IN-PERSON: Legal Writing for Laypeople: Craft and Organize Your Argument

Wednesday, Oct., 2023 | 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Legal writing requires a different set of skills than other types of writing, and this class will introduce these skills to get you “thinking like a lawyer” – or a judge! We will work through the process of legal analysis by identifying the legal issue, stating the relevant legal rule or principle, applying the principle to new facts, and stating a clear conclusion.

 Class covers:

  • Points in a lawsuit where you will need to make your case in writing
  • Identifying the legal issue
  • Structuring your writing, and keeping it short
  • Legal problem-solving and “deductive” reasoning used by legal decision-makers
  • How to organize your facts into a legal argument

Presented by:

Spencer Gales, Librarian, Librarian & Research, LA Law Library (https://www.lalawlibrary.org/)

 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.

LIVE ZOOM: Modifying Custody & Child Support

Thursday, October 16, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

--- No pre-registration required. To join the live-Zoom on the date/time of event, scroll down and click the Zoom link provided. ---

Situations in life can change, as can a parent's resources. This may, in turn, require that changes be made to court orders for child custody, child visitation, and/or child support. Learn the basics in this class about the processes to make modifications on common family law orders, including what factors the court considers in changing existing custody and support orders.

Class covers:

  • How to ask a court to modify existing custody and support orders
  • Court forms and documents required to make a modification request
  • What to expect at a court hearing for modification
  • Basics of enforcing custody and support order and where to get help
  • Resources for further information and where to seek help

Zoom link for Thursday, October 16:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81263685549

No 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.

ON DEMAND: MCLE: Helping Undocumented Immigrant Survivors

Class recorded October 25, 2023

Undocumented, immigrant survivors of abuse face specific challenges due to their lack of legal status but also have certain rights and remedies potentially available to them. In this training, we’ll review legal remedies including Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions, and U and T Visas. Participants will learn the requirements for each legal remedy, practice tips, rights and benefits.

Class covers:

  • Challenges faced by undocumented immigrant abuse survivors
  • Remedies available to them under VAWA
  • U and T Visas: requirements and remedies available
  • Practice tips
  • Other rights, remedies, and resources available to survivors

MCLE Disclaimer:

MCLE credit is only granted to attorneys licensed to practice law by the State Bar of California. Attorneys from other jurisdictions should contact their state bar to learn about credit reciprocity.

Earn 1.0 hour general participatory MCLE credit

Presented by:  Cynthia Amezcua, Staff Attorney, Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice (https://www.laclj.org/)

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 the ability to type on your device and use Zoom to ask questions or use the chat features. 

ON DEMAND: Is Someone Being Abused? Laws, Tools & Resources

Class recorded October 25, 2023

The law provides important tools for survivors of abuse. In this class, learn about two types of restraining orders, domestic violence (DVRO) and civil harassment (CHRO); how trauma can affect survivors; and what tools and resources are available to help.

Class covers:

  • Types of restraining orders;
  • Who qualifies for a domestic violence (DV)/civil harassment (CHRO) restraining order
  • How the DVRO/CHRO process works
  • What a DVRO/CHRO can do; and
  • Where those in need can seek help

Presented by:

Maria Hall, Attorney/Director of the Los Angeles Incubator Consortium (https://www.mariaehall.co/)

Roberta Ponce, Attorney, BASTA, INC. (https://www.basta.org/)

 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 the ability to type on your device and use Zoom to ask questions or use the chat features. 

 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.

LIVE ZOOM: Landlord-Tenant: Where You Begin

Thursday, November 20, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

--- No pre-registration required. To join the live-Zoom on the date/time of event, scroll down and click the Zoom link provided. ---

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

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

Developed by practicing attorneys and presented by LA Law Library Reference Librarians

ZOOM LINK for Thursday, November 20 class:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85844375541

No 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.

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