Atticus the Legal Beagle: Your New Friend at the Bar
Atticus
Hello there, fellow members of the legal pack! My name is Atticus, and I’m wagging my tail with excitement to introduce myself as the first-ever plush mascot the San Diego County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service. I attended my first official event on June 3 at the Swearing-In Ceremony for newly admitted California attorneys, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of this wonderful legal community!Read More
Welcome to the June edition of For the Record. This month is filled with opportunities to reflect, celebrate, and connect as a community. My name is Catharine “Kate” McGlynn, and I am in my fourth year of practice. I have been involved with the New Lawyer Division since 2021 and this is my second year serving on the NLD Executive Committee as well as my second year serving as a Legal Education Co-Chair.Read More
Mark Simpliciano Receives SDCBA’s Service by a New Lawyer Award
ByDerek Dente
The San Diego County Bar Association has honored Mark Simpliciano of Garcia Hong Law APC with the 2025 Service by a New Lawyer Award, recognizing his outstanding commitment to service, mentorship, and community engagement within his first seven years of practice. Simpliciano’s journey is a testament to the power of representation, resilience, and giving back — values that have shaped both his life and legal career.Read More
Have you ever tried to navigate the websites of California’s superior courts? It’s like stepping into a funhouse where every turn leads to a different layout, and you’re left wondering if you accidentally entered a parallel universe. One court might let you download case files for free, while another—looking at you, Orange County—charges exorbitant fees per page! I mean, who decided that getting access to public records should feel like trying to buy concert tickets?Read More
The SDCBA’s Exchange on Equity: Anti-Racist Book Club Inspires Dialogue and Action
On May 5, the San Diego County Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Division hosted its latest Exchange on Equity Roundtable: Anti-Racist Book Club, drawing members from across the legal community for an evening of candid conversation, shared learning, and literary inspiration. Held virtually, the event invited participants to recommend and discuss books, films, and television that have shaped their understanding of racism, justice, and the ongoing struggle for equity.Read More
As I write my first “Message from the Board” as co-editor-in-chief of For The Record, I’m reflecting on the power of journalism and the importance of making your voice heard. My own journey began in my bedroom with a dot-matrix printer, churning out “The Alternative” when my high school newspaper wouldn’t publish stories that mattered to students. That early experience taught me that when something is important, you sometimes have to create your own platform to share it. That lesson — that words can spark change — has stayed with me, guiding my path from my bedroom newsroom, to editing a newspaper with a 50,000 daily circulation, to opening my own law office where I try to balance the rights of landlords and tenants.Read More
