McManis Faulkner

[Spoiler Alert: Don’t read this if you don’t want to know how Gatsby ends.] Lured by the hype surrounding the new “Great Gatsby” film, I decided to listen to the Gatsby audiobook during my commute, if for no other reason…more

I almost spilled my coffee when I read the headline that Halle Berry was pregnant at 46 years of age – not because of her age, but because of the catch-phrase that followed: baby pre-nup. I have never heard of an agreement…more

Understandably, when people are going through a divorce, emotions are high, patience is low, and feelings are raw. Words are often said simply to inflict pain, with little to no regard for the lasting impact they may…more

Every law office needs a Carson, the unflappable butler from Downton Abbey. Does yours have one? Required to welcome and calm clients, and at the same time, to protect their attorneys - receptionists truly are modern Carsons. …more

Roger Ebert died last week and I feel like I lost a friend. We did not have a personal relationship, as we never met or exchanged words. But I have been reading Roger Ebert’s words continuously since I was 10 years old, more…more

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that could have a big impact on how businesses negotiate contracts containing a forum selection clause. The case, Atlantic Marine Construction Company, Inc. v. J-Crew…more

I recently wrote an article about several 2013 changes to the California Code of Civil Procedure, and how those changes affect in-house counsel. The importance of understanding these changes, however, is not limited to corporate…more

On February 6, 2013, John and Ann Betar celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary, a milestone earning them the title of “longest married couple” in the United States by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a Christian marriage group…more

Look around any conference room, coffee shop or elevator and you will find almost everyone has their smart phone in hand or nearby. While these hand-held devices are still used for talking on the phone, they are also used for…more

As reported in the news, Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren might be reconciling. In 2009, the relationship made headlines when the National Enquirer reported that Tiger was cheating. Two days later, the police were called to their…more

“If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.” - Giuseppe di Lampedusa, The Leopard - One of the most frequently cited civil opinions in California is Auto Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court…more

Can this relationship be saved? Deciding whether there is no alternative left than divorce is a deeply personal question. Before you throw in the towel on a relationship, it’s worth seeking some professional advice. Often, by…more