Practice Area Corner Archives

Tax Attorney Volunteers Wide Array of Skills to Help People Navigate Confusing, Intimidating System

The Justice and Diversity Center (JDC) would like to recognize volunteer attorney Beth Hodess for her outstanding contributions to the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Program (LITC). Beth’s work with LITC helps the program serve low-income taxpayers who have tax issues…

Alicia Silverstone: Not So “Clueless” After All

Alicia Silverstone shot to fame in the early 90s as the “Aerosmith Chick,” starring in three Aerosmith videos that cemented both Silverstone and the rock group as household names. Earlier this month, she finalized her divorce, and she included a…

Catholics Lose as Court Divines Decedent’s Intent

When Josephine Kennedy set up a trust in 1997, she wanted to help the needy, the elderly and abused children via the Catholic Church-eventually. But first, Josephine wanted her charity to start at home. She created a life estate on…

Paralegal Corner: Are Hard Copies with Wet Signatures Becoming Obsolete?

With the advancing age of technology, paralegals can’t help but wonder if hard copies of legal documents will vanish in the near future. If so, will the need for wet ink signatures disappear as well? Not yet. Some legal practices…

Paralegal Corner: Compassion & Communication – Keys to Dealing with Challenging Clients

Clients in the throes of divorce generally do not project the best version of themselves. Some behave like overwrought toddlers who missed their naptime: They whine, lash out, reverse course, and demand constant attention. Some behave like this because it…

Aretha’s Estate Inaction Especially Common Among Terminally Ill

The sad announcement came moments after America lost its Queen of Soul this summer: Aretha Franklin had died of pancreatic cancer. Then more news broke: She left no will or trust, leaving the fate of her $80 million fortune up…

Parents Protect Sons From Their Siblings—From Beyond the Grave

Years after his parents died, Kevin O’Connor fought off two of his siblings with a legal security blanket they left him. The weapon: a power of appointment, which lets people wield control of their wealth, even decades after they die.…

There’s No Crying in Baseball, and Especially Not for A-Rod

When Yankees’ homerun king, Alex Rodriguez (“A-Rod”) retired from baseball in 2016, he was earning over $30 million dollars a year, which is why he was able to pay his ex-wife, Cynthia Scurtis, $115,000 a month in combined tax-free spousal…

Ethical Walls Are Not a Panacea for Imputation of Conflicts Under New Ethics Rules

Effective November 1, 2018, California’s new rules of professional conduct now address imputation of conflicts of interest and permit ethical screening to avoid imputation under certain circumstances. New rule 1.10 incorporates imputation concepts that are currently addressed in California case…

BASF IP Section Hosts Music Copyright Law Panel

The evolving nature of the music industry has brought on a number of important developments in music copyright law over the last few years. On September 12, the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Intellectual Property Section sponsored a panel with…

It’s Who You Know: Can California’s trade secret law protect social media connections?

Businesses and entrepreneurs have spent much of the past decade building their social media presences. Companies now know that a strong social media following can help them broaden their reach, target specific demographics, and build customer loyalty. As the value…

A Widow’s Unwelcome Surprise Makes New Spousal Rights Law

When Shu Hsun Tai lied and told his wife their property was “all hers,” the dying Los Angeles man couldn’t possibly have known his treachery would lead to a milestone for spousal rights. He and Francine Yeh bought their condo…

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