Classes
Thursday, September 25, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
A motion is how you request that a court require someone to do something in your lawsuit. Motions are made to obtain many types of orders: to postpone a trial to a later date, to modify an order for child support, to get a judgment without going to trial, to get a rehearing or a new trial, or for sanctions when a party breaks the rules (just to name a few). A motion for any of these orders can have a huge impact on your case. This class is intended to give an overview of how motions work in California state court and the rules of procedure that apply to making, filing, and serving and opposing motions.
Class covers:
- What a motion is and why a motion may be important to your case
- When a motion is appropriate
- What is included in a motion
- How to get a motion on calendar and rules regarding service, filing and proper notice
- Requirements for “ex parte” (emergency) and oral motions, and when each of these is appropriate
Class approved for Court Interpreter Minimum Continuing Education (CIMCE) credit.
Developed by practicing attorneys and presented by LA Law Library Reference Librarians
Thursday, September 18, 2025: 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Join a live question and answer session about tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities. An experienced landlord-tenant attorney will be available to answer questions about eviction protections for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19, what landlords can and cannot do during (and after) the pandemic, the new process for collecting past-due rent through small claims court, what the outlook might be for renters now that the statewide eviction moratorium has expired and updated eviction protections for tenants in the City of Los Angeles and other parts of Los Angeles County. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, you are welcome to attend and get the vital information you need.
Thursday, September 11, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
A civil lawsuit starts with the filing and service of a written complaint. The complaint serves many purposes, including the identification of the parties involved in the lawsuit, the plaintiff’s reason for filing a lawsuit, and the type of relief that is sought. The defendant must then respond to the complaint by filing an answer or another type of response. The complaint and the defendant’s responses 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 courts.
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
Class approved for Court Interpreter Minimum Continuing Education (CIMCE) credit.
Developed by practicing attorneys and presented by LA Law Library Reference Librarians
Tuesday, September 9, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
This class will be hosted on ZOOM
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, such as mediation, help people settle their legal disputes outside of court whenever possible. Utilizing ADR helps litigants save time, money, and stress. The Los Angeles Superior Court offers a variety of no-cost or low-cost settlement programs and resources. This program will highlight the benefits of ADR and provide information about the Court’s settlement programs primarily for civil cases.
Presented by: Kerry Bigornia, Alternative Dispute Resolution Administrator, Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
Thursday, September 4, 2025: 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse, violence or threats of violence outside of a dating or close personal relationship, that might be civil harassment. Join a live question and answer session with experienced civil litigation attorneys. At this session, learn what civil harassment is and isn’t – and what you can do about it. Ask questions about who qualifies for a civil harassment restraining order (CHRO), how to apply to the court for a CHRO, including what to expect at the court hearing, what a CHRO can do and other procedural topics.
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 Zoom to be able to participate in the written Q&A or chat features.
Presented in partnership with the L.A. Incubator Consortium (Los Angeles Attorney Incubator Consortium (laincubatorconsortium.com)
