Committee Highlight
Consumer Protection Committee Launches 2013 Committee Presentations
The Consumer Protection Committee is starting the year with a bang. Not only will they conduct a business committee meeting, but the quarterly committee calls will also include a committee presentation on a relevant consumer protection development, which will keep the committee members vitally up-to-date on issues. This relatively new committee, started in 2009, is part of the Division Three, Practice Specialty―Business Law Group and has a solid 53 committee members. The committee is planning four committee presentations this year.
The upcoming dates and committee presentations are:
January 17, 2013―Committee Call and Presentation
Mortgage Foreclosure Actions
Elizabeth L. Hapner, Presenter
A program on the defense of a mortgage foreclosure action. More details available soon.
April 18, 2013―Committee Call and Presentation
An Overview of the Credit Repair Organization Act (CROA)
Theodore Lorenz, Presenter
Many businesses advertise and promise credit repair services, but are they following the requirements set forth in CROA?
Click here for more information and to join the Consumer Protection Committee.
If you have questions or are interested in joining this committee, please contact the Co-Chairs, Theodore Lorenz at lorenz@consumerslaw.com or Elizabeth L. Hapner at elhapner@hapner-law.com.
Member Spotlight
Matthew B. Butler
1. Where do you live?
San Diego, CA.
2. What group do you practice with as an attorney?
I am with Nicholas & Butler, LLP as a founding partner of the firm with significant experience in civil litigation. My focus is on complex litigation such as consumer class actions, employment class actions, insurance bad faith, business and construction litigation.
3. How long have you been practicing law?
I received my juris doctor in 1998 from the University of San Diego School of Law and completed my undergraduate education at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a BA in 1995.
4. When I was a kid, I wanted to be . . .
A major league baseball player.
5. What is your favorite part of your role as an attorney?
My favorite part of practicing law is making a difference. Whether we are working on a case that will change the way business is done—for the better, by correcting an injustice; getting compensation for an individual or group of individuals who have been harmed; working on a committee, board, or commission that is impacting the profession and the community as a whole; or advising someone on a legal problem; we are making a difference.
6. What in your profession are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about effective, innovative advocacy—doing all that we can to advocate effectively for clients who otherwise would not be able to protect themselves, I love the art and skill of researching, investigating, preparing and presenting persuasive argument.
7. What is the most interesting experience you have had in the legal profession?
The first thing that comes to mind is trying a class action case in the California desert in the middle of the summer—nothing like 110 degree heat to add to the pressure of trial. But . . . taking a deposition in a hotel room on the beach in Puerto Vallarta is a close second.
8. How long have you been a member of the ABA?
I have been a member since 2004.
9. What ABA sections or groups do you belong to?
Currently, I hold leadership positions on a national level with the American Bar Association Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division. This includes the GPSolo Division Membership Board Co-Chair, member of the Strategic Communications Committee, and Council Member-at-Large.
10. What do you find most valuable about the ABA?
The ABA is a tremendous resource for practice tips, online resources to assist small firms, relevant substantive publications, and it is a great organization to forge relationships among practicing lawyers across a multitude of practice areas, geographical locations, and walks of life.
11. How has ABA benefitted you personally or professionally?
The ABA has given me leadership training and allowed me to meet people who will be friends for life. It has also given me the opportunity to give back to the legal profession and the community.
12. Do you belong to any other professional organizations?
I was elected to the State Bar of California Board of Governors by the California Young Lawyers Association (CYLA) for the bar year 2006–07. In 2007–08, I was reelected to serve again. I also served as the District 9 representative to the CYLA Board of Directors from 2003–06, representing San Diego and Imperial counties. From 2003–08, I held other leadership positions within the California Young Lawyers Association, such as First Vice President and Treasurer. Also, I am an Alumni member of the Welsh Inn of Court and Wallace Inn of Court in San Diego. Currently, I remain a member of the ABA and the San Diego County Bar Association.
13. Other awards or honors?
Martindale-Hubbell Rating, AV Preeminent (Highest Rating for legal ability and ethical standards)
San Diego Super Lawyers, Top Attorneys 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012
Contact info:
Matthew B. Butler
N&B
Nicholas & Butler, LLP
225 Broadway, 19th Floor
San Diego, California 92101
Tel: 619-325-0492
Fax: 619-325-0496
Email: mbutler@nblaw.org
Website: http://www.nblaw.org/
Tips for New Members
Advising the Small Business, Forms and Advice for the Legal Practitioner, Second Edition
Advising the Small Business, Second Edition, by Jean L. Batman, is a guide for general practitioners, small firm attorneys, and lawyers engaged in providing legal counsel to small, privately held businesses. It provides extensive guidance on a number of issues that small businesses commonly face, as well as sample documents, checklists, and resources for obtaining additional forms and information.
As a GPSolo member, you will find this book a valuable resource whether a lawyer is approaching an issue from scratch, dealing with an existing situation, or simply looking for tips for your practice. This book assists counsel in providing more effective legal services and helps to identify issues that require further research or a specialist. Save yourself some time and review the forms included in this book before starting from scratch and check out the resources available in GPSolo’s Practice Management Toolbox.
This second edition includes some new topics such as using alternative fee arrangements and investing in clients, forming divisions and subsidiaries, valuing stock and pricing options, financing at various stages of development, venture capital financing, and changes in securities law.
For more details or to order, click here.
Check This Out
An abundance of helpful tips were provided in the December 12 Brown Bag Session “Practical and Useful Tips for Starting and Running a Solo Practice.” If you missed the actual webinar, simply go online to download the archived info.
