Technology

The General Data Protection Regulation

By William Marshall

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the European Union’s new data protection law. It was passed in the spring of 2016 and following a two year grace period, and enforced on May 25, 2018, replacing the current Data Protection Directive in effect since 1995. The purpose of the GDPR is to provide a single uniform law governing the protection of personal data across the European Economic Area (the EU plus three other European countries) replacing the individual national laws passed under the 1995 Directive.  The GDPR was also intended to clarify, strengthen, and modernize data protection, particularly given the profound changes since 1995 in how personal information is collected and processed on the Internet and otherwise. Read More

Law Practice Management

The 4-Hour-Per-Day Rule

Courtesy of LawPay

Practicing law for the first time comes with its fair share of stressors and unknowns. One of the first things you’ll need to determine is how much you can expect to charge for your services. Will you be able to set an hourly rate that’s reasonable for an attorney in your area, and provides enough income to meet your needs? Read More

Legal Ethics

Does the Attorney-Client Privilege Apply After the Death of a Client?

By Anne Rudolph

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 6068, subd. (e), an attorney must maintain inviolate a client’s confidences.  The only exception in that statute is that an attorney may, but is not required to, reveal confidential information to the extent that the attorney reasonably believes the disclosure is necessary to prevent a criminal act that the attorney reasonably believes is likely to result in death of, or substantial bodily harm to, an individual.  But, the Evidence Code and applicable case law provide that the rules applicable to disclosure of a client’s confidences change after the client dies. Read More

Legal Ethics / Technology

Legal Ethics and Portable Electronic Devices: Some Basic Considerations

By Eric Deitz

The utility, portability and convenience of laptops, tablets and smartphones make them an integral part of our daily practice lives, but our reliance upon and the ubiquity of these devices requires us to be mindful of the ethical considerations affecting their use. This is particularly true when an electronic storage device contains privileged or confidential client information and is lost or stolen. Read More