The State Bar of California just released two separate and sobering reports about its own failure to open any public discipline investigation of Los Angeles attorney Thomas Girardi, despite more than one hundred complaints against him between 1982 to January 2021. These reports highlight not only failures at the State Bar, but also underscore the need to carefully consider a sometimes-overlooked aspect of the conflict-of-interest rules.Read More
A Possible Blow Coming to Consumers of Previously Owned Vehicles: Looming Changes to the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act
By John Myers Partner at Pengilley Myers APC
A recent appellate opinion from the Fourth District, Division Two, Rodriguez v. FCA US LLC (2022) 77 Cal.App.5th 209, changes the definition of a “new motor vehicle” in California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (“Act”) thereby limiting the number of consumers who can avail themselves of the Act. Courts have previously held that the Act is “manifestly a remedial measure, intended for the protection of the consumer; it should be given a construction calculated to bring its benefits into action.” Murillo v. Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. (1998) 17 Cal.4th 985, 990.Read More
So You’ve Just Finished Taking the Bar Exam … Now What?
By Alex Mann Mission Consultants, Inc.
Five minutes remained. The second hand on my watch stubbornly kept turning, along with my stomach. Three quarters of the California Bar Exam were finished, and my insides had decided to rebel right before the last push. But enough was enough. Despite my body’s objections, I hoisted myself to the sink, dabbed my face with paper, and lurched back to the exam room for another hundred multiple choice questions. Read More
Can an attorney’s rate be likened to the value of a Pablo Picasso painting? How you monetarily value your time as an attorney can change the course of your practice and client relations.Read More
By Stephanie Pengilley Partner at Pengilley Myers APC
On February 15, 2023, the New Lawyer Division was honored to be joined by Chief Judge Dana M. Sabraw of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California for the first of its biannual court practice series programming. Judge Sabraw was nominated by George W. Bush to the federal bench on May 1, 2003, and then unanimously confirmed by the Senate. He became chief judge on January 22, 2021. Judge Sabraw provided insightful tips and guidance on best practices in federal court, including his thoughts on Complaints, FRCP 12(b)(6) motions (motions to dismiss), FRCP 56 (c) motions (motions for summary judgement), briefings, oral arguments, and advice on obtaining judicial clerkships.Read More
