Media
Santa Barbara Lawyer Magazine - August 2024
Imagine this scenario: You are representing a client— the wife, in a long-term marriage of over 15 years, with children under 12. Despite the fact that their lifestyle doesn’t suggest there is extra money, she insists that her husband is hiding assets. She is distraught and wants you, her lawyer, to “do everything you can “ to make him pay. You have obtained a temporary support order...but she is convinced it is not enough. Your fees have been completely exhausted. You went to mediation at the Courthouse, but she felt unheard and is consequently convinced that “when a judge hears my story…”
Who you gonna call? I suggest a case buster.
Every lawyer, litigator or not, faces this ultimate challenge—how can I prove that my client (but actually me) is right? Is the issue, the way you are presenting it, going to prevail?
Daily Journal Profile - February 2023
In her work as an ADR Services Inc. neutral, retired family law judge Susan Lopez-Giss often makes use of that other famous line from the film "Jerry Maguire."
"Help me help you," she said with a chuckle. "Most of the attorneys who appear in front of me genuinely want to help their clients resolve their issues. ... And the more information they give me with respect to issues, the more information they give me with respect to finances, the more information they give me with respect to the problems they've had, the more effective I can be. And in the end, that helps them be a hero to their client."
Recognize the Bias: A Review of Protected Classes and a Practical
Examination of the Elimination of Bias in the Practice of Law Elimination of bias begins first with the acknowledgement that we each have biases – it is unavoidable. The term bias refers to the tendency of a person to favor one thing, idea, or person over another. In the law, some biases are useful, for example of the voir dire of a jury. Others, however, conflict with protected classes and become unlawful. For Judges, the standard is even higher, as they strive to review each matter through a completely unbiased lens. In this program, the speakers will discuss the distinctions between lawful and unlawful biases, discuss how these biases come into play in the practice of law, and most importantly - how to minimize and eliminate their effect.
Speakers:
Robert Coviello, Esq.
Hon. Susan Lopez-Giss (Ret.)
The Road to Hell: Litigating With Difficult Litigants - When Good Intentions Are Not Enough!
A sitting judge, an attorney and a retired judge define, discuss and dissect the issues that make these cases problematic, and offer suggestions for improving the chances for effective representation and resolution.
Speakers:
Hon. Susan Lopez-Giss (Ret.) - ADR Services, Inc.
Hon. Lawrence Riff - Los Angeles Superior Court
Alexandra Leichter, Esq. - LLM Family Law
Judge Susan Lopez Giss/Direct Examination
Beverly Hills Bar Association
Meet Hon. Susan Lopez-Giss (Ret.)
Hon. Susan Lopez-Giss (Ret.) served 15 years as a Judge for the Los Angeles Superior Court, with the entirety of her time on the bench devoted to Family Law. Judge Lopez-Giss presided over thousands of cases involving all types of contested and complex Family Law matters, including parentage cases, custody and visitation issues, child and spousal support, business valuation, and property division. In addition to issuing thousands of rulings, Judge Lopez-Giss became known for actively and successfully settling her cases. Her strong legal mind, coupled with an emphasis on collaboration to resolve family disputes, has resulted in her reputation as an effective problem solver and adjudicator.