--- title: 2018 February url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february --- # [2018 February](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february "2018 February") [![Advocate Feb18 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2018/02-february/Advocate-Feb18-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2018/February2018/html5/Advocate-Feb18-issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [Appellate Reports and Shorter Takes](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/appellate-reports-and-shorter-takes-3 "Appellate Reports and Shorter Takes") Duty-of-care issues, particularly involving premises-liability cases where the premises abut a public street [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") ## [We are good at what we do](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/we-are-good-at-what-we-do "We are good at what we do") But are we good enough? [Mike Arias](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/mike-arias "Mike Arias") ## [The despicable confidential settlement agreement](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/the-despicable-confidential-settlement-agreement "The despicable confidential settlement agreement") Attorneys face a dilemma between duty to client and obligation to the cause of civil justice [Larry Booth](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/larry-booth "Larry Booth") ## [Words matter: Drafting and using jury questionnaires effectively](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/words-matter-drafting-and-using-jury-questionnaires-effectively "Words matter: Drafting and using jury questionnaires effectively") How you draft the questionnaire correlates with how effectively it will serve you [Sonia Chopra](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/sonia-chopra "Sonia Chopra") ## [Mediation dynamics in money negotiation](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/mediation-dynamics-in-money-negotiation "Mediation dynamics in money negotiation") The role of negativity and positivity in the parties’ decision making [Doug deVries](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/doug-devries "Doug deVries") ## [Mediating maritime matters](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/mediating-maritime-matters "Mediating maritime matters") Passengers injured on a cruise must file suit in a specific jurisdiction, but their cases can be mediated anywhere [Sanford Gage](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/sanford-gage "Sanford Gage") ## [Producing trial-ready animation using experts’ data and analysis](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/producing-trial-ready-animation-using-experts-data-and-analysis "Producing trial-ready animation using experts’ data and analysis") A look “Behind the Screen” offers insight into how animators bring your case to life [Vahe Garabedian](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/vahe-garabedian "Vahe Garabedian") ## [Expediting trial through motions for preference](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/expediting-trial-through-motions-for-preference "Expediting trial through motions for preference") Before you rush to bring a motion for preference, be aware that preference cases also have drawbacks [Laurel Halbany](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/laurel-halbany "Laurel Halbany") ## [Liability of business owners and social hosts](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/liability-of-business-owners-and-social-hosts "Liability of business owners and social hosts") The ever-changing tapestry of case law on when a business owner or social host may be liable for injuries of a patron or guest; also a look at what gives rise to a business’s duty to prevent criminal acts [David R. Lira](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/david-r-lira "David R. Lira") [Nicole DeVanon](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/nicole-devanon "Nicole DeVanon") ## [What does Prop. 64 mean for lawyers?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/what-does-prop-64-mean-for-lawyers "What does Prop. 64 mean for lawyers?") Hashing out the details [Geraldine Ly](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/geraldine-ly "Geraldine Ly") ## [Teaching an old dog new tricks](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/teaching-an-old-dog-new-tricks "Teaching an old dog new tricks") Switching law firms after 30 years involves risk assessment, hard work and optimism [Gary A. Praglin](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/gary-a-praglin "Gary A. Praglin") ## [Getting tough evidence admitted at trial](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/getting-tough-evidence-admitted-at-trial "Getting tough evidence admitted at trial") Some rules may seem to preclude your evidence, but there can be exceptions [Taylor Rayfield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/taylor-rayfield "Taylor Rayfield") ## [Inverse condemnation and damage to private property](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/inverse-condemnation-and-damage-to-private-property "Inverse condemnation and damage to private property") Inverse condemnation may become a cause of action as the causes of California wildfires are sorted out [Amanda Riddle](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/amanda-riddle "Amanda Riddle") ## [Play ball!](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/play-ball "Play ball!") Baseball and trial lawyers have a lot in common, and some people you know played serious ball [Stuart Zanville](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/stuart-zanville "Stuart Zanville") ## [Defamation on Yelp: An appellate case you should know about](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-february/defamation-on-yelp-an-appellate-case-you-should-know-about "Defamation on Yelp: An appellate case you should know about") [[case]]Hassell v. Bird[[/case]] may dictate how effectively you can fight the online defamation of your practice [J. Erik Heath](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/j-erik-heath "J. Erik Heath") [Monique Olivier](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/monique-olivier "Monique Olivier")