Every attorney, no matter what type of law they practice, is required to adhere to the Rules of Professional Conduct. The violation of any one of those Rules creates a situation where the State...
By Khodadad (Ko) Sharif According to Aristotle, something is “artificial” if it has no innate principle of its own production and instead relies on an external maker to exist (Phys. 2.1). Aristotle differentiates what “have...
By Koryn Sheppard July marks a national milestone of historic significance: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In 2026, as we reflect on two and a half centuries of...
By Timothy Casey This edition of Ethics in Brief offers commentary about the role of lawyers in our society – specifically, the role of lawyers in upholding the “rule of law.” A good starting...
One of the best pieces of advice I received as a young lawyer had nothing to do with trial advocacy, legal writing, or substantive law. It was this: your career will be shaped as...
Dear Counsel, I met with a potential client for the first time a few weeks ago and discussed at length a legal issue she was facing. As she sat there across from me I...
On Monday, June 8, 2026, I had the pleasure of attending and introducing Judge Judy Bae during the “Civil Practice Series: Civil Court Essentials for New Attorneys” in her courtroom (Department SD-62) at the...
By: Timothy Casey Courts have authority to impose sanctions on lawyers. California courts find their authority to issue sanctions in Code of Civil Procedure section 128.7, which “authorizes trial courts to impose sanctions to check abuses...
By David C. Carr On January 1, 2026, two significant bills concerning lawyer advertising and solicitation became effective, SB 37 and AB 931. This legislation changes existing statutes in the State Bar Act (Business &...
By David Present For those of us who grew up outside San Diego or away from the coast, the term “June Gloom” may come as a surprise. It did for me. I grew up...
