From Courtroom to Classroom: New Attorney Impacts Future Legal LeadersAs High School Mock Trial Team Coach

As a new attorney, I’m always eager to find ways to give back to the community and make a positive impact. So, when I heard that the San Diego County High School Mock Trial Program was seeking attorney coaches, I jumped at the opportunity. Little did I know, this experience would be one of the most rewarding of my legal career. Read More

Message from the NLD Vice Chair

My name is Elijah Gaglio, and I am honored to serve as the Vice Chair for the San Diego County Bar Association’s New Lawyer Division (NLD). As an attorney for about four years, NLD has been a great resource for advice, support, and a place where I can connect with new and more experienced attorneys alike. Below is a list of upcoming NLD events where attorneys can connect and give back to the San Diego community. I am dedicating this month’s message to some of the groups we honor in May. Read More

Message from Community Outreach Co-Chair

Hi NLD Members,

I’m excited to be writing this message as Co-Chair of the Community Outreach subcommittee of the New Lawyer Division (NLD) Executive Committee, with Claudia Salinas. If we haven’t met, I encourage you to attend one of our events! We coordinate pro bono and volunteer events for new lawyers and law students in San Diego County. Read More

So You’ve Just Finished Taking the Bar Exam … Now What?

Five minutes remained. The second hand on my watch stubbornly kept turning, along with my stomach. Three quarters of the California Bar Exam were finished, and my insides had decided to rebel right before the last push. But enough was enough. Despite my body’s objections, I hoisted myself to the sink, dabbed my face with paper, and lurched back to the exam room for another hundred multiple choice questions.  Read More

Fresh Eyes May Require Fresh Disclosures

Whether newly admitted or highly experienced, working in a small firm or a large firm, or practicing in litigation or transactional law — an attorney in a law firm is likely to become involved in the handling of an existing matter for a firm client at some point. In the process of becoming familiar with the history of the file, the newly added attorney may find they are acting as a Monday morning quarterback, which may include questioning the positions and actions of others involved in the litigation, including the opposing party, other counsel, the Court — or perhaps another attorney within their own firm. When concerns arise regarding this latter category, attorneys must remain mindful of their professional obligations and the ethical limitations pertaining to client disclosures and conflicts of interest. Read More

Message from the Chair of the NLD

Happy New Year NLD Members!

Stephanie Pengilley here, NLD’s Chair for the 2023 year. I am excited for what this year holds and the events that are to come. Last year, NLD coordinated several engaging events and received the SDCBA’s Section Recognition and Achievement certificate for Variety of Activities. As Chair, I hope to continue NLD’s accomplishments of putting on intriguing and thoughtful events. Read More