Thousands of tenants are evicted each year in San Francisco and many face the eviction and the possibility of homelessness, without a lawyer. Nationally, 90% of landlords go into an eviction proceeding with an attorney, while only 10% of tenants…
The Limits of Advance Waivers
Law firms have aggressively pursued advance waivers to represent concurrent clients whose interests conflict in unrelated matters. For example, Law Firm represents Client A in an action against Client B. Normally, this representation would preclude Law Firm from representing Client…
Prisoner Denied Medical Care Accesses Justice Through Law Firm’s Pro Bono Representation
A prison left ‘Mr. S’ in debilitating pain for weeks after another inmate attacked him. Despite having four fractured ribs, Mr. S received no medical attention for over three weeks, during which time he was unable to walk, sleep, eat,…
Plan Ahead If You Want Kids Conceived After Death To Inherit
These days, fertility science can bring the joy of parenthood to those surviving a deceased partner. But what about the inheritance rights for such miracle progeny? Well, there are limits. That’s the decision of the U.S. Second Circuit Court of…
Avoid block quotations; use only the “hearts” of quotes
Effective legal writers avoid block quotations and quote supporting authorities sparingly. They do not create their briefs by stringing together a list of long quotes. Instead, they make the arguments and points in their own words—blending the heart of a…
Orrick Attorneys and UC Hastings Students Step Up to Help Homeless San Franciscans
The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) thanks Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe attorneys Penni Takade and Matteo Daste for volunteering with the Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP), engaging UC Hastings students in their work as well. Penni and Matteo volunteer at HAP’s…
The Psychology of Impasse – Part 2
In part 1 of my column, I discussed the psychology of mediation, presenting study materials that were developed by a European project for mediators based on my previous publications. Here again are excerpts from the TIME project (the European Project…
Mediation Confidentiality
The statutory framework for California mediation set forth in California Evidence Code Sections 1115-1128 imposes ethical duties on lawyers representing clients (whether or not a lawsuit is filed). Definitions are in Evidence Code § 1115: (a) “Mediation” means a process in…
June 2018 Bulletin Board: Our Members and Leader Circle Firms Making Headlines
National Law Journal Names Morrison & Foerster On Its 2018 Pro Bono Hot List National Law Journal recognized BASF Leader Circle firm Morrison & Foerster for a case it filed in 2009 against the U.S. Army, the CIA, and other…
Hot Sauce! Divorce in the Age of Trump
Donald Trump Jr.’s divorce is now getting saucier. Page Six recently reported that Donald Jr.’s wife of 12 years, Vanessa Trump, received an inheritance which emboldened her to proceed with the divorce. Vanessa’s father was celebrity attorney Charles Haydon who…
Use Screenshot Technology for Efficiency and Clarity
Communication in the legal field—as seemingly everywhere in our interconnected world—continues to grow at a breathtaking pace. But communicating more quickly does not necessarily mean communicating efficiently. In a field where every minute is precious, it’s understandable for attorneys to…
“We Have Lost a Noble Man” – BASF/JDC Mourn the Passing of L. Julius M. Turman
May 15, 2018 – San Francisco, California – On Sunday, San Francisco lost a civic leader with the unexpected passing of L. Julius M. Turman. The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) and the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) mourn the…