The California Law Revision Commission (CLRC) held its latest meeting on April 14, 2016. With respect to mediation confidentiality, the issue under discussion was in camera review. In the latest memo on the topic- Memorandum 2016-18 ( April 4, 2016)- Ms. Barbara Gaal, Chief Deputy Counsel, outlined an extensive procedure [Read More]
Two developments occurred regarding mediation confidentiality during the first week of February. First, on Monday, February 1, 2016, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral argument in Craig Milhouse v. Travelers Commercial Insurance, Case Nos. 13-56959 and 13-57029. Dr. and Mrs. Milhouse suffered the total loss of their home [Read More]
(Spoiler alert: Today's blog has nothing to do with mediation!) Once again, the California Legislature was hard at work. They passed 807 laws. As in past years, some are good while others make one wonder about the motivation behind them. Below is a synopsis of some of them. All of them [Read More]
Several weeks ago, I posted a blog about the proposals voted on by the California Law Revision Commission to make certain changes to mediation confidentiality in California. At its August 8, 2015 meeting, the Commission proposed creating several exceptions to mediation confidentiality that would allow; (1) Both lawyers representing clients [Read More]
In previous blogs, I have discussed the hullaballoo surrounding the introduction of AB 2025 into the California Legislature. As originally drafted and introduced into the California State Assembly, it provided that mediation confidentiality would not preclude the introduction of “… communications between a client and his or her attorney during [Read More]
First and foremost, I want to wish everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. May 2015 bring you only joy and peace! Each year, I find it interesting to look through the new laws enacted by the California legislature to see if my tax dollars were well spent. [Read More]
While I was busy mediating cases in 2012, our California legislature was busy passing more than 800 laws. While some of them clearly make sense, I wonder which special interest groups were at work to get some of the more arcane measures passed. As a previous litigator, I am always [Read More]
On August 3, 2012, I posted a blog about Resolution SR-05-01-2012 that was proposed to the California Conference of Bar Associations by Bay Area Lawyers For Individual Freedom. Jo Hoenninger, Esq. is its author. The proposed resolution, if passed by the Conference at California's Annual State Bar Convention would not [Read More]
