November’s column discussed the importance of drafting a clear and concise statement of the main legal question in the case. Framing the issue effectively is, perhaps, the most critical step in the process. The less time the judge has to…
Dolby Laboratories and Covington & Burling Join JDC to Serve Local Nonprofits
The Justice & Diversity Center’s Community Organization Representation Project (CORP), Covington & Burling, and Dolby Laboratories held a free clinic for eight nonprofit organizations who provide essential services to underserved communities, including: foster care, therapy and services for youth; bilingual…
Want Referrals? Join the Lawyer Referral Service for Half the Membership Price
Many individuals and businesses begin the new year with resolutions; the focus of which frequently center on shrinking midlines and growing bottom lines. While the former is up to the individual, the latter is something The Bar Association of San…
ADR Neutral with Labor Relations Expertise Joins BASF Mediation Services Panel
The newest addition to BASF’s Mediation panel, Susan Joan Davidson, has 40 years’ experience as a successful, respected ADR neutral. After earning an LLM in labor relations with an emphasis on dispute resolution, she worked in Governor Brown’s administration in…
Estate Planning Corner: Designate Retirement Account Beneficiaries to Protect Your Legacy
No one wants to pay more taxes than they owe, but your estate can wind up shelling out extra if you don’t clearly designate your retirement account beneficiaries. This mistake recently cost the estate of John DiMarco a huge chunk…
Administering Special Needs Trusts
Many families seek to protect the resources of a loved one with special needs through the creation of a Special Needs Trust (SNT). A properly drafted SNT allows the beneficiary to avoid wealth depletion through access to free and low…
Three Honored as Outstanding Barristers for 2016
Mark Conrad, Conrad & Metlitzky; Marie Ma, Gap Inc; and Andrew McDevitt, Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, were all honored with Outstanding Barrister Awards at the 2016 Annual Membership Luncheon in December. Conrad was recognized for his numerous leadership roles…
Five Members Recognized at Annual Lunch in 2016 with Awards of Merit
Five BASF members were honored with Awards of Merit for their dedication to the organization in 2016. Buck Endemann, Paul Hastings; Carolyn Lee, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; Matt Gluck, Gluck Daniel; Jill McInerney, Sefton Family Law Group, and Andrea Goodman,…
Justice & Diversity Center Announces New 2017 Board Members
The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) of The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) recently confirmed its Board of Directors for 2017. Merri Baldwin, Rogers Joseph O’Donnell, will serve as president; Malcolm Heinicke, Munger, Tolles & Olson will serve as…
BASF Bulletin Board: Members in the News – January 2018
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Announces 2018 PresidentBASF member Pankit Doshi, DLA Piper, was elected president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). The announcement was made at the NAPABA’s annual convention in November. NAPABA is comprised…
Taking the Easy Road Could Get Your Expert Disqualified
To save time and money, experts are often provided mediation briefs to be used as predicates for their testimony. Such briefs are typically the most comprehensive summaries of the case. However, taking this short cut could get your expert…
How to Protect Your Beneficiaries from Their Creditors
When creating trusts, estate planning lawyers use tricks of the trade such as “spendthrift” and “shutdown” clauses to protect trust money from claims of the creditors of beneficiaries. But on appeal, the court showed Cynthia Vedder that there are exceptions…