Categories : Law PracticeLeave a comment
Ethics in Brief: An Unconscionable Fee is More Than Just Excessive
By Anne Rudolph
California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 prohibits an attorney from charging an unconscionable or illegal fee.
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Mindful Minute: Spring Into Wellness by Spring Cleaning
By Koryn Sheppard
We are all probably familiar with the term “spring cleaning.” You may also be familiar with Marie Kondo, the Japanese organizing consultant known for advising those interested in decluttering: “The best way to choose what to keep and what to throw away is to take each item in one’s hand and ask: ‘Does this spark joy?’”
Categories : Law Practice Legal EthicsLeave a comment
Ethics in Brief: Criticizing Judges — Proposed Amendment to a Rule of Professional Conduct
By Edward J. McIntyre
The State Bar Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (COPRAC) is recommending to the Board of Trustees that the Board recommend to the Supreme Court a change in Rule 8.2 (Judicial Officials), by the addition of a new Comment [1]. The California Judges Association requested the change in response to increased public criticism of judges resulting in threats and violence against judges due to their rulings. This endangers judicial independence, public trust in the legal system, and ultimately the rule of law.
Categories : Law Practice Legal Ethics
Understand Your Audience: Highlights of the California Code of Judicial Ethics
By Charles V. Berwanger
Much has been written about the California Rules of Professional Conduct in this column. There is another set of rules of professional conduct regarding the ethical requirements of judges. A competent lawyer who complies with California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.1 will necessarily understand that the judge before whom appearances are made will also have ethical imperatives and constraints which the judge must follow and which affect the practice of law.
Categories : For New Attorneys For the Record
Message from the Vice Chair
Message from the Vice Chair
Associate Attorney at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Happy February New Lawyer Division Members! My name is Lilly Glenister and I am humbled to be serving this year as the Vice Chair of the San Diego County Bar Association’s New Lawyer Division.
Categories : For New Attorneys For the Record
Avoiding Malpractice: Dangers in representing more than one client in the same matter
Avoiding Malpractice: Dangers in representing more than one client in the same matter
Lawyers new to the practice of law often are approached by potential clients, including friends and family members, about forming a business entity for more than one client or to represent two individuals in the same automobile accident. The reason usually given is that the clients want to save money by having one lawyer. Sometimes the referral comes from a close friend or family member, where the friend or family member knows and trusts the lawyer.
Categories : For New Attorneys For the Record
Tips from the Bench: Hon. Judy S. Bae — “Life is Not About the Destination but the Journey”
Tips from the Bench: Hon. Judy S. Bae — “Life is Not About the Destination but the Journey”
Associate Attorney at Klinedinst PC
From Certain to Uncertain Career Path
Life is not so much about the pre-planned destination but is about the journey that leads us to where we were meant to be all along. The Honorable Judy S. Bae’s legal career path to becoming a lawyer and a judge is a testament to this maxim. Judge Bae grew up in Redlands, California and was raised by two physicians who worked at local teaching hospitals. As a young Asian American student, talented in the sciences, and with educated and supportive parents, it was almost pre-destined that Judge Bae would follow in her parent’s footsteps and become a physician.
Categories : For New Attorneys For the Record
Bags N’ Brunch 2025: A Community Service Event with Lasting Impact
Bags N’ Brunch 2025: A Community Service Event with Lasting Impact
NLD Chair and Staff Attorney at The Innocence Center
On Saturday, February 8, 2025, the San Diego County Bar Association’s New Lawyer Division (“NLD”) partnered with the San Diego Urban League Young Professionals (“SDULYP) for the second annual Bags N’ Brunch—an inspiring day of community service, connection, and empowerment. This year’s event not only continued a meaningful tradition but also expanded its impact, bringing together volunteers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of individuals experiencing hardship.
Categories : For New Attorneys For the Record
For the Record Monthly Column Legal Life: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Everyday Attorney
For the Record Monthly Column Legal Life:
The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Everyday Attorney
Germani Law
Welcome to “Legal Life: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Everyday Attorney,” a new monthly “For The Record” column. This collaborative effort brings together the voices of our New Lawyer Division members to share the real, unfiltered experiences of life in the legal profession.
Categories : Law Practice Wellness
Mindful Minute: February is for Hearts
By Koryn Sheppard
The human heart is an incredible organ, beating more than 2.5 billion times over a lifetime —depending, of course, on how long that life lasts. On average, it beats 100,000 times per day and 35 million times per year.