Lawyers California Attorneys

The Legal Profession The importance of the legal profession in today's society is unquestionable. Lawyers are often powerful players in social, economic and political circles and as women and minorities become an increasing part of this profession, their ability to obtain public and private influence is increasing.1 [L]awyers are very often key players in designing and activating the institutional mechanisms through which property is transferred, economic exchange is planned and enforced, injuries are compensated, crime is punished, marriages are dissolved and disputes are resolved. The ideologies and incentives of the lawyers engaged in these functions directly influence the lived experience of Americans, including whether they feel fairly treated by legal institutions (p. 346).2 However, perhaps more important than the influence of attorneys is the central role they play in maintaining social stability. The persuasive power of law as a tool to change or eliminate certain or nonproductive behavior must, in part, be attributable to the respect and acquiescence afforded to the law and lawyers by those subject to it. . . . Hence, the development of law and its practice as a noble profession rather than as a trade or occupation (p. 1022).3 More specifically, Patterns of stratification with the legal profession are important in their own right . . . but they are of particular concern to legal scholars and legal educators because principles of inequality among lawyers may suggest much about whether access to justice in our society is fairly distributed. If race, gender, and social class are determinants for entry into the profession and for the attainment of certain positions within the profession, it may imply that these same attributes affect the sorts of treatment individuals will receive by legal institutions, in part because they do not have access to lawyers who share a similar social background (Nelson, 1988, p. 368).4 Social scientists have researched many aspects of American law firms including size, geographic location, hiring and promotion patterns, legal specialties, profitability, and client characteristics. Several themes emerge from this literature.

This section will take you to other Web sites or other sections of this site with more information on your topic.

Click on the topic below that interests you. They are listed alphabetically.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediation)

California Taxes

Courts

Criminal Law

Debt Problems/Bankruptcy

Disabilities

Domestic Violence

Employment Discrimination

Families and Children (includes Divorce, Child Support, Custody, Special Education, and Emancipation)

Federal Courts

Federal Taxes

Immigration Law

Landlord/Tenant (Rental Housing)

Legal Document Assistants

Legal Help

Legal Research

Military Issues

Seniors (includes Elder Law and Conservatorships)

Small Claims

Traffic

Wills, Probate, Trusts, and Estates

Workers' Compensation

If you can't find what you need here, try:

Legal Rules, Regulations, and Other Resources

Other Web Sites Covering Many Topics

Web Sites With Resources in Other States

Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediation)

You Don't Have to Sue (Solve a Problem Without Going to Court)
Section t alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options and referrals. Created by the Judicial Council of California

Local Mediation Programs
This site has information about mediation and referrals to mediation programs. Posted by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

San Francisco Law Library Alternative Dispute Resolution Research Guide
This site has a list of books about alternative dispute resolution.

California Taxes

State Board of Equalization
The Board of Equalization's Web site.

Franchise Tax Board
The Franchise Tax Board's Web site.

LawHelpCalifornia Taxes
Links to information on whether you have to pay state income taxes as a Native American, welfare and more. (Select your county or enter your zip code for information specific to the area that you live in.)

San Francisco Law Library California Tax Law Research Guide
This site can help you find books about California taxes.
Click here to find a book on this list.

Facts About the American Judicial System
The American Bar Association created this list of questions and answers in PDF format.

A Visitors' Guide to the California Courts of Appeal
This guide was created by the Judicial Council of California. You can download it in PDF format.

A Visitors' Guide to the Supreme Court of California
This guide was created by the Judicial Council of California. You can download it in PDF format.

A Visitors' Guide to the California Superior Courts
This guide was created by the Judicial Council of California. You can download it in PDF format.

How to Appeal Your Judgment
General Information prepared by the Self-Service Center at Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara.

Appeals
General information prepared by the Legal Self Help Center at the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura. To view this information, click on "Non-Family Law" and then "Appeals."

Find the Court in Your County.
List of links to information about the 58 Superior Courts in California.

How to Reach a Court of Appeal

Find the Web site of a Court of Appeal.
List of links to the Courts of Appeal Appellate Districts.

Criminal Law

California State Department of Corrections
Web page with information on the Department of Corrections' policies and regulations that affect prison management.

Crime Victim/Witness Assistance Centers
Alameda through Nevada Counties
Orange through Yuba Counties
These centers can help crime victims apply for compensation for losses including medical, funeral, and burial expenses; loss of income or support; and job retraining.

If you cannot find a center in your county, check the white pages of your telephone book under "County Government" and look for "Victim Services" and "Victim/Witness Assistance," or call toll-free: 1-800-842-8467.

Criminal Justice Links
This site lists links to other sites that have information about various criminal justice topics. Posted by the Florida State University School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

District Attorney
Statewide roster of district attorneys posed by the California District Attorneys Association.

Judicial Council Program-Drug Courts
This section of the California Courts Web site describes drug courts. Created by the Judicial Council of California.

Identity Theft and Fraud
Questions and Answers posted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Identity Theft: A Quiz for Consumers
Take this simple quiz and find out how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. Posted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Individual Rights and Civil Liberties
Section of LawHelpCalifornia.org Web site. Includes information on housing discrimination, job discrimination, prisoners' rights, rights of accused, victims' rights, other civil rights, and other discrimination problems.

Information on Crime Victims' Compensation
This section of the California Courts Web site explains how victims of crime can be compensated for financial, emotional, and physical losses. Created by the Judicial Council of California. You can download it in PDF format.

Introduction to Juvenile Court
Section of this Self-Help Center with basic information about juvenile court.

Juvenile Delinquency
Section of this Self-Help Center with information about cases where children are accused of breaking the law.

Public Defender's Office
If you are accused of a crime but cannot afford a lawyer, the court can appoint a public defender to represent you in court. This Web page lists links to Web sites for the Public Defender's Office throughout the state. Posted by the Orange County Public Defender.

What Should I Do If I'm a Crime Victim?
A State Bar of California pamphlet.

What Should I Know About Hate Crimes?
A State Bar of California pamphlet.

What Should I Know If I Am Arrested?
A State Bar of California pamphlet.

Debt Problems/Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Basics
This pamphlet was created by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. You can download it in PDF format.

LawHelpCalifornia Bankruptcy
Links to information on what to do if you can't pay your debts, rebuilding good credit and more. (Select your county or enter your zip code for information specific to the area that you live in.)

LawHelpCalifornia Debt Collection, Garnishment, Repossession
Links to information on collecting your judgment, what to do if you can't pay your debts, rebuilding good credit and more. (Select your county or enter your zip code for information specific to the area that you live in.)

Official Bankruptcy Forms
These bankruptcy court forms are posted by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

San Francisco Law Library Bankruptcy Research Guide
This site can help you find books about bankruptcy topics and California taxes.
Click here to find a book on this list.

What Can I Do If I Can't Pay My Debts?
A State Bar of California pamphlet.

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles � Bankruptcy
General information on bankruptcy and links to bankruptcy resources.

Credit Card Information and Money Management Sites
List of links provided by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Special Links:

California Lawyers Information

Site Map