Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

A civil lawsuit starts with the filing and service of a written complaint; the defendant must then file an answer or other response. These 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 court.

 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

Presented by:

Mary Garcia, Librarian, Reference & Research, LA Law Library (https://www.lalawlibrary.org/)

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.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 | Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The two pillars of a case on appeal are the appellate records and the briefs. The record consists of the documents filed in the trial court (the “Clerk’s Transcript”), plus a record of the oral proceedings in the courtroom (the “Reporter’s Transcript” or a substitute). The briefs are written legal arguments that present a party’s position on appeal.

Class covers:

• The purpose, content and importance of the Clerk’s and Reporter’s Transcripts
• How to designate a record that is adequate to help the appellate court assess error
• The purpose and contents of an appellate brief
• What rules guide the appellate court’s decision about whether the trial court decision should be reversed
• The different, and equally essential roles of the factual history and the legal arguments in a brief
• Format, filing and service requirements
• Deadlines and time limits

Presented by: Zoe Dolan, Supervising Staff Attorney, Public Counsel (https://publiccounsel.org/)

 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.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 | Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Are you thinking of appealing the trial court decision in your civil lawsuit? Do you know the purpose of an appeal? Do you know the basics of court procedure? Learn about the appeals process from clerks at the California Court of Appeal who have extensive experience providing assistance to unrepresented litigants. 

Class covers:

• The purpose of an appeal
• Deadlines and calendaring
• Where and how to file
• Brief writing
• And more!

Presented by: Melissa Real, Deputy Clerk at the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District (http://www.courts.ca.gov/2dca.htm) 

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.

Friday, December 8, 2023: 10:00am - 12:00pm

In California, many special need families struggle to care for adults who are not able to care for themselves. For these families, a court-approved conservatorship may help.  A probate conservatorship allows a responsible person or organization to receive legal powers to provide for the care, needs and protection of their loves ones after 18 years old. This information session raises awareness and educates the public about conservatorship as a legal process available to families.

Class covers:

• What a conservatorship is and what it does
• Disproving misinformation about conservatorships
• Legally granted powers provided to the conservator
• Conservatee’s rights under a conservatorship
• Alternatives to a conservatorship
• Letters of a conservatorship
• Getting help from The Conservatorship Center in preparing and filing documents to request appointment as a probate conservator
• Referrals for other types of assistance

Presented by:

Bruce Kaufer, Founder/Attorney at Law, The Conservatorship Center (https://www.theconservatorshipcenter.com/)

No advance registration or phone appointment is necessary. Participants register on the day of the program and will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.  Call The Conservatorship Center at 310-869-9792 and ask for Bruce Kaufer for additional information.

Registration fee: FREE

Check-in begins: 9:30 a.m.

Notice: Space is limited. Attendees admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice: 

LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service.  The Law Library is pleased to offer our patrons the opportunity to obtain assistance from third party legal service providers at this and other events within the Library.  However, the Library does not control and is not responsible for the content or scope of any assistance given by those providers.