Contra Costa County Bar Association

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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