LACBA News

It is well known that a corporation’s “corporate powers, rights and privileges” can be suspended for failing to pay taxes or file a required tax return. The pertinent statute says: “Suspension of a corporation provides an opposing party with an affirmative defense that, when timely raised, prevents the corporation from prosecuting or defending an action in a California court.” This article focuses on the ethical aspect of a lawyer’s representation of a suspended company.

The LA Lawyers Philharmonic and Legal Voices, perform on Saturday, December 2, at 7:30 pm at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre. You won't want to miss this fabulous program featuring a wide variety of music, from classical holiday melodies to Broadway hits!

A portion of proceeds benefit LACBA Counsel for Justice.

LACBA is saddened to learn about the passing of Past President Harry Hathaway, a long-time member who has played an important role in the association’s recent history. In 2007, he co-founded LACBA’s Senior Lawyers Section to preserve L.A.'s legal history and to cultivate social interaction among all members. Hathaway was also instrumental in the publication of the book Lawyers of Los Angeles: 1950 to 2020.

Know a colleague working hard to improve justice in the legal community? A mover and shaker dedicated to making a difference? Nominate them for a Los Angeles County Bar Association award.

LACBA welcomes its newest affiliate, the Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance . APAWLA joins six other groups that became LACBA affiliate associations in 2023.

Partnering with other legal groups allows LACBA to better serve its members, the legal profession, and our communities!

The Attorney-Client Mediation and Arbitration Services has a new website, designed to make it easier to access information regarding mandatory fee arbitration and other ACMAS services.

Visit the new site lacba.org/acmas.

When a lawyer acting as an advocate for a client in a lawsuit is also a witness as to substantive issues involved in the litigation, the general rule is that the lawyer may act as both advocate and witness, if the lawyer obtains informed written consent from the client. But the court in its discretion may disqualify the advocate/lawyer despite such consent, in limited circumstances. 

Eve Lopez, Juan A. Ramos, Esteban Rodriguez, and Vanessa Villagomez are members and staff being recognized during this year's Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15. Read their full bios and follow LACBA social media as we profile each 2023 honoree. 

“I heard about this new site which I assumed -- I falsely assumed was like a super search engine called ChatGPT, and that’s what I used.” That’s what attorney Steven A. Schwartz said to United States District Judge P. Kevin Castel as he tried to avoid being sanctioned for having filed papers citing more than half-a-dozen cases that did not exist...

Diane Trunk has returned to LACBA to serve as the deputy executive director for the association's nonprofit, Counsel for Justice (CFJ). She recently served as the directing attorney of CFJ's Domestic Violence Project where she obtained new grants, expanded staff, created partnership with the California Judicial Council, and launched a new case management system.