It is only July, yet summer already feels packed with activity – because it has been. From FIFA World Cup watch parties and Fourth of July celebrations to the many galas and networking events...
Dear Counsel, This month I’ve been attempting to challenge myself to give 5% more grace. And you might wonder what on Earth I mean by that. But what I mean is in the interactions...
A marathon is measured one mile at a time, and Justice Jose S. Castillo’s path to the bench was built the same way: one step and one commitment at a time. Now an Associate...
Every attorney, no matter what type of law they practice, is required to adhere to the Rules of Professional Conduct. The violation of any one of those Rules creates a situation where the State...
By Khodadad (Ko) Sharif According to Aristotle, something is “artificial” if it has no innate principle of its own production and instead relies on an external maker to exist (Phys. 2.1). Aristotle differentiates what “have...
By Koryn Sheppard July marks a national milestone of historic significance: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In 2026, as we reflect on two and a half centuries of...
By Timothy Casey This edition of Ethics in Brief offers commentary about the role of lawyers in our society – specifically, the role of lawyers in upholding the “rule of law.” A good starting...
One of the best pieces of advice I received as a young lawyer had nothing to do with trial advocacy, legal writing, or substantive law. It was this: your career will be shaped as...
Dear Counsel, I met with a potential client for the first time a few weeks ago and discussed at length a legal issue she was facing. As she sat there across from me I...
On Monday, June 8, 2026, I had the pleasure of attending and introducing Judge Judy Bae during the “Civil Practice Series: Civil Court Essentials for New Attorneys” in her courtroom (Department SD-62) at the...
By: Timothy Casey Courts have authority to impose sanctions on lawyers. California courts find their authority to issue sanctions in Code of Civil Procedure section 128.7, which “authorizes trial courts to impose sanctions to check abuses...
