The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) and the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) have staff members serving on two task forces recently formed by The State Bar of California. Justice Gap The Civil Justice Strategies Task Force was recently…
April is Financial Literacy Month: Estate Planning Advice from Deborah Fox
In March 2004 Senate Resolution 316 established April as “National Financial Literacy Month.” In a nod to April’s moniker, BASF member and LRIS Estate Planning attorney Deborah Fox answers questions and provides sage advice on estate planning and financial matters.…
Legal Writing Tip: Using a Second Pair Eyes to Proof Your Work
I’ve long recommended that lawyers get a second pair of eyes on important documents, either a professional editor or a trusted colleague. Ideally, within the bounds of attorney-client privilege, the editor should know little about the subject matter so as…
Congratulations to the Community Justice Center Court and the BASF/IDA Conflicts Attorneys Who Helped Build it
Congratulations and deep gratitude to the Indigent Defense Administration‘s Conflicts Panel who committed their time, energy and expertise to building the Community Justice Center (CJC) court to its celebrated status today. On March 5, the San Francisco Superior Court celebrated the five-year…
Veterans Summit Brings Together Legal Advocates for Strategy Session [INFOGRAPHIC]
In late February, The Bar Association of San Francisco organized a half-day Veterans Summit which brought together for the first time nonprofits who provide legal services for San Francisco veterans. They were joined by representatives from local law schools, law…
Legal Marketing: Using Client Feedback for Competitive Advantage and Content Marketing
The Legal Marketing Association – Bay Area Chapter, at its January educational program, saw some “Big Ideas Brought to Life.” In a “TED-format” of four 15–20 minute presentations, speakers explored motivating reluctant lawyers, leveraging client feedback for competitive intelligence, content…
The Benefit of Expert Witness Testimony
Given the technical and complex nature of modern litigation, expert witness testimony is becoming increasingly important. Experts apply their experience and subject matter expertise to help the trier-of-fact understand industry-specific terms and processes. Experts can be an extremely valuable asset…
Legal Writing Tip: Learning to Convey Your Expertise
You’re a lawyer, not an academic. In briefs, opinion letters and client communications, you must convey your expertise simply, even when describing something complex. Consider yourself a technical writer, a knowledge expert just like a software manual writer, whose job…
Your Referral Helps the Community We Serve [Infographic]
Your referrals to BASF’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) support pro bono legal services and diversity education programs of the Justice & Diversity Center, including the Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship Program. If your caseload is full or if…
Victory for LRIS Panel Attorney in Elder Financial Abuse Case
If you have ever channel surfed during the middle of the night you have likely come across a variety of “Get Rich Quick” infomercials promising money, happiness, a sharper mind with a quick phone call and a credit card number.…
BASF Visits SFSU to Learn More About Student Veterans’ Legal Needs
The Bar Association of San Francisco’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service’s (LRIS) Director of Public Service Programs Carole Conn recently visited with San Francisco State University’s VETS@SFSU group (pictured above). Conn met with the student organization to provide legal resources…
Legal Writing Tip: Boost the Drama; Keep Sentences Short
To boost drama or emotion in briefs, client letters and other writing, pepper your narrative with short sentences. Easy to read, short sentences focus readers’ attention, helping them retain information. Part style, part literary technique, short sentences control your reader’s…