Meet the New Leadership of the
Los Angeles Superior Court:
LACBA President Tamila C. Jensen interviews Presiding Judge-Elect
Eric C. Taylor and Assistant Presiding Judge-Elect Samantha P. Jessner
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[Excerpt from the full interview, available here. ]
President Jensen: The Court faced unprecedented challenges in 2020 and there have been profound changes in how the Court operates because of Covid-19. What are some of the most important changes in your view and how do you plan to build on those changes? Is there anything that you would re-evaluate or change at this time?
Judge Taylor: 2020 was indeed an unprecedented year. Expecting the unexpected is part of the blueprint as we close out 2020 and look forward to 2021. The most profound change in our Court has been the rapid expansion and deployment of technology in all areas of litigation. The initial rollout of LACourtConnect (LACC), the Court’s remote courtroom appearance solution, was under way at the onset of the pandemic. Out of necessity, the Court accelerated the planned 18-month deployment schedule and fully implemented the platform in just three months. Currently, LACC audio or video appearances are available in Probate; Civil; Family Law; and Traffic courtrooms. WebEx is offered in Criminal; Dependency; Delinquency; and Appellate courtrooms.
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IJDP Attorney Named Juvenile Defender of the Year
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Marketa Sims was named Juvenile Defender of the Year by the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center at their annual Roundtable on September 25, 2020. The Pacific Juvenile Defender Center is California’s premier statewide juvenile defense organization, whose mission is “to promote justice for all youth by ensuring excellence in juvenile defense and advocating for systemic reforms.”
Marketa is being recognized for her work as the Writs and Appeals Attorney for LACBA's Independent Juvenile Defender Program (IJDP), including litigating several significant cases in the Court of Appeal and the California Supreme Court, training and uplifting juvenile defense practitioners and working on juvenile policy issues. We are proud to say that her work continually advances LACBA’s mission to “better the legal profession and the judicial system.”
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19th Amendment Speaker Series Becomes A Podcast |
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Originally presented in Summer/Fall 2020 by the National Association of Women Judges, the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and LACBA, this phenomenal speaker series has become a podcast.
The first episode is coming Monday, October 19th and features an interview with California State Senator Hanna Beth-Jackson, conducted by the Honorable Serena Murillo and Presiding Judge-Elect Samantha Jessner from the LA Superior Court.
You can learn more about the podcast here and can listen to the trailer and subscribe on Apple Podcasts.
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Connect with LACBA Members at Virtual Networking Meetings |
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Have you attended one of LACBA's new Virtual Networking Meetings yet?
As a LACBA Member, you can attend as many networking meetings as you want and you are encouraged to attend as many meetings as you can to build an effective referral network.
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New Member Benefit: Juno
Using Group Buying Power to Tackle Student Debt
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Juno tackles student debt by using group buying power to get you better student loan rates. Juno has partnered with LACBA to provide members with exclusive refinancing deals that come with cash back, so you can have a little more money in your pocket during these uncertain times. |
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Save $25 off CLE-in-a-Box in October |
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Whether you need your full 25 Hours of CLE credits or just the hard-to-get Specialty Credits, LACBA has a discounted CLE product just for you. Use coupon code FALL25 at purchase to save $25 off the member or nonmember prices.
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In the October 2020 Issue of Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine:
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- Current California law on recovery of attorney’s fees
- IRS's increased enforcement of tax-exempt organizations
- Inside FINRA, Wall Street's arbitrator
- LASC's plans for jury trials during COVID-19
- Tales of civility during the pandemic
- The role of LACBA during the current civil unrest
- Job-seeking tips for foreign-trained attorneys
- And much more!
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Join the #BeAware Campaign
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Six months ago, we could not have imagined how the world would change. Many of us have adapted to the changes imposed on our lives because of Covid-19. Work from home, school from home, and gyms at home became a new reality. Yet for many, safer at home is not a reality.
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As the Covid-19 pandemic has swept through the world, victims of domestic violence are in greater peril. LACBA’s Domestic Violence Project (DVP) is continuously adapting to safely work with victims of domestic violence and is committed to helping the most vulnerable in our community throughout this difficult period, and into the future. In 2019, the DVP assisted more than 4,800 victims to obtain potentially life-saving assistance.
This year, that assistance is critical.
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Our commitment is to be here for our community, to stay connected with you, and to provide continued services to victims of domestic violence.
Together, we can make the future better and safer for those in need.
Please join us and #BeAware.
