Legal Flash - Santa Clara County Bar Association News

NOMINATION FORM: Click here Each year the Diversity Committee of the Santa Clara County Bar Association presents the Unsung Heroes Awards. The Diversity Committee invites interested individuals to submit nominations for individuals or organizations deserving this recognition. If you know of an individual or organization who should be considered for such an honor, please review the criteria and submit an on-line nomination on [...]

By SCCBA 1 day ago

A task force of the State Bar of California has recommended that new attorneys be required to complete at least 15 hours of practical skills training and 50 hours of pro bono service before they are admitted to practice. If adopted, California would be the first state to mandate real-world training in law schools and [...]

the-south-is-the-only-place-where-youll-try-to-call-your-law-yer-instead-of-your-loyer

By SCCBA 1 day ago

Do you say “vorr dyer” or “vwar deer” or some other variant? And does your pronunciation of “lawyer” rhyme with “saw her”? The pronunciation of “lawyer” is part of a trending story on regional differences in pronunciation. Most people pronounce the word “loyer,” according to a map by PhD student Joshua Katz of North Carolina [...]

By SCCBA 2 days ago

Arizona’s law requiring concrete evidence of citizenship before someone may register to vote is preempted by the National Voter Registration Act, ruled the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday. The 1993 federal law mandates that states “accept and use” a federal registration form which only requires the registrant to attest to citizenship. Arizona required voter registration [...]

By SCCBA 6 days ago

San Francisco, June 11, 2013 - The State Bar Task Force on Admissions Regulation Reform today recommended new competency skills training requirements for newly admitted lawyers that are designed to improve their readiness to practice law. The draft proposal, which requires the approval of the State Bar Board of Trustees and possibly the California Supreme Court before [...]

By SCCBA 7 days ago

This one day seminar is intended for those who are new to domestic violence restraining orders and/or new to the practice of family law, as well as for more experienced domestic violence attorneys. The training will cover a variety of legal topics, both basic and advanced, that arise in representation of Petitioners and Respondents in [...]

By SCCBA 8 days ago

By Cheryl Miller The Recorder SACRAMENTO – State lawmakers late Monday slashed the amount of extra money they plan to give courts later this year amid ongoing budget negotiations between the governor and legislative Democrats. A joint-house budget committee that last month had seemed to agree to allocate $100 million to the trial courts in [...]

By SCCBA 9 days ago

The nominating period is now open for the nomination of Active Members of the SCCBA to officer positions for 2014 and trustee positions for terms running from Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2015. All SCCBA members who are eligible to run for SCCBA officer positions and trustee positions are encouraged to file a nominating [...]

Welcoming New Attorneys To Our Legal Community

By SCCBA 12 days ago

by Stephen Haley, Groom & Cave, LLP 2013 SCCBA President Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of speaking at the New Admittee Swearing In Ceremony hosted by the Santa Clara County Bar Association (“SCCBA”). The new lawyers were sworn in by the Honorable Brian Walsh, Presiding Judge of the Santa Clara County Superior Court, [...]

By SCCBA 42 days ago

President’s Message, May 2013 It is axiomatic that the judicial system is the one branch of government that the largest number of people come into contact with in the course of their daily lives. Access to the judicial system, and the ability to seek redress through the courts, is an integral part of our system [...]

By SCCBA 72 days ago

The use of mobile, internet-enabled devices as a means of providing legal services has been increasing dramatically. This is not surprising; it is simply a reflection of the overall increase in digital commerce in all walks of life and business. However, as attorneys, we bear a strict ethical responsibility related to maintaining confidentiality in communications [...]

By Santa Clara County Board Association 100 days ago

2013 President’s Message Guest Author Kevin Hammon, Member, SCCBA Executive Committee Last month, a sea of 400 high school students gathered outside the Downtown Superior Courthouse on First Street. Well-used backpacks adorned suit jackets, and long slacks transformed tennis shoes into appropriate courtroom footwear. Future lawyers, doctors and engineers poured out of minivans like [...]

By Santa Clara County Bar Association 133 days ago

[Editor’s Note: A copy of the original handwritten minutes of the formation of the San Jose Legal Club of 1877 can be viewed here.] One of the pleasures of being SCCBA President is the willingness of our members to share with me their experiences, concerns, and suggestions regarding our Association. Recently, I had an unexpected conversation [...]

By Santa Clara County Bar Association 162 days ago

By Steven B. Haley, SCCBA President Originally printed in the Daily Journal (.pdf) > Volume 19, Issue 01 Happy New Year! It is my privilege to serve as President of the Santa Clara County Bar Association for 2013. I have practiced law in Santa Clara County for 36 years. I am proud to be a [...]

Mindy Morton, 2012 Santa Clara County Bar Association President

By Santa Clara County Bar Association 191 days ago

Originally printed in the Daily Journal (.pdf) > Volume 18, Issue 12 As I write my last president’s column, I think back to installation in January, where I spoke about the importance of building and supporting the community. I finished my speech with a quote from Winston Churchill about the importance of giving, and it [...]

By Santa Clara County Bar Association 218 days ago

It is November, and the year is drawing to a close. As I write this column, the election has just concluded and the holidays are fast approaching. Holiday music is already playing in malls and restaurants, and it is easy to get caught up in the festivities and year-end billable hour targets and lose sight [...]