UC Irvine offers a new approach to law school
When then-Duke University law professor Erwin Chemerinsky got a call from a fellow academic broaching the possibility of heading a new University of California law school, the renowned constitutional scholar had a mixed reaction: skepticism and intrigue.

Insurance disclosure rule approved
Under a new Rule of Professional Conduct approved by the Supreme Court in August, lawyers who do not carry malpractice insurance must tell their clients — under most circumstances — that they are not insured. Rule 3-410 takes effect Jan. 1.

Bar names foreclosure lawyers under scrutiny
Alarmed by complaints about the number of lawyers preying on vulnerable homeowners, the State Bar last month identified 16 attorneys who are under investigation for misconduct related to loan modification.

Miller takes over as the bar’s
85th president
Los Angeles lawyer Howard Miller took the oath of office as State Bar president last month from Chief Justice Ronald George. Miller said he will work in the coming year to enhance the importance of legal services as a core value of the legal profession.

Cruz Reynoso honored as a ‘legal giant’
As a child, Cruz Reynoso thought it was unfair that the mail carrier’s route ended just two blocks short of his poor Orange County barrio. His parents and neighbors had to trudge more than a mile into town just to pick up their mail.

JNE leak investigated
State Bar President Howard Miller appointed a four-member committee last month to investigate charges that a confidential Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation (JNE) rating of a judicial candidate was illegally leaked to a news outlet.


Best in legal services are honored
Several lawyers and their law firms received a 2009 State Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award last month.

Chick, Gailey confirmed to three-year terms
California Inspector General Laura Chick and Los Angeles private investigator William Gailey were confirmed by the state Senate last month to three-year terms as public members of the State Bar Board of Governors.