The Bar Association of San Francisco’s (BASF) Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF) is currently in its fourth year of examining practices, conducting in-depth research and making recommendations to policy makers and agency leaders around criminal justice reform in…
Daily Journal Announces CLAY Awards
The following BASF members were recognized by the Daily Journal with California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) Awards in specific categories: Consumer Protection: James C. Sturdevant, The Sturdevant Law Firm Data Breach and Privacy Litigation: Michael…
Duties to Former Clients and Termination of Representation Under the New Rules of Professional Conduct
New California Rules of Professional Conduct (“CRPC”), Rule 1.9, describes an attorney’s duties to a former client and is divided into three categories. Subsection (a) prohibits a lawyer who represented a client from representing another person in the same…
San Francisco’s Niche Businesses: Small Stores, Big Legal Issues?
From handmade jewelry and artisanal baked goods to dining tables made from reclaimed wood, craft goods are having a moment. Craft brewing—probably the most famous niche industry—has grown from a curiosity of local hobbyists into a booming national juggernaut…
Linda Sobczynski Named 2019 Clean Energy Leadership Institute Fellow
BASF Leader Circle firm member Linda Sobczynski, Farella Braun + Martel, was named a 2019 Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) Fellow. CELI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the next generation of diverse, pragmatic clean energy leaders. Its fellowship…
Barristers Club Report: We Are Barristers
It can be hard to read about the state of the law today and not conclude that lawyers are some of the most miserable creatures walking the earth. It is true that, as a profession, we need to do…
Sponsors Are the New Mentors, Especially for Women
This article was originally published by Attorney at Work and is reprinted here with permission. Women have been told for years that having a mentor is critical for career success, and today many can readily find mentors or be matched…
JDC’s Tax Project Educates the Public
In early 2019, Amy Spivey, Supervising Attorney of the Justice & Diversity Center’s (JDC) Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC), held three workshops in San Francisco to educate and assist taxpayers who have issues with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).…
Risk Management: California’s Mediation Confidentiality Disclosure
California lawyers must disclose the confidentiality rules that apply to mediation to their client before the mediation. California Evidence Code section 1129 ensures that attorneys make their clients aware of the confidentiality rules related to mediation, including that communications…
JDC Staff Participate in Oakland Running Festival, Supporting Bay Area Immigration Bond Fund
Congratulations to Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) immigration staff Claire Fawcett and Valerie Zukin who participated in the Oakland Running Festival on Sunday, March 24, 2019. Claire participated in the half marathon, and Valerie in the 5k race,…
Philip Feldman Appointed Charter Member of Napa Valley Community Foundation’s Stewardship Committee
BASF Leader Circle firm member Philip Feldman, Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass, was appointed a charter member of the Stewardship Committee of the Napa Valley Community Foundation. The Napa Valley Community Foundation links donors to charitable projects that…
BASF Because…
BASF Because… is a series of brief profiles where we ask members to share why they joined the Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF). This year’s series profiles section leaders. Kelly Woodruff California Appellate Law Group Co-Chair, Appellate…