Legal-industry magazine articles:
- “Profiting for Good: New Corp Structure Helps Nonprofits Deliver Benefits,” January 2012, ABA Journal
A few states have adopted a new corporate structure that combines the social-good features of a nonprofit with an opportunity to make a profit. Benefit corporations are for-profit corporations just like any other, but their structure allows them to avoid investor lawsuits when they make the less profitable choice in the name of a higher mission. - “Capping Cap and Trade,” January 2012, California Lawyer
California passed AB 32, a state bill that called for capping carbon emissions and setting up a venue for trading them like securities, in 2006. Opponents of the law, citing fears that it will hurt the state’s economy and reduce employment by driving up costs to business, were reportedly considering a lawsuit to stop implementation. The claim would be based on 2010′s Proposition 26, which construes many state fees as taxes — and if a court agrees that it applies, some of AB 32′s provisions would be subject to that requirement, slowing or invalidating the law. - “Law Schools to Report in Detail on Graduates’ Jobs,” November 2011, California Lawyer
The American Bar Association announced in the summer of 2011 that it would substantially change the way it reports graduates’ employment information. The move came after a great deal of controversy about whether schools are falsely advertising the value of a legal education. - “Debate Heats Up Over Unpublished Opinions,” May 2008, California Lawyer
A federal lawsuit alleged that the California Supreme Court kept judicial opinions unpublished out of convenience. - “Lending Lawyers: Secondments Gaining Popularity,” May 2008, GC California
A trend story on the practice of seconding, or lending, a firm attorney to work in a client’s office on a long-term basis. - “It’s a Privilege,” February 2008, GC California (Premium subscribers only)
A short piece about a court decision that expanded attorney-client privilege slightly for in-house counsel in California. - “A Freelancer’s Legal Primer,” December 2007, The Writer magazine (Subscription only; available on request.)
A Freelance Success column with tips for writers on following copyright law and avoiding bad contracts. - “Fourth Circuit Invalidates FMLA Waivers,” September 2007, Inside Counsel magazine
The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in July of 2007 that employees may not waive their rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, unless it’s approved by a court or the U.S. Department of Labor, even if they do it voluntarily, and after their employment is over. This article takes a look at what that means for employers and their in-house attorneys. - “Illinois Expands Damages in Wrongful Death Suits,” August 2007, Inside Counsel magazine
This piece explores how in-house attorneys in Illinois could limit their liability under their state’s May 2007 law permitting “pain and suffering” damages. - “An Age-Old Problem,” June 2007, California Lawyer magazine
A short front-of-book piece on the ongoing efforts of the nonprofit Bet Tzedek Legal Services to meet the continuing needs of Holocaust survivors. - “Super-Size That Lawyer,” February 2006, Ward’s Dealer Business
A business and legal news feature for an automotive industry magazine. - “Protect Your Network from the Enemy Within,” (PDF format) November 2005, Law Firm, Inc.
A service article advising information technology staffers at large law firms on how to avoid having their networks compromised from within.
General-interest writing on fitness, health, food and current events:
- “Restoring the ‘Water Freeway,’” January 2012, Planning magazine
This article for the American Planning Association’s member magazine explains and explores the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan from the City of Los Angeles. It’s safe to say that the river has suffered from bad human decisions, but the city has an ambitious plan to make it a recreation destination and an economic engine instead of a forgettable concrete channel. - “Tweetable,” January 2012, Carnegie Mellon Today
For my alumni magazine, I had the privilege of interviewing a bright, dynamic articulate young woman from Morocco who came to Carnegie Mellon’s Silicon Valley campus as part of an exchange program run by the U.S. State Department. There, she researched Twitter’s usefulness during the San Bruno PG&E gas explosion of 2010. - “Nada Brahma (Sound of God),” May 2011, Whole Life Times
This article is about nada yoga — the yoga of sound. It’s less familiar to most Westerners than more physical forms of yoga, but sound can help some people connect better with their spiritual sides, and is reputed to help with healing. - “Community Garden Feeds People and the Earth,” February 2011, Mar Vista Patch.com
This is a feature piece about a community garden on the west side of Los Angeles, for “hyperlocal” news site Patch.com. The editor of the site also asked me to write about a garden-related news story (below), but felt that the garden was interesting enough to merit its own piece. - “City Suspends Fee Hike for Ocean View Farms,” February 2011, Mar Vista Patch.com
A short straight news piece on a decision by the city of Los Angeles on gardening fees. While this is focused on a particular garden, the news applies to multiple gardens around the city, and in a larger sense is connected to the budget woes plaguing many California municipalities. - “Help for the Winter Blahs,” January 2011, Whole Life Times
For this piece, I enjoyed rummaging through multiple published studies, looking for scientific evidence for the effectiveness of herbal remedies for anxiety and depression. Some of them might surprise you! - “Stop a Cold Before It Stops You,” February 2010, Whole Life Times
A service piece on natural ways to fight off or treat a winter cold, using things you probably already have in your kitchen. I was pleased to have the expert advice of a doctor and herbal medicine specialist from UCLA, as well as numerous academic studies, to draw on for this. - “Sweets in Manga,” October 2007, Shojo Beat magazine
A short article on the depiction of Japanese sweets, both traditional and modern, in manga. - “Group Hopes Gaucher Becomes Household Name,” November 2006, The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles
A news piece about one man’s attempt to raise awareness in the Jewish community about a rare but devastating disease that strikes Jews of East European descent disproportionately. - “Cellular Divide,” (PDF format) October 2005, Los Angeles Alternative Press
A feature for an alternative weekly about the potential of California’s stem cell research initiative, and how it affects one family in Los Angeles struggling with Parkinson’s Disease. - “Just Married! (after 28 years),,” (PDF format) April 2004, Los Angeles Alternative Press
An alternative weekly feature about the 2003 explosion of same-sex marriage in California.