7 Tips

The Recorder's On Appeals column features Claudia Ribet (one of only 3 lawyers in California certified as a specialist in both family law and appellate law) in 7 Tips for Family Lawyers to Avoid Giving Appellate Counsel a Heart Attack, which includes advice of general application. Her list of 7 sins:
1. Failing to make offers of proof.
2. Not requesting a statement of decision.
3. Forgetting to ensure rulings (and reasonings) are reported in the transcript.
4. Waiting until the appeal to order transcripts.
5. Ignoring the need for appellate fee advances.
6. Not knowing how to post a bond.
7. Waiting too long to involve an appellate specialist in high-stakes family law litigation.

Also of note: Supreme Court Committee Issues Advice About Appellate Disqualification to a Former Trial Court Judge

Too bad the court couldn't have waited ten days to issue this one here.