The 1855 Prenup for Women’s Rights In most mid-nineteenth-century American states, a married woman had little legal standing. For starters, she didn’t have the right to use her own name, as her identity was subsumed under her husband’s in the…
Legal Ethics: Some Thoughts On Issues Raised, But Not Resolved, By Cassel v. Superior Court
The Supreme Court in Cassel v. Superior Court (2011) 51 Cal.4th 113, 244 P.3d 1080, held that evidence of what occurred during or in preparation for mediation in a case is, pursuant to Evidence Code § 1115, et seq., inadmissible…
Yolanda Jackson Named Executive Director and General Counsel of BASF
BASF’s Board of Directors recently announced the hiring of its new Executive Director and General Counsel Yolanda Jackson. Jackson was previously BASF’s interim executive director, general counsel and diversity director. The executive director leads both The Bar Association of San…
“Keep Up With Your Divorce, or Kick It to the Curb,” Judge Tells Kardashian Sister
Keeping up with Khloe Kardashian’s divorce from NBA star Lamar Odom is not difficult as long as Odom refuses to respond to Kardashian’s Petition for Dissolution. However, ten months after Kardashian filed for divorce, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge…
With City Grant, JDC Welcomes New Homeless Advocacy Project Staff Attorney
The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) happily welcomes Michael Spalding as a new Staff Attorney at its Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP). Spalding had been working as a temporary staff attorney at HAP since January. Through funding made possible through the…
5 Reasons To Attend the Labor and Employment Section’s Yosemite Conference
For years, the BASF Labor and Employment Section has held its annual conference in Yosemite, assembling many of the top labor and employment practitioners in the Bay Area (in fact, the country) for a weekend that combines expert CLE presentations,…
Daniel Flores Elected San Francisco Superior Court Judge
BASF member Daniel Flores was elected to the San Francisco Superior Court in the November 4 election. Flores ran against Carol Kingsley for Seat 20. In April, BASF’s Judiciary Committee released its evaulations of three candidates, including Flores, who they rated…
BASF’s Mediation Program Just Got Better for Members
This year The Bar Association of San Francisco’s Mediation Services was selected for The Recorder’s Best “Hall of Fame” for five continuous years of excellence. Attorneys like you ranked the program high for the superior quality of its mediators, the…
Legal Writing Tip: Avoid Losing Credibility When Writing Your Brief
In law school, we’re taught to zealously advocate for clients. But in brief writing, attorneys shouldn’t resort to hyperbole, sarcasm and exaggeration to achieve that goal. When seeking to persuade, it’s critical to stay within the bounds of the facts…
BASF Bulletin Board: Our Members and Leaders Circle Firms Making Headlines
Minority Bar Coalition Recognizes Local Attorneys Congratulations to the following BASF members who were recognized with a Minority Bar Coalition Unity Award at a ceremony held at UC Hastings College of the Law in November: Abigail Rivamonte Mesa was recognized…
Effective December 8, E-Filing is Mandatory for All General Civil Cases
The San Francisco Superior Court is expanding its mandatory e-filing program to include all Civil case types, except Limited Unlawful Detainer Cases and Small Claims cases, effective December 8, 2014, Court Executive Officer T. Michael Yuen announced in early November. ”This…
Leader Circle Firm Nossaman Honors Scholarship Recipient
Nossaman’s San Francisco Office recently hosted the USF Women Lawyers Committee Networking Scholarship Reception. The committee’s 2014 scholarship recipient is Srijana Dhakhwa. She received a Ph.D. in Economics from UC Santa Cruz and an M.A. from Mount Holyoke. She now…