Solo & Small Firm Section

In 2012, the California Legislature passed the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Trust Act, which created the “CalSavers Retirement Savings Program” (Cal. Govt. Code §§ 100,000 – 100,050; Cal. Code Regs. tit. 10, §§ 10000 – 10007). CalSavers is a government run retirement savings plan for employees of employers with 5 or more employees. Read more

I have been giving a lot of thought regarding what technology to share this month. I decided this month, May, the month with the fewest letters, is a good month to reflect on taking days away, or at least one day away, from technology.
Have you ever walked down a street and noticed how many people are looking at their phone, or talking on their phone, or simply listening to something on their phone? Or, how often have you walked into a bar or restaurant and seen a group of people “sitting together,” and at the same time, not talking to one another. Rather they are together, yet each is alone and focused on their cell phones. Yes, this is the current state of our society. People feel like they’re connected but studies show there is disconnect, and other logical neurological changes taking place, with so much screen time. Read more

The State Bar’s Board of Trustees is recommending a fee increase for California lawyers in 2020 and in future years. In fact, the Board “set the fee increase as the agency’s number one legislative priority.” Under the proposal, licensing fees will increase approximately $430 for 2020. Read more

A Luddite attorney is not a competent attorney, at least according to the ethical rules. But how much and what type of technology do you need to understand?
ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, Comment 8 specifically states that an attorney’s duty of competence includes keeping “abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology.” Read more

It’s May and that means its already time for The New Normal: Mastering Modern Day Business Law Communication, an in-person program we’re putting on with the Business Law Section. It’s going to be an incredible opportunity to work or travel in the morning, learn about the impact of emojis, how to make your website ADA compliant, and get an hour of competence credit. Bring the family and stay for the weekend enjoying all Santa Barbara has to offer. Can’t make it in person? We’ll live stream it to wherever you are, so make sure to sign up. Read more

The New Normal: Mastering Modern Day Client Communication is a program presented by the Solo and Small Firm Section and the Business Law Section on Friday, May 17, 2019. Learn more about our program and we hope to see you there. Read more

Presented by the Solo and Small Firm Section and the Business Law Section Friday, May 17, 2019 The Colleges of Law—Santa Barbara Campus20 E. Victoria StreetSanta Barbara, CA 90017 Earn 3 MCLE Credit Hours; Including 1.0 Hour of Competency. Attend either in-person in Santa Barbara, or from your office via an online webcast. >> Online Registration (In-Person) >> Webcast Registration (Discount included!) Brochure | Registration Form | Schedule | Essential Info Sponsors Program Sponsors JAMS Annual Sponsors Law Office of… Read more

As we previously announced, all active attorneys licensed in California must be re-fingerprinted by April 30, 2019. Fingerprints must be taken by a licensed Live Scan vendor. Locations for this service can be found here. Read more

Confessions of a tech junkie by someone who prefers to travel light and smart. I have been a PC user my entire career. I have been an iPad user for approximately 7 years. Read more

The State Bar’s Board of Trustees is recommending a fee increase for California lawyers in 2020 and in future years. In fact, the Board “set the fee increase as the agency’s number one legislative priority.” Under the proposal, licensing fees will increase approximately $430 for 2020. Read more