It seemed ideal for family gatherings: a log-cabin near Yosemite. Richard Harley, in his role as trustee, bought it with funds from his parents’ family trust and put it in a separate trust—apparently without informing all of his siblings. He…
Are you ready for the California Consumer Privacy Act?
California recently enacted what some have called the most comprehensive privacy legislation in the U.S., the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA). The CCPA becomes operative on January 1, 2020, but it requires businesses to disclose certain details about…
Referral Fees: Front and Center
The recent California Rules of Professional Conduct (“CRPC”), effective November 1, 2018, introduced some needed clarity regarding fee splitting amongst lawyers who are not in the same firm. Prior Rule 2-200(A) prohibited an attorney from splitting a fee with another…
Legal ethics in negotiating
In litigation and transactional work, negotiations with another party’s counsel are inevitable. The better the picture you can paint of your client’s position, the better the resolution you might obtain. However, new Rule 4.1 of the California Rules of Professional…
Cut to the Chase: Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts in Word 2010
Teaching my recent CLE seminar on Table of Contents and Table of Authorities in Microsoft Word 2010, I learned there’s a general hunger for fast and effective shortcuts. While nothing beats a good template with styles and schemes, if…
A Tale of Two States: Wendy Williams and College Child Support
Television superstar host Wendy Williams made a name for herself in radio and television with her “shock jock” tactics, usually resulting in a celebrity feud. She has never been afraid to “say it like she means it” about the…
The Rewards of Authentic Mentoring Relationships
Mentoring. The word conjures up images of stilted conversations in senior partners’ offices, neither person really wanting to be there. No wonder many lawyers shy away from the idea entirely. Mentoring can be highly rewarding, especially for solo and…
Trial Preparation Tips for Paralegals
The Bar Association of San Francisco’s Paralegal Section’s executive committee is proud to announce its first-ever Paralegal Educational Conference on Saturday, July 13, 2019. This all-day conference will focus on sharpening the skills paralegals need to assist attorneys…
How a Late Rock Star’s Trust-Fund Baby Worked Through Her ‘Inheritance Guilt’
Frances Bean Cobain says she feels guilty about the millions she’s inheriting from the father she barely remembers. “My relationship to money is different because I didn’t earn it. And so it’s almost like this big, giant loan…
Nuggets of Wisdom: Perspective of Senior Small Firm Practitioner Charles Louderback
As a partner of a small firm, I am constantly searching for best practices and pieces of wisdom from successful attorneys and business owners I admire. This article shares some insight from Charles “Chuck” Louderback, a senior trial practitioner…
Legal Ethics: New Rule 1.15 and Safekeeping of Funds, Explained
New California Rules of Professional Conduct (“CRPC”), Rule 1.15, sets forth an attorney’s duties regarding safekeeping of funds and property of clients and other persons. For most attorneys, this Rule will be most relevant regarding management of an…
Nicolas Cage’s Annulment: He Isn’t Leaving Las Vegas Yet
Nicolas Cage won’t be “Leaving Las Vegas” any time soon. He filed for an annulment from his fourth wife, Erika Koike, only four days after his Bellagio casino wedding, leaving Britney Spears with the record for celebrity shortest marriage. …