ABA Journal

December 2018

 

"At its essence, litigation financing is third-party funding of legal cases. Legal financing companies provide a nonrecourse cash advance to litigants—usually plaintiffs—in exchange for a percentage of the judgment or settlement. It is not considered a loan but rather a form of asset purchase or venture capital. If, for example, the financier invests $200,000 and the case settles for 10 times that, the finance firm gets back its initial $200,000, as well as a percentage—anywhere between 10 and 30 percent—of the settlement money. If a plaintiff loses, the financing firm does not get paid."

 

 

 http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/litigation_finance_legal_ethical_concerns

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bar Association of San Francisco

December 22, 2018: 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

 

 

Topics
- The applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act to businesses in the so-called “sharing economy” and some of the challenges that arise when attempting to ensure that the services available through these businesses are accessible to persons with disabilities
- Discussion of nationwide class action settlement ensuring full and equal access to Uber services for individuals with guide dogs
- Discussion of recent class action lawsuits filed in California on behalf of wheelchair users unable to access Lyft and Uber services

 

Attendees will learn about ongoing efforts to ensure that companies arising out of the “gig economy” do not leave customers with disabilities behind. Michael Nunez of Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld will discuss his role in the nationwide class action, National Federation of the Blind of California, et al. v. Uber Technologies, Inc., which was successfully settled to ensure full and equal access to Uber Services for individuals with guide dogs. Melissa Riess of Disability Rights Advocates will discuss actions recently filed in California against Uber and Lyft, alleging access barriers that prevent many people who use wheelchairs from accessing the services. Both advocates will described lessons learned about advocacy tactics for ensuring that these novel business models are in compliance with state and federal disability access laws.

 

 

 http://www.sfbar.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=R180102/G181624

 

 

Bar Association of San Francisco

December 19, 2018: 12:00 pm - 1:20 pm

 

To be discussed
Implicit bias has catapulted into the spotlight in the last several months as organizations begin to be challenged by women who claim they have been denied opportunities and equal compensation because of the stereotypes and hidden biases of decision makers. Some experts say this explains why, even 50 years after the passage of Title VII, there is still a dearth of women in high level positions in companies and law firms. Others say the concept of implicit bias is illusory and that the absence of women in the higher echelons of corporate America is due to a pipeline issue or lack of ambition or choices women make about their careers. In this discussion with two prominent women in the employment bar, we will examine implicit bias and whether it helps explain the lack of women in positions of power and leadership in law firms and companies.

 

 

 http://www.sfbar.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=R180108/R160023

 

 

Bar Association of San Francisco

December 13, 2018: 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm 

 

Program Summary
The legal cannabis landscape in California is growing, but still in flux. Clients can be wooed by the perceived opportunity to make money in the cannabis industry and need lawyers who understand the pitfalls in this brand new world. This panel will explore what real estate lawyers need to know about California's legal cannabis market to advise clients properly.

 

Topics
• History of cannabis regulations and current state of the industry
• Practical considerations for drafting documents, including formation documents and leases
• Persisting criminal prosecution concerns
• Highlights of the changing regulations
• Litigation risks to watch out for

 

 

http://www.sfbar.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=B181449/B181449

 

 

 

Bar Association of San Francisco

December 13, 2018: 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm 

 

 

Solo and small firm attorneys are under increasing pressure to reduce overhead and improve efficiency in order to meet client expectations and to remain competitive. This program will explore some of the pressing ethical questions
raised by new technology and provide a practical framework to help navigate these uncharted waters.

The program will trace how the California Rules of Professional Conduct have evolved over time and examine upcoming rule changes. We will apply the Rules and related principles to some common scenarios facing practitioners.
Discussion topics will include online advertising, outsourcing, cloud-based software and electronic signatures, among others. The audience will have the opportunity to participate as we explore these challenging topics together and prepare ourselves for the future of legal services.

 

Topics
• California Rules of Professional Conduct
• Online Advertising
• Outsourcing
• Unauthorized Practice of Law
• Duty of Care

 

 

 http://www.sfbar.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=R180104/B181478

 

 

 

 

Bar Association of San Francisco

December 11, 2018: 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

 

Topics
• Spotting And Understanding Financial Abuse
• Cognitive Impairment, Undue Influence And The Role Each Can Play in Financial Abuse
• Prosecuting Financial Abuse Claims Under California's Elder Abuse And Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act

 

 

 http://www.sfbar.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=G180507/G180507

 

 

 

Bar Association of San Francisco

December 11, 2018: 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

 

Come hear about the quickly evolving area of disability employment law. Our presenters will have a lively discussion about the important federal and state decisions in 2018.

 

Discussion topics for this conversation will include:
- Round-up of 2018 federal cases in disability employment law
- Round-up of 2018 California cases in disability employment law
- Changes in law and predictions for 2019 

 

 

 http://www.sfbar.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=G181629/G181629

 

 

Bar Association of San Francisco

December 10, 2018: 12:00 pm - 1:45 pm

 

 

Hear from a panel of attorneys, who represent both tenants and landlords in this challenging area, and the Senior Advisor at the Office of the Mayor, discuss preparing for withdrawal of residential property from the housing market, the transactional process leading to termination of tenancy, common defenses, and the lasting effect on the property after "going out of business".

 

Topics
• Procedure
• Lawsuits (against tenants and against the City)
• Assistance for the displaced tenants
• Goals and limitations of City programs that fund housing preservation

 

 

 http://www.sfbar.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=G181710/G181710

 

 

 

 

Bar Association of San Francisco

December 7, 2018: 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

 

Discussion
Based on the popular lightning round talks in the design and engineering fields, hear 10 trademark professionals address topics of current interest
• Ten trademark professionals give six-minute lightning talks
• Presentations will cover every phase of trademark practice, from portfolios through litigation
• Hear from in-house counsel, joined by private practitioners at firms of all sizes

 

 

 

 http://www.sfbar.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=R180101/G182510