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The Contra Costa Lawyer is published monthly and is included with membership in the Contra Costa County Bar Association. Although articles revolve around a particular theme each month, regular features, such as judicial profiles, section news, law office management tips, news from the local Court and Bench, restaurant reviews, and our monthly pull-out calendar of events appear in nearly every issue.

Annual subscriptions are available for $25.00, but CCCBA members receive a subscription to this highly regarded monthly magazine.

Recent Issues:

JULY 2009

"INTERNATIONAL LAW"

  • DOING BUSINESS IN THE FAR EAST An overview of how local businesses are faring in 2009 s compared with a year ago. Richard Frankel
  • TEACHING LAW OVERSEAS A journey of one attorney's Hungarian assignment. - David Elefant
  • THE CCCBA RALLIES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE FOOD BANK - Ed Shaffer
  • LOCAL VERDICTS GURU HAS INTERNATIONAL ROOTS Our local jury verdicts author recalls his time in Denmark, while detailing some differences of practicing international law. - Matt Guichard
  • THIS CALL MAY BE MONITORED What should you do if your client calls you from jail?  It depends... - David Briggs 
  • INSIDE - Erika Portillo
  • WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT CCCBA'S LRIS
  • QUESTION MAN - WHAT'S THE ROLE OF IMMIGRATION ON THE U.S. ECONOMY?
  • ETHICS CORNER - Carol M. Langford
  • NEW MEMBERS
  • CLASSIFIEDS

JUNE 2009

"REAL ESTATE LAW"

  • MONEY DOESN'T TALK, IT SWEARS A SNAPSHOT OF HOW THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS BILL IMPACTS THE HOMEBUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES - Kathleen F. Carpenter
  • THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 - Jim Melino
  • COMMERCIAL UNLAWFUL DETAINERS HOW TO AVOID EVICTIONS IN A RECESSION - Geoffrey Steele
  • AB2881 ONE MILE RADIUS FARMLAND DISCLOSURE OF 2009 - Mailana Mavromatis-Broumand 
  • INSIDE - Kristen Thall Peters
  • JUDICIAL PROFILE Lewis A. Davis
  • REAL ESTATE SECTION MEMBER LIST
  • QUESTION MAN - WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK THE STIMULUS PACKAGE WILL HAVE ON THE CALIFORNIA ECONOMY?
  • ETHICS CORNER - Carol M. Langford
  • CLASSIFIEDS

May 2009

"ELDER LAW"

  • MCLE SELF-STUDY  CLIENT CAPACITY JUDGMENTS AND LEGAL PRACTICE Earn some valuable Ethics MCLE credit while learning how to assess a prospective elderly client's "capacity." - Virginia George
  • STOPPING MEDI-CAL ELIGIBILITY RIP-OFFS A NEW TOOL FOR PROTECTING ELDERS There is no end to the scams targeting seniors, as reported by an attorney who has authored some of our most recent legislative changes. - Steven Riess
  • ATTACKING THE PREDATORS USING CLASS ACTIONS TO FIGHT FINANCIAL ELDER ABUSE A look at some common issues of financial abuse and predatory lending from the perspective of case actions. - Kathryn Schofield
  • NO (EASY) EXIT WHEN CONSERVATORSHIPS AND MARITAL DISSOLUTION PROCEDURES COLLIDE The similarity and differences of two cases are examined; one case difficult to commence, while the other difficult to conclude. - Andrew Ross 
  • INSIDE - Arlene Segal
  • PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Larry Cook
    BENCH TALK ELDER COURT - Hon. Joyce Cram
  • QUESTION MAN - Where does your discretionary spending go these days?
  • PRO BONO SPOTLIGHT VERNA HASS and GEOFFREY ROBINSON - Craig Nevin
  • ETHICS CORNER - Carol M. Langford
  • NEW MEMBERS
  • LOCAL CIVIL JURY VERDICTS - Matthew P. Guichard
  • CLASSIFIEDS

April 2009

"CORPORATE/BUSINESS LAW"

  • THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW Advising clients doing business in multiple states?  Then you will want to read this article! - Robert A. Hawley
  • WATCH WHERE YOU STEP!  COMMON PITFALLS IN EXPENSE-SHARING AGREEMENTS A popular option for many solo attorneys...but one fraught with peril! - Jonathan C. Watts
  • LIMITING THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF EMPLOYEE COMPETITION FOLLOWING CALIFORNIA'S INVALIDATION ON NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENTS  The authors provide a thought-provoking overview while offering some great advice to businesses looking to protect themselves against employees competing unfairly. - Roger J. Brothers and Ericka L. Ackeret
  • INSIDE - David S. Pearson
  • JUDICIAL PROFILE Hon. Clare Maier
  • QUESTION MAN - Where does your discretionary spending go these days?
  • ETHICS CORNER - Carol M. Langford
  • CLASSIFIEDS

