--- title: 2026 January url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january --- # [2026 January](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january "2026 January") [![Advocate Jan26 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2026/01-january/Advocate-Jan26-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2026/January2026/html5/Advocate-Jan26-issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [Courts will use AI to decide cases. Then what?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/courts-will-use-ai-to-decide-cases-then-what "Courts will use AI to decide cases. Then what?") We want the machine and we want the conscience [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") ## [Using AI to elevate legal-writing advocacy](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/using-ai-to-elevate-legal-writing-advocacy "Using AI to elevate legal-writing advocacy") Lawyers who ignore AI risk becoming the Blockbuster Video of our profession. Here are practical applications, examples, and prompts for today’s litigators [Janet R. Gusdorff](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/janet-r-gusdorff "Janet R. Gusdorff") ## [Preserving error for appellate review](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/preserving-error-for-appellate-review "Preserving error for appellate review") To preserve issues for appellate review, “speak now or forever hold your peace.” This is a task requiring both advance planning and immediate action. [Gerald Serlin](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/gerald-serlin "Gerald Serlin") [Judith Posner](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/judith-posner "Judith Posner") ## [How to leverage amicus curiae briefs in your cases](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/how-to-leverage-amicus-curiae-briefs-in-your-cases "How to leverage amicus curiae briefs in your cases") (And how to return the favor as amicus for others) [Ben Siminou](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ben-siminou "Ben Siminou") ## [Plaintiffs can still find ways to deduct legal fees from taxable income](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/plaintiffs-can-still-find-ways-to-deduct-legal-fees-from-taxable-income "Plaintiffs can still find ways to deduct legal fees from taxable income") No plaintiff believes that it is fair to pay taxes on portions of their recovery paid directly to their lawyer that they never see [Robert W. Wood](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/robert-w-wood "Robert W. Wood") ## [Defeating motions to compel arbitration](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/defeating-motions-to-compel-arbitration "Defeating motions to compel arbitration") Six questions ranging from jurisdiction of the court to unconscionability that may help you defeat the motion to arbitrate [Valerie T. McGinty](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/mcginty "Valerie T. McGinty") ## [The three types of appeals and how to argue them](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/the-three-types-of-appeals-and-how-to-argue-them "The three types of appeals and how to argue them") Your goals must be different, depending on if the case is a clear loser, a clear winner or a toss-up [Reid Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/reid-ehrlich "Reid Ehrlich") ## [Financial-condition discovery – Don’t wait until trial!](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/financial-condition-discovery-don-t-wait-until-trial "Financial-condition discovery – Don’t wait until trial!") Discovery of a defendant’s financial condition is essential to proving punitive damages, and doing it early can prevent defendants from shielding assets and create settlement leverage for plaintiffs [Ashley Dang](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ashley-dang "Ashley Dang") ## [Appeal from a Bench trial: Simplified statement-of-decision procedures coming soon](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/appeal-from-a-bench-trial-simplified-statement-of-decision-procedures-coming-soon "Appeal from a Bench trial: Simplified statement-of-decision procedures coming soon") New law will revise California Rule of Court 3.1590, perhaps the most opaque rule ever issued by the Judicial Council [Herb Fox](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/herb-fox-3 "Herb Fox") ## [Consumer Attorneys of the Year honored at CAOC Award dinner](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/consumer-attorneys-of-the-year-honored-at-caoc-award-dinner "Consumer Attorneys of the Year honored at CAOC Award dinner") Craig Peters, Brian Gearinger and Joseph S. May recognized for civil rights verdict in police racism case [J.G. Preston](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/j-g-preston "J.G. Preston") ## [New year. New activities. New voices.](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/new-year-new-activities-new-voices "New year. New activities. New voices.") One resolution. [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") ## [Transportation issues take center stage in Washington](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/transportation-issues-take-center-stage-in-washington "Transportation issues take center stage in Washington") Taking on Uber’s latest threat, and the trucking industry’s quest for immunity for injuries they cause [Linda A. Lipsen](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/linda-a-lipsen "Linda A. Lipsen") ## [Using our voice to make a difference](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/using-our-voice-to-make-a-difference "Using our voice to make a difference") Raising $260,000 for “Joy Jars” for childhood-cancer victims and honoring the best among us at the Top Gun gala [Clare Lucich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/clare-lucich "Clare Lucich") ## [Banding together to protect access to justice](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/banding-together-to-protect-access-to-justice "Banding together to protect access to justice") The Uber initiative to deny automobile accident victims access to the courtroom [Elizabeth A. Hernandez](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/elizabeth-a-hernandez "Elizabeth A. Hernandez") ## [Small text, big consequences](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-january/small-text-big-consequences "Small text, big consequences") How rideshare companies Uber and Lyft use exculpatory clauses to dodge liability [Alec M. Clark](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/alec-m-clark "Alec M. Clark") [Spencer Lucas](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/spencer-lucas "Spencer Lucas")