By Daniela Lagunas Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley & Evans LLP
“Few things in life are as satisfying as pursuing justice for those that need it the most,” says Tyler Barclay about why he is passionate about being a public defender.Read More
By Matthew Spolsky Ford, Walker, Haggerty & Behar, LLP
On Friday, July 9, 2022, the Honorable Linda Lopez of the United States District Court presented for the New Lawyer Division on some tips and tricks to use when operating in the federal courts.Read More
To Arbitrate, or Not to Arbitrate: Viking Cruises v. Moriana
By Thomas Livingston Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Viking Cruises v. Moriana decision broadens the impact of PAGA claim arbitration clauses in employment agreements, potentially restricting the ability of employees in California to litigate claims under the Private Attorneys General Act.Read More
My name is Hannah Theophil, and I am honored to serve on the New Lawyer Division’s Executive Committee where I help organize networking and social events for new lawyers in the greater San Diego area. I graduated from Northeastern University School of Law in 2019 and moved from Boston to San Diego shortly thereafter to begin practicing law. I am in my second year of practice.Read More
Whether you are a new lawyer or highly experienced in the practice of law, referrals of legal work are central to developing a successful law practice. This article addresses some of the important ethical considerations in giving and receiving referrals of legal work. Read More
Thinking Out Your Wheelhouse: How Your Practice May Implicate Consumer Protection Laws
By Nick Barthel The Law Office of Barthel & Barthel
As a practicing attorney, most of us operate solely within our niche. We become masters of our wheelhouse and we rarely venture outside of it, except for when the occasion family member is seeking free legal advice. We come to thrive within the one or two areas of law that we practice on a regular basis. Read More
Plan, Prepare, Prevail – Bar Prep Tips For Every Kind of Test Taker
By Stephanie Germani Attorney at Law
When John H. Wilson first took the California bar exam in 2008, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake rumbled through the Ontario convention center, sending him scrambling under the table for cover.Read More
Why It’s Never Too Early to Plan for Your Estate: Three Important Documents You Need Now
By Linda Nelte Miller, Monson, Peshel, Polacek & Hoshaw LLP
Only 24% of Americans ages 18-34 and 27% of Americans ages 35-54 have estate planning documents according to a recent survey. Why are so many young Americans without estate plan documents? In Caring.com’s recent survey, a large number of respondents (40%) indicated that they have simply not gotten around to it. Other reasons cited included not having enough assets to leave to anyone (33%), not knowing how to get a will or a living trust (12%), or believing estate plan documents are too expensive to set up (13%).Read More
How Revealing My Mental Health Challenges Strengthened My Career
By Julie Thorpe-Lopez Tatro & Lopez LLP
My name is Julie Thorpe-Lopez, and I’m a trial attorney specializing in representing victims of elder abuse. Prior to practicing law, I was a social worker. I changed professions because I wanted to have a more powerful impact on protecting vulnerable populations. I love the law, and I would not trade being a litigator for any other profession. I love trial work, and there is nothing more gratifying than protecting elders from abuse. But, as a new lawyer almost 15 years ago, I was unprepared for the constant pressure and stress that is built into the legal profession.Read More