March 2009

"FAMILY LAW"

  • THOUGHTS ON PRACTICING FAMILY LAW IN A DEPRESSED MARKET Are we in an economic depression?  You'll want to read what this author has to say! - David M. Lederman
  • APPRAISALS AND CHALLENGES IN THE CURRENT MARKET ENVIRONMENT Is your divorce case dragging on for months?  Read how the appraisal "update" can play a pivotal role, among other factors. - Steve Lederer
  • THE BUS AND THE TAXI Should a client take the bus (public court) or a taxi (private judging)?  Each option has its advantages. - Judge Barry Goode and Judge Pro Tem Lee Pearce
  • THE VACATION MAVEN Planning a "staycation"?  This article provides some budget-conscious alternatives. - M. Sue Talia
  • INSIDE - Lee Pearce
  • JUDICIAL PROFILE Hon. Brian F. Haynes
  • QUESTION MAN - How do you think the same-sex marriage issue will eventually be resolved?
  • ETHICS CORNER - Carol M. Langford
  • CLASSIFIEDS

February 2009

"THE RECESSION AND ITS AFFECT ON..."

  • REAL ESTATE - Linda DeBene, Gus Kramer, Glenn H. Wechsler
  • BANKRUPTCY - David l. Katzen
  • FAMILY - Joe Wolch
  • IMMIGRATION - Ericka Portillo
  • EMPLOYMENT - Harvey Sohnen
  • OUR LOCAL PRACTICE - Matt Guichard
  • INSIDE - Mark Ericsson
  • QUESTION MAN - How is the recession affecting your field of law?
  • ETHICS CORNER - Carol M. Langford
  • NEW MEMBERS
  • LOCAL CIVIL JURY VERDICTS
  • THE ROBERT G. McGRATH AMERICAN INN OF COURT
  • CLASSIFIEDS

Welcome to CCCBA's 2009 President, Larry Cook.

January 2009

"ANNUAL BAR ISSUE"

  • MEET YOUR BAR ASSOCIATION'S NEW BOARD MEMBERS...AND STAFF MEMBERS
  • 2009 JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS & HOLIDAYS
  • YOUR CCCBA MEMBERSHIP 
    Take advantage of everything we have to offer! - Lisa Reep
  • MERCHANT DISCOUNT PROGRAM
  • MEET YOUR 2009 PRESIDENT LARRY COOK
    - Candice Stoddard
  • 2008 YEAR-END FINANCIAL REPORT
  • WHY MEMBERSHIP IN THE LRIS MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE!
  • MEET YOUR SECTIONS
  • INSIDE - Candice Stoddard
  • QUESTION MAN - What was the most gratifying thing that happened to you in 2009??
  • SUSTAINING LAW FIRMS
    CLASSIFIEDS

The county's first-ever women Presiding and Assistant Presiding Judges, Mary Ann O'Malley and Diana Becton Smith.

December 2008

"READERS' CHOICE ISSUE"

  • WHITTLESEY v. AIELLO
    ATTORNEY FEES IN TRUST LITIGATION 
    An analysis of Whittlesey and its use by practitioners. - Loren Barr
  • JOHN AND FOSCA ZANDONELLA MEMORIAL BENCH DEDICATION
  • MCLE SELF-STUDY: 
    AM I DRINKING TOO MUCH IS A RHETORICAL QUESTION! 
    Gain insight from a recovering alcoholic while you earn one hour of hard-to-get Substance Abuse MCLE credit! - Gary Gwilliam
  • SANCTIONS ONE AND ALL
    Haven't taken the Family Code's financial disclosure requirements seriously?  Then the Feldman case is your wake-up call. - Thomas H. Smith
  • THE SECRET
    In part 3 of a continuing saga, Judge Carlton now confronts legal ethics. - Justice James Marchiano
  • PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Robin Pearson
  • QUESTION MAN - How will 2008 affect  you in 2009?
  • PRO BONO SPOTLIGHT
    THE McNAMARA LAW FIRM - Craig Nevin 
  • CLASSIFIEDS

Former U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California, Martin Jenkins, was confirmed as a Justice of Division 3 of the First District Court of Appeal in April 2008.

