Fans of The Real Housewives of Atlanta know that lawyer/mortician Phaedra Parks, whose show tagline is “you can’t always get what you want, but I can,” is used to winning her cases. Parks and her husband, Apollo Nida, have an…
The Ethics of Facebook Friending
Facebook can be a gold mine of information about litigants and witnesses. A personal injury plaintiff alleging debilitating leg injuries may post photos of her latest hiking trip. A defendant in a wrongful discharge case may make discriminatory remarks.…
Dolby Laboratories Legal Team Makes Pro Bono a Priority
If you are like most people, when someone mentions Dolby Laboratories, the first thing that comes to mind is surround sound. If there is a soundtrack to life, chances are Dolby is providing the audio. For the Justice &…
Volunteer Attorney Helps “Davids” Battle “Goliaths”
The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) thanks Katharine Chao, May Volunteer of the Month, for representing litigants in federal court with the Federal Pro Bono Project. Chao values pro bono service as a way to “prevent Goliath from taking advantage…
Five Tips for Running Your Solo or Small Firm
I’ve had my own small firm for about 15 years. I’ve learned the hard way about what works and what doesn’t. In conversations with other attorneys over the years, I’ve found they have similar conclusions about how to successfully run…
Polsinelli Continues California Expansion; Joins BASF Leaders Circle
The Bar Association of San Francisco welcomes its newest Leaders Circle firm – Polsinelli. Polsinelli is an Am Law 100 firm with approximately 800 attorneys in 20 offices, serving corporations, institutions, and entrepreneurs nationwide. Polsinelli attorneys provide practical legal counsel…
Top Pro Bono and Diversity Program Volunteers Honored at Annual Appreciation Event
The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) celebrated its top volunteers at the annual Outstanding Volunteer Celebration on March 21. With over 225 people attending the event, held at The Green Room, Chief Justice of California Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye recognized awardees’…
Humboldt County Pays for Bogus Challenge to Advance Health Care Directive
Dick Magney knew that drawing up an advance health care directive was the best way to protect his desire for a natural death with minimal discomfort. He named his wife, Judith, to see that his wishes were carried out. This…
Staff Spotlight: Katey Wade
Meet Katey Wade, a Social Services Advocate with the Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP). Katey has been at HAP for six years in August! She started as a Lutheran Volunteer and, luckily, a position became available so she was able to…
Staff Spotlight: Danielle Doleman
Meet Danielle Doleman, Development Coordinator for the Justice & Diversity Center. Danielle has been with JDC since September 2016. She works with donors and helps coordinate campaigns that raise funds and awareness for JDC programs. When asked what she likes…
Staff Spotlight: Alvaro Carvajal
Meet Alvaro Carvajal, he has been the School-To-College (STC) Coordinator for the Justice & Diversity Center for three years. He works with low-income and first generation high school students at the Academy of Arts and Sciences High School to inspire…
Staff Spotlight: Javier Bastidas
Meet Javier A. Bastidas, Supervising Attorney of the Justice & Diversity Center’s Sargent Shriver Custody Project. Javier has worked in this role at JDC since June 2011. He previously worked at the organization from 2008-2009. In his current role, he…