October 2017

Open the Doors to Opportunity for Diverse Law Students

Aimed at opening doors of opportunity for diverse law students, the 1L Open Doors Job Shadow Program strives to help 1L law students enrolled in San Francisco law schools jumpstart their professional development through early, day-to-day immersion in dynamic legal…

Peter Catalanotti and Cometria Cooper Honored at Barristers Club Diversity Reception

Barristers Club members Cometria Cooper, University of San Francisco School of Law, and Peter Catalanotti, Freeman Mathis & Gary, were honored at the 9th Annual Barristers Diversity Award Reception on September 6. This year’s reception was sponsored by Freeman Mathis…

Three Keys to Crafting a Path to Success

The theme of this year’s Barristers Annual Meeting, “Crafting a Path to Success,” can be an elusive concept. Many of us struggle mightily to define what success means in our practice, or how to craft a path forward that will…

BASF Welcomes Robert Jacobs to its Bay Area Mediation Services Panel

Robert B. Jacobs helps parties settle disputes by focusing early on key issues. Parties who mediate with him find he is both fair and persuasive. During the course of his 30 years of litigation experience, Jacobs has represented both plaintiffs…

Real Estate Attorney Volunteers Transactional Skills For Nonprofits

Through the Justice & Diversity Center’s (JDC) Community Organization Representation Project (CORP), real estate attorney Ian O’Banion has counseled four nonprofit organizations on lease compliance and renewal, rent increases, and subleasing space to other nonprofits. The nonprofits all serve low-income…

Now is the time to act

October 5, 2017 — San Francisco — The Bar Association of San Francisco is deeply saddened and shocked by the violence and senseless tragedy that occurred in Las Vegas on the night of October 1. With heavy hearts, we will remember…

Fenwick & West Achieves a First in Justice & Diversity Center Pro Bono Cases

Congratulations to three Fenwick & West attorneys who won actual and punitive damages for a prison inmate assaulted by correctional officers: Lynn Pasahow; Amy Hayden and Abby Wald. For the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) and its Federal Pro Bono…

A Pro Bono Victory

I enjoy providing “bite-sized pro bono” at the Justice & Diversity Center’s walk-in legal clinic because I can give people brief advice instead of full representation. But one day an older couple came in because “Edwin” had been sued for…

Hand Rule on Email Security

All California lawyers owe a duty of competence and confidentiality to their clients. California Rules of Professional Conduct (“CRPC”), Rules 3-110 and 3-100. As the Legal Ethics Corner of the BASF Bulletin previously noted, “competence in the digital milieu is…

Wanted: Nominees for Paralegal Awards and New Executive Committee Members

ANNUAL AWARDS How would you like to show some appreciation for your hard-working legal support staff? Now is your chance! The Paralegal Section of The Bar Association of San Francisco is accepting nominations of your dedicated non-attorney legal professionals for…

Meet the San Francisco Superior Court Judges Community Event Held in August

The Barristers Club Board of Directors, San Francisco Superior Court Presiding Judge Teri Jackson and Third Baptist Church Pastor Amos Brown hosted a Meet the Judges event on August 27. The event, which was sponsored by Morrison & Foerster, gathered…

Legal Writing Tip: Counter the “Rambo” Writer with a “Deflating Opener”

What should you do if your opponent, in her opposing brief, insults your arguments, or attacks your integrity in making them? What should you do if your opponent accuses you (by name, or not) of “disingenuity” and “misrepresentation,” or relies…

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