2026 January

Advocate Jan26 cvr ezine

Articles in this issue:
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

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

2026 January


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.

Judith Posner
Gerald Serlin

2026 January


How to leverage amicus curiae briefs in your cases

(And how to return the favor as amicus for others)

Ben Siminou

2026 January


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

2026 January


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

2026 January


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

2026 January


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

2026 January


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

2026 January


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

2026 January



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

2026 January


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

2026 January


Banding together to protect access to justice

The Uber initiative to deny automobile accident victims access to the courtroom

Elizabeth A. Hernandez

2026 January

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