CEB Blog

The CEB Blog, published by Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), focuses on practical legal guidance and updates primarily for California attorneys. It covers a broad range of topics including trust and estate administration, probate litigation, contract law, legal writing, and family law. The blog provides checklists, case analyses, procedural advice, and tips for effective legal practice. It also offers insights into recent appellate decisions affecting trust contests and no contest clauses, as well as strategies for proving damages in breach of contract cases. The content is designed to support attorneys with current awareness articles, law alerts, and resources for managing legal matters efficiently within California law.

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CEB Blog

How to Avoid Disaster When Filed Pleadings Disappear

By Bruce Last Esq.

May 20, 2019

It’s rare for a filed pleading to go missing, but it happens. An original verified pleading or declaration in a time-sensitive matter is safely filed with the court, but at the hearing, the judge flips though the file and states,…

CEB Blog

Law Is Clarified on Using Prior Salary of Job Applicants

By Julie Brook Esq.

May 17, 2019

In 2017, California enacted a law precluding employers from asking about prior salary history and requiring employers to give applicants, on reasonable request, the pay scale for a position. This law raised many questions for employers, including who’s “an applicant,”…

CEB Blog

Do You Know When to Request a Sidebar?

By Julie Brook Esq.

May 15, 2019

After a party objects to the admission of evidence, the proponent of the evidence can respond by arguing that the objection doesn’t apply or isn’t valid, or that the evidence is admissible because of an exception to the ground stated…

CEB Blog

Is a Wealth Tax Unconstitutional?

By Robert Denham Esq

May 13, 2019

A wealth tax proposed by Senator Elizabeth Warren has found favor in certain academic circles, including the University of California, Berkeley. It would be 2 percent of worldwide assets of U.S. citizens and residents in excess of $50 million and…

CEB Blog

8 Ways to Make Calling Witnesses More Dramatic

By Julie Brook Esq.

May 10, 2019

As a trial attorney, never forget your role as director of the courtroom play. Consider these staging decisions when it comes to calling witnesses.

Early in the trial, call a witness who can authenticate an important exhibit. The exhibit could

…

CEB Blog

Using Buy-Sell Agreements to Protect Family-Owned Businesses

By Khanh Tran

May 8, 2019

Family-owned or controlled businesses make up roughly 90 percent of all American businesses. Unfortunately, only a third of family-owned businesses survive the transition from the first generation of owners to the second. A buy-sell agreement can ensure a successful…

CEB Blog

6 Grounds for Objecting to Requests for Admission

By Julie Brook Esq.

May 6, 2019

A party may respond to an individual request for admission (RFA) by objecting to all or part of it. CCP §2033.230. The right to object is waived if not stated in a timely response, so it’s important to consider objections…

CEB Blog

Creating a Financial Power of Attorney

By Khanh Tran

May 3, 2019

Sadly, preparing for your client’s potential incapacity is an integral part of estate planning. In doing so, one particularly useful tool is the financial power of attorney, which provides a trusted agent authority to transact business for your client. Here…

CEB Blog

Avoid Sanctions When Pushing the Legal Envelope

By Julie Brook Esq.

May 1, 2019

A court may sanction attorneys for engaging in meritless actions or tactics with the intent to harass or cause unnecessary delay. CCP §128.5. But what is meritless to one person may be a rational extension of the law to another.…

CEB Blog

Getting the Most Out of a Preliminary Hearing

By Paul J. Myslin Esq.

April 29, 2019

When a case is set for preliminary hearing, it usually means that the prosecution is confident the evidence supports the charges and early settlement negotiations have failed. The defense attorney’s role at a preliminary hearing is to test the strength…