By Eric Deitz
A recent ABA ethics opinion addresses the demands that arise when preparing a client to testify and during their testimony. The ABA issued Formal Opinion 508 on August 5, 2023.
A sense of belonging is priceless. The DEI Division at the SDCBA has created a space for lawyers and the legal community to use their different perspectives and backgrounds to actively work against all forms of racism and discrimination within the legal profession and the justice system. Diversity not only fosters a sense of belonging and inclusivity, but also brings a wealth of perspectives and ideas that benefit the legal community as a whole.
It is important for lawyers to have a solid understanding of their ethical responsibilities when managing and supervising nonlawyer assistants involved in the client intake process. Recently, the American Bar Association issued Formal Opinion 506, which addresses this topic.
Currently in California state court the jurisdictional limit for a limited civil case is $25,000 or less. As some of you may know, in a limited jurisdiction case discovery and other pre-trial tools are limited. For example, only one deposition is allowed. Courts presiding over limited actions have no authority to award a judgment in excess of $25,000. (Ytuarte v. Superior Court (2005) 129 Cal. App. 4th 266).
Dear NLD members,
I’m excited to be writing this message as a co-chair of the NLD Community Outreach subcommittee of the New Lawyer Division (NLD) Executive Committee, with Claudia Salinas. If you’re not familiar, the Community Outreach team coordinates pro bono and volunteer events for new lawyers and law students across San Diego County.
On the fourth floor of San Diego Superior Court’s North County Division is department N-31 of which Judge Blaine Bowman presides. Judge Bowman operates a “stress free trial department” as much as possible. He is supportive of all lawyers who come to his court, but he especially enjoys helping new lawyers appearing in his department. If you’re in trial before Judge Bowman and have a question, asking for help is not something he frowns upon.
By Shelly Skinner
Nowadays, it’s hard for a lawyer to ignore the ubiquity of social media and its potential to impact clients’ cases. Some jurisdictions have even said that a lawyer’s duty of competence includes competence with social media.[1]
