It’s Not Just the Fake Cases, AI Doesn’t Think Like a Lawyer
By Katie Parker
Associate Clinical Professor, USD School of Law
Monthly Archive: October 2025
Message from the Board
Message from the Board
It’s October, and in our beautiful city that means the pumpkin spice is flowing and the calaveras are glowing. As we celebrate Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos, it is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the multi-cultural canvas that makes San Diego America’s finest city.
Ask the Mentor
Ask the Mentor
ABC Family Law & Mediation Center
Scripts You Need for Those Difficult Conversations
Legal Life: How to Replace a Lawyer in Ten Easy Emails
Legal Life: How to Replace a Lawyer in Ten Easy Emails
Germani Law
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.
Tips from the Bench: Judge Michael D. Washington Discusses the Importance of Mentorship
Tips from the Bench: Judge Michael D. Washington Discusses the Importance of Mentorship
In a recent conversation between San Diego County Superior Court Judge Michael D. Washington and his longtime mentee, Derek Dente, the two reflected on the transformative power of mentorship and how these relationships shape legal careers and personal growth. Their discussion, candid and filled with practical advice, offers unique insight into what it truly means to walk alongside someone on their professional journey. What follows are highlights from their exchange, capturing Judge Washington’s heartfelt philosophy on what real mentorship looks like and why it matters in and beyond the courtroom.
Ethics in Brief: Ethical Considerations When Using Artificial Intelligence to Perform Discovery
By Alara T. Chilton
This article discusses key ethical considerations for lawyers when using artificial intelligence (AI)[i], particularly generative AI[ii] tools, to respond to discovery. Consider the following conversation between two friends who are solo-practitioners: Miguel, a consumer rights attorney incorporating AI[iii] into his practice, and Maria, a business litigation attorney who has been researching a lawyer’s ethical obligations under the Rules of Professional Conduct and the State Bar Act when using AI.
Mindful Minute: October Trick or Treat
By Koryn Sheppard
In October, the festive spirit of “trick or treat” fills the neighborhood. Beyond the candy and costumes, this playful phrase offers a reminder to enhance your mental well-being. Before the holiday season sweeps us into its whirlwind of activity, let’s explore some “tricks” for self-care and “treats” for ourselves and others.
Ethics in Brief — More Than the Minimum: Raising the Bar from Compliance to Best Practices
By Valerie Silverman Massey
The California Rules of Professional Conduct (Rules) serve as the ethical backbone of legal practice. These Rules establish the minimum standards required to avoid disciplinary action, but they are not synonymous with best practice. The distinction between compliance and excellence is subtle yet critical — especially in a profession where reputation, trust, and client outcomes hinge on more than just rule-following.