Wills, Estates & Trusts
As of April 1, 2025, California's Assembly Bill 2016 simplifies probate for small estates, raising the cap for primary residen...
Disputes often arise in estate distributions involving real property, unequal bequests, or conflicting documents, making it es...
U.S. Supreme Court, Intellectual Property
The Supreme Court's 2024 Loper Bright ruling, which overturned Chevron deference, is unlikely to significantly ...
Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary
Jurors can play a crucial role in rebuilding trust in the justice system by embodying the principle of "Out of Many, One," whe...
Environmental & Energy, Administrative/Regulatory
California's SB 1383 is transforming food waste from environmental liability into economic and climate opportunity, combining ...
Government, Administrative/Regulatory
Speed doesn't care who's driving, so why should the law?
It's time to replace outdated, court-based speed enforcement with automated civil penalties focused on the vehicle, not the ...
Immigration
Emblem and remedy: How a California housing rights law already uniquely protects immigrant tenants from unscrupulous landlords...
Government, Administrative/Regulatory
Trump's push to fast-track deregulation bypasses Administrative Procedure Act rules, but courts--bolstered by Loper Bright--m...
Since the Covid pandemic, virtual mediation via platforms like Zoom has become the dominant method in California, with approxi...
This article explores the use of misdemeanor convictions to impeach a witness's credibility in criminal cases, detailing when ...
Real Estate/Development, Administrative/Regulatory
Though well-intentioned, the act urgently needs reform to distinguish between viable housing sites and rural parcels like El D...
Litigation & Arbitration, Civil Procedure
SB 940 expands discovery in California arbitrations, making civil-style subpoenas the new norm - unless parties clearly opt out.
Environmental & Energy
As the federal government retreats from climate regulation, California steps up with sweeping disclosure laws requiring large ...
How big tech defends algorithmic addiction in the name of the First Amendment.
The California State Bar is facing a series of controversies, including the use of AI-generated questions on its bar exam, con...
Many mediators will contact counsel separately after they've read the briefs, allowing them to focus on settlement strategies ...
Labor/Employment, Insurance, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Employers rely on their risk management teams to evaluate and acquire insurance coverage, but unless they know the key feature...
Labor/Employment, Immigration
Immigration crackdowns post-2025 have made compliance a top business priority, with rising audits, steep fines, and legal ris...
While mediation techniques can be taught, a lawyer's reputation as a negotiator--shaped by professionalism, preparation, and c...
State Bar & Bar Associations, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Administrative/Regulatory
As the State Bar struggles to implement SB 940's vague mandate for ADR certification, philosophical divisions and practice cha...
A Mediator's Proposal can be a powerful settlement tool if used thoughtfully and collaboratively, but mishandling it - especia...
Insurance, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Want a better settlement? Play nice, win big
When a plaintiff's attorney works cooperatively with an insurance company, they create an atmosphere of transparency and open ...
Law Practice, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Choosing the wrong business partner can lead to costly and frustrating mistakes, but by paying close attention to their behavi...
Contracts, Alternative Dispute Resolution
In California, businesses must ensure their arbitration provisions are clearly written, explicitly consented to, and compliant...
Choosing the right arbitrator is critical in commercial arbitration; key factors to consider include the arbitration agreement...
Attorneys often struggle with character evidence frequently overlooking objections. This article introduces a practical, memo...
Government, Constitutional Law
The El Salvador deportations highlight how the Trump Administration may have manufactured foreign entanglements to bypass dome...
Criminal
In 1989, the shocking murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez sparked immediate public reaction, yet their sons, Lyle and Erik Mene...
California Supreme Court
In Capito v. San Jose Healthcare, the California Supreme Court addressed the scope of "unfair" business practices un...
As lawyers, we should be ashamed that so many in our profession have capitulated to authoritarianism, choosing silence and sel...