--- title: 2024 January url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january --- # [2024 January](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january "2024 January") [![Advo Jan24 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2024/01-january/Advo-Jan24-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2024/January2024/html5/Advocate-Jan24-issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [Isn’t it true there is a different way to cross-examine at trial?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/isn-t-it-true-there-is-a-different-way-to-cross-examine-at-trial "Isn’t it true there is a different way to cross-examine at trial?") Yes! Using open-ended questions to keep feeding rope to the defense expert witness until she hangs herself [Benny Khorsandi](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/benny-khorsandi "Benny Khorsandi") [Brian G. Beecher](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/brian-g-beecher "Brian G. Beecher") ## [The good shepherd](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/the-good-shepherd "The good shepherd") Identifying and shepherding your witnesses for trial [Mansour Soltanmoradi](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/mansour-soltanmoradi "Mansour Soltanmoradi") ## [Improv for trial](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/improv-for-trial "Improv for trial") Be prepared to be unprepared; learn to manage your fear of the unexpected [Brian Breiter](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/brian-breiter "Brian Breiter") [Joseph Limbaugh](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/joseph-limbaugh "Joseph Limbaugh") ## [Grandma’s bank account got hit by a fraudster](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/grandma-s-bank-account-got-hit-by-a-fraudster "Grandma’s bank account got hit by a fraudster") Federal and state laws that may help victims of elder fraud recover from financial institutions and credit-reporting agencies [Nick Barthel](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/nick-barthel "Nick Barthel") ## [Trial analytics](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/trial-analytics "Trial analytics") Using math to improve trial outcomes [David Caditz](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/david-caditz "David Caditz") ## [The benefits of using treating doctors at trial](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/the-benefits-of-using-treating-doctors-at-trial "The benefits of using treating doctors at trial") Testimony of treating doctors in a PI trial can provide a unique blend of credibility, relatability, and expertise [Jon Davidi](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jon-davidi "Jon Davidi") [Robert Glassman](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/robert-glassman "Robert Glassman") ## [How to successfully try cases in federal court](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/how-to-successfully-try-cases-in-federal-court "How to successfully try cases in federal court") Trying a case in federal court is nothing to be afraid of but you must know the rules, especially the judge’s “local, local rules” [Ashley M. Conlogue](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ashley-m-conlogue "Ashley M. Conlogue") ## [The use of qualified settlement funds at the end of a case](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/the-use-of-qualified-settlement-funds-at-the-end-of-a-case "The use of qualified settlement funds at the end of a case") QSFs are used to avoid conflicts both between multiple attorneys and multiple plaintiffs, providing income to plaintiffs while disputes are resolved [David Higgins](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/david-higgins "David Higgins") ## [Pre-litigation through litigation: A timeline](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/pre-litigation-through-litigation-a-timeline "Pre-litigation through litigation: A timeline") PI practice is a matter of deadlines. Here are the most important [Ted Ravan](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ted-ravan "Ted Ravan") ## [Disability claims and the statute of limitations](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/disability-claims-and-the-statute-of-limitations "Disability claims and the statute of limitations") [[case]]Bennett v. Ohio National[[/case]]: Withholding of benefits in the future does not start the statute of limitations in the present [Bill Foster](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/bill-foster "Bill Foster") ## [Don’t let the defense misuse social media to depict your client](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/don-t-let-the-defense-misuse-social-media-to-depict-your-client "Don’t let the defense misuse social media to depict your client") How defendants misrepresent a plaintiff’s condition through social media [Eustace de Saint Phalle](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/eustace-de-saint-phalle "Eustace de Saint Phalle") [Shana M. Nazarian](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/shana-m-nazarian "Shana M. Nazarian") ## [The intersection of civil torts and workers’ comp](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/the-intersection-of-civil-torts-and-workers-comp "The intersection of civil torts and workers’ comp") Counsel must work together to protect WC benefits while maximizing the civil award [James (“Jim”) G. Butler](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/james-jim-g-butler "James (“Jim”) G. Butler") [Ramona Atanacio](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ramona-atanacio "Ramona Atanacio") ## [Show me what you got](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/show-me-what-you-got "Show me what you got") Major California civil procedure changes with new mandatory disclosures (CCP § 2016.090) [Miles B. Cooper](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/miles-b-cooper "Miles B. Cooper") ## [Appellate Briefs](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/appellate-briefs "Appellate Briefs") Contractors hired by DOD and removal of their complaints to federal court. Also, premises liability and the negligent undertaking theory; and, reduction of attorney fees based on incivility of counsel [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") ## [New year. New activities. New voices. One resolution.](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/new-year-new-activities-new-voices-one-resolution "New year. New activities. New voices. One resolution.") Many events are planned this year that offer ways for you to give back to the community [Bradley S. Wallace](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/bradley-s-wallace "Bradley S. Wallace") [Michelle M. West](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michelle-m-west "Michelle M. West") ## [Priorities in the new year](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/priorities-in-the-new-year "Priorities in the new year") AI and federal privacy legislation must prioritize the rights and safety of the American people over the corporate profits of Big Tech [Linda A. Lipsen](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/linda-a-lipsen "Linda A. Lipsen") ## [A look at CAOC’s endorsed legislative candidates in 2024](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/a-look-at-caoc-s-endorsed-legislative-candidates-in-2024 "A look at CAOC’s endorsed legislative candidates in 2024") Electing legislators who will fight to protect Californians’ legal rights [Lea-Ann Tratten](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/lea-ann-tratten "Lea-Ann Tratten") ## [“Go Big!”](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/go-big "“Go Big!”") Make this your year to try a case – you don’t have to do it alone [Whit D. Bertch](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/whit-d-bertch "Whit D. Bertch") ## [“What do you want to be?”](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-january/what-do-you-want-to-be "“What do you want to be?”") Seeing a woman who looked like me, from my community and who was a lawyer, made my dream seem possible. If I could see it, I could be it [Ibiere N. Seck](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ibiere-n-seck "Ibiere N. Seck")