Doug Colt

Finally winter is back

2012-01-23T17:12:00.000-08:00

After nearly 4 feet of snow over the past weekend, it is finally starting to look like winter in Kirkwood again. Keep it coming!

Finally winter is here!

2012-01-19T19:26:00.001-08:00

Ainsley has got Pink Floyd on the brain.

2012-01-19T19:12:00.001-08:00

This is nice but really not a good outlook for skiing.

2012-01-07T14:52:00.001-08:00

Ainsley's First Double Diamond- Video

2011-12-26T21:45:00.000-08:00

Here's Ainsley on December 25, 2011 on Prima in Vail, CO. This was her very first double-diamond run and she did a fantastic job. She is one tough little 5 year old!

Full screen, HD version here: http://youtu.be/nDYpqs3nR-s?hd=1

Ainsley Dusting the Big Kids

2011-12-26T20:32:00.001-08:00

Ainsley doing a speed run in Vail, CO on Dec. 26, 2011. Watch her dust the big kids (7, 8 years old?) Go Ainsley!

Full screen, HD version available here: http://youtu.be/r_J1sTck_Yw?hd=1

Me and Ainsley in Vail

2011-12-26T20:28:00.001-08:00

Part of the Colt Family in Vail

2011-12-26T20:18:00.001-08:00

Ainsley is getting pretty fast!

2011-12-25T21:11:00.000-08:00

Vail, CO. Dec. 25, 2011. Flapjack (top of chair 10) to Northwoods (chair 11). Full screen, HD version available here: http://youtu.be/6uh0WglL_bQ?hd=1

Ainsley's very first DOUBLE DIAMOND RUN!

2011-12-25T15:42:00.000-08:00

Here's Ainsley Colt on December 25, 2011. She decided she was ready for her very first double-diamond run and she did a fantastic job on Prima in Vail, CO. I am so proud of her! She is turning into a great little skier!

Got a feeling this kid is going to be trouble someday...

2011-12-24T20:05:00.001-08:00

Ainsley's 23rd Black Diamond

2011-12-24T18:17:00.000-08:00

What a great day here in Vail today. My knee stayed in one piece, so that was my biggest concern. Ainsley did a great job and skied 6 more black diamonds today, including a very special one: Northstar/Gandy Dancer. This was one of my dad's favorite runs and one where we spread his ashes this summer. It was great to see Ainsley enjoy the run and do such a good job! Full-screen, HD version available here on YouTube: http://youtu.be/emF2Ieqaiz4?hd=1

Ainsley Colt- Black Diamond No. 17

2011-12-23T17:22:00.000-08:00

So this was an interesting day. First day of family ski-vacation in Vail. I managed to bust up my knee on the very first run. A green. And no, nothing funny going on. Just made a turn and something went very, very wrong. After sitting it out for hours, I was back in play for one more run, and Ainsley insisted that she needed to finish up with another black diamond. This was one of the steepest she has skied yet, but she made it down in one piece. Great work little one!! Here is the full-screen, HD version on YouTube: http://youtu.be/uCL-MNYzp1o?hd=1

2011-12-21T08:24:00.001-08:00

It's the first day of Winter and Ainsley's last day of Kindergarten for the year.

Opening Day at Kirkwood

2011-12-18T14:36:00.000-08:00

Here's Ainsley in her new getup on opening day, December 10, 2011-- Kirkwood, CA

Doug Colt Information

2011-12-16T15:38:00.000-08:00

Amazing how many weird sites there are out there with your information on them:

http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/94065-ca-douglas-colt-332295.html
https://www.facebook.com/doug.colt
http://douglascoltdougcolt.businesscard2.com/
http://www.businesstoolchest.com/articles/data/20090808092316.shtml
http://www.zimbio.com/Dodge+Colt/articles/1B1lw_tRsks/Douglas+Colt+Profession+Doug+Colt+Good+Litigator
http://www.businesstoolchest.com/articles/data/20090825073227.shtml

Activated Facebook Timeline

2011-12-15T09:51:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since Facebook did anything innovative, but I have to admit that I am impressed by Timeline! Nice job guys!

Doug Colt Facebook Profile

Colt / Wallerstein on Facebook

2011-12-13T01:03:00.001-08:00

If you haven't done so already, please visit our firm's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colt-Wallerstein-LLP/106214755801

2011-12-13T00:52:00.000-08:00

Doug Colt: https://www.facebook.com/doug.colt

New videos of Ainsley Colt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjYfW_CLfls

Above the Law. My partner, Thomas Wallerstein, is now a weekly columnist: http://abovethelaw.com/tag/doug-colt/

Ainsley Colt- First Day with Ski Poles

2011-12-12T12:33:00.000-08:00

Here's a video of one of Ainsley's very first runs with ski poles. December 10, 2011, Kirkwood, CA. She's pretty fearless and getting pretty fast! (Full screen, HD version available here: http://youtu.be/OEOSDtFh2L0?hd=1

Decent early season conditions. Ainsley is doing great on her very first day with poles.

2011-12-10T11:51:00.001-08:00

2011-12-04T11:12:00.001-08:00

Year 5 in Mexico for Thanksgiving. We like this tradition!

