From Refugee to Advocate: A First-Generation Lawyer’s Journey to the Law
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When I think about how I became a lawyer, I don’t picture a classroom or a courtroom.
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Author: Katelynn Robinson
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Some Practical Guidance for Rule 8.3 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct
By Anne M. Rudolph
Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3, titled “Reporting Professional Misconduct,” went into effect on August 1, 2023, making California the last state to implement a version of this rule. Referred to by many as the “rat rule” or “snitch rule,” rule 8.3 requires an attorney to report the ethical misconduct of other attorneys related to their honesty, trustworthiness and fitness as an attorney. The failure to report can result in discipline for an attorney who knew or should have known of the misconduct.
Ethics in Brief: The California State Bar’s “Guidelines” For the Ethical Use of AI
The State Bar of California Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct
Practice Guidance for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law
Executive Summary
By Charles Berwanger
Generative AI is a tool that has wide-ranging application for the practice of law and administrative functions of the legal practice for all licensees, regardless of firm size, and all practice areas. Like any technology, generative AI must be used in a manner that conforms to a lawyer’s professional responsibility obligations, including those set forth in the Rules of Professional Conduct and the State Bar Act. A lawyer should understand the risks and benefits of the technology used in connection with providing legal services. How these obligations apply will depend on a host of factors, including the client, the matter, the practice area, the firm size, and the tools themselves, ranging from free and readily available to custom-built, proprietary formats.
Generative AI use presents unique challenges; it uses large volumes of data, there are many competing AI models and products, and, even for those who create generative AI products, there is a lack of clarity as to how it works. In addition, generative AI poses the risk of encouraging greater reliance and trust on its outputs because of its purpose to generate responses and its ability to do so in a manner that projects confidence and effectively emulates human responses. A lawyer should consider these and other risks before using generative AI in providing legal services.
The following Practical Guidance is based on current professional responsibility obligations for lawyers and demonstrates how to behave consistently with such obligations. While this guidance is intended to address issues and concerns with the use of generative AI and products that use generative AI as a component of a larger product, it may apply to other technologies, including more established applications of AI. This Practical Guidance should be read as guiding principles rather than as “best practices.”
Lawyer Regulation Alert
By Dave Majchrzak and Heather Rosing
On October 10 and 11, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills, Assembly Bill 931 and Senate Bill 37, that will impact the law of lawyering effective January 1, 2026. We want the membership to be aware of these new laws since they may impact the way you advertise and attract clients. The changes are significant and violations can have serious consequences.
Mindful Minute — Starting Fresh: The Joy of Being a Beginner
By Koryn Sheppard
As January rings in a new year, we often feel a collective pressure to “fix” ourselves through rigid resolutions. However, instead of focusing on what needs to be corrected, we can look at the new year as an invitation to embrace the “beginner’s mind.” Starting something brand new in January offers profound benefits for our mental and emotional well-being.
Ethics in Brief: Oh, When Will They Ever Learn: Attorneys’ Continued Unverified Use of AI Garners Sanctions and Ethics Violations
By Charles Berwanger
Peter, Paul, and Mary had it right when they sang the soulful song: Where Have All the Flowers Gone – mankind simply does not learn from history.
When Will We Learn? Hallucination Hell
By Edward McIntyre
A recurring series where fictional characters discuss real
ethics scenarios. Macbeth, a long-recognized expert in legal
ethics, professional responsibility, and the law of lawyering
is joined by his nephew Duncan and Sara, the very bright
newest member of the firm.
Mindful Minute: Wrapping up the Year: The Gift of Prioritization
By Koryn Sheppard
The leaves have fallen, the air has turned colder, and we are on the brink of the busy holiday season. The stretch from November to the new year often turns into a whirlwind of activities, events, obligations, and expectations. While we long to enjoy the special moments and feel festive, we often end up feeling exhausted and burnt out.
Ethics In Brief: Does The Attorney-Client Privilege Survive After the Death of a Client?
by: Anne Rudolph
Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 6068, subdivision (e), an attorney must maintain inviolate a client’s confidences. The only exception is that an attorney may, but is not required to, reveal confidential information to the extent that the attorney reasonably believes the disclosure is necessary to prevent a criminal act that the attorney reasonably believes is likely to result in death of, or substantial bodily harm to, an individual.
Ethics in Brief: Social Media and Juror Privacy
By: Edward J. McIntyre
Lawyers representing clients about to face a jury need to know as much as possible about potential jurors so they can intelligently decide whom to excuse and whom to risk having serve.