Mental Health Parity Act: Under-discovered legislation
If you come across a California health care plan that does not offer mental health benefits on par with benefits for physical health problems, chances are the conduct at issue has been going on for years. Here’s what you can do about it.
David Lilienstein

“Hybrid” fee agreements for business-litigation cases
A combination of hourly and contingency fee contract may be the way to take your business case the extra miles it needs for a great result.
Barry P. Goldberg

Go graphic in mediation, not just in trial
The use of graphics can be valuable in mediation. If you settle, the graphics effort likely increased the value of the case; if you do not settle, you’re really ready to try the case.
Morgan C. Smith

AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion: The death knell for class actions?
Has the consumer class-action suit been effectively eliminated by this U.S. Supreme Court decision on arbitration clauses?
Jonathan Gertler and

Christian Schreiber

Profile: Scott Sumner
Studious trial lawyer and longtime champion of California’s collateral source rule.
Stephen Ellison

Avoiding discovery wars
Learn a counter-intuitive approach to litigation: Giving in to get your way. The author draws on the Aikido martial arts approach to conflict.
John P. Blumberg

The dangerous drug case: a primer
The attorney must be able to prove a drug is unreasonably dangerous in order for his client to be awarded damages. Here is a basic discussion of what is involved to prove your case.
Kristine Meredith

On standing up and speaking out: Whistleblowers
Both state and federal laws offer protections to whistleblowers.  Here is a roadmap for representing those who take on corporate America or City Hall.
Samuel Rudolph

Trial Practice and Procedure
Protecting employees working abroad for federal government contractors
Kimberly Wong

Mediation Matters
Using a focus group to unblock a mediation jam
Jeffrey Krivis

Appellate Reports and Cases in Brief
Recent cases of interest to members of the plaintiff’s bar
Jeffrey Isaac Ehrlich

Book Review
Personal Injury Handbook
By Larry Booth and Roger Booth
A straight-forward, no-nonsense guide to personal-injury cases. The book (with CD-Rom) contains forms, checklists and tips to find your way through the maze of handling personal-injury cases.
Reviewed by Donna Bader

Back Story
What the camera doesn’t show
Does the camera ever lie? Here are tips on using sub rosa to your client’s advantage.
Miles B. Cooper