eNews

More than ever, civil litigation attorneys need to be able to provide remote oversight of document review teams. The ever-expanding size of data in civil litigation now requires litigators of firms of all sizes, from solo practitioners to "big law" firms, to utilize outside document review teams. Using remote document review teams provides many benefits, such as the ability to scale the document review team, hosting the review in affordable staffing markets, and freeing up valuable attorney time to focus on more substantive issues within the matter. However, utilizing remote document review teams does create management issues for the overseeing attorneys, such as how to remotely ensure quality and consistency of the document review. Read more

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many California superior courts are encouraging attorneys to appear by telephone for certain civil hearings, while in some area’s courts have rescheduled most hearings or closed their doors altogether. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to make a telephonic court appearance. Read more

The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) has announced updated special tax relief for all California taxpayers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

The legal industry’s response to the coronavirus pandemic highlights the importance of technology in the practice of law in California. Effective legal representation in the 21st century mandates a base level of technological competence. Read more

I’d like for you all to take a moment to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and exhale slowly. Repeat that once, or maybe a few times. You deserve it. Read more

Recognizing that many practitioners are working from home, rather than their office and not receiving their regular mail due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee is offering its members an electronic version of The Workers’ Compensation Quarterly. Read more

The California Young Lawyers Association has developed a series of 10-minute mentorship videos for its members. The most recent mentor video is about Hot Topic Litigation and Emerging Trends in workers’ compensation law and features Randy Pollak, editor of the Workers’ Compensation Quarterly and Co-Chair of the Publications subcommittee of the California Lawyers Association, Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee. Mr. Pollak is managing attorney of Pacific Compensation in Thousand Oaks, California. Click the link immediately below to view this informative presentation. Read more

The Division of Workers’ Compensation and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board have recently issued several more emergency measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

As of May 9, 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic resulted in the infection of 64,561 Californians, claiming the lives of 2,678. In conjunction with the initial phases of lifting restrictions meant to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 disease brought on by the Coronavirus and the gradual reopening of California’s economy, on May 6, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order EXECUTIVE ORDER N-62-20. Read more

As the name states, the Practice and Procedure/Ethics Subcommittee looks at pretty much anything that affects Practice and Ethics in the field of the California Workers’ Compensation system. We are keenly aware of any proposed rule changes by either the DWC or the WCAB. Read more