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Remembering Debbie Kelly - Former Directing Attorney of DVP
November 1, 1952 - October 1, 2020
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With her first career as a successful business owner behind her, Debbie was 50 years old when she enrolled in law school. After graduating and passing the bar, she began as a public defender before quickly moving into the Directing Attorney role for the LACBA Domestic Violence Legal Services Project. Her passion, integrity, and commitment were always on full display, providing refuge and safety for those in need. Debbie also contributed the “On Direct” column for Los Angeles Lawyer magazine, interviewing luminaries across the legal and political arenas of Los Angeles.
Debbie retired in 2017, but she will always be a member of the LACBA family. Please consider making a donation to the Domestic Violence Project in her memory.
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AIDS Walk 2020 - Thank You Donors! |
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Many thanks to the ALSP AIDS Walk team that raised $6,300 through the first of its kind remote AIDS Walk this year. 56 donors heard the call, including volunteer attorneys, CFJ staff and Board members who contributed and helped to raise funds.
The ALSP provides direct legal services to fight against stigma and discrimination and provide vital legal services to the most vulnerable PLWH including LGBTQ, immigrants, people of color and cisgender women.
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Special Shout out to:
$1,000 Donor
Stephen T. Hicklin
$500 Donors
Brian K. Condon
Mark E. Garscia
Susan Koehler Sullivan
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Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2020 AIDS Walk!
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Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 - @ 3:30 PM
17th Annual Healthcare Law Compliance Symposium, Part III
Presented by: Healthcare Law Section
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Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 - @ 12:00 PM
Attorneys Anonymous
Presented by: LACBA Lawyer Well-Being Project
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Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 - @ 3:30 PM
Can You Ever Meet the "Clear & Convincing" Evidence Standard to Save the Gift to a Prohibited Transferee?
Presented by: Trusts & Estates Section
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Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 - @ 5:30 PM
Racial Justice:
Where Do We Start?
Presented by: Diversity in the Profession Committee
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For the most up-to-date event information, please visit the
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Seeking Quantum Meruit Recovery in the Aftermath of Sheppard Mullin: Be Careful What You Wish For |
If you haven’t read the California Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton, LLP v. J-M Manufacturing Co., Inc. (“Sheppard”), you should. While it is at first glance easy to characterize the case as involving the enforceability of advance conflict waivers, that issue was ultimately a red herring and it would be a mistake to view the Supreme Court’s opinion through such a narrow lens.
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Discounting or Waiving Fees in Exchange for a Release of a Malpractice Claim |
Your client or former client owes you fees. You kindly ask for payment. The client/former client refuses to pay, and says you made an error in the representation. You want to simply discount your fees in exchange for a release of the malpractice claim. Is this permissible? Click here to read the latest Tip of the Month from AHERN and AXA XL. LACBA Members can access an exclusive Lawyers Professional Liability program with AXA XL available only through AHERN Insurance Brokerage. Apply today.
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It’s no secret that law school is expensive and worrying about paying back student loans can be a stress that lasts for many years. Don’t worry, this article is here to help!
The first important step in accomplishing your financial goals is to understand your options. Then you can feel confident in your plan and know that you are making the right decision for your financial future.
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AHERN Insurance Brokerage, LACBA's preferred Professional Liability insurance broker since 2008, is one of the largest and most respected full-service brokers in the country specializing in insurance for law firms. As part of Acrisure LLC, one of the top 10 insurance brokerages in the world, AHERN is nationwide in their presence. Together they insure over 9,000 law firms ranging in size from 1 to 1,100 attorneys. AHERN is also the preferred broker of five major bar associations including LACBA.
In addition to Professional Liability, AHERN offers a wide variety of comprehensive insurance products including a Workers’ Compensation program with The Hartford (LACBA member discounts apply) and Employment Practices Liability insurance (wrongful termination, discrimination, and sexual harassment coverage) with specific law firm enhancements.
For a no obligation quote, submit an online application today or call (800) 282-9786 to speak with an AHERN Professional.
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Shaping Tomorrow, Together with Thomson Reuters. These are unprecedented times, and the full impact of the pandemic is yet to be realized. Law firms have responded swiftly for their clients, but there is still opportunity to position themselves as the go-to partner in this new legal world. Savvy firms during this time will find ways to use legal technology to streamline routine tasks, collaborate with clients, and help navigate the challenges of the market. Now is the time to evaluate your firm’s technology strategy and reconfigure it for the future. Learn how to do it.
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Whether you want the ease of single sign-on program registrations or the power to access our job board in the palm of your hand, the My LACBA App is a great tool for you. |
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Copyright © 2020 LOS ANGELES COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION |
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