Swami’s Will a Testament to His Spiritual Values As a monk and the founder of the Ananda Church of Self-Realization, Swami Kriyananda had renounced most of his material goods long before his death in April 2013. His will focused on…
What a Mediator Would Like to See in a Mediation Brief
In many cases mediation is the most cost-efficient and effective method of resolving a case. Often, litigants can save a lot of money and time when mediation is held after first tier discovery has been completed, once the core facts…
Legal Ethics Corner: What is Confidential?
All attorneys know what a client tells them, in private, is confidential and is protected by the attorney-client privilege. (Evid. Code §§950, et seq., especially 952.) However, what about other information that an attorney learns about a client from sources…
United States Supreme Court Hears Argument on Legality of Firearm Possession by People Convicted of Domestic Violence Misdemeanors
On January 15, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court heard argument in United States v. Castleman, on whether a person who has been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor should be allowed to possess guns. In 2001, James Castleman was convicted…
The Power Of One: Accommodating Caregivers Under The San Francisco Family Friendly Ordinance
Whether you employ 20 people in Vacaville, Virginia or on Venus, the Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance will affect you if one of those employees: is a caregiver of a child, parent over the age 65, or relative with a serious…
Consider Mediating Fee Disputes Gracefully
Sometimes clients will fail to pay or dispute your bill because they are disappointed at the outcome of litigation, or, whilst your work was properly performed, your billing methods lack transparency, leaving the client unable to understand the bill, frustrated…
Legal Ethics Corner: When Turning Over a Client’s File, Don’t Forget to Include Electronic Data
One of the most difficult things is to lose a client. Sometimes it is for the best. However, when you lose a client and the attorney-client relationship ends, your obligations to the client do not end. See Formal Opinion 1992-127…
Child Support Arrears May Add Up to Felony Time? You Betcha, Levi!
The Palin family is never far from the headlines and now it is Bristol Palin’s turn. In November, it was reported that her baby daddy, Levi Johnston, had filed for joint custody of the couple’s child, Tripp. Palin responded by…
Obama Administration Recognizes Utah Same-Sex Marriages Under Federal Law
The Obama Administration announced Friday that the federal government will recognize approximately 1,360 same-sex marriages performed in Utah since December 2013, despite the state’s refusal to acknowledge these marriages. On January 6, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed U.S. District…
Social Security Cannot Be Attached to Reimburse Insurer
This article was first published on the California Bankruptcy Blog at http://calbk.blogspot.com/2014/01/insurer-cannot-attach-social-security.html In Bilyeu v. Morgan Stanley, 683 F.3d 1083 (9th Cir. 2012), the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rules that an insurer cannot impose a lien upon…
Trapped in Marriage: Potential Pitfalls of Same-Sex Marriages in Non-Recognition States
When they decided to end their marriage, Mississippi residents Lauren Beth Czekala-Chatham and Dana Ann Melancon faced an unusual hurdle: the court refused to grant them a divorce. The couple had traveled to California to marry in 2008. In June…
