupations
Complying with the California Rules of Professional Conduct can be challenging enough for an attorney, but issues can become even more complicated if you are also practicing a dual profession. Engaging in a second occupation may appeal to some…
Presiding Judge Issues Notice Regarding Newer Practitioners
San Francisco Superior Court Presiding Judge John Stewart’s master calendar web page recently added the following message to encourage senior attorneys to help develop newer attorneys trial skills: “The Court believes in supporting the development of our next generation of…