Effective October 22, 2018, all clerks’ offices will close to the public at 2 p.m. every day, San Francisco Superior Court announced recently. The reduction of two hours per day is necessary to meet a budget-driven decrease in staffing. Court…
Daily Journal Announces Top 100 Lawyers in California
The following BASF members were recognized as Top 100 Lawyers in California by the Daily Journal: Mary Alexander, Mary Alexander & Associates; Michael Bien, Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld; Elizabeth Cabraser, Lieff Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein; Cedric Chao, DLA Piper; Douglas Cogen, Fenwick & West; Harmeet Dhillon, Dhillon Law; Daralyn Durie, Durie Tangri; Arturo Gonzalez, Morrison &…
Conflict Intervention Service: How an Innovative Mediation Program Prevents Evictions
Prasanna G. faced the loss of her home of over twenty years. A working senior citizen, Prasanna immigrated to San Francisco from India to care for her mother, who resided in publicly-owned affordable housing in Noe Valley. She moved into…
A Conversation with Justice Liu on Asian Americans in the Law
California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu and a panel of leading Asian American lawyers presented an interesting and inspiring discussion yesterday, centered on the recently released report, A Portrait of Asian Americans in the Law. Co-authored by Justice Liu and…
Enough Is Enough: Fear of Harassment Can Help Protect Older Adults
When is fear itself sufficient to warrant protection for a senior citizen? A recent appellate court decision may give some added comfort to those facing intimidation. Gordon B. was 75 years old, a disabled veteran, and fed up with his…
Healing the Border Situation through Pro Bono Service
The recent images from our southern border are shocking – our own government separating parents from their infants and small children simply for seeking to enter the country. These are hardly family values, and especially for us parents, it’s almost…
Use a “Kicker” Sentence to Set Up a Series of Points
When you have a series of points to make, consider setting the series up by closing the paragraph preceding the start of the series with a “kicker” sentence. The sentence preceding the “kicker” at the end of a paragraph should…
Groundbreaking San Francisco Measure Guarantees Counsel to Tenants Facing Eviction
Armando Vazquez, a fifty-one-year-old restaurant server, was surprised in March when his landlord gave him two options-pay twice as much in rent or find a new place to live. “That was so frustrating. If we have to move out of…
San Francisco Superior Court Proposed Changes to Local Rules – Effective January 1, 2019
The public comment period for the proposed changes to Local Rules commenced on September 19, 2018 and ends on November 5, 2018. The proposed changes to the Local Rules for the City & County of San Francisco may be viewed…
New California Law Requires Informed Consent to Mediation
New Law. On January 1, a new California law will take effect. It will require a lawyer to make sure their client understands the implications of California’s legal protections for mediation communications, before the client agrees to mediation. If the…
The Bar Association of San Francisco Nominates Officer and Directors for 2019 Board
September 20, 2018 — San Francisco — The Bar Association of San Francisco’s (BASF) Nominating Committee has nominated six directors to serve on its Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee, chaired by immediate past president Merri A. Baldwin, also recommended…
Kitty’s Corner: Reflections on a Summer Fellowship at the Bar Association (part 2)
Kitty Zeng is a high school student at Balboa High School in San Francisco, where she takes part in Law Academy. Established in 1997 by then Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) President Judge…