Message from the NLD Chair — January 2026

Greetings New Lawyer Division! 

I’m Lilly Glenister, your 2026 Chair for the New Lawyer Division (“NLD”).  Born and raised in San Diego, I graduated from San Diego State University and California Western School of Law—a true local girl!  Now, I am an associate at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in its Business Trial Practice Group at the firm’s downtown San Diego office. This is my third year as an Executive Committee member of NLD and I am stoked to help my team bring you more events and CLE content this year. It can feel isolating being a new attorney, which is why we encourage you to reach out to us.  Whether it is just attending our events throughout the year or getting involved with various volunteer opportunities, NLD is where you can start to build your community here in San Diego. Read More

In the popular imagination, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is often reduced to a handful of quotations, a single holiday, or a softened narrative of inevitable progress. But the King who wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and who stood at the Mason Temple in Memphis on April 3, 1968, the night before his assassination, was not offering comfort. He was issuing a demand. That demand was grounded in what might best be described as radical love, a disciplined, uncomfortable, and courageous commitment to human dignity that refuses neutrality in the face of injustice. Read More

NLD Farewell

NLD,

As my term as Chair of the New Lawyer Division comes to a close, I am filled with gratitude and awe at what we accomplished together this year. Thank you for trusting me, for electing me, and for showing up with so much energy, creativity, and passion. You made this year unforgettable and reminded me again and again why this Division is so special. Read More

Professionalism and Civility in Depositions

This is the second of two articles addressing issues that arise in the context of depositions. This article focuses on the ethical, professional issues, and civility issues that arise during the deposition itself. The first, available here, focused on ethical issues arising in preparing a witness for deposition.  Read More

Finding Your Side Hustle as a Lawyer: From Newsletters to Tutoring and Freelancing

The legal profession is rapidly transforming. So, too, are the ways attorneys can earn supplemental income and expand their networks. If you’re a lawyer who’s ever wondered whether it’s possible to build a flexible “side gig,” the answer is a resounding yes. My journey with Substack is just one example, and there are more avenues than ever to leverage your legal expertise beyond traditional practice. Read More

AI in the Courtroom: “A Cautious and Reasonable Approach”

Constant technological advancements have led to increasingly widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI). But what happens when AI becomes more prevalent in the legal profession? The fear of lawyers being replaced by AI is a recurring topic among attorneys, but is AI truly a threat to lawyers? Read More

Legal Life: Gold Robes and Marble Turtles

New attorneys, here’s something no one tells you in law school: Judges are just people. Sure, lately it feels like they’re the last line keeping the legal dam from bursting, especially when judges stand up to government overreach and insist on playing by the rules. But your job is not to worship or to fear the robe. It’s to pay attention to the process and the small, human details everyone else misses.​​ Read More

Ask the Mentor: How to Organize Your Desk and Office 

Dear Mentor: 

Why is my desk such a mess? There are papers and files everywhere, and it causes me so much anxiety. I clean it up to try and organize it, but it quickly becomes a mess again. I feel like I have no room to work, and I don’t know how to fix it. Help! Read More

Message from NLD Leadership

Friends, Colleagues, and Veterans,

This Veterans Day, I carved out some time to revisit the history of what was originally Armistice Day and to look through old artifacts from family members who served in the U.S. Navy and Air Force. A day of remembrance does not feel complete without reflecting on those we love who answered the call to serve. Read More

Message from the Board

It’s October, and in our beautiful city that means the pumpkin spice is flowing and the calaveras are glowing. As we celebrate Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos, it is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the multi-cultural canvas that makes San Diego America’s finest city.  Read More