BASF’s Equality Committee on Disability Rights recently held a CLE and panel discussion titled “Training, Hiring, and Retaining Lawyers with Disabilities.” The event, presented during October’s Disability Awareness Month, was moderated by committee co-chair Cristina Rubke, Shartsis Friese. The program…
The Importance of Mediator Follow-Up
We’ve all been there — mediating a contentious dispute all day, trying to resolve it in a mediation session but to no avail. The parties and their counsel depart the session frustrated, disappointed, and perhaps a little angry. Is this…
JDC Medical Legal Project: Legal Advocacy Improves Client’s Health
Sarah* has severe allergies and a cough which are aggravated by the presence of animal hair. In May 2011, she moved into a building that was supposed to be a “Pet Free Environment,” according to the terms of the lease…
Campaign to Give Back Multiplies Impact for San Francisco’s Most Vulnerable
Do you believe that everyone deserves legal representation when faced with being evicted? Do you believe that all students deserve the opportunity to succeed in school? Please make a gift to the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) and partner with…
Legal Writing Tip: For Grammar Purposes, Companies Are Not People
We’ve all said things like: “I know Apple is coming out with a new iPhone because I saw it on their website.” Referring to a company like Apple as a “they,” rather than an “it,” is probably okay in speech,…
Lutheran Volunteer Corps Provide Holistic Services to Homeless San Franciscans through Homeless Advocacy Project
Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) connects full-time stipended volunteers nationwide with non-profit organizations to work for peace and justice. This month, the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) is pleased to spotlight two people who work at JDC’s Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP)…
Introducing Two New Member Benefits Partners
Our Members Make a Difference…BASF Makes It Easier!
BASF’s 2014 membership theme is “You Make a Difference. We Make It Easier.” Candy Michelle Smallwood, a BASF member and Barrister, is an attorney making a difference in the lives of those in our community. Leonard Lun, BASF’s Director of…
Beastie Boys, 'Girls' Viral Video in Copyright Infringement Fight
The brief flare-up between local startup GoldieBlox and the Beastie Boys appears extinguished. Last week, GoldieBlox released an adorable video for its “engineering toys for girls,” which played new lyrics over the Beastie Boys’ 1986 hit song “Girls.” The video,…
Interesting News from the World of Estate Planning
Dueling Wills Incite Estate Battle Wealthy, eccentric and reclusive, Huguette Clark didn’t venture outside from 1952 until her death in 2011. She lived the last 20 of her 104 years at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City, paying cash…
December Bulletin Board: Our Members and Leaders Circle Firms Making Headlines
Daily Journal Top Lawyer BASF member Christopher Sullivan, Greenfield Sullivan Draa & Harrington, was mistakenly left off our November BASF Bulletin announcement about being named a Top Lawyer in California by the Daily Journal. Congratulations! San Francisco Business Times Names…
BASF Because…
Alison B. Torbitt Nixon Peabody Practice Area: Environmental Law Twitter: @NixonPeabodyLLP Fun/Interesting fact or facts: I was an aquatic ecotoxicologist prior to becoming a lawyer. Try saying that one fast! I became a BASF member because: I wanted to meet…