Thursday, November 15, 2018  12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Oral depositions are a powerful discovery tool used to collect valuable information from both parties and witnesses in a civil lawsuit. Depositions take testimony under oath and preserve it for use in motions, settlements avenues, and at trial. 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

Presented by Christine Langteau:
Christine Langteau is a reference and research librarian. She has a B.A. degree in Social Welfare from SDSU and a certificate from the University of San Diego's Lawyer Assistant Program. Christine worked as a paralegal for 20 years mainly in litigation where responding to, drafting, and summarizing discovery was a large part of her work. She received her MLIS from SJSU in 2009 and first worked in the Pomona branch of the law library before joining the reference staff at the main library. Christine gives tours of the law library to paralegal students, responds to prison inmate mail, and teaches Introduction to Print Resources, Finding Forms, Lawsuits in Superior Court, Discovery: Facts, Witnesses and Documents, and the Paralegal-Lit class.

Registration fee: $20
Non-refundable, payment 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.

This class will explore your right to government information in California, and the processes and procedures for obtaining public records from state and local agencies. Topics include what constitutes a public record, deadlines and timeframes, exemptions for confidential and other materials and how to formulate an effective request.

Class covers:

• Importance of the Public Records Act, and why we need it
• What constitutes a public record
• Deadlines and timeframes
• Exemptions for confidential and other materials
• How to formulate an effective request

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.

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Video Recordings: We recognize that not everyone can attend in person classes, so even if you can't make it in, please watch any of these recordings and remember that we are still here to help! Call us at (213) 785-2513, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or chat with us online to get help finding information and resources on any legal (or not-quite-legal) question. Access to the video recordings is free.

Dated Material: Please note that the law changes. The original recording date for each class is provided on the display page. To be certain that you receive up-to-date information, please attend the in-person class, or contact us for help researching or updating your specific legal issue.

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, December 6, 2018: 12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

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 for you, 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.

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: $20
Non-refundable, payment 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, December 20, 2018  12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Trial is the culmination of a civil lawsuit, where evidence is presented and a decision made by the court. In this class, an experienced trial judge will provide basic rules, strategy and practice tips about how to present evidence in California state court.

Class covers:

• Presenting testimony from friendly witnesses
• Cross-examining unfriendly witnesses
• Getting documents admitted into evidence
• How to stop improper evidence by making effective objections
• Making opening and closing arguments

Presented by: Merlyn Hernandez

Registration fee: $20
Non-refundable, payment 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.