Latest news with #CaliforniaStateBar
Perth Now
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Kim Kardashian admits law school journey took 'wasn't easy'
Kim Kardashian has told how her six-year law school journey "wasn't easy". The 44-year-old reality star graduated this week after working on the four-year Law Office Study Program since 2019, which took six years due to her work and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the star admitted she had "moments of doubt, tears, and triumph" amid each course. She wrote on Instagram: "Six years ago, I embarked on an unconventional path to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. It wasn't easy, and it took longer than planned, but I never gave up. Each course brought moments of doubt, tears, and triumph - especially when I conquered subjects I initially feared. "That's the beauty of life: you step into the unknown, push through, and emerge with knowledge and strength no one can take away. "I chose a rigorous program registered with the California State Bar, building on 75 college credits to complete a four-year curriculum that stretched to six. The journey was real, and so is the accomplishment. "Having Chris Young, Michelle West, and Dawn Jackson, whom my team and I championed for their release from prison, speak at my graduation meant the world to me. Their deeply personal stories of perseverance through adversity and injustice profoundly inspires me and form the heart of my 'why.' "I'm deeply grateful to Van Jones, who introduced me to this path, and to my mentors, Jessica Jackson and Erin Haney, whose guidance was invaluable. "Special thanks to Sam Farkas and Chuck Shonholtz, who dedicated countless hours to help me succeed. (sic)" Kim also admitted going through law school has "shaped [her] profoundly". She added: "This experience has shaped me profoundly, and I'll carry its lessons with me forever. Here's to celebrating resilience and new beginnings! (sic)" Kim's sister Khloe Kardashian commented: "We are so proud of you!" At Kim's graduation, Jessica Jackson, one of the attorneys who had sponsored Kim's programme, gave a speech and praised the Skims founder for her hard work and dedication. She said on stage: "It's an absolute honour to stand here today, not just as mentors, but as witnesses to one of the most inspiring legal journeys we've ever seen. "Six years ago, Kim Kardashian walked into this programme with nothing but a fierce desire to fight for justice. No law school lectures, no ivory tower shortcuts, just determination and a mountain of case log books to read. "Over the course of this programme, Kim has dedicated 18 hours a week, 48 weeks a year for six straight years. That's a total of 5,184 hours of legal study, that's time she carved out while raising four children, running businesses, filming television shows and showing up in courtrooms to advocate for others."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kim Kardashian Issues Statement After Graduating Law School
Reality star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian is officially a law school graduate, and she broke her silence with the announcement on social media on Thursday. On Wednesday, Kim Kardashian announced in a series of posts to her Instagram story that she had officially completed her four-year Law Office Study Program, accepting her diploma in what appeared to be a backyard ceremony. The program ultimately took her six years instead of four as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as her busy work and life schedule, but nonetheless, she completed the program and took to social media to celebrate. In a post on social media on Thursday afternoon, Kardashian broke her silence on the major announcement as she expressed her excitement and offered her thanks to everyone who helped and supported her along the way. Here is what the SKIMS founder had to say in the caption of her post on social media: "Six years ago, I embarked on an unconventional path to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. It wasn't easy, and it took longer than planned, but I never gave up. Each course brought moments of doubt, tears, and triumph - especially when I conquered subjects I initially feared. "That's the beauty of life: you step into the unknown, push through, and emerge with knowledge and strength no one can take away. "I chose a rigorous program registered with the California State Bar, building on 75 college credits to complete a four-year curriculum that stretched to six. The journey was real, and so is the accomplishment. "Having Chris Young, Michelle West, and Dawn Jackson, whom my team and I championed for their release from prison, speak at my graduation meant the world to me. Their deeply personal stories of perseverance through adversity and injustice profoundly inspires me and form the heart of my why. "I'm deeply grateful to Van Jones, who introduced me to this path, and to my mentors, Jessica Jackson and Erin Haney, whose guidance was invaluable. "Special thanks to Sam Farkas and Chuck Shonholtz, who dedicated countless hours to help me succeed. "This experience has shaped me profoundly, and I'll carry its lessons with me forever. Here's to celebrating resilience and new beginnings Kardashian still has quite a few steps to go before she is able to officially call herself an attorney, but it's clear that she is well on her way. Kim Kardashian Issues Statement After Graduating Law School first appeared on Men's Journal on May 22, 2025
Los Angeles Times
22-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
How to Avoid Legal Fraud After a Wildfire
