The Justice & Diversity Center’s (JDC) Volunteer of the Month for May is Tom Elke, who has represented low-income tenants pro bono since 2011 through JDC’s Eviction Defense Project. A native San Franciscan, Elke hopes to protect vulnerable community members…
Fearing Spousal Support Request, TV D-Lister Tells Wife Her Acting is an F
Character actor Jon Wellner, who was promoted to a series regular on CBS’s popular crime drama “CSI” in 2012, says his wife should give up acting and get a “real” job. Jon recently filed for divorce from his wife of…
Welcoming Gregg Ficks, Incoming Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section Chair
The Bar Association of San Francisco is excited to welcome its 2015 Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section Chair, Gregg Ficks. Gregg is a partner at Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass, where he leads the firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice…
Does the Duty of Confidentiality Prevent an Attorney from Disclosing a Former Client’s Confidences in a Fee Collection Action?
Occasionally an attorney must sue a former client to collect outstanding fees and costs. Often the evidence critical to the attorney’s claim includes the secrets of the former client. May the attorney reveal those confidences necessary to prosecute the collection…
Is It Time To Appoint a Discovery Referee?
Recently I received the following email: “Since courts are so overwhelmed and setting dates for hearing is now running six months or longer, how does one do motions to compel further responses to interrogatories in a meaningful way? I booked…
BASF’s Newest Section Draws 85 Guests at CLE Seminar for Paralegals featuring Therese Cannon
BASF’s Paralegal Section was launched in January and, to date, there are more than 80 members. I am proud to say that one of the first firms to support this newly created section was my employer, Keker & Van Nest.…
Estate Planning Tips for You and Your Clients
Expanding Protections Against Financial Elder Abuse There are plenty of financial predators out there trying to take advantage of vulnerable people – and many of them see senior citizens with diminishing cognitive functioning and valuable assets as easy prey. For…
Does the Death of Robin Williams Signal the Death of His Celebrity Rights?
Williams’ kids and wife continue the fight in San Francisco Superior Court In life, the late Robin Williams was incredibly protective over the commercial use of his name, image and likeness. He rarely, if ever, promoted products or appeared in…
I've Been Hacked. Have I Been Damaged?
Pleading computer fraud damages Computer fraud has been a hot topic in the news with seemingly new lawsuits everyday. Nevertheless, plaintiffs seem to have difficulty pleading damages. Although there is some nuance, pleading damages is a fairly straightforward process as…
To 1099 or Not to 1099: Proper Reporting of Client Settlements
With tax season nearly upon us, many lawyers are now asking themselves (and their CPAs) whether they have accurately reported funds received on a client’s behalf. This issue is particularly relevant to attorneys who earn their fees on a contingency…
Mediation as a Mirror: Using the Process to Help Clients Find Clarity
Sometimes, parties will seek mediation in search of clarity. The stated reason for scheduling a session may be very different from the desired result. In these cases, the mediator’s role should be one of gentle probing and guidance to help…
Estate Planning Tip: Don’t Make Bill Graham’s Mistake
In 1991, legendary rock concert promoter Bill Graham perished in a Northern California helicopter crash at the age of 60. Graham’s will named his longtime friend and business partner, Nicholas Clainos, as executor of his $36 million estate. In 1995,…