Article Submissions
The New Lawyers Section is always seeking self-study articles from California law practitioners to add to its catalog of low-cost online MCLE materials. To be eligible for consideration, submissions should cover a subject of particular importance to new attorneys and must be 1,250 to 2,500 words long and be accompanied by a 20-question multiple choice or true/false assessment. Please send your submission to NewLawyers@calawyers.org.
On this page we’ve compiled some articles from past issues of our eNews.
Summer 2021
Complying With California’s Prop 65: an Introduction for Lawyers, Businesses, & Consumers
Chemical exposure from consumer products is front and center for the American public. In June 2021, Johnson & Johnson issued a nationwide recall of certain Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreens after internal testing identified low levels of benzene in the products. In 2019, the Mark Ruffalo thriller “Dark Waters” gave the Hollywood treatment to the problem of PFAS pollution in drinking water, implicating everything from Teflon pans, to Gore-Tex hiking boots, to ScotchGard stain protectants used in carpets and upholstery. Most consumers are well-acquainted with the claim “BPA-free” on bottles and cans. And cosmetic brands high and low have been quick to embrace the trend toward “clean” or “green beauty” – promoting skin care, makeup, and personal care products that use only “natural,” “organic,” or “vegan” ingredients. Read More
Spring 2021
The Future of Legal Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) – A Discourse on A.I. Components, Levels, and Biases
This article serves as a primer on the current state of a.i.s and their application to the legal field. To note, there are few resources that clearly define legal technologies—especially legal a.i.s—without misleading marketing terms, grandiose claims/gimmicks, or incompatible real-world applications. Most importantly, there are different classes and case scenarios of a.i.s existing in the real world such as search engine a.i.s, content generation a.i.s, navigation a.i.s (such as self-driving cars), auto-response a.i.s, and much more. Read More
Older Issues
2020
Summer 2020
Emojis & The Law: An Interview with Professor Eric Goldman
Recently, Executive Committee member Skyler Gray, who serves as Deputy Legal Counsel to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, interviewed Santa Clara Law Professor Eric Goldman for our eNews. Professor Goldman specializes in the intersection of technology and the law, and the conversation covered his research into the legal interpretation of emojis. Read More
California Bar Exam Postponed to October 5-6, 2020
As COVID-19 has affected nearly every segment of daily life, some major life milestones, such as celebrations, weddings, graduations, and the California Bar Exam, have also been impacted. Generally, the California Bar exam is administered in February and July, in-person, every year. Read More
The Nuts and Bolts of California Appellate Practice
When a trial court dismisses a case or enters final judgment, basic practical requirements must be followed to competently represent clients in state appellate court. The following article discusses relevant appellate rules as well as tips for successfully navigating the appellate process. Read More
Spring 2020
Ethical Attorney Advertising: Rules for Third-Party Websites
Near the end of 2019, the State Bar of California Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct issued Formal Opinion 2019-199 regarding an attorney’s obligations concerning third-party website “profiles” of her/himself effectively advertising on her/his behalf. Read More
How Universal Design Principles Can Improve Legal Accessibility
Legal accessibility is the act of making legal knowledge and services available to the general populace; and involves making legal information, materials, and tools usable to everyone, including making it available in different languages and to those with disabilities. Read More
Winter 2019-2020
Young Lawyer Survival Tips
Often the best advice comes from your peers. We asked members of our Executive Committee to share their “survival tips.” Here is what they recommended. Read More
Avoiding the Common Pitfalls of MCLE Creation
All young lawyers are familiar with the requirement to obtain MCLE credit, but seldom do young lawyers actually consider producing their own. This article is a resource for early-career lawyers who seek to navigate the world of MCLE creation to build their reputations and advance their careers. Read More
2019
Fall 2019
Summer 2019
Ten Tips for Writing a Winner Arbitration Brief
The following article is reproduced with permission of the author and the California Lawyers Association Litigation Section. It was originally published in Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018) of California Litigation: The Journal of the Litigation Section of the CLA. Click here to view it.
Spring 2019
Good News for Public-Interest Lawyers at the DC District Court: Despite a Mixed Ruling, Judge Provides Reprieve for Certain Previously Denied Loan Forgiveness Applicants
Warning: New Rules of Professional Conduct Are Here & They Apply to You!
The Revised Rules of Professional Conduct Webinar Series
2016
Winter 2016 Issue
Mental Health Issues and Substance Abuse Among New and Young Attorneys
Taking on Pro Bono Class Action Cases
Tips from the Bench
What You Weren’t Taught in Law School
The Green Rush: The Legal Field’s Untapped Frontier
Strategies for Reducing a Client’s Liability under a Lease after the Sale of the Client’s Business
ABA Resources
From the Summer 2016 Issue
Introducing Foreign Language Evidence at Trial
Breaking Down a Typical Commercial Real Estate Purchase and Sale Transaction
LinkedIn: Tips for Attorneys
10 Strategy Considerations For Litigating In—and Out of—Federal Court
Job Resources for Newly Minted and Young Lateral Attorneys
Written Disclosure And Informed Written Consent: How To Handle Actual And Potential Conflicts Of Interest
2015
From the Winter 2015 Issue
Seven Steps Every New and Young Lawyer Can Take to Help End the Justice Gap
The Early Career Support Project
The Most Important Question to Ask Yourself Before You Go Solo
Why Certify as a Specialist?
Declaration of Disclosure: Discovery in Family Law for New Attorneys
Spotlight on Anna Romanskaya – ABA YLD Chair-Elect
Health Insurance in the Age of Healthcare Reform – Am I Covered?
From the Summer 2015 Issue
A Simple Guide to Best Practices for Young Lawyers
“Stop Training Lawyers to Be Jerks”
Four Ways to Think Outside the Box During Your Job Hunt
The Changing Face of Legal Services Delivery: Cultural Competency in the Practice of Law
Cross-Border Discovery: Seeking Documents from China-Based Companies
Tips From the Bench: Interview of the Honorable Amy Yerkey with Neyleen Ortiz Beljajev
Tips From the Bench: Interview of Commissioner Michele Castillo with Al Martinez
2014
From the Winter 2014 Issue
Tips from the Bench
Resumé Tips For New Lawyers
Student Loan Repayment: You Have Options
Networking Comes in Many Shapes and Sizes
From the Summer/Fall 2014 Issue
Tips from the Bench, As Told By Amber R. Hayes, Attorney at Law
Super Seven Savers
Pre-2014 Articles
Pre-2014 Articles
Tips and Tools from the Bench (Winter 2012)
Tips and Tools — Tips from the Bench (Summer 2012)
How to Get Along With Opposing Counsel in Litigation
Why Your Emailed Job Applications Aren’t Working
Tips & Tools for Young Lawyers (Summer 2011)
Top 11 Things for a Trial Binder (Summer 2011)