Solo and Small Firm

The Practitioner VOLUME 28, ISSUE 1, SPRING 2022

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Ashod Mooradian* Editor-in-Chief

This issue marks my first appearance as Editor-in-Chief of The Practitioner. As my first act, and on behalf of the entire membership of the Solo & Small Firm Section, I want to extend our gratitude and appreciation to immediate past Editor-in-Chief, Joshua Bonnici who spent long hours each quarter to produce truly great issues of The Practitioner during his term of office all while running a full-time law practice. I also want to note that Joshua came into the Editor-in-Chief position just when the first COVID-19 lock-downs turned everyone’s world upside down. Undeterred by these unprecedented circumstances, Joshua remained for a second term, keeping this valuable publication relevant for the Solo & Small Firm section membership. Thank you Joshua—job well done!

In this issue, there is a mix of topics that I hope the Solo and Small Firm membership will find instructive and interesting. First, ethics attorneys Irean Zhang and Erin Joyce (and her co-author Raquel Greenberg) provide important guidance on the risks of joint representation in criminal matters and the ethics of social media, respectively. Next, there is a timely article about the new laws effective in 2022 that all attorneys should know about. Also, there is an article about 2022 online marketing trends that can help make 2022 a year filled with growth and success in your practice for our member solos and small firms. Finally, this issue’s MCLE self-study article takes a deep dive look at California Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 8.4.1 which prohibits attorney discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in representing a client and in relation to a law firm’s operations. Rule 8.4.1 which became effective in November 2018 greatly expanded the former rule’s reach. This article provides what you need to know about your current ethical obligations in this area. This article also provides an important reminder that our attorney oath and our roles as "officers of the court" require that lawyers hold themselves to the highest standards of professionalism, leading the fight against discrimination, harassment and retaliation and becoming champions for equal treatment under law and justice for all.

In closing, may I offer that it is never too late to make good on that New Year’s resolution to write an article this year. The Practitioner wants to help, and I am here for you. Please accept this letter as my open invitation to the entire Solo & Small Firm Section membership to submit articles for publication in a future issue. Even if all you have is an idea, just reach out to me at ashodm@statebarhelp.com and I would be happy to brainstorm your idea with you. I am always looking for fresh ideas and exciting new topics for The Practitioner.

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