News from the Office of Legal Services
The State Bar of California
September 2013

Attend Legal Services Events at the State Bar's Annual Meeting

 

The State Bar's Annual Meeting will offer many opportunities for attorneys to earn MCLE credit including the following programs of special interest to those working in legal services or interested in access to justice issues. 

 

Thursday, October 10, 2013

 

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

California's Ongoing Foreclosure Crisis: Past Lessons Create New Legal Protections

Foreclosure remains a looming threat. The Homeowner Bill of Rights provides new government authority to combat abusive foreclosure practices, improved blight mitigation tools and important protections for residents caught in foreclosure. This program will address the legal issues involving the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and abusive mortgage servicing practices.

CLE: 1.5 Hours

 

4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Understanding Attorney Client Trust Accounts

This program will cover the rules of Professional Conduct and authorities that govern attorney-client trust accounts with a focus on IOLTA. Learn the ethical obligations for handling client funds and the purpose of the IOLTA statute.

CLE: 1.0 Hour Legal Ethics

 

Friday, October 11, 2013

 

10:00 a.m. - 12 Noon

Defending and Mining Unlawful Detainer Cases for Additional Representation and Revenue

Defending unlawful detainer cases, often the caseload of the legal services lawyer or pro bono volunteer, are considered routine, and usually overlooked as a source of litigation. This program will demonstrate how unlawful detainer cases can be interesting and a source of new claims, resulting in greater revenue.

CLE: 2.0 Hours

 

Saturday, October 12, 2013

 

10:00 a.m. - 12 Noon

Expanding Your Rural Law Practice by Serving Tribal Communities

This program will address the legal jurisdictional scheme in California's Indian country, and help you identify and address Indian law issues that may arise in your law practice. Whether your practice involves tax, family, probate or environmental law there may be Indian law issues relevant to you.

CLE: 2.0 Hours

 

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Class Actions: Building Practices, Making Law, Restoring Communities

Learn when, and how, class action makes sense for your clients and your business. Get strategic insights, tips, and updates on new law affecting everything from class certification to cy pres distributions that support communities.

CLE: 1.5 Hours

 

For more information, click the following link Annual Meeting Information.

 

Congratulations fo the 2013 Awards Recipients

  

The State Bar's Office of Legal Services cordially invites you to attend the 2013 Awards Reception on Friday, October 11, 2013, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the San Jose Marriott Hotel, San Jose. The recipients of the following awards will be honored at the reception. For more information and to RSVP, please click on this link no later than Tuesday, October 1, 2013. 

 

Loren Miller Legal Services Award: Gary Blasi (Los Angeles)

 

President's Pro Bono Service Awards:

 

Recently Admitted: Meeran Mahmud (Los Angeles)

Solo Practitioner: Julie M. McCoy (Newport Beach)

Government Practice: Laura Robles (San Bernardino)

Limited Active Practice: Christine Linh-Chau Hoang (San Francisco)

Individual from Law Firm: Ruth D. Kahn (Steptoe & Johnson LLP, Los Angeles)

Individual from Law Firm: Charles Trudrung Taylor (Lang, Richert & Patch, Fresno)

Law Firm Team: Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP Team Defending Law Banning Conversion Therapy (Los Angeles and San Francisco)

Law Firm Branch Office: Irell & Manella LLP Newport Beach Office

Law School: UC Irvine School of Law Family Law Blitz Pro Bono Project

  

Jack Berman Award of Achievement for Distinguished Service to the Profession and the Public: Melissa A. Tyner (Los Angeles)

National Pro Bono Celebration, October 20 - 26, 2013

 

Celebrate Pro Bono! Check out currently scheduled pro bono events in California and add your events at the Celebrate Pro Bono Website. 

Campaign for Justice and Justice Gap Fund October Events

 

October is a big month for the Campaign for Justice and the Justice Gap Fund.  Our October 16 reception, generously hosted by Latham & Watkins, LLP, will honor all donors to the Justice Gap Fund in the 2012-2013 campaign year, especially the large law firms with the highest rates of participation.  Judge Vaughn Walker will be on hand to offer encouragement, congratulations, and recognition. 

 

October is also Campaign for Justice month, with related sessions at the State Bar's Annual Meeting, and outreach activities ongoing around the state.  It's the perfect time to take a stand with your colleagues by visiting the Campaign web site http://www.caforjustice.org/ to see all we've accomplished, joining the campaign, and contributing some time or money to support access to justice for Californians in need.  Contact the Trust Fund Program office for more detail, at (415) 538-2098, or by email at trustfundprogram@calbar.ca.gov