As wildfire survivors work on rebuilding after facing terrible loss or damage to their homes, many people sincerely offer their help during recovery, but some people offering a hand are scammers. Scammers know wildfire survivors need help with insurance claims, housing, and a slew of resource applications, so they often pose as lawyers or legal aid workers hoping to cash in. Use this guide to stay safe from legal fraud after a wildfire and get tips on verifying attorney credentials, spotting common scams, finding legitimate legal aid, and what to do if you've been scammed. Legal services fraud can be committed by non-lawyers unauthorized to practice law or even licensed attorneys engaging in unethical behavior like filing fake disaster claims and pocketing the settlement checks. These scams can result in financial loss or identity theft. Con artists target wildfire-affected communities with a variety of scams and fraudulent legal services, often going after seniors, immigrants, and non-English speakers. They may use official-sounding names for fake law firms or claim to be from reputable organizations to gain your trust. After a disaster, you should never feel rushed or pressured into making legal decisions. The recovery and claims process will take months or even years to unfold, so there's time to make informed choices. To avoid getting taken advantage of, take the extra steps to consult trusted advisors before signing contracts or writing checks, and be on the lookout for these common scams and tactics below. Be wary of individuals who offer legal advice or services but are not licensed attorneys. Some may call themselves consultants or 'notarios' to seem legit, but if they're not licensed by the California State Bar, they can't represent you. Always verify credentials before accepting anyone's legal help. Scammers may impersonate actual lawyers or agencies by creating fake websites, emails, or even caller ID numbers that mimic real law offices. Check that the person contacting you is who they claim to be by making a separate call to the official phone number listed on an organization's website, not the number they give you. If someone knocks on your door or calls you out of the blue offering legal help for your wildfire-related issues, be cautious. California law prohibits lawyers or their representatives from making in-person contact or phone calls soon after a disaster, unless you've reached out to them first or have a prior relationship. Legitimate attorneys will not harass or pressure you to sign up for their services on the spot or use the fear of losing emergency relief or compensation to 'act now.' If a supposed lawyer demands you pay a large fee upfront or immediately, you may be dealing with a crook, especially if they want cash, wire transfer, or payment through untraceable methods like gift cards or encrypted apps. Reputable lawyers don't require full payment in cash right away, and no legitimate legal aid program will ask for money up front for disaster assistance. If they guarantee a huge insurance payout, a quick settlement, or promise specific outcomes to get your money back, steer clear of them. Some scammers pose as FEMA or insurance company representatives, attorneys, or bank officials and ask for your personal information. They might say they need your Social Security number, FEMA claim ID, or bank details to process your paperwork. Always verify the identity of anyone asking for sensitive information by verifying their ID or calling back through official numbers online. Never give out personal data or emails to unsolicited callers. FEMA and other agencies will never charge fees for filing aid applications. If someone asks you to pay to get disaster assistance, it's a scam. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to verify a lawyer's credentials before hiring them. In California, every attorney must be licensed by the State Bar of California. Here's how to check if an attorney is legitimate: Once you hire a lawyer, keep copies of all emails, contracts, business cards, and receipts. Scammers rely on confusion. Ask for a summary of a conversation or next steps in an email after an in-person meeting or phone call. Also, write down notes covering who you spoke with, when, and what was said, especially if multiple people handle your case. You can also choose to record your conversations for your personal record, so that you have evidence if you need to report something later. But remember, California is a two-party consent state, and all parties must agree to being recorded. If you realize you've been scammed, remember you're not alone and there are authorities who can help. Reach out to a trusted legal aid organization or a licensed attorney who can help you sort out the situation. Here are more steps to take if you think you've been the victim of legal fraud or have hired a fake lawyer:
Los Angeles Times
26-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Reader Letter for Business of Law 2024
The legal industry is evolving rapidly, and this 2024 Business of Law magazine covers several new trends reshaping law firm operations. A Gartner survey shows legal, compliance and privacy leaders increasingly focus on strategic roles, driving both risk management and business outcomes. AI adoption is rising, with 79% of law firms incorporating it into operations, reshaping billing models and priorities. Despite increased earnings, mid-sized firms face challenges with billing and collections. Partner billing rates are at record highs, but delayed payments persist, while general contract cases are on the rise, signaling increased legal activity. The California State Bar's 'Look Up a Lawyer' tool highlights the need for trust and ethical practices. The legal profession must adapt to tech changes, enhance cybersecurity and uphold ethical standards to succeed in this dynamic environment. We recap the 2024 In-house Counsel Leadership Awards with a photo gallery and a list of the honorees, finalists and nominees. We hope you enjoy reading about their backgrounds, accomplishments and contributions to the legal community over the past two years. Additionally, the magazine recognizes numerous legal visionaries representing diverse areas of practice - from litigation to labor & employment to intellectual property, to name a few. They exemplify transformative leadership while setting new standards in the legal profession. Congratulations to the 2024 In-house Counsel honorees, finalists and nominees, as well as all of this year's Legal Visionaries.
