Business entities come in many shapes and sizes, and choosing the right one can avoid serious tax and liability consequences. Learn which business entity is right for you, how to prepare and file incorporation documents, and why supposed "formalities" like corporate by-laws can be so important to your business success. Part of the popular, long-running Business Series.

Class covers:

• Creating legal structures that will protect business start-ups and accommodate the business as it grows
• Common myths and mistakes people make in setting up a business
• The difference between an LLC, C-Corporation and S-Corporation and how to determine which one is right for your business
• Why shouldn’t you just operate as a partnership or a sole proprietorship?
• What are the issues that co-owners should address and resolve in a “Shareholders Agreement” before starting a business together?

Presented by:

Prof. Michael Chasalow, Clinical Professor of Law and Director, Small Business Clinic,  USC Law School 

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day).

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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.

During Pro Bono Week only, if you attend an online class and still have a question related to the content of that class, you can submit your question online and it will be answered by our team of expert law librarians or the class instructor. Simply watch your class to the end and then follow the instructions on the final slide to submit your question online.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

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

Join a live question and answer session about accessing public records. An experienced Public Records Act attorney will be available to answer questions about how to request records from California public agencies, how the process works, the types of records subject to disclosure, and your options if the agency refuses or fails to respond. For maximum benefit, be sure to attend the class immediately preceding this Q&A session.

Please note this Q&A will focus on state agencies governed by the California Public Records Act. Federal agencies are generally governed by the federal Freedom of Information Act. For information about FOIA, see https://www.foia.gov/how-to.html, and feel free to contact the Reference desk for more information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (213) 785-2513, or https://calcountylawlib.libanswers.com/ (chat).

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 a Zoom account to be able to participate in the written Q&A or chat features.

Registration fee: FREE

Presented by: Kelly Aviles

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 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.

Class recorded October 7, 2022

For updated information on California’s COVID-19 eviction protections, see Housing Is Key. Although the statewide eviction moratorium expired September 30, 2021, tenants awaiting the results of a rental assistance application filed before March 31, 2022, may still qualify for eviction protections through June 30, 2022 (https://bit.ly/3JbLvCT). In addition, tenants in the City of Los Angeles may still be protected by the City’s eviction moratorium until the City declares the Covid-19 “state of emergency” over, and tenants in other parts of the County of L.A. may be protected by the County’s Updated COVID-19 Tenant Protections Resolution starting July 1, 2022. Contact our Reference desk at (213) 785-2513, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or via chat at https://bit.ly/341pHYU for further assistance.

Many people can’t afford a lawyer to handle their legal issues. Whether you are a tenant or a landlord, if you are facing property rental issues in California without a lawyer, this class will help you get started by teaching you essential information about your rights and responsibilities and what resources are available to help. Learning important fundamentals about landlord-tenant law can make your legal journey easier and more successful.

Class covers:

• Non-discrimination in the rental of property
• Responsibility to make repairs
• Security deposit issues
• Negotiations and settlement
• The eviction process and going to court
• Resources for further information and where to seek help

Presented by: Ryan Metheny, Managing Librarian, LA Law Library

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day)

 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.

Class recorded February 24, 2022.

The Legislature passed two laws in recent years which make many types of police personnel files available to anyone through a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request. In this class, learn the current state of the law on how to access police personnel files. 

Formerly, police personnel records were only available through specified court procedures like Pitchess motions, which imposed stringent requirements. However, Senate Bill 1421 set up a new system – which was modified and expanded further by SB 16, effective January 1, 2022 – that makes many such records available to anyone with a simple CPRA request. However, implementation of this new system has been complex and there have been numerous court challenges to its scope and validity.

Class covers:

• How to access police personnel files through a California Public Records Act request
• How SB 1421 changed existing law, including the Pitchess motion procedure
• How SB 16 further honed the requirements of SB 1421
• Why implementation of the new system for accessing police personnel files has been complex
• Court challenges to SB 1421’s scope and validity, how SB 16 might affect these court cases, and what these legal challenges might mean for accessing police personnel files in the future

Presented by:
David A. Katz, Managing Attorney, Katz & Associates

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below.

Registration: FREE

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.