The Future of Law in Admissions to the California State Bar

The Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California charged the Task Force on Admissions Regulation Reform with examining whether the State Bar of California should develop a regulatory requirement for a pre-admission practical skills training program and, if so, proposing such a program for submission to the Supreme Court.

It’s Always Darkest Before Dawn

The California judicial system is in dire financial straits. A silver lining of the court funding crisis is that it has fostered greater collaboration between the bench and bar, as well as by attorneys on opposite sides of the ”v.,” to discover novel solutions to the formidable challenges created by the underfunded judiciary.

“BYOCR” (Bring Your Own Court Reporter)

Perhaps the single most significant effect of the statewide reductions to court budgets, as they apply to civil, family and probate cases, is the inability of the courts to continue to maintain a court reporter staff for those categories of cases.

Growing Trends in Today’s Legal World

More demanding clients, new technologies and globalization are taking an irreversible toll on the traditional law firm business model. Consequently, newer business models are cropping up, a development which offers more opportunities but also more risks for lawyers willing to conduct business differently. This article explores some of the trends in the profession and how they have affected our strategies for our law practice.

Tomorrow’s Lawyer

The agent of change is the cost of legal advice and representation. The practice of law is going to change. We need to develop practices where clients seek the advice, experience or expertise that they cannot find online.

Ethical Guidelines for Practicing in a Virtual Law Office

Virtual law practice is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to the traditional physical law office. It is clear, however, that lawyers practicing in a virtual law office need to comply with employment laws and the rules of professional conduct.

  • Inside

  • Revolutionizing Law: Guest Editor’s Column

    Revolutionizing Law: Guest Editor’s Column

    Welcome to the brave new world of providing legal services. In case there is any doubt out there, let me assure you, the way legal services are purchased, how they are delivered, who provides them and how they are priced is undergoing a revolution

  • Inside: Guest Editor’s Column

    Inside: Guest Editor’s Column

    The April issue contains articles from employment law practitioners covering compelling and relevant employment law matters for everyday practitioners and for those who simply have a passing awareness of employment law.

  • Inside: Exciting Times

    Inside: Exciting Times

    In this issue, we looked around for someone that could answer the question “How do we fix the congressional process?” and posed the question to the chair of the California Republican Party, soon to publish a book on the subject. We also asked Perry Novak to scare us with facts about the upcoming demographic changes in our society. In our feature article, Scott Haislet explains the American Taxpayer Relief Act in detail. In a companion piece, we look at the impact when you combine the effects of ATRA with California tax rates. George Cabot reviews the corporate landscape and the debate over lowering our internationally high tax rates. Ralph Jacobson brings us up to date on the rights of domestic partners under insurance policies. Warren Peterson warns us that tax preparers no longer must be registered with the IRS.

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  • Spotlight

  • Carol M. Langford

    The Good, the Bad and the Ugly With Online Reviews

    Some attorneys either pay people to write good reviews or ask their dearest friends to rate their lawyering skills online. Thus, inexperienced lawyers who are savvy with social networking can have outstanding reviews and more seasoned, but less Internet-savvy, attorneys can have bad reviews and not even know about it.

  • Disability Facts that Might Surprise You

    Disability Facts that Might Surprise You

    In times like these, good decisions matter. And when it comes to protecting a portion of your income from disability risks, it’s important to base your decision on the facts. In the case of disability, some of those facts might surprise you.

  • The Population Cliff

    Demography, the statistical study of living human populations, is one of those detail laden subjects that just doesn’t lend itself to much excitement, but demographic change is about to have a profound impact on the U.S. economy.

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  • More...

  • Jay Chafetz

    The Changing Times

    Change that we choose can be exhilarating. It can stimulate our imaginations with the promise of a better life. Change that is foisted upon us is another matter. The latter may instill resentment, discomfort, even fear. We can often anticipate the changes that the future will bring. Exactly how we will deal with them is less certain. But experience teaches us that deal with them we will.

  • Matthew Talbot

    Inns of Court: Legal Jeopardy!

    The best Inns Of Court presentations get all of its members involved. Instead of just having a group standing up performing for their adoring fans in the audience, the best groups make the adoring fans part of the performance. We proved this old saw one more time with a great “Legal Jeopardy!” presentation at the March 14, 2013, meeting.

  • Coffee Talk: How have the court budget cuts affected you?

    Coffee Talk: How have the court budget cuts affected you?

    Unlawful Detainer matters have been severely impacted because of the budget cuts. UD’s have been “farmed” out to several different departments within the Superior Court in Martinez, Richmond and Pittsburg. After the closing of the Concord Court, and Walnut Creek Court only doing traffic, it has put a strain on all of our summary proceedings.

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  • Other Recent Articles

  • May 2013 – The Future of Law Practice

    May 2013 – The Future of Law Practice

    Highlights of the May 2013 Contra Costa Lawyer edition include articles about the CA State Bar admission proposal, virtual law practice, trends in law and more.

  • April 2013 – Employment Law

    April 2013 – Employment Law

    Highlights of the April 2013 Contra Costa Lawyer edition include articles about employment law basics, employment tax and more.

  • February 2013 – Elder Law

    February 2013 – Elder Law

    Highlights of the February 2013 Contra Costa Lawyer edition include articles about elder law issues, senior abuse, skilled nursing facilities and more.

  • March 2013 – Tax Law/Fiscal Cliff

    March 2013 – Tax Law/Fiscal Cliff

    Highlights of the March 2013 Contra Costa Lawyer edition include articles about the Congressional budget, the American Taxpayer Relief Act and other tax-related issues.

  • Jay Chafetz, 2013 CCCBA Board President

    Spring Fever

    The clouds of winter lift. The sun shines. The air caresses our skin with warmth and fragrance rather than buffeting it with an empty chill. Our emotions soar. Are we entitled to a sigh of relief, a moment of wistful reflection when this occurs, just as much as we need the determination and will to survive when the cycle is at its other end?

  • All Recent Articles