From Engagement to Enforcement: Managing Fee Disputes and Nonpayment for Attorneys

From Engagement to Enforcement: Managing Fee Disputes and Nonpayment for Attorneys

Aleksandra Hilvert, founder of Vault Legal, provides an in-depth discussion of best practices for avoiding attorney-client fee disputes, protecting your right to payment, and navigating the decision of whether to pursue action when fees go unpaid. Topics covered include key terms to include in engagement letters, setting client expectations around billing, recognizing early warning signs of nonpayment, and understanding options when a client relationship breaks down. Hilvert will also address the practical calculus attorneys face when weighing the financial, reputational, and ethical risks of pursuing collection against the cost of walking away.

LGBTQ+ Allyship for Legal Professionals

This program explores how legal professionals can move beyond general support of the LGBTQ+ community to practice thoughtful, effective allyship in the workplace. Drawing on the presenter’s perspective as an LGBTQ+ attorney and experience supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, the presentation covers key terminology and highlights practical examples of effective allyship in the workplace. Attendees gain concrete tools to foster more inclusive environments and promote a culture where colleagues feel supported and empowered to be their authentic selves. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Diminished Capacity? Part Two: Assessing Expert Testimony on Cognitive Impairment at Trial

Building on the medical framework established in Part 1, this session turns to the practical realities of preparing and presenting expert testimony on cognitive impairment and capacity in the courtroom. Sarah N. Mourra, M.D. and David W. Trader, M.D. return with moderator Judge David J. Cowan to address how experts analyze medical records, structure written reports versus providing oral testimony, and scope their opinions appropriately. The panel explores the critical distinctions between testamentary and contractual capacity, the risks of straying into areas of undue influence or elder abuse that may be beyond their expertise, and how the Sanchez decision affects an expert's ability to evaluate a treating physician's conclusions without personally examining the patient. The discussion also covers what lawyers often overlook when working with a medical expert and what to look for when assessing the other side's expert on cognitive issues. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

CTAPP Compliance Reviews: What to Expect, Common Findings, and How You Need to Prepare

As the State Bar rolls out the Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) audit requirements, this program will walk you through a sample engagement, present an in-depth review of the first round, explain common findings, and give you ways to better prepare for a CTAPP audit. The session is designed to be collaborative, with a focus on trust accounting and reporting requirements within the CTAPP compliance framework. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Kidfluencers, Child Labor, and Privacy Law Closing the Gaps for a New Generation of Child Workers

Elinor Haddad, USC Gould School of Law student and Executive Postscript Editor of the Southern California Law Review, presents her award-winning article on the legal gaps leaving child social media influencers unprotected. Kidfluencers operate at the center of a billion-dollar economy with no working hour limits, no permit requirements, and no meaningful privacy rights standing between them and the adults profiting from their content. Using the Piper Rockelle lawsuit as a case study, this program examines the limits of existing law, including the FLSA, the Coogan Law, and COPPA, alongside recent state legislation and the case for a federal response placing enforcement responsibility on social media platforms. The Rule of Law Writing Competition encourages law students to integrate Rule of Law concepts into their writings. Papers may be on any topic either directly discussing an aspect of the Rule of Law, demonstrating how the Rule of Law affected the topic, defining the Rule of Law, criticizing the Rule of Law, or demonstrating the economic social or political effects of the Rule of Law. 100% of proceeds from this program will be donated to the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation. The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity is the community arm of the Beverly Hills Bar Association with direct impact in promoting equal access to justice, community service and law-related education. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.