June 2026

Here-Say

June 2026

Membership News | Articles | Important Announcements

A Mid-Year Letter from the President

A letter from SMCBA President Robert Cashen about highlights from the first half of 2026, as well as upcoming opportunities to become involved.

Membership News

Apply Now: The 2026 Nancy de Ita Scholarship

Applications are now open for the 2026 Nancy de Ita Scholarship - SMCBA's investment in the next generation of attorneys committed to a more inclusive legal community. Apply by July 3, share with a student who should know about it, or contribute to the fund to keep this opportunity growing.

Office Space Available: 333 Bradford Street, Suite 270

For attorneys ready to establish their own practice, Suite 270 at 333 Bradford Street offers six private offices and lease flexibility you don't usually find this close to the courthouse. $1,500/month with parking, six-month to one-year terms.

Articles

DEI Sidebar: The History of Juneteenth

Each June marks Juneteenth, the oldest commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S. and, since 2021, a federal holiday. A look at its origins in 1865 Galveston, how it has been celebrated, and the shared history behind the day.

Responsible AI Use in Law Firms: Use It Wisely, Not Blindly

AI can make your firm faster and sharper or land you in front of a judge explaining a citation that never existed. Here's how small and solo firms can use AI wisely: where it genuinely helps, where the confidentiality traps hide, and the simple “verify before you file” habit that keeps you on the right side of California's tightening rules.

Referrals That Work: Creating a Sustainable Referral Network

Referrals bring in your best clients, so why leave them to chance? Here's how small and solo firms can build a sustainable referral network across attorneys, complementary professionals, and local organizations: the reciprocity mindset that makes it work, the sources hiding in plain sight, and a light system to keep it going.

Vacation Mindset: Why True Breaks Lead to Better Lawyering

That half-in, half-out vacation isn't just less fun, it's worse for your work. Here's the neuroscience of why real rest makes you a sharper lawyer, plus how to prep your practice (and your mind) to actually disconnect this summer - whether that's two weeks away or one genuinely unplugged evening.