Much has been written about the California Rules of Professional Conduct in this column. There is another set of rules of professional conduct regarding the ethical requirements of judges. A competent lawyer who complies with California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.1 will necessarily understand that the judge before whom appearances are made will also have ethical imperatives and constraints which the judge must follow and which affect the practice of law.Read More
By Lilly Glenister Associate Attorney at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Happy February New Lawyer Division Members! My name is Lilly Glenister and I am humbled to be serving this year as the Vice Chair of the San Diego County Bar Association’s New Lawyer Division. Read More
Avoiding Malpractice: Dangers in representing more than one client in the same matter
By Deborah Wolfe
Lawyers new to the practice of law often are approached by potential clients, including friends and family members, about forming a business entity for more than one client or to represent two individuals in the same automobile accident. The reason usually given is that the clients want to save money by having one lawyer. Sometimes the referral comes from a close friend or family member, where the friend or family member knows and trusts the lawyer. Read More
Tips from the Bench: Hon. Judy S. Bae — “Life is Not About the Destination but the Journey”
By Robert K. Shawhan Associate Attorney at Klinedinst PC
From Certain to Uncertain Career Path
Life is not so much about the pre-planned destination but is about the journey that leads us to where we were meant to be all along. The Honorable Judy S. Bae’s legal career path to becoming a lawyer and a judge is a testament to this maxim. Judge Bae grew up in Redlands, California and was raised by two physicians who worked at local teaching hospitals. As a young Asian American student, talented in the sciences, and with educated and supportive parents, it was almost pre-destined that Judge Bae would follow in her parent’s footsteps and become a physician.Read More
Bags N’ Brunch 2025: A Community Service Event with Lasting Impact
By Claudia Salinas NLD Chair and Staff Attorney at The Innocence Center
On Saturday, February 8, 2025, the San Diego County Bar Association’s New Lawyer Division (“NLD”) partnered with the San Diego Urban League Young Professionals (“SDULYP) for the second annual Bags N’ Brunch—an inspiring day of community service, connection, and empowerment. This year’s event not only continued a meaningful tradition but also expanded its impact, bringing together volunteers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of individuals experiencing hardship.Read More
For the Record Monthly ColumnLegal Life: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Everyday Attorney
By Stephanie S. Germani, Esq. Germani Law
Welcome to “Legal Life: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Everyday Attorney,” a new monthly “For The Record” column. This collaborative effort brings together the voices of our New Lawyer Division members to share the real, unfiltered experiences of life in the legal profession.Read More
The human heart is an incredible organ, beating more than 2.5 billion times over a lifetime —depending, of course, on how long that life lasts. On average, it beats 100,000 times per day and 35 million times per year.Read More
Children’s Legal Services of San Diego, Inc. (CLS) provides legal representation for youth involved in juvenile dependency cases. CLS is appointed to represent the child by the juvenile court when a social worker files a petition alleging child abuse or neglect. As appointed counsel, the CLS attorneys serve as the attorney and guardian ad litem for the child throughout the dependency case. Typical litigation in the dependency case involves where the child lives, whether the family is getting adequate services, and also the child’s permanent plan, including reunification with family, adoption, or guardianship. In addition to representing children, CLS also represents former foster youth ages 18 to 21 who are participating in Extended Foster Care, a voluntary program to support the youth’s transition to adulthood. CLS currently represents approximately 1,700 youth throughout San Diego County.Read More
“Lawyers who know how to think but have not learned how to behave are a menace and a liability to the administration of justice.” Excerpts From the Chief Justice’s Speech on the Need for Civility, New York Times, May 19, 1971, Page 28. More than fifty years later, the California State Bar proposed amendments to the California Rules of Professional Conduct, including Rules 1.2 and 8.4, and the introduction of new Rule 8.4.2 to specifically address civility. The California Supreme Court is poised to adopt these long-debated civility rules, which would make California the fifth state to adopt such rules. What are the proposed rules, how will they be enforced, and who will enforce them?Read More