November 2008

"CRIMINAL LAW ISSUE"

  • COUNTY TIME 
    A fond look back on the life in the criminal justice system in the early '70s. - Gary M. Lepper
  • IN DEFENSE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
    An analysis of Proposition 215, from the perspective of the Public Defender's Office. - David Coleman
  • PROTECTING AGAINST THE ABUSE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA 
    Proposition 215, as analyzed by the District Attorney's Office - Jose Marin
  • THE HISTORY OF JUVENILE RESPONSIBILITY
    An insightful look at the challenges facing the philosophy of juvenile law. - Daniel J. Cabral
  • LIFE...AFTER PUBLIC LIFE
    Heartfelt and humorous accounts of the transition from public service work to private practice. - Joe Motta and Jason Runckel
  • INSIDE - Dan O'Malley
  • JUDICIAL PROFILE - Hon. Charles "Ben" Burch
  • 2008 MCLE SPECTACULAR! ENROLLMENT FORM
  • QUESTION MAN - How should law enforcement deal with medical marijuana issues?
  • PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR EVERYDAY LAWYERS ATTORNEY TRUST ACCOUNT SCAM - David Pearson
  • NEW MEMBERS 
  • CLASSIFIEDS

October 2008

"ELECTION ISSUE"

  • RE-ENFRANCHISING THE ELIGIBLE VOTER WHY CALIFORNIA SHOULD ENACT A VOTER ID LAW - Kurtiss Jacobs
  • PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO VOTE WHY CALIFORNIA SHOULD NOT ENACT A VOTER ID LAW - Nicole M. Mills
  • TREAD LIGHTLY...WHEN CONSIDERING ELECTORAL CHANGES WHY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE SHOULD REMAIN - Thomas Del Beccaro
  • THE CASE AGAINST THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE - John Barnard
  • INSIDE - Nicole M. Mills
  • PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Robin Pearson
  • 2008 MCLE SPECTACULAR!
  • QUESTION MAN - Why will you vote in November's election?
  • LOCAL CIVIL JURY VERDICTS - Matthew P. Guichard
  • ROBERT G. McGRATH AMERICAN INN OF COURT - Matthew P. Guichard
  • CLASSIFIEDS

We reluctantly say goodbye to Ken Torre, the only CEO the Superior Court has had since unification with the old Municipal Courts.

September 2008

"BENCH/BAR"

  • THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY COURT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
  • UPDATE FROM THE PRESIDING JUDGE - Honorable Terence L. Bruiniers
  • PROPOSED OPERATIONAL PLAN OBJECTIVES FOR 2008-2011
  • 2008 IN REVIEW - Honorable Mary Ann O'Malley
  • CIVIL FAST TRACK CONSTANTLY EVOLVING - Honorable David B. Flinn
  • THE STORY IS STILL TORRE! - Honorable Terence L. Bruiniers
  • IT HAS BEEN A BUSY YEAR IN FAMILY LAW - Honorable Barry P. Goode
  • COURT REPORT -  Honorable Lois Haight and Honorable William Kolin
  • FAMILY LAW INMATE OUTREACH PROGRAMS - Mary Ann Devine, Family Law Facilitator
  • NEW DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES CAREY ROWAN - Honorable Susanne Fenstermacher
  • INSIDE - Ken Torre
  • PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Robin Pearson
  • QUESTION MAN - HOW DO YOU THINK UTAH'S FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK WOULD WORK IN CALIFORNIA?
  • CLASSIFIEDS

August 2008

"EMPLOYMENT LAW"

  • AN EMPLOYER'S PERSPECTIVE ON SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
    Pros and cons, as well as technical mistakes are discussed. - Harry M. DeCourcy
  • THE CALIFORNIA FAMILY RIGHTS ACT AT AGE 17
    The author delves into the state of this teenage law. -  Dale Brodsky
  • DEDUCTING ATTORNEY FEES
    The author helps us "connect the dots" in the event the IRS comes a calling! - Mark Ericsson
  • A CONFLICT OF INTEREST
    A heartwarming tale of an attorney's family history. -Thomas William Cain
  • EMPLOYER BLOGGING/MESSAGE BOARDING POLICY.  DOES YOUR CLIENT HAVE ONE?
    A must-read for today's workplaces - Delia Isvoranu
  • INSIDE - Harvey Sohnen
  • QUESTION MAN What change in the law would you most like to see in the workplace?
  • 2008 SUSTAINING LAW FIRMS
  • CLASSIFIEDS
 

 
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