On May 1, 2025, attorneys, advocates, community members, freed clients and their families gathered for the For The Innocent Gala. The event highlighted stories of wrongful conviction survivors, celebrated legal victories, and honored contributors to The Innocence Center’s mission.
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!
In-Person Settlements: Lessons from a Bench Brown Bag
Dear Colleagues,
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.
By: David C. Carr
One of the more vexing puzzles in legal ethics is the seemingly straightforward question: How long do I keep the client’s file after the representation ends? There is no bright-line rule. There is no rule because of the varieties of legal representation and the differing needs of those varieties of clients. Some areas of litigation, like unlawful detainer practice, involve relatively swift proceedings and a great degree of finality, veritable mayflies in the legal ecosystem. Other areas of practice include issues and proceedings that can span years and even decades, like criminal defense, estates and probate practice, and sometimes marital dissolution practice where the client’s need for the file may be indefinite. The starting point for solving this puzzle is recognition that the client file is the property of the client and file retention practices are part of the fiduciary duty to safeguard client property that the lawyer owes the client.
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.
In 2018, the California Supreme Court approved Rule 4.4 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct providing:
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?
Didn’t pass the February 2025 California Bar Examination? Welcome to the club.
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.