IN PERSON: Civil Lawsuit Basics: How to Make and Oppose Motions

Thursday, May 23, 2024: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

A motion is how you request that a court order 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, 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

Registration fee: FREE - Reservation reserves spot

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: Civil Lawsuit Basics: How to Make and Oppose Motions

Thursday, September 26, 2024: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.


--- ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME FOR CLASSES HELD VIA ZOOM---


A motion is how you request that a court order 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, 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

Registration fee: FREE - Reservation reserves spot

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.

IN PERSON: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Subpoenas and RFPs: Getting Documents to Prove Your Case

Thursday, October 10, 2024: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.


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. In this class, learn about subpoenas and requests for production (RFPs) in California state court civil cases, in order to discover written documents and other physical objects you might need to prove your case or defend yourself successfully.

Class covers:

  • When to make requests for production (RFPs) and what you can ask for
  • Responding or objecting to RFPs
  • Motions to compel compliance, responses and further responses
  • Subpoenas: obtaining records or testimony from non-parties
  • Trial subpoenas and notices to appear at trial

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

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

Registration fee: FREE - Reservation reserves spot

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: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Subpoenas and RFPs: Getting Documents to Prove Your Case

Thursday, June 6, 2024: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

--- ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME FOR CLASSES HELD VIA ZOOM---


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. In this class, learn about subpoenas and requests for production (RFPs) in California state court civil cases, in order to discover written documents and other physical objects you might need to prove your case or defend yourself successfully.

Class covers:

  • When to make requests for production (RFPs) and what you can ask for
  • Responding or objecting to RFPs
  • Motions to compel compliance, responses and further responses
  • Subpoenas: obtaining records or testimony from non-parties
  • Trial subpoenas and notices to appear at trial

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

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

Registration fee: FREE - Reservation reserves spot

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.

IN PERSON: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Interrogatories and RFAs: Getting Another Party to Answer Questions in Writing

Thursday, June 20, 2024: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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.

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

Registration fee: FREE - Reservation reserves spot

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.

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