---
title: 2019 December
url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december
---

# [2019 December](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december "2019 December")

[![Advocate Dec19 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2019/12-december/Advocate-Dec19-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2019/December2019/html5/Advocate-Dec19-issue.html)

Articles in this issue:

## [Anti-SLAPP at the Supreme Court](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/anti-slapp-at-the-supreme-court "Anti-SLAPP at the Supreme Court")

The long and winding road, unabated: A review of major anti-SLAPP rulings since 2016

[Herb Fox](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/herb-fox-3 "Herb Fox")

## [Pitfalls and hazards when perfecting a civil appeal](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/pitfalls-and-hazards-when-perfecting-a-civil-appeal "Pitfalls and hazards when perfecting a civil appeal")

Filing a notice of appeal is a seemingly simple task, but determining whether and when to appeal can be a daunting task

[Gerald Serlin](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/gerald-serlin "Gerald Serlin")
[Judith Posner](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/judith-posner "Judith Posner")

## [Inferences explained](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/inferences-explained "Inferences explained")

Using and rebutting inferences

[Janet R. Gusdorff](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/janet-r-gusdorff "Janet R. Gusdorff")

## [Political will and the power of the pen](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/political-will-and-the-power-of-the-pen "Political will and the power of the pen")

The shifting perspective of sexual abuse results in long-overdue changes to California’s statutes of limitations: AB 218 and related bills

[Holly Boyer](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/holly-boyer "Holly Boyer")

## [I just won! Can I relax now?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/i-just-won-can-i-relax-now "I just won! Can I relax now?")

From a costs memo to an attorney’s fees motion to juror declarations, a review of what to do after the verdict

[Valerie T. McGinty](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/mcginty "Valerie T. McGinty")

## [Appellate brief writing](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/appellate-brief-writing "Appellate brief writing")

Using your own voice

[Sharon J. Arkin](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/sharon-j-arkin "Sharon J. Arkin")

## [Do yourself a favor: Hire a ghost writer](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/do-yourself-a-favor-hire-a-ghost-writer "Do yourself a favor: Hire a ghost writer")

A trial lawyer’s forte may not extend to law and motion practice or appellate briefs

[Asher Isaacs](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/asher-isaacs "Asher Isaacs")
[MaryBeth LippSmith](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/marybeth-lippsmith "MaryBeth LippSmith")

## [Games, swords, shields, lies, and cherries](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/games-swords-shields-lies-and-cherries "Games, swords, shields, lies, and cherries")

Dealing with claims of privilege at trial

[James West](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/james-west-2 "James West")

## [How to avoid a State Bar complaint](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/how-to-avoid-a-state-bar-complaint "How to avoid a State Bar complaint")

Put the client’s interests ahead of your own — and return phone calls

[Erin Joyce](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/erin-joyce "Erin Joyce")

## [Ethical obligations in a social media posting](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/ethical-obligations-in-a-social-media-posting "Ethical obligations in a social media posting")

Are your social media postings (“celebrating a great verdict today”) a “communication” under the Rules of Professional Conduct and therefore subject to attorney advertising rules?

[Michelle Iarusso](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michelle-iarusso "Michelle Iarusso")

## [My big mouth](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/my-big-mouth "My big mouth")

Whether it’s a comment to the press, a letter to the defendant or a memo for the court, legal communications can result in attorney liability, “litigation privilege” notwithstanding

[Douglas Johnson](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/douglas-johnson "Douglas Johnson")
[Neville L. Johnson](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/neville-l-johnson "Neville L. Johnson")

## [Appellate Reports](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-december/appellate-reports-25 "Appellate Reports")

Plaintiffs’ law firm sues client for defamation in website reviews, trial court grants anti-SLAPP motion against firm, upheld on appeal

[Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich")