Solo & Small Firm Section

The State Bar is seeking public comment on proposals for regulatory reforms to promote access to justice developed by the Task Force on Access Through Innovation of Legal Services. The deadline to provide public comment is September 23, 2019. Read more

On June 26, Governor Newsom approved Assembly Bill 692, which amended the Mandatory Fee Arbitration Act to toll the statute of limitations governing a client’s action for malpractice or professional misconduct while an arbitration over a fee dispute is pending. Specifically, the legislation amended sections 6206 of the Business and Professions Code (governing the MFAA) and 340.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure (governing the statute of limitations for professional misconduct). Read more

When writing a letter to the opposing side or your client, the most important goal is to be clear and understood. You can’t be effective in making your point if your writing style obscures your message. Read more

Last month, I talked about Fastcase, which is a free member benefit to any member of the CLA. This month, I will walk you through the initial steps for using Fastcase. By the way, I hope you know this member benefit is worth $695 per year!! Read more

Welcome to August. You’re going to see California Lawyers Association through a new lens with its official Brand Launch rolling out on August 6. Despite the fabulous new, modern look, you’ll get the same great CLA that you’re used to. Read more

The Solo and Small Firm Section has two publications: The Practitioner, our quarterly magazine; and the ePractioner, our monthly electronic newsletter. We are always looking for content. Read more

Best practices for law firms to meet modern standards of website compliance is to provide “full and equal access” and ADA accessibility to all clients. Learn how all law offices, regardless of size, are “public accommodations” under the American Disability Act (“ACA”). Read more

Solo practitioners are superbly situated to develop, maintain, and for a time to hide alcohol and substance abuse. Working in isolation on a project basis affords the solo attorney both the time and camouflage necessary to engage in the strongly repetitive cycle that begins with a bender, leads to brief recovery, then to a mad dash to meet looming deadlines, and begins again with another bender. Read more

This program will offer practical advice on how to spot, address and avoid conflicts of interest in your legal practice. Learn about business deals with clients, and how to address tricky problems associated with pilfered documents and claims of privilege. Read more

CLA will be submitting formal comments to the Legislature on the proposed fee increase, pursuant to directions from the CLA Board given in closed session at its meeting on June 21, 2019. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of the LAO report on these comments. Read more