Dec. 9, 2025
Legacies: Reclaiming civility and upholding the rule of law
The evolution of the legal profession over recent decades -- marked by gains in diversity and technology but a troubling decline in civility -- underscores the need for lawyers to recommit to the profession's noble, mentorship-driven traditions to preserve our collective legacy and strengthen the rule of law.
2nd Appellate District, Division 5
Brian M. Hoffstadt
Presiding Justice
California Court of Appeal
UCLA School of Law, 1995
This is my 100th Daily Journal article. 2025 is my 30th year as a lawyer. And my longtime friend and mentor Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert is on the cusp of retiring after a half-century on the bench. All of this has got me thinking about how the practice of law has changed over these many years.
The last three decades have witnessed much improvement in the practice of law.
The bar and the bench are far more diverse...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$795 for an entire year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In