Tame year for state Supreme Court
This is the time of year when, in preparation for teaching fall classes, I clear off the last 12 months’ worth of notes, letters and memoranda from my desk. These writings include highlights from the California Supreme Court’s 2003-2004 term. All in all, it was a relatively tame year for the court. (An analysis by J. Clark Kelso)

77th Annual Meeting set for Oct. 7-10
At the State Bar’s Annual Meeting in Monterey this fall, California attorneys will find dozens of MCLE programs on topics ranging from elder law to the hottest issues in cyberspace to rainmaking to the latest legal developments in their fields. But one-stop shopping for MCLE courses is not all they will find.

Former State Bar, ABA president Robert Raven dies
Robert Raven, who rose from hardscrabble beginnings to help mold a powerful global law firm, all the while championing women and minority newcomers to the legal profession, died last month at the age of 80.

Business and consumer groups clash over Prop. 64
Car dealers use “A.P.R” instead of “Annual Percentage Rate” in their ads. Small, ethnic restaurants don’t fully insulate their water pipes. Travel agents omit their business license numbers from their Web sites. They get sued — or threatened with the prospect of a suit. Rather than spend time and money in a courtroom, they settle, even though they may never have received so much as a complaint from a customer about the practice.

Three win ABA honors
Three California lawyers were honored last month by the American Bar Association for their professional excellence.

Ethics update
Highlights of recent developments in attorney professional responsibility, including new cases, advisory ethics opinions, pending legislation and proposed rule amendments.

Online Exhibit Hall
The businesses and services listed here support the State Bar through various means, most notably as exhibitors at the State Bar's Annual Meeting. Visit them online or via phone to serve your individual needs.