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!
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.
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.
Scripts You Need for Those Difficult Conversations
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.
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.