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.
As Co-Editor-in-Chief of the New Lawyer Division (“NLD”) monthly newsletter, For the Record, I wanted to thank each of our readers for their continued support. I also want to thank the NLD members who have contributed their time and effort this year toward writing informative articles for the benefit of new lawyers. In the current For the Record you will find an NLD Member Spotlight article featuring Regina (Calvario) Dryjanski by Lillian Glenister, an NLD Event Recap by Elijah Gaglio, and Ethical Considerations When Using an Online Referral Service by Alara Chilton.
As a personal injury lawyer who is only licensed to practice in California, you take great pride in using the latest technology as part of your firm’s day-to-day operations. Effectively incorporating technology into your practice enables you to better serve your clients and bottom line. Recently, you saw a social media ad for an online networking service named “Referral Law, P.C.” (RL[1]) that promises: (1) a national network of lawyers to refer cases and, (2) it will handle the process of collecting referral fees for its members.
On August 31, 2023, the New Lawyer Division (NLD) hosted its first Annual Meeting to talk with members about how NLD can best meet the needs of new lawyers and law students.
“One of my favorite parts of doing my job is knowing that I am on the right side — the side that protects the rights of vulnerable people,” says Regina (Calvario) Dryjanski, Esq.
Candor to the tribunal is among an attorney’s most basic responsibilities under the Rules of Professional Conduct. (See Rule 3.3(a) [“A Lawyer shall not . . . knowingly make a false statement of fact or law to a tribunal . . .”].). But it is also one of the most basic features of effective lawyering.
As expected, the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) will change the future of humanity.[1] But what will be the effect of AI on the legal aspects of human life? This article provides a high-level overview of AI and its use within law, beginning with a general overview of AI and then turning to how AI is being used by lawyers in their practice, including litigation, transaction, and administrative law.
