A Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) can take any litigation case and review the medical records to provide valuable analysis for the legal team. Any case that requires medical record analysis can be improved by an LNC analysis. The LNC can…
The Importance of Mindfulness in Mediation
As the human brain evolves to include senses-engaging Apple Watch communication and avatar only mood emoticons, it is important for those of us who practice in conflict resolution to build spaces where time stands still. Mediation requires actively sitting with…
Have You Done an Ethics Check on Your Firm Website?
A California attorney’s website must comply with California Rule of Professional Conduct 1-400 and Business and Professions Code sections 6157 through 6159.2. In addition to ensuring your website contains no false or misleading content, check your website for: Must Haves “Advertisement”…
Legal Ethics Corner: Ethical Issues in Compensating Contract Attorneys
The use of contract attorneys is commonplace in the practice of law today. Large law firms and solo practitioners utilize contract attorneys to supplement their own staff resources for transactional and litigation tasks. Despite a general requirement that a client…
California Recognizes Evidence Extrinsic to Wills
For many years, California courts have prevented heirs from contesting a will based on extrinsic evidence such as letters, handwritten notes and other unofficial documents not included in the estate plan. But last month, the California Supreme Court overturned these…
Date of Separation
A couple cannot be considered separated if they live together in the same home, the California Supreme Court has decided. Sheryl Davis told Keith Davis that she was “through” with their marriage on June 1, 2006; filed for divorce on…
Jurisdictional Jetlag for the Jetset
Kelly Rutherford is heading back to court as her ongoing custody battle, now in its sixth year, rages on. Her child custody case has given her more publicity than her roles in “Gossip Girl” or “Melrose Place.” For those who…
Smart Dispute Resolution
Is there such a thing as “smart” dispute resolution? You betcha! And here is why. What is the goal in representing a client in a dispute: resolution, of course, but the path towards the agreed upon result is the issue.…
Informal Lunchtime Meetings Prove Beneficial For Solo/Small Firm Attorneys
Starting in 2014, the Solo and Small Firm Sections (S/SF) of the Barristers Club and BASF initiated a Brown Bag Luncheon Series, occurring the second Tuesday of each month at noon. Topics are wide-ranging; the group has ranged from ten…
The Court Reporter’s Dilemma: Interrupt or Drop
No one likes to be interrupted, least of all the litigator who is hot on the trail of a crucial answer from a witness. Words are flying like bullets. Suddenly, a voice asks him to repeat the question. He…
The Benefits of a Paper-Free Office
Making your law office paper-free, or to be honest, 90% paper-free, is a great goal. I will begin by saying that I have previously read articles along this vein and the very “un-useful” advise included, “You don’t have to print…
Estate Planning Tips For Lawyers and Their Clients
The Rules of Arbitration are Not Arbitrary Some people choose to settle legal disputes using arbitration since it is much less expensive and more private than going to court. That’s because a qualified arbiter considers the evidence presented by both…