Description

High-profile and celebrity family law attorney Chris Melcher has represented some of the largest divorce cases in California, including multiple cases ending in published appellate decisions. Chris talks with Jeff and Tim about how celebrity-driven cases shape the law, such as the #FreeBritney movement against conservatorship abuse.

Chris then talks about a way to bring more attention to non-celebrity cases through requests for publication of nonpublished opinions that raise important issues. And what kinds of cases pique the Supreme Court’s interest? It is often not what you think, says Chris, which is where bar networks come in handy in keeping up on legal trends.

Christopher Melcher’s biography, LinkedIn profile, Twitter feed, and YouTube page.

Appellate Specialist Jeff Lewis' biography, LinkedIn profile, and Twitter feed.

Appellate Specialist Tim Kowal's biography, LinkedIn profile, Twitter feed, and YouTube page.

Sign up for Tim Kowal’s Weekly Legal Update, or view his blog of recent cases.

Other items discussed in the episode:

• Requesting publication: California Rules of Court rule 8.1120.
• Requesting de-publication: California Rules of Court rule 8.1125.
• Frankie Valli’s life insurance was community property, California Supreme Court held.
• No Right to In-Person Appearances: People v. Whitmore (D4d3 no. G059779) 2022 WL 1284371 ___ Cal.Rptr.3d ___, held that limiting a defendant to a virtual appearance, while legally improper, creates no harm.
• Jury trial may not be waived merely for failure to comply with local rules**.** Amato v. Downs (May 6, 2022, E075421) [no binder, no jury trial: reversed.].
• Myron Moskovitz on the futility of oral arguments. Via Ben Shatz’s SoCal Appellate News blog.
• Quach v. Calif. Comm. Club, right to arbitrate is not waived, even after 13-months of litigation, if the only prejudice shown is litigation costs. Rehearing granted and opinion partially published.