Magazine Archive
A Small-Town Lawyer's Perspective
The advantages of being a “big fish” in the (not so) small pond of Brentwood I first started my practice in Brentwood in 2013, after over 20 years working in large firms in Los Angeles and San Francisco. I had moved to Brentwood in 2012 when I met Amy Alvis, a family law attorney already...
Read ArticleThe Ins and Outs of the City of Richmond's Rent Ordinance
Ordinance for Fair Rents, Just Cause for Eviction and Homeowners Protection Life is full of surprises, and when it comes to dealing with the City of Richmond’s Rent Control Ordinance, most of them are distinctly unpleasant for landlords. The City of Richmond’s (“Richmond”) Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction and Homeowners Protection Ordinance went into...
Read ArticleThe Single Door that Inspires Hope and Strength in West County
The West Contra Costa County Family Justice Center (or “Center”) is a one-stop, multi-service center for people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. The Center has numerous partners located under one roof, collaborating their efforts to offer streamlined services to people in crisis. This unique business model (concept)...
Read Article40+ Years Practicing Law in East Contra Costa County
…and Counting[1] With the advent of on-line communications and legal research, computers have destroyed the geographical barriers of practicing law in East Contra Costa County (“East County”). Since 1977, East County has morphed from small towns into cities extending from Bay Point to Discovery Bay. Now from my Antioch office, I handle cases throughout the...
Read ArticleDoing Business at the Pittsburg Courthouse
Contra Costa’s newest courthouse serves a fast growing East County with a total of seven judicial departments. The clerk windows and jury assembly room are on the middle floor where you enter. One large courtroom on the bottom floor provides security for in-custody arraignments. Upstairs are four departments which hear mostly criminal cases, restraining orders,...
Read ArticleDoing Business at the Richmond Courthouse
Background of the Courthouse The Richmond Superior Court location is named after Judge George D. Carroll who was the first African American judge appointed in Contra Costa County. Before his appointment to the bench he was the first African American Richmond city council member and first African American mayor of the City of Richmond. How...
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