Category: August-2021

Categories : August-2021 For New Attorneys For the Record Legal EthicsTags :

Navigating the Ethical Landmines of Handling Your Own Appeal

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Navigating the Ethical Landmines of Handling Your Own Appeal 

By Jeff Michalowski 
Paul, Plevin, Sullivan &
Connaughton LLP

No trial attorney is perfect.  Even the most prepared and experienced trial attorneys should expect their adversaries to attack not just their clients’ actions and inactions, but also claimed missteps by the trial attorneys themselves.  This is especially evident in appeals, where parties regularly argue that issues have been waived or forfeited; that deadlines have bene missed; or decry alleged attorney misconduct in the trial court below.  Read More

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Giving Back to Your Community through Fee Arbitration

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Giving Back to Your Community through Fee Arbitration 

By Michelle Chavez, SDCBA Director of Public Service Programs

The SDCBA’s fee arbitration program offers parties an opportunity to resolve fee disputes as an alternative to taking disputes to superior court. The fee arbitration is an informal, confidential, impartial, and lower-cost avenue for resolving fee disputes between attorneys and clients. Clients are able to have a neutral arbitrator hear fee disputes with their attorneys. The arbitrator determines whether fees and costs charged by the attorney are reasonable for the services provided. California Business Code section 6200 et seq. establishes a system and procedure for the arbitration of disputes concerning costs and fees charged for attorney professional services.  Read More

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A Safe Return to Work from an Employment Law Perspective

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A Safe Return to Work from an Employment Law Perspective 

By Alison Adelman, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

The SDCBA Labor and Employment Law Section hosted a timely seminar last month on Navigating a Safe Return to in-person work in light of the global pandemic. The webinar featured attorneys Arcelia N. Magaña and Sandy McDonough, who presented and shared insights on recent changes to the law and related trends. If you missed it, have no fear. Below are some main takeaways from the event.   Read More

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Becoming a Personal Injury Firm Founder – The Joy of the Journey

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Becoming a Personal Injury Firm Founder – The Joy of the Journey

By Adam Hepburn, Hepburn, Hernandez, and Jung Trial Attorneys

When I graduated law school in 2013, I already knew that one day I wanted to open my own law firm. However, I first wanted to learn how to practice law in the courtroom and become a trial attorney, mostly because everything else was too boring for me. I enjoyed the adrenaline of trial work and the chaotic environment that litigation brings with it; researching and writing, although very important, was not what I wanted to do all day. I therefore started my career at the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office because I knew I would get my own caseload right from the get-go and be able to try cases.  Read More

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New Lawyer Division Member Spotlight: Aaron Sibley

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New Lawyer Division Member Spotlight: Aaron Sibley

By Sara Gold
Eastman IP 

It is often said that learning the law is kind of like learning a new language. This was no problem for civil litigator Aaron Sibley, who by 15 years old had already learned several computer programming languages and started his own website development company. Through his business, called Imminent Design, Sibley offered website creation services. In addition to designing websites, Sibley as a young entrepreneur also had to handle all of the managerial aspects of his business from accounting and staffing to banking, taxes, and licensures.  Read More

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Tips from the Bench: Justice Patricia Benke

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Tips from the Bench: Justice Patricia Benke

By Daniela Lagunas
San Diego City Attorney’s Office

After 34 years of serving as a justice for the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One, Justice Patricia Benke retired July 31. Rather than referring to her next move as “retirement,” Justice Benke describes her next step as “resetting.” Justice Benke plans to participate in the Temporary Assigned Judges Program (TAJP) of the Judicial Council of California following her reset from the bench. She explains the program is designed to assign retired judges or justices to assist with the calendar congestions in the courts. Read More

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August Message From the Chair of the New Lawyer Division

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August Message From the Chair of the New Lawyer Division

Stephanie Atkinson
NLD President

Greetings NLD!

I cannot wait to see you all tonight at the SDCBA/NLD Summer Social: Here Comes the Sun at Waterfront Park! This will be our first in-person event in 17 months, with heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, a live DJ, a photo booth, a glitter glam face & hair artist, step and repeat, cash bar, and more! We really hope to see you there! You can still register here. Read More