February 2017

Update to LRIS Legacy Business Status Case

In November 2015, this publication ran an article regarding a small business owner who had contacted BASF’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) for help in fighting an eviction. The Navarro family owned the Academy of Martial Arts & Bodybuilding…

Sample Forms for Law Practice Management: Time-Saving Resources at the San Francisco Law Library

The San Francisco Law Library maintains a comprehensive Law Practice Management Collection, with publications that detail all aspects of running a practice—client relations, billing, marketing, finances, risk management, technology, and more. This post gathers the Law Library’s LPM resources that…

Homeless Advocacy Project Welcomes New Tenant Advocate

The Justice & Diversity Center’s (JDC) Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) recently welcomed Alex Connolly as its new paralegal/tenant advocate. Connolly is responsible for providing support to HAP attorneys in eviction defense cases, including administrative support, preparation of documents, drafting discovery…

JDC Volunteer Shawn Matloob: Valuable Resource for the Immigrant Community

The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) is pleased to recognize, Shawn Matloob, a dedicated immigration attorney who volunteers at our Legal Advice and Referral Clinic (LARC), a free community walk-in clinic that takes place twice a month on Saturdays. Matloob…

Paralegals and Legal Staff: Make a Difference Through Pro Bono

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1960 Most nonprofit organizations are in need of lawyers but rarely ask specifically for assistance from legal support volunteers. While…

Real Housewife Has Real Problem with Estate Planning Attorney

Bethenny Frankel (famous for starring in “Real Housewives of New York” and for her SkinnyGirl cocktail company) and Jason Hoppy had an explosive divorce. While the couple was only married for two years, their divorce took twice as long while…

Legal Writing Tip: Make Your Headings and Subheadings Full Sentences

When writing your brief, craft the section and subsection headings in complete, informative sentences. It’s a good idea to do this early on, at the outlining stage. This practice allows the court to quickly scan your brief and get an…

Five Advantages of Having a Solo and Small Firm

I’ve had my own small firm for 15 years, my entire law career. While it’s easy to see the advantages of being employed by a large firm the benefits of owning a solo or small firm are tougher to identify.…

BASF’s Immigration Efforts Expand and Move Under the Justice & Diversity Center

Over 30 years ago, The Bar Association of San Francisco’s (BASF) Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) started the Attorney of the Day Program (AOD) at the request of the U.S. Immigration Court in San Francisco. Experienced immigration attorneys qualified…

Federal Judges Help Honor JDC Volunteers

The Justice & Diversity Center, along with 20 federal judges, celebrated law firms and attorneys who volunteer with its Federal Pro Bono Project at a reception in January. Through JDC’s partnership with the Northern District of California, judges identify low-income…

Lawyer Referral and Information Service Expands Role in Immigration Collaboratives to Ensure Due Process

In the fall of 2014, the City and County of San Francisco stepped up to fund legal representation for immigrants. In an unprecedented move, over two million dollars for two years was appropriated to help provide lawyers to unaccompanied minors…

Fear and Loathing in Depp’s Divorce

Just when it seemed that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were going to wrap up their short-lived, marriage, they are back for another round of litigation. It all started when Heard sought a domestic violence restraining order. On the eve…

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