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Brian Walshe made headlines recently after being convicted of murdering his wife, Ana, in part because of the search terms he had entered on Google. The police discovered that his searches included “dismemberment” and “best ways to dispose of a body.” We assume he never Googled “how to erase my search history.”
Instead of Google, many people are turning to generative AI for information. However, users should be forewarned. Conversations on public AI platforms are not confidential (just like Google searches). Consider Bradley Heppner, who recently used AI to seek legal advice in a case he was involved in.
In United States v. Heppner, Judge Rakoff of the Southern District of New York held that Heppner’s chats with a publicly available AI tool (Claude) and the outputs the tool generates are not protected by attorney-client privilege or the work product doctrine.
| | Celebrating Women's History Month, Every Month | | |
In my role as partner, what inspires me most is helping others find and use their voice. That includes supporting women whose talents may sometimes go unrecognized and creating more opportunity for advancement within the legal profession.
The legal field has made meaningful progress in recent decades. Women now make up the majority of law school students and law firm associates nationwide. However, leadership opportunities in private practice remain limited, with women representing only 28% of partners as of 2023.
At Law Stein Anderson, I am especially proud of the team we’ve built, including the fact that half of our partners are women who help shape the direction of our firm and the care we provide to our clients.
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Christine Allen on Partnership, Featured in Orange County Lawyer
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Christine M. Allen, Esq. has built her career on tenacity, thoughtful leadership, and a dedication to guiding families through some of life’s most challenging moments in probate and trust litigation.
In her recent feature with Orange County Lawyer, she shares what partnership means to her, the deeply human aspects of her work, and the lessons she hopes to pass on to the next generation of attorneys.
Christine reflects, "What we are doing here is meeting people in their need. Listen, understand what truly matters to clients and potential referral partners, and then help."
| | Raising the bar: Charlotte Flanigan Elevates to Senior Associate | | |
In her two years with the firm, Charlotte A. Flanigan has steadily become one of our most relied-upon attorneys. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience, she advises individuals, families, and fiduciaries on estate planning matters as well as contested proceedings.
“Charlotte is the kind of attorney you want on your side,” said partner Matthew G. Stein.
“She handles trust administration, estate planning, and probate matters with integrity, a strong work ethic, and real care for her clients and the team. She lives our core values: loyalty, professionalism, balance, and honesty, and this promotion is well-deserved.”
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LSA Named Top Walk4ALZ Team, Surpasses Fundraising Goal
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We were honored to participate in Walk4ALZ with Alzheimer’s Orange County at Angel Stadium, alongside friends and family.
We exceeded our $2,500 fundraising goal, raising a total of $3,150 to support programs and services for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss throughout Orange County.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, LSA was recognized as one of the top fundraising teams during the event ceremony.
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Matt Stein Featured on Lawyers Who Care Podcast
Partner Matthew Stein sat down with Andrew Samalin, CFP, host of the Lawyers Who Care podcast.
In the episode, Stein discusses his soccer background, the experiences that influenced his career, and the realities families face when disputes arise. Stream the full episode here.
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LSA Hosted Happy Hour
We were delighted to host our latest happy hour gathering at the LSA office. It was a pleasure connecting with our team and colleagues after work.
Thank you to all who joined us!
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Matt Stein Interviewed by Shoutout LA
Partner Matthew G. Stein was interviewed by Shoutout LA where he had the chance to reflect on leadership, culture, and building a team where people can truly grow.
Read the full interview here.
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Law Stein Anderson, LLP represents families, businesses, and fiduciaries in complex estate and trust matters, combining proactive planning with decisive litigation when disputes arise.
If you have questions, need guidance on a legal matter, or would like to schedule a review of your estate or business plan, we invite you to contact us at (949) 501-4800 or visit LSALawyers.com.
| | This information is for educational purposes only and cannot be considered legal advice, nor does the receipt of this newsletter create an attorney-client relationship. | | | | |
