Class recorded March 21, 2024

Trial is the culmination of a civil lawsuit, where evidence is presented and a decision made by either a jury or a judge (i.e., a “bench trial”). In this class, learn basic rules, strategies and tips about how to present evidence and handle your own trial in a 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 in partnership with the L.A. Incubator Consortium.

Registration fee: FREE

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)."

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.

Class recorded September 14, 2020

California and the U.S. are preparing for an unprecedented election amid a pandemic, economic downturn, natural disasters, and widespread misinformation about voting and the integrity of the election. Yet, in spite of – and because of – these challenges, the importance of exercising your right to vote may be greater than ever. In this class, learn why elections are so important, how to spot misinformation and myths about voting, and how to make sure your voice is heard. Learn your rights, then go out (or stay in) and vote!

Class covers:

• Why vote? Making sure democracy works for everyone, not just for those with power and resources
• Who is eligible to vote, and how to register to vote
• Ways to vote: your options before and on Election Day, and how to vote safely during COVID-19
• The Voters’ Bill of Rights, accessible voting for those with disabilities, and what to do if you witness voter intimidation
• Debunking common myths about voting

Presented by: Maria E. Hall and John Nolte

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)."

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.

Class recorded November 19, 2020

Bias remains an enormous problem in the legal industry and the justice system. In this class, get the unique perspectives of seasoned intellectual property, internet, and privacy law practitioners, as they discuss how bias persists – including how technology can perpetuate bias – and how you can help to root it out.

Class covers:

• How bias persists in the legal industry – including the perspective of a former hiring attorney at a major national firm on how bias in hiring and promotion is perpetuated
• How to recognize incidents of bias – true stories of biased actions that occurred through comments, actions, and omissions
• How new technology like facial recognition and artificial intelligence can perpetuate bias
• Why eliminating bias is important, and profitable, and tools you can use to eliminate bias

Earn 1 hour participatory California Elimination of Bias MCLE credit: After registration, a staff member will email you the course materials, an evaluation form, and your Certificate of Attendance (usually the next business day). Register first, then watch the recording to the end and answer the questions provided in the popup to verify your attendance.

Registration Fee: $25, Non-refundable

Presented by Diana Iketani Iorlano and Don Dennis:

Diana Iketani Iorlano is a privacy lawyer, litigator, and serves as outside general counsel to companies ranging from small businesses to large corporations. She is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), a Certified Information Privacy Professional/U.S. (CIPP/US), and holds other data privacy professional certifications. Prior to founding her own firm, Diana was a senior member of the privacy/data security and litigation teams at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in Los Angeles. She previously served as a temporary judge for the Los Angeles Superior Court from 2004 to 2010, and earned her J.D. at USC-Gould School of Law.

Don Dennis’ practice focuses on copyright and trademark infringement, Internet law, defamation, trade secret misappropriation, data security breach, and privacy law. He works to resolve complex disputes over online contracts, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and other website matters, and provides guidance on best business practices concerning E-Commerce. Don obtained his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Northwestern University and J.D. from UCLA School of Law.

Class recorded December 2, 2020

Providing for the long-term care of a permanently disabled person presents unique legal challenges. In this class, learn the fundamentals of how to set up first- and third-party special needs trusts to preserve eligibility for public benefits, provide needed care, and create a stable arrangement that will protect the special needs beneficiary throughout his or her life.

Class covers:

• Common purposes of special needs trusts (SNTs)
• Self-settled (first-party), third-party, and pooled SNTs: distinctions and differences
• Maintaining eligibility for public assistance benefits such as Medical and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Funding the trust and avoiding tax issues
• Recent changes to the law of SNTs, including ABLE accounts

Earn 1 hour participatory California Elimination of Bias MCLE credit: After registration, a staff member will email you the course materials, an evaluation form, and your Certificate of Attendance (usually the next business day). Register first, then watch the recording to the end and answer the questions provided in the popup to verify your attendance.

Presented by Mina N. Sirkin:

Mina Sirkin is a certified Specialist in Probate, Estate Planning and Trust Law. Mina’s primary practice involves trust and conservatorship litigation, as well as special needs trust planning. Licensed since 1992, Mina holds a JD from Whittier Law School and an LLM in Taxation from Golden Gate University Law School. Mina has won the American Jurisprudence Award in Constitutional Law and was a winner of the California Tax Bar Scholarship. When it comes to conservatorships and estates, Mina has served as a media expert to CNN, CNBC, E!, Inside Edition, NPR and other media outlets. Mina has served as court appointed counsel for conservatees since 1994.

Registration fee: $20

Non-refundable, payment reserves spot.