--- title: 2026 September url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september --- # [2026 September](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september "2026 September") [![Advocate September26 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2026/09-september/Advocate-Sep26-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2026/September2026/html5/Advocate-Sep26-issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [Arbitration award appeals](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/arbitration-award-appeals "Arbitration award appeals") The procedures to follow for a private arbitration organization’s *internal appellate process* [Michael A. Zuckerman](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michael-a-zuckerman "Michael A. Zuckerman") [Richard Aronson](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/richard-aronson "Richard Aronson") ## [A trial lawyer’s guide to vacatur](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/a-trial-lawyer-s-guide-to-vacatur "A trial lawyer’s guide to vacatur") Overturning an arbitration award: the grounds for vacatur are strictly circumscribed [Dana Welch](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/dana-welch "Dana Welch") ## [Never agree to a full-day mediation session!](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/never-agree-to-a-full-day-mediation-session "Never agree to a full-day mediation session!") Mediator fees can be substantially reduced when negotiations are confined to a four-hour *morning* session [Michael S. Fields](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michael-s-fields "Michael S. Fields") ## [Disqualification of a neutral arbitrator on statutory and judicial grounds](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/disqualification-of-a-neutral-arbitrator-on-statutory-and-judicial-grounds "Disqualification of a neutral arbitrator on statutory and judicial grounds") Code, standards, procedural violations, and timing [Barry M. Appell](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/barry-m-appell "Barry M. Appell") ## [Forcing arbitration fee payments in 30 days now requires court review of contract principles](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/forcing-arbitration-fee-payments-in-30-days-now-requires-court-review-of-contract-principles "Forcing arbitration fee payments in 30 days now requires court review of contract principles") CCP section 1281.98 and a new paradigm required by *Hohenshelt v. Superior Court* [Gary N. Stern](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/gary-n-stern "Gary N. Stern") ## [Recent developments in employment arbitration law](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/recent-developments-in-employment-arbitration-law "Recent developments in employment arbitration law") Keeping current with important employment arbitration decisions from 2025 and 2026 [Stephen M. Benardo](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/stephen-m-benardo-2 "Stephen M. Benardo") ## [Probate mediations when there is a death of plaintiff or defendant](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/probate-mediations-when-there-is-a-death-of-plaintiff-or-defendant "Probate mediations when there is a death of plaintiff or defendant") A look at how various death scenarios can affect recovery [Rebecca J. Birmingham](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/rebecca-j-birmingham "Rebecca J. Birmingham") ## [Don’t leave money on the table](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/don-t-leave-money-on-the-table "Don’t leave money on the table") Recovering attorney fees and costs at arbitration [Stuart Esner](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/stuart-esner "Stuart Esner") ## [Mastering lemon-law mediation and the binding arbitration of attorney fees under AB 1755](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/mastering-lemon-law-mediation-and-the-binding-arbitration-of-attorney-fees-under-ab-1755 "Mastering lemon-law mediation and the binding arbitration of attorney fees under AB 1755") The law has changed the way lemon-law claims are handled in California [Michelle Fonseca-Kamana](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michelle-fonseca-kamana "Michelle Fonseca-Kamana") ## [A turning point for elder-abuse cases](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/a-turning-point-for-elder-abuse-cases "A turning point for elder-abuse cases") *Holland v. Silverscreen Healthcare* limits arbitration’s reach [Amber Tham](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/amber-tham "Amber Tham") [Art Gharibian](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/art-gharibian "Art Gharibian") ## [ABA Formal Opinion 518 and the attack on evaluative “lawyer-mediator” proposals](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/aba-formal-opinion-518-and-the-attack-on-evaluative-lawyer-mediator-proposals "ABA Formal Opinion 518 and the attack on evaluative “lawyer-mediator” proposals") Understanding the intent behind a mediator’s proposal [Steven J. Kleifield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-j-kleifield "Steven J. Kleifield") ## [California targets “infinite arbitration clauses” in consumer transactions](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/california-targets-infinite-arbitration-clauses-in-consumer-transactions "California targets “infinite arbitration clauses” in consumer transactions") Civil Code § 1670.15, effective January 1, 2026, stops overbroad drafting of arbitration clauses, as often found in “clickwrap” [Jamal S. Mahmood](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jamal-s-mahmood "Jamal S. Mahmood") ## [Challenges of mediating against public entities](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/challenges-of-mediating-against-public-entities "Challenges of mediating against public entities") A mediated settlement with a public entity should be a sure thing [Rhonda Mallory](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/rhonda-mallory "Rhonda Mallory") ## [Homeowners associations rules enforcement using ADR](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/homeowners-associations-rules-enforcement-using-adr "Homeowners associations rules enforcement using ADR") Alternative dispute resolution is a statutory prerequisite for filing a lawsuit in the HOA context [Dyanne L. Peters](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/dyanne-l-peters "Dyanne L. Peters") ## [The Mediation Center of Los Angeles](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/the-mediation-center-of-los-angeles "The Mediation Center of Los Angeles") A low-cost, court-sanctioned mediation provider by referral from the LA Superior Court [Bennett Root](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/bennett-root "Bennett Root") [Myer J. Sankary](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/myer-j-sankary "Myer J. Sankary") ## [From driverless cars to pesticide immunity](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/from-driverless-cars-to-pesticide-immunity "From driverless cars to pesticide immunity") AAJ continues to battle a tidal wave of different issues in Congress [Linda A. Lipsen](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/linda-a-lipsen "Linda A. Lipsen") ## [International mediation](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/international-mediation "International mediation") Redefining and reshaping litigation around the world [Robert Cohen](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/robert-cohen "Robert Cohen") ## [Thank U, next](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/thank-u-next "Thank U, next") To protect the civil justice system, it matters who you elect to the State Legislature [Samantha Helton](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/samantha-helton "Samantha Helton") ## [Come together](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/come-together "Come together") [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") ## [Looking back to move forward](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/looking-back-to-move-forward "Looking back to move forward") OCTLA is built on relationships, mentorship, and a love for the trial lawyer community we serve [Clare Lucich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/clare-lucich "Clare Lucich") ## [The enduring partnership between CAALA and Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/the-enduring-partnership-between-caala-and-los-angeles-trial-lawyers-charities "The enduring partnership between CAALA and Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities") A legacy of service, justice, and community impact [Elizabeth A. Hernandez](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/elizabeth-a-hernandez "Elizabeth A. Hernandez")