--- title: 2026 February url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february --- # [2026 February](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february "2026 February") [![Advocate Feb26 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2026/02-february/Advocate-Feb26-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2026/February2026/html5/Advocate-Feb26-issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [Why joining a CAALA committee matters](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/why-joining-a-caala-committee-matters "Why joining a CAALA committee matters") Strengthening advocacy, community, and the future of consumer justice [Elizabeth A. Hernandez](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/elizabeth-a-hernandez "Elizabeth A. Hernandez") ## [Saturday night lights](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/saturday-night-lights "Saturday night lights") Celebrating leadership, service, and our shared commitment to justice [Clare Lucich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/clare-lucich "Clare Lucich") ## [Pesticide immunity and a retracted study on Roundup](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/pesticide-immunity-and-a-retracted-study-on-roundup "Pesticide immunity and a retracted study on Roundup") Association also working on expansive use of judicial estoppel against plaintiffs in PI cases [Linda A. Lipsen](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/linda-a-lipsen "Linda A. Lipsen") ## [The heart of our communities](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/the-heart-of-our-communities "The heart of our communities") Making a real, positive difference in the quality of life for people in Southern California [Griselda S. Rodriguez](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/griselda-s-rodriguez "Griselda S. Rodriguez") [Michelle M. West](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michelle-m-west "Michelle M. West") ## [CAOC is fighting back against the Uber initiative](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/caoc-is-fighting-back-against-the-uber-initiative "CAOC is fighting back against the Uber initiative") Initiative would limit contingency fees and recovery of medical costs in auto accidents [Lea-Ann Tratten](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/lea-ann-tratten "Lea-Ann Tratten") ## [Appellate Reports](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/appellate-reports-59 "Appellate Reports") Contingency fees after client termination; also, The Construction-Related Accessibility Standards Compliance Act and Prohibited Retaliation Against Whistle Blowers [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") ## [Civility, the First Amendment, and the attorney’s oath](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/civility-the-first-amendment-and-the-attorney-s-oath "Civility, the First Amendment, and the attorney’s oath") How the Supreme Court balanced professionalism with First Amendment protections and why civility remains an ethical obligation for trial lawyers [Ronni Whitehead Otieno](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ronni-whitehead-otieno "Ronni Whitehead Otieno") ## [Remembering civility during client interactions](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/remembering-civility-during-client-interactions "Remembering civility during client interactions") Educate with empathy, listen without judgment and guide with grace [Eric V. Traut](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/eric-v-traut "Eric V. Traut") ## [State Bar CTAPP trust account mandatory compliance reviews](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/state-bar-ctapp-trust-account-mandatory-compliance-reviews "State Bar CTAPP trust account mandatory compliance reviews") The 2025 changes to the State Bar’s prosecutorial rules are monumental [Carolin Shining](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/carolin-shining "Carolin Shining") ## [Ambition, bias, and the cost of leadership for women lawyers](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/ambition-bias-and-the-cost-of-leadership-for-women-lawyers "Ambition, bias, and the cost of leadership for women lawyers") Ambition isn’t an arrogance. It is energy directed at justice [Micha Star Liberty](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/micha-star-liberty "Micha Star Liberty") ## [Inclusion and equity in the legal environment](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/inclusion-and-equity-in-the-legal-environment "Inclusion and equity in the legal environment") You – yes, you – have obligations [Genie Harrison](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/genie-harrison "Genie Harrison") ## [Legal advertising and marketing in 2026](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/legal-advertising-and-marketing-in-2026 "Legal advertising and marketing in 2026") Lawyers must be cautious to avoid false, misleading or intrusive advertising practices, and careful to follow the new rules effective this year [Ellen A. Pansky](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ellen-a-pansky "Ellen A. Pansky") ## [Warriors for civility](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/warriors-for-civility-2 "Warriors for civility") The high road is the winning road [Joseph M. Barrett](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/joseph-m-barrett "Joseph M. Barrett") ## [Navigating California Rule 5.4](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/navigating-california-rule-5-4 "Navigating California Rule 5.4") Fee sharing, nonlawyer arrangements, and evolving legal ethics [Lita Abella](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/lita-abella "Lita Abella") ## [Bias in consumer litigation](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/bias-in-consumer-litigation "Bias in consumer litigation") Recognizing bias and assumptions made about your clients’ cases and damages – women in particular – in all stages of litigation [Molly M. McKibben](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/molly-m-mckibben "Molly M. McKibben") ## [The Big 8](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/the-big-8 "The Big 8") Concepts every lawyer must understand to use AI competently and ethically [Matthew Whibley](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/matthew-whibley "Matthew Whibley") ## [Understanding secondary traumatic stress suffered by PI attorneys](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/understanding-secondary-traumatic-stress-suffered-by-pi-attorneys "Understanding secondary traumatic stress suffered by PI attorneys") The effects of vicarious trauma on trial lawyers Who represent clients suffering from catastrophic injuries  [Cristina Garcia](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/cristina-garcia "Cristina Garcia") ## [Pragmatic use of AI in the modern legal practice](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-february/pragmatic-use-of-ai-in-the-modern-legal-practice "Pragmatic use of AI in the modern legal practice") Real-world tools, ethical considerations, and practical strategies to improve efficiency, advocacy, and client service [Kenny S. Ramirez](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/kenny-ramirez "Kenny S. Ramirez")