… Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver were all over the news in 2011 when they started their divorce amid revelations that Schwarzenegger fathered a child with their housekeeper. All eyes were on them as they faced dividing their $400 million…
Legal Ethics Corner: The Weinstein Scandal and Rule 3-110
Amid the growing allegations of the Harvey Weinstein sexual misconduct scandal, it recently came to light that Weinstein’s former attorney, David Boies, had agreed to contract with a private investigator firm, Black Cube, on Weinstein’s behalf. Black Cube performed work…
Estate Planning Corner: Subtrusts, Tax Planning and More
When is a Win not a Win? Leland Babbitt’s estate was divided into two subtrusts upon his death–one for his wife Mary Lynne and the other for his daughter from a prior marriage, Carol. Mary Lynne was entitled to the…
Risk Management Tip: Understanding Duties to Third Parties, Part 2
An attorney’s primary duty to a client is tempered by the overriding duty in all settings to be truthful. In the transactional setting there is no protection for attorneys from claims by non-clients when an attorney engages in affirmatively deceitful…
Solo and Small Firm Attorney Column: Top Ten Ethical Blunders and How to Avoid Them
Because many ethical blunders in law practice are avoidable, it is important to be aware of common mistakes, and to take affirmative steps to avoid them. While this is true for all attorneys, this is of particular importance for solo…
Register Now for Paralegal Studies at City College
The Paralegal/Legal Studies Program at City College of San Francisco (CCSF), in operation since 1973, was granted approval from the American Bar Association (ABA) in August 2017. Designed for working adults, classes are taught in the evenings at its downtown…
Paralegal Section Honors Legal Professionals at Annual Reception
More than 50 members of the legal community attended the December 5 Paralegal Section Holiday Party at Robert Half Legal. The Paralegal Section honored the following individuals: Section Member of the Year: Colleen Dietterle, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office Legal…
BASF Welcomes New Mediators to Mediation Service
Alice Shikina of Shikina Mediation and Arbitration is a certified mediator with a unique background. She has over 20 years of theatre experience, which she brings to her mediation practice. She is a practiced improviser and an excellent people reader.…
Family Law Corner: Will Reality Show Accusations Play a Starring Role in Real Housewife Custody Case?
The Real Housewives franchise that started it all, the “Real Housewives of Orange County” (RHOC), is back in the news again due to cast member Shannon Beador’s impending divorce. RHOC’s undeniable “star,” original cast member Vicki Gunvalson (the “O.G. of…
Risk Management Tip: Understanding Duties to Third Parties, Part 1
The primary duty to a non-client is to be truthful. This month we examine this duty in litigation. Generally, attorneys owe no duty to a non-client. In Goodman v. Kennedy (1976) 18 Cal.3d 335, purchasers alleged they were damaged because…
Estate Planning Corner: The Times, They Are A-Changin'
Court of Appeal Welcomes Women to Generous Men’s College Bob Dylan did not tell school trustees to heed the call that “The Times They Are A-Changin.” But a California Court of Appeal did. Women may now attend Deep Springs…
Solo and Small Firm Corner: Three Simple Ways to Attract Clients
One of the challenging aspects of owning your own firm is finding great clients. The solution is effective marketing that generates high quality leads (and enough of them). This article provides three insights you can use to attract great clients.…