Off Topics

Mummers Day Parade on New Year’s day, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Carol M. Highsmith, photographer.  Library of Congress.

  Good Record Despite Financial Cutbacks.      If one goes by the 2013 Court Statistics issued by the Judicial Council (using fiscal year 2012 as an indicator), the courts at all levels in California are doing a good job of managing cases and disposing of appellate causes—somewhat surprising given financial cuts. We provide some of

       It is with sadness that we report that Raymond G. (Ray) Alvarado recently passed away. He is a founding member of AlvaradoSmith, where co-contributors Marc and Mike have practiced since February 2008. Ray is a giant in the Orange County legal community and a “name” partner/shareholder in several firms. Ray had a ready

Florence McAuliffe Was A Man.      In a June 14, 2014 post, we provided a Historical Footnote about attorney Florence McAuliffe, the McAuliffe in Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe.  “In 1929,” we stated, “she negotiated the financing for the construction of the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge.”  It did seem worth noting that a

     1934.  Cutting the cake at Pres. Roosevelt’s Birthday Ball.  Library of Congress.      There is an adage that time speeds up as you age. We can attest to that. This fee blog is six years old, with the inaugural post occurring on May 11, 2008. We thank all of our readers and followers for

  It Also Has A Good Discussion of the Difference Between Holdings and Dicta.       Although not involving fee issues, we had to share two aspects of Justice Yegan’s eloquently written opinion in Marriage of Boswell, Case No. B249141 (2d Dist., Div. 6 Apr. 28, 2014) (published).      The first aspect was a summary of

  Annual Coverage, Contractual Coverage, Statutory Coverage (Under Some Statutes), And Multiple/Possible Exposure Coverage Available. Because most standard insurance policies do not cover adverse attorney’s fees awards, we have informed you over the last few years about a suite of litigation insurance policies designed to protect plaintiffs and defendants from the risk of having to

  Appeals Decided At A Low Number From 2005; Reverse Rate Only 18%; Most Appeals Decided Within 15 Months.      HAT TIP–We give a “hat tip” to fellow blogger Greg May (The California Blog of Appeal) for providing some summaries of the “2013 Court Statistics Report: Statewide Caseload Trends 2002-2003 through 2011-2012,” focusing mainly on

  From Adam/Eve To Modern Times …. In the November 2013 edition of the ABA Journal, there is a list of 10 pivotal past trials, which we repeat by category. *Guilt and Ignorance — God punishes Adam and Eve, and the Serpent. Garden of Eden, after the 7th day. *Treason — English Parliament puts King