While women have made great strides in the legal community throughout the years, some barriers still remain, according to a panel of female attorneys recently hosted by The Daily Transcript and sponsored by Union Bank.

Lawmakers appear close to finally passing patent reform legislation, but the process still has a few obstacles to overcome.

Historically, the world of financial planning and investing has been male-dominated. Based on a variety of surveys, 75 percent of financial planners, 80 percent of brokers and an astonishing 93 percent of hedge fund managers are male. As a result, many of the services and even sales tactics developed by financial institutions to reach and attract high net worth individuals have been done so through this masculine lens.

At California Western School of Law, pro bono work is more than just a requirement of the legal profession, it’s a proud tradition.

When Frederick Fish founded Fish & Richardson in 1878, luminaries of the 19th and 20th century turned to the firm for legal assistance in patenting some of the most significant inventions of the times, including the Wright Brothers’ flying machine, Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone and Thomas Edison’s light bulb. The company’s tradition of representing entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and a drive to succeed continues today with clients such as Biogen Idec, Google, 3M and Callaway Golf who look to Fish as a legal and business foundation for innovations that will undoubtedly change the 21st century.

When John Gomez founded Gomez Law Firm six years ago, he envisioned a business that would not only make a difference in the courtroom, but also in the community.

On June 23, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Bill H.R. 1249 (the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act), following Senate approval of bill S.23 (the America Invents Act) on March 8, 2011. Thereafter, President Obama indicated that he will sign into law the patent reform bill that arrives on his desk.

When asked what a student should expect from a University of San Diego law education, Stephen C. Ferruolo didn't hesitate:

Thomas Jefferson School of Law is proud of its professors who made this year’s Top Attorneys list; however, we consider all of our professors to be “Top Attorneys” in their areas of expertise. The heart and soul of our law school is our faculty. These world-class educators stay ahead of the curve in the areas of law relating to technological change, globalization and the transformation of our social order. From Fulbright Scholars, to respected authors, to sought after experts, our faculty is comprised of amazingly productive scholars who bring years of valuable professional experience to the classroom and to their areas of expertise.

The last few months have been busy ones in the field of environmental review at the California Court of Appeal. A number of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) decisions have been issued, and a few provide interesting insights both for developers and their lawyers. To help understand these recent cases, here is a list highlighting key lessons:

I do not consider my son to be disabled. He does most everything ten year-old boys do. He is an excellent baseball player and has dreams of playing in college or the big leagues. He is a fiery ball of incessant energy and commotion. You would never know there was something different with this boy just by looking at him, except for perhaps the Medic-Alert bracelet he wears because of his life-threatening allergies to peanuts and tree nuts.

We asked San Diego innovators to share their technology story and explain why they think their product is among the hottest -- or coolest. Keep your eye out for the following companies and products -- you may be hearing more about them in the future.

NAZARETH, Pa. (AP) — With six generations of the Martin family working in Nazareth since 1833, it might be said DNA played a big role in establishing C.F. Martin & Co. as a maker of some of the world's finest guitars.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration is taking the first steps toward regulating the rapidly expanding field of medical applications, or apps, for smart phones and other handheld devices.

California’s economic climate compares favorably to Texas’, despite a slough of media reports to the contrary, according to a recent forecast from Beacon Economics.

After changing its name from First Business Bank last summer, Bank of Southern California has pursued its stated goal of acquiring a larger presence in its eponymous region.

NEW YORK — Scrambling to protect themselves against a U.S. default, investors are buying gold and foreign currencies, using derivatives to bet on a stock market collapse and taking out complicated insurance policies.

The Bloomberg San Diego Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Index showed the only gain in the second quarter ending June 30, increasing 1.96 percent to 121.43

The graph shows that the market expects inflation to average 2.24% in the next 10 years.

The chart shows the top 10 performing companies listed in the San Diego Stock Exchange Index for the second quarter in 2011.

The chart shows the percent change in the total return of the 10 largest companies listed on the San Diego Stock Exchange Index for the second quarter in 2011.

In San Diego, where the economy has long relied heavily on the Navy and the major defense contractors that support the various programs and bases, small businesses are increasingly a major part of the economy and are always seeking to tap into the growth opportunities presented by a government contract.

BAE Systems, with 2010 sales of $34.6 billion, is the second largest global defense, security and aerospace company in the world. With approximately 100,000 employees worldwide, the company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support and services.

As a proud sponsor of the 23rd Annual Navy Gold Coast Small Business Opportunity Conference, Bank of America Merrill Lynch understands the vital role of small businesses in our local and national economies. That's why we provided $18 billion in loans to small businesses in the past year and continue our strong support of companies in the defense industry.

Booz Allen Hamilton has been at the forefront of management consulting for businesses and governments for more than 90 years. Integrating the full range of consulting capabilities, Booz Allen is the one firm that helps clients solve their toughest problems, working by their side to help them achieve their missions. Booz Allen is committed to delivering results that endure.

BecTech Inc. is a woman-owned small business that was incorporated in September 1997. It is a privately held engineering, program management and professional services company.

General Dynamics Information Technology promotes small business alliances through the company's extensive outreach program.

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world's largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure at the convergence of the cloud and connectivity, creating seamless, secure, context-aware experiences for a connected world.

INDUS Technology Inc., an employee-owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in San Diego, provides a multitude of balanced capabilities to government and industry clients.

Shopping in the Temecula Valley is fast becoming a destination shopping trip as Promenade Temecula continues to bring the newest and most sought-after brands today to Southern California Wine Country.

You've passed it a million times driving southbound to San Diego: the rock-strewn mountainous hillside hugging both sides of the Interstate 15 freeway. Traveling northbound, these hills provide a majestic gateway into the County of Riverside and Temecula Valley. We dare you to take a look west; beyond the dramatic beauty of the hills and scattered rock outcroppings, you won't believe your eyes.

It’s no secret to local “Temeculans” who live and work here that this is the place to be. Temecula, branded as Southern California Wine Country, has award winning schools, higher educational opportunities, a vast array of parks and trails, diverse shopping and dining options and beautiful residential communities. Temecula remains a premier city within Southwest Riverside County and strives to be a well-rounded community, setting the stage for an excellent quality of life is our business. You want it, Temecula has it!