Letter from the Chair of the New Lawyer Division

By Mellania E. Safarian
Clark Hill PLC

Hello New Lawyer Division:

Are you interested in running for a position on the New Lawyer Division’s (“NLD”) Executive Committee?

The chance to serve on the NLD’s Executive Committee is one of the many leadership opportunities the SDCBA offers its members. This is an incredible time for New Lawyers like you to become involved with the SDCBA and gain the leadership skills necessary for future endeavors.  I encourage interested candidates to communicate with myself and other Executive Committee members about the NLD’s projects and experience in leadership.

Legal Ethics for New Attorneys

Court of Appeal Holds Jurisdiction to Enforce Settlement Under CCP § 664.6

By Stephanie Atkinson and Andrew A. Servais,  Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Juskie LLP

California Code of Civil Procedure section 664.6 (“section 644.6”) provides: “If parties to pending litigation stipulate, in a writing signed by the parties outside the presence of the court or orally before the court, for settlement of the case, or part thereof, the court, upon motion, may enter judgment pursuant to the terms of the settlement. If requested by the parties, the court may retain jurisdiction over the parties to enforce the settlement until performance in full of the terms of the settlement.

Tips from the Bench

Q & A with Judge Fredrick L. Link

By Kevin B. Hambly
Shinnick & Ryan, LLP

Fredrick L. Link is a judge for the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego.  He worked as a Judge for the San Diego County Municipal Court from 1981 to 1990 and has been a Superior Court judge since June 1990. Today, he presides over both criminal and civil cases in Department 2201.

Don’t Gloss Over the Environmental Site Assessment!

By Elidia C. Dostal
Vanst Law

When purchasing commercial property, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I or ESA) is conducted as a matter of course. The assessment is an important part of environmental diligence for any purchase of commercial property, as it is necessary to establish innocent landowner defenses under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA) 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq. Unfortunately, the ESA is often treated as an item to be completed on a checklist, with only minimal or cursory review by the prospective purchaser or attorney.

City of San Diego Going After Transient Occupancy Taxes for Month-to-Month Rentals

By Ashley M. Peterson
Law Office of Ashley M. Peterson

The City of San Diego has recently begun targeting property owners who conduct month-to-month rentals, claiming the owners are required to obtain a transient occupancy certificate and pay transient occupancy taxes.

Scene At

Have you been "Scene At" the latest events? Check out pics of recent happenings. If you have photos of SDCBA emerging attorney members at recent events, submit them to bar@sdcba.org.