2011-11-27T16:56:00.001-08:00

Colt / Wallerstein on Above the Law

2011-11-18T13:52:00.001-08:00

My partner, Tom Wallerstein, has just launched a new column on Above the Law. Each week, he will be sharing new commentary following our move from "BigLaw to Boutique." We look forward to sharing our experiences in building a litigation practice over the last two and half years. His inaugural post can be found below:

http://abovethelaw.com/2011/11/from-biglaw-to-boutique-trading-places/

The Wall Returns

2011-11-18T09:47:00.001-08:00

Well, I never thought I would see this! A few years ago, I was lucky enough to catch Roger Waters' Dark Side of the Moon tour in Denver. The show was so amazing that I dragged Aviva to London two weeks later to see it again. I figured that would probably be my last opportunity to see one of the two most creative geniuses behind Pink Floyd.

Last year, Waters announced that he wasn't finished yet, and he launched his massive Wall tour. It has now hit 120 cities around the world. I saw the show (which is a start-to-finish rendition of the entire Wall double album) in San Jose last December. It was unequivocally the most amazing show I have ever seen in my life. Absolutely stunning and an unbelievable technological triumph.

Well lo and behold, he's not done yet! A new U.S. tour has been announced, and Waters is returning to San Francisco in May. This time, it will be a massive outdoor concert at AT&T Park. Field-level tickets are now in hand, and I am bringing Ainsley with me this time. She's no doubt a bit young to experience a show like this, but I've managed to turn her into a pretty big fan of Pink Floyd over the last few years. I know that the visuals themselves will be an incredible experience for her!

So now just one last request. David Gilmour made a one-time appearance at one show in London earlier this year to perform Comfortably Numb. Is it too much to ask that he show up in San Francisco? Hah. I won't hold my breath!

Little Ainsley's Dance Routine

2011-11-18T00:31:00.001-08:00

Enjoying some great family time with Ainsley at the office on the weekend:

Google Maps

2011-11-17T23:21:00.001-08:00

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=doug+colt&cid=10799494563851448282

SOPA Won’t Stop Online Piracy, Would Censor Everyone Else

2011-11-17T15:23:00.001-08:00

Anti-piracy bills in U.S. House and Senate would block sites with infringing content, but empower the government to censor anything it deems unlawful.

How to Unlock Apple iPhone 4S Without Hardware or Software

2011-11-17T14:56:00.001-08:00

Looking to use your new iPhone 4S on T-Mobile? Or internationally without having to pay ridiculous roaming fees? You're welcome:

1. Insert original carrier AT&T SIM card
2. Dial 611 for AT&T customer service hotline and drop the call
3. Turn on Airplane Mode
4. Take out AT&T SIM card
5. Insert T-Mobile SIM card
6. Make sure WiFi is off ( also tap on ‘Forget this Network" to make sure it doesn't connect automatically later)
7. Switch off Airplane Mode and iPhone will search for network. This is followed by the Apple splash screen appearing.
8. Activation Required will be displayed on the screen
9. EDGE network will activate automatically – notice the ‘E' on the top left corner of the screen
10. Wait for about 20-30 seconds and turn off the phone
11. Turn on iPhone and the same Activation Required screen will be displayed
12. When you see one signal bar, tap on Use Cellular Connection
13. Eject SIM card
14. Activation Required screen will be displayed the second time
15. Insert SIM card
16. Unlocked!

Little Ainsley Sick at Home Today

2011-11-16T15:34:00.001-08:00

I hate to see the little one sick, but she's pretty adorable with Molly on the couch!

Doug Colt

2011-11-16T11:53:00.001-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/doug.colt

Welcome to the new Colt / Wallerstein offices:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150319651935802.389667.106214755801&type=1

http://www.tripadvisor.com/MemberProfile?uid=8682766E7803CCE0C81B22B232BE6101&c=pm&public=1

Ainsley Colt videos for the family:

http://www.youtube.com/user/dwcscca

Class Action Dismissal

2011-11-07T22:26:00.001-08:00

Colt Wallerstein represents an automobile manufacturer sued in a national class action over an alleged product defect. We filed a “demurrer” – basically, a motion to dismiss – making arguments that were not by any means a slam dunk. After extensive briefing, today the court dismissed the complaint in its entirety! The plaintiffs will get one more chance, but the writing is on the wall. Many millions of dollars saved and another very happy client.

Africa 2011

2011-10-30T22:52:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite shots from our safari this year. This was at the end of the day in Chobe National Park, Botswana.

Ainsley and Molly

2011-10-27T13:28:00.001-07:00

A New Take on Litigation / Law Firm Management

2011-10-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

When my partner Tom Wallerstein and I founded our law firm in July 2009, we literally started from scratch. Every piece of I.T. that we purchased, along with every piece of software, was brand new.

One of the biggest initial challenges we faced was managing the day-to-day operations of the firm, which included time entry, billing, invoicing, and document management. For months, we researched potential off-the-shelf solutions, but we were constantly disappointed in the products that were not tailor-made for litigation. Many solutions were simply antiquated, and others were so large and unwieldy that they made no sense for a small firm like ours.

