Dear Friends,
As we embrace the inspiring spirit of San Diego’s diverse legal community, we are proud to share some highlights that showcase the New Lawyer Division’s commitment to inclusion, support, and authentic connection.
Can Conflict Waivers Always Cure All?
By Nicholas Pilchak
“Welcome to Department 501 of your San Diego Superior Court.” That’s how the Hon. Peter F. Murray starts every session, setting a tone of openness and order for all who enter his courtroom, presiding over the county’s unlawful detainer calendar in the Central Courthouse.
Dear Mentor:
I’m having trouble with billing and meeting my billable hour requirement. Why am I at the office for 12 hours but only have 7 hours written down? I’m a second-year attorney and it still takes me a much longer than I think it should to finish projects. I feel like I can’t record all my time because it takes too long, but then I can’t meet my minimum hours. Help!
Legal Life: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Everyday Attorney” is your monthly invitation to laugh, commiserate, and connect with the real stories behind life in the law.
If you’ve spent any time around a courthouse, you know lawyers have a name for everything. We love labels. “Associate.” “Partner.” “Of counsel.” “Rainmaker.” But when it comes to new attorneys, the nicknames get especially creative. My friend Harrison recently told me that new attorneys are called “baby rattlesnakes.” Why? Because, just like their reptilian counterparts, new lawyers can’t regulate their venom.
Each year, the SDCBA Leadership Academy cultivates a cohort of legal professionals through an immersive six-month curriculum rooted in values-based leadership, emotional intelligence, community impact, and cross-sector collaboration.
There are approximately 190,000 active status licensed attorneys in California. Thankfully, the vast majority of us get through our entire careers without any disciplinary issue with the State Bar.
By Anne M. Rudolph
There are various situations that may arise where an attorney may be asked to allow a third party to pay a client’s attorney’s fees and costs. Examples include a parent paying for their child’s criminal defense attorney or divorce attorney. When a third party is paying the bills, it is particularly important that an attorney not conflate the client with the person paying the bills, and that an attorney maintain client confidentiality by not sharing confidential communications with the third party.[1]
By Stacey A. Kartchner
As Immediate Past President of the SDCBA and Chair of the Leadership Outreach Committee (“LOC”), I have the privilege of collaborating with an exceptionally talented and amazing group of individuals to recruit potential candidates for the 2026 Board of Directors election. If you want to dedicate your time and talent to creating real change and making a meaningful impact within the legal community, you can do so by serving on the Board.