In The Lost Lawyer, a book first published in 1993, Anthony Kronman described an idealized figure, the lawyer statesman. Such an individual is “possessed of great practical wisdom and exceptional persuasive powers, devoted to the public good but keenly aware of the limitations of human beings and their political arrangements.” That is, the lawyer-statesman is distinguished from other lawyers by “extraordinary devotion” to the public good, and “wisdom in deliberating about it.” Although Kronman bemoaned that such an ideal had become increasingly rare, there were and are people who exemplify it.Read More
In Hamilton, King George asks in song, “What Comes Next?” It is a question that leaders interested in the continuity and longevity of their organizations address. In our profession, the answer to that question will be shaped, at least in part, by who is entering it.Read More
By Carole J. Buckner Partner and General Counsel, Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
The court’s decision in Falcon Brands, Inc. v. Mousavi & Lee, LLP, 2022 WL 246851 (Jan. 27, 2022) provides insight for all lawyers regarding when settlement demands “cross the line and become professional misconduct.” Read More
It is a pleasure to serve as your vice chair this year! I am excited to be a part of this year’s Executive Committee bringing NLD exciting and creative events to further new lawyers’ careers and provide opportunities. As vice chair I hope to provide ample opportunities for our members to get involved in the legal community, connect with experienced attorneys, and have the chance to give back.Read More
The MLB’s Collective Bargaining Approach: Short-Term Gain Versus Long-Term Pain?
By Matthew Spolsky Ford, Walker, Haggerty & Behar LLP
Major League Baseball (MLB) concluded its 2021 season on a high note with the Atlanta Braves taking down the widely hated Houston Astros. What happened next was something a lot of fans hoped would have been avoided.Read More
“Working hard, handling difficult cases, and working late hours — sometimes staying up until 3:00 in the morning to make sure a trial is fully prepped — is completely worth it when you know you’re making a difference in someone else’s life,” says Deputy District Attorney Malak Behrouznami.Read More
By Yahairah Aristy San Diego Public Defender’s Office
How I got to where I am today is the product of many lived experiences that began in my childhood. My childhood was filled with experiences that I believe it is best children do not experience — parents with substance abuse disorders, neglect, and physical abuse. These experiences served as a catalyst for me to depend on my maternal grandmother for the provision of my daily needs as a child, and because of her I did not grow up in the foster care system. Still, despite everything, my mother was instrumental in instilling in me the value of education and community service.Read More
By Daniela Lagunas Schwartz, Semerdjian, Cauley & Evans LLP
Klinedinst CEO and former SDCBA president Heather L. Rosing recently received the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) Fellows Award for her exceptional work within the legal community. During her 26 years of practice, Rosing has not only paved the way for female attorneys in private practice but has also developed a nationwide reputation for her skills and legal experience.Read More
This issue of Ethics in Brief covers an attorney’s duty of confidentiality and a commonly held misconception regarding a “public records” exception to the duty of confidentiality. The misconception may stem from a conflation of the ethical duty of confidentiality with the evidentiary rule about the attorney-client privilege. In sum, there is no public records exception to the duty of confidentiality, although information revealed in a public record may not be privileged.Read More
Happy Valentine’s Day. Today is a holiday when people traditionally express their love through greetings, gifts, and, importantly, sharing their time together. When periodically thinking about that concept in terms of our legal community, several different things have come to mind. But one consistently pops up: Tom Homann dinners.Read More
