Media, Publications, and Presentations

UPCOMING SEMINAR

The SCCBA Labor & Employment Section presents a MCLE Brown Bag:

Drafting Enforceable Employee Restrictive Covenants, Thursday, April 25, 2013, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Firm partner Tyler M. Paetkau is serving as one of the speakers presenting.

Click here for more information and to register:

https://m360.sccba.com/event.aspx?eventID=74818&instance=0

In Recent News:

Attorney Charles J. Smith and his associate, Brandon Douglass, have coached the South San Francisco High School mock trial team to the semi-final round of the San Mateo County Mock Trial Tournament which will take place on February 26, 2013 in Redwood City.  The high school mock trial program is a statewide program sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation, the American Board of Trial Advocate Foundation, and the Daily Journal Corporation. Sixteen local high schools, a number of local Judges, and several members of the Bar participate in this annual program. It is a wonderful educational experience for the young students teaching them the ability to speak on their feet, articulate an argument against an opponent, and learn valuable lessons about our justice system and civic involvement.  Mr. Smith has volunteered in the program since 1980. Mr. Smith has been coaching this year’s team since October 2012 and devotes several hours per week to this endeavor. CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. SMITH, MR. DOUGLASS AND THE ENTIRE SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TEAM!!!

In Recent News:

In Recent News:

Partner Charles J. Smith along with associate Neva Tassen achieved a great trial victory on December 20^th in a felony domestic violence/mayhem trial in Santa Clara County.  Mr. Smith and Ms. Tassan took on the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and all of their resources to defeat a very difficult case based upon the defense of accident.  Despite a significant injury to the complaining witness, Mr. Smith and Ms. Tassan were able to convince a jury that the injury occurred due to the drunken aggressive behavior by the complaining witness and not any criminal conduct on the part of our client.  Thus, Mr. Smith has started 2012 with a huge victory in the Specialized vs. Volagi trial and ended 2012 with another significant victory.  These results exemplify the broad range of trial experience and excellence that is the hallmark of our firm.

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LIVE SEMINAR

The Firm partner Tyler Paetkau will be one of the speakers at the following live CEB seminars on Trade Secrets, one in SF and one in LA.
Live Teleconference

LEGAL SEMINAR

LEGAL SEMINAR

On-Line Defamation:  The Latest Developments and Trends

January 11, 2013   1-2pm ET

http://www.pli.edu/Content/Seminar/On_Line_Defamation_The_Latest_Developments/_/N-4kZ1z12n73?ID=166786

The explosion of social media and on-line review websites has resulted in a dramatic increase in defamation claims by employees, businesses and consumers. This One-Hour Briefing will focus on the latest legal developments and practical approaches to avoid and defend on-line defamation claims.

Please join an experienced faculty of First Amendment and employment law attorneys for this new program.  Learn about all of the new legal developments affecting potential liability for on-line defamation, and obtain practical guidance for handling the most troublesome and recurring issues. This program and the developments to be addressed have important implications for both plaintiffs and defense practitioners.

Please join Bradley H. Ellis of Sidley Austin LLP and Tyler M. Paetkau of Hartnett, Smith & Paetkau as they discuss:

.       Latest statutory and case law developments regarding on-line defamation

.       Recent case law holding that the nature and context of the Internet and "review" websites such as Yelp! and Craigslist may make alleged defamation non-actionable opinion

.       California's anti-SLAPP statute and its application to on-line defamation

.       The latest developments under the safe harbor for service providers, Section 230(c) of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 ("CDA"), codified at 47 U.S.C. § 230

.       Risks and preventative strategies regarding employees' dramatically increased use of social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Huddle, LinkedIn, etc.

.       Practical compliance and litigation avoidance suggestions

In-house counsel and outside counsel who represent large and small businesses, employers, employee attorneys, human resources professionals and managers will benefit from attending this program.

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The attorneys of Hartnett, Smith & Paetkau are prolific legal writers who have published articles and books on an array of legal topics. They are sought out by their peers to share their knowledge at continuing education seminars, and have been frequently featured and quoted in the media for commentary and legal analysis.

• Media
• Publications by Attorney Tyler Paetkau
• Selected Presentations and Seminars by Attorney Tyler Paetkau

Seek Experienced Legal Counsel

If you are facing a civil or criminal legal problem in San Mateo or anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is important that you seek trusted advice from knowledgeable and experienced trial lawyers. Contact Hartnett, Smith & Paetkau today.