Who knew that my background in computer science would eventually come in handy in a law firm environment. I initially wrote a relatively simple program that was designed simply to handle our day-to-day time entry and then to generate client invoices. But of course things tends to grow....

After completing this relatively simple billing database, we saw the potential for the software to expand into document management. After all, the back-end database already contained our client and matter information, and it was a relatively simple next step to expand the software to start hosting client documents.

More than two years later, the software has grown dramatically so that it is now the central point for managing virtually every core activity for our law firm. Our Case Management System, or "CMS" as we call it internally, handles our time entry, expense entry, billing, invoicing, accounting, document storage and retrieval, task lists, proof charts, litigation chronologies, and conflict checks. Building the software over the past two years has been an incredibly rewarding process, and we continue to make new additions on a regular basis. The central dashboard is seen below (click for full-size version):

The basic time-entry screen:

The main document management screen, which includes iPad integration. We no longer take 3-ring notebooks to court, as all of our documents, exhibits, pleadings, etc. can be directly uploaded to firm iPads.

Case Chron Generator:

Task List Manager:

A sample of the written task lists the system generates:

The End of an Era

2011-10-24T20:30:00.001-07:00

Well it's the end of an era today. After 38 years in business, Giuseppe's Depot closed its doors tonight. My folks ran the restaurant for the first 36 years, and I spent nearly 15 years of my life working there. Those summers home from school working with Monica Tillman, Josh Fritts,Salvadore Porras, Erin Bogren, Eric Phillips, Kelly Ahearne, Monica Mayberry-Douglass, Kimberly McClure, Chester Kemnitz, Paula Mattingly, Mindy Helm, Shellie & Dan Smith, Pepper, James Schulz, Troy Miller, Debbie Lee, Sue Golden.....and the list goes on...were some of the best times of my life! Cheers to everyone who made Giuseppe's such a great place!

The End of an Era

2011-10-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

Well this is some depressing news:

End of the line for Giuseppe's Old Depot Restaurant

Teresa J. Farney

The Gazette

Owners of Giuseppe's Old Depot Restaurant, 10 S. Sierra Madre St. will close their eatery operation Oct. 24.
"We will reopen the space as The Depot, a special events venue," said Craig Ochs, a member of the Ochs Family who are the owners. "We have 70 parties on the books already."

His staff will service and prepare the banquets.

Giuseppe's, as we have known and loved it for more than 35 years, will be open during regular hours until Monday. From then forward The Depot will be open during scheduled events only. Call 635-3111.

-----------------

My parents successfully ran Giuseppe's for over 35 years until selling the business last year. The new owners made extensive changes to the menu and operations, and apparently that didn't work out too well. I have such great memories of Giuseppe's, after starting work there as a 9 year old washing dishes. I went through just about every job in the building: dishwasher, prep-cook, busboy, waiter, cashier, host, bartender, and manger. I have so many wonderful memories of working with my friends and family, and I am grateful to have had that opportunity!!

2011-10-15T15:29:00.001-07:00

At the pumpkin patch!

Too hot! Let's get some rain here and snow in the mountains!!

2011-10-15T00:02:00.001-07:00

At the Bryan Ferry concert.

2011-10-14T22:08:00.001-07:00

Here comes winter!

2011-10-06T13:11:00.001-07:00

It's only October 6, but there's over a foot of snow on the ground at Kirkwood already. Here's hoping that this is another epic snow year!

Shit. We lost a great man today.

2011-10-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

At the fun run for Ainsley's elementary school.

2011-10-03T20:09:00.001-07:00

The last free Friday night concert of the summer in Redwood City. Bummer.

2011-09-18T15:16:00.001-07:00

Go Bears!

2011-09-17T14:42:00.001-07:00

Taking the train to the Cal game. Go Bears!

2011-09-17T12:52:00.001-07:00

Dad's Final Resting Place

2011-09-04T15:59:00.000-07:00

On September 3, 2011, we fulfilled my dad's wishes and spread his ashes on his favorite ski runs in Vail. It was a great day. Our entourage included my sister Camille, "Uncle Troy", my brother Jim, his wife Nicole, my mom, and of course Ainsley.

We rode the gondola up to 10,000 feet and then it was a pretty grueling hike up to the summit at 11,500 feet. All told, we hiked a total of more than 10 miles, and descended the ENTIRE mountain from 11,500 all the way down to the village at 8,000 feet. Ainsley did a tremendous job, and was like a little mountain goat on some of the 30 and 40 degree slopes that we had to go down.

It couldn't have been a better day. The skies were crystal clear all day long, and the temperatures in the sixties and seventies. The mountain was extraordinarily green this year from the heavy snowpack, and the waterfalls were still running even though it was September. Vail is truly a magical place.

We toasted Dad at the summit, and made sure that his ashes became part of the soil on Ouzo, Sun Down Bowl, Forever, Sun Up Bowl, Northstar, and Riva Ridge. It's great to know that he will be a part of the mountain when I take Ainsley skiing, and I was so proud of her for wanting to take part in the event. Love you Dad!

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Vail farmers market.

2011-09-04T09:44:00.001-07:00