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.
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.
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.
October 2 is Wrongful Conviction Day, a global effort to recognize the reality and enduring impact of innocent people serving time for crimes they did not commit. The Innocence Center, a national nonprofit dedicated to criminal justice reform, marks the occasion with events that build awareness, raise funds, and support exonerees as they rebuild their lives.
Should I use ListServ?
Dear Mentor:
I’ve been looking at the bar association’s ListServ and wondering if I should post on it. What are the pros and cons?
As a teenager, Lorena Tejeda’s after-school job at a criminal defense firm began with a simple task: mailing letters to incarcerated clients, aka “jail mail.” For many, it would have been just another student job. For Tejeda, it sparked a calling that would later define her career.
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.
Walking into a networking event always feels like the first day of kindergarten. Instead of “Who’s your favorite Power Ranger?” it’s “What area of law do you practice?” You don’t know anyone, and even if you arrived with a friend, they’re liable to bail or disappear halfway through, leaving you stranded among strangers. If you’re lucky, you’ll latch onto someone for support; if you’re less lucky, someone will latch onto you. One attorney confided that she hates it when law students glom on like lovesick puppies. The truth is, nobody wants to go it alone at one of these things.
Dear New Lawyer Division Members,
It is hard to believe October is almost here, one of my favorite months of the year. Between pumpkin-flavored everything and the importance of Wrongful Conviction Day, there is much to look forward to.
As California attorneys, young and old, we have administrative obligations that I would say have increased in number and specificity at a rapid rate in recent years. It is crucial to learn and comply with all of these requirements so you don’t risk losing your license over recordkeeping violations. The requirements include:
You know what gets me thinking? Credibility. Not just the kind that government lawyers are hemorrhaging nationally (have you read The New York Times lately?), but also the everyday, garden-variety trust in the trenches of our local bar.