LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: How to Bring a Motion in Court

Thursday, February 6, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Thursday, June 12, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Thursday, September 25, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.


--- ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME FOR CLASSES HELD VIA ZOOM---


A motion is how you request that a court require someone to do something in your lawsuit. Motions are made to obtain many types of orders: to postpone a trial to a later date, to modify an order for child support, to get a judgment without going to trial, to get a rehearing or a new trial, or for sanctions when a party breaks the rules (just to name a few). A motion for any of these orders can have a huge impact on your case. This class is intended to give an overview of how motions work in California state court and the rules of procedure that apply to making, filing, and serving and opposing motions.

Class covers:

  • What a motion is and why a motion may be important to your case
  • When a motion is appropriate
  • What is included in a motion
  • How to get a motion on calendar and rules regarding service, filing and proper notice
  • Requirements for “ex parte” (emergency) and oral motions, and when each of these is appropriate

Class approved for Court Interpreter Minimum Continuing Education (CIMCE) credit.

Developed by practicing attorneys and presented by LA Law Library Reference Librarians

Registration fee: FREE

Reservation reserves spot

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Vacating Defaults and Correcting Mistakes

Thursday, January 16, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Thursday, May 22, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Thursday, September 18, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.


--- ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME FOR CLASSES HELD VIA ZOOM---

Mistakes happen in the course of a civil lawsuit. For example, a defendant may fail to respond to a lawsuit within the required time, resulting in a “default,” which terminates the rights of the defendant to dispute the allegations. Or, a plaintiff may fail to respond to a defense motion, resulting in dismissal of the lawsuit. In this class, learn how to get back on track by asking a judge to “set aside” (vacate or undo) defaults and other mistakes in California state courts.

 

Class covers:

  • California Code of Civil Procedure § 473: what it is, and why you need it
  • When and how a party may seek relief from his or her mistakes
  • What constitutes “default” and “dismissal,” and what may be “set aside”
  • Preparing a motion to vacate default

Class approved for Court Interpreter Minimum Continuing Education (CIMCE) credit.

Developed by practicing attorneys and presented by LA Law Library Reference Librarians

Registration fee: FREE

Reservation reserves spot

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: How to File and Respond to a Complaint

Thursday, January 9, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - CLASS CANCELLED

Thursday, May 8, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Thursday, September 11, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

--- ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME FOR CLASSES HELD VIA ZOOM---

A civil lawsuit starts with the filing and service of a written complaint. The complaint serves many purposes, including the identification of the parties involved in the lawsuit, the plaintiff’s reason for filing a lawsuit, and the type of relief that is sought. The defendant must then respond to the complaint by filing an answer or another type of response. The complaint and the defendant’s responses are called pleadings, and they set the stage for all that comes afterward in the lawsuit. In this class, learn how to prepare, file, serve and respond to civil case pleadings in California state courts.

Class covers:

  • Is filing a lawsuit a good idea?
  • Identifying possible legal theories
  • Drafting the complaint
  • Service of summons and complaint
  • Answers and other responsive pleadings

Class approved for Court Interpreter Minimum Continuing Education (CIMCE) credit.

Developed by practicing attorneys and presented by LA Law Library Reference Librarians

Registration fee: FREE

Reservation reserves spot

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

LIVE ZOOM: Ask a Lawyer: Is this Civil Harassment?

Thursday, April 3, 2025: 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 1, 2025: 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 5, 2025: 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 3, 2025: 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 7, 2025: 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 4, 2025: 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 2, 2025: 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 6, 2025: 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 4, 2025: 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.

 --- No pre-registration required. To join the live-Zoom on the date/time of event, scroll down and click the Zoom link provided. ---

 If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse, violence or threats of violence outside of a dating or close personal relationship, that might be civil harassment. Join a live question and answer session with experienced civil litigation attorneys. At this session, learn what civil harassment is and isn’t – and what you can do about it. Ask questions about who qualifies for a civil harassment restraining order (CHRO), how to apply to the court for a CHRO, including what to expect at the court hearing, what a CHRO can do and other procedural topics.

Although you can listen to the class from various kinds of devices, you will need video to view the speaker(s) and any presentation materials, and will need to connect through Zoom to be able to participate in the written Q&A or chat features.

Presented in partnership with the L.A. Incubator Consortium (Los Angeles Attorney Incubator Consortium (laincubatorconsortium.com)

ZOOM LINK:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88123826063

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice: LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney

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