Thursday, May 14, 2020:  12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - CANCELLED

The process of discovery in a civil lawsuit allows a party to obtain information and documents relevant to the suit. This helps the parties know ahead of time what evidence might be presented at trial, or to resolve the case prior to trial. This class explores when and how to use two different tools for getting a party to a lawsuit to answer questions in writing – interrogatories and requests for admission ("RFAs") – in California state court civil cases.

Class covers:

• The purpose of interrogatories (questions to another party regarding contentions, facts, witnesses and documents in the case)
• The purpose of requests for admissions (RFAs – statements another party must deny or admit)
• Common uses for these discovery tools
• How to use official "form" interrogatories and requests for admission
• When to bring motions to compel responses
• How to respond to these discovery requests, including how to make appropriate objections

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

Presented by Sandra Levin:
Sandra Levin is the Executive Director of LA Law Library, responsible for the conduct and oversight of its operations, including direction and implementation of programs, activities and policies. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Ms. Levin was a civil litigator for more than 25 years, practicing in administrative, state and federal courts. Ms. Levin was a founding principal of Colantuono & Levin, a law firm specializing in the representation of local government agencies. While at the firm, she served as the City Attorney of several local municipalities and as special and general counsel to other public agencies, including the Law Library. Earlier in her career, Ms. Levin also served as Mayor, Councilmember and Planning Commission Chair for the City of Culver City. Ms. Levin received her J.D. from the University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law in 1987 where she was a member of the California Law Review.

Registration fee: FREE
Registration reserves spot
Parking options available during registration

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, May 28, 2020:  12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - CANCELLED

Oral depositions are a powerful tool used to collect valuable information from either parties or witnesses in a civil lawsuit. Depositions obtain testimony under oath outside of court in order to establish facts, gauge witness credibility, and help resolve the lawsuit. This class will focus on California state court rules and procedures for noticing a deposition, taking and preserving testimony, and helpful strategies for incorporating the information obtained into use at trial or settlement.

Class covers:

• Requirements and service of notice; travel limits
• Using a deposition subpoena to obtain discovery from a non-party
• Responding to a notice of deposition
• Conducting a deposition; objections; compelling attendance
• Use of deposition testimony

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

Presented by Ryan Metheny:
Ryan Metheny is the Managing Librarian, Legal Education at LA Law Library. After graduating from UCLA School of Law, Ryan practiced First Amendment law at a public interest firm in Berkeley. He then transitioned to librarianship to focus on his passions of research and education, and earned a master's degree in library and information science from the University of Washington. When not on the reference desk, Ryan coordinates the educational programming at the law library, the law student internship program, and the Members Program. He also teaches legal research at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

Registration fee: FREE
Registration reserves spot
Parking options available during registration

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, June 11, 2020:  12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.   CANCELLED

A motion for summary judgment or summary adjudication allows a party to obtain judgment in their favor for an entire case or part of a case. These motions are based entirely on written submissions and avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty of a trial. Learn how to determine whether a summary judgment motion might be appropriate in your case, how to bring one before a California state court, and how to respond when one is brought against you.

Class covers:

• When summary judgment and summary adjudication are appropriate
• Timing and notice requirements
• Requirements for submitting evidence
• How to respond to this type of motion

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

Presented by Ryan Metheny:
Ryan Metheny is the Managing Librarian, Legal Education at LA Law Library. After graduating from UCLA School of Law, Ryan practiced First Amendment law at a public interest firm in Berkeley. He then transitioned to librarianship to focus on his passions of research and education, and earned a master's degree in library and information science from the University of Washington. When not on the reference desk, Ryan coordinates the educational programming at the law library, the law student internship program, and the Members Program. He also teaches legal research at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

Registration fee: FREE
Registration reserves spot
Parking options available during registration

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, June 25, 2020:  12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.   CANCELLED - To view onlinie class, please CLICK HERE.

More than 90% of civil cases settle or are dismissed prior to trial, yet most litigants spend very little time thinking about whether or how to settle their cases. Learn when settlement makes sense, what resources and tools are available to you and how to negotiate effectively to get the best possible result without the uncertainty, time, and expense of taking a case all the way to trial.

Class covers:

• How to frame your case in the best light
• Whether settlement makes sense for your case
• The role of a settlement officer or mediation
• How to prepare for a negotiation
• How to negotiate effectively
• When to make an offer
• How to decide what is a fair result
• Documenting your settlement so you are protected

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

Presented by Sandra Levin and Barrie Roberts:
Sandra Levin is the Executive Director of LA Law Library, responsible for the conduct and oversight of its operations, including direction and implementation of programs, activities and policies. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Ms. Levin was a civil litigator for more than 25 years, practicing in administrative, state and federal courts. Ms. Levin was a founding principal of Colantuono & Levin, a law firm specializing in the representation of local government agencies. While at the firm, she served as the City Attorney of several local municipalities and as special and general counsel to other public agencies, including the Law Library. Earlier in her career, Ms. Levin also served as Mayor, Councilmember and Planning Commission Chair for the City of Culver City. Ms. Levin received her J.D. from the University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law in 1987 where she was a member of the California Law Review.

Barrie Roberts, ADR Administrator, LA Superior Court

Registration fee: FREE
Registration reserves spot
Parking options available during registration

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.