Class recorded January 12, 2022.

Statutes frequently contain ambiguous or unclear language. When this occurs, researching the Legislature’s intent in enacting a particular law often becomes necessary. In this class, learn how to research the history of a statute, including state and federal research, plus regulations.

Class covers:

• Legislative history research: what it can do, why you need it
• The process of researching legislative history
• Key terms, and the different types of documents that make up legislative history
• Determining the particular session law (“chapter”) or bill number to research
• Accessing legislative history during Covid-19

Earn 1.0 hour general California participatory 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 Jan Raymond and Betsy Raymond:

Jan Raymond is a 1979 Graduate of King Hall School of Law at UC Davis.  After practicing as a lawyer full time for several years he began doing legislative history work, which has been his primary occupation of over 30 years.

Betsy Raymond began work with Raymond Research in 2012, and became the Head of Client Research in 2018. Betsy has been the primary team member creating access points for legislative research during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Registration fee: $20, Non-refundable

Class recorded January 26, 2022

For lawyers, preparing for retirement and other major life changes involves more than just a will or an advance directive. You also must prepare your practice – and your clients – for what will happen when you encounter unforeseen life events like illness or disability. Attend this class and learn how to prepare the right way.

Class covers:

• Sources of your ethical duty to prepare for life changes
• Practical considerations when planning for illness and disability
• Methods of protecting your clients in the event of unforeseen life events
• Legal consequences when an attorney does not adequately prepare

Earn 1.0 hour California participatory Legal Ethics 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 David M. Majchrzak:

David M. Majchrzak is deputy general counsel and shareholder with Klinedinst PC. He is a seasoned ethicist and civil litigator who counsels attorneys on ethics, and assists professionals in malpractice claims and disciplinary matters before state and federal bodies. Mr. Majchrzak served on the State Bar’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct, currently serves as the co-chair of California Lawyers Association’s first Ethics Committee and as a member of the organization’s Future of the Profession Task Force, and is the co-editor of Ethics Quarterly.

Registration fee: $20

Non-refundable.

Class recorded Janurary 5, 2022

As the population ages and more elders live alone, attorneys deal increasingly with the problems of capacity and undue influence. Clients in the areas of trusts and estates, probate, family law, and general civil litigation may present serious legal issues arising from a lack of decision-making capacity or the undue influence of a third party. Learn how to assess and resolve these issues.

Class covers:

• How capacity is assessed
• California’s new statutory framework for determining undue influence
• Client interview techniques
• Civil remedies available to victims of undue influence
• When to seek conservatorship, alternatives to conservatorship, and restraining orders

Earn 1 hour general California participatory 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. Mina has served as a media legal expert to CNN, CNBC, E!, Inside Edition, NPR and other outlets.  Mina has served as court appointed counsel for conservatees since 1994.  

Registration Fee: $20, Non-refundable.

Class recorded July 31, 2025

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 in your case, 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

Registration fee: FREE

Presented by Ryan Metheny:

Ryan Metheny is the Managing Librarian, Legal Education at LA Law Library. After graduating from UCLA School of Law, Ryan practiced First Amendment law at a public interest firm in Berkeley. He then transitioned to librarianship to focus on his passions of research and education, and earned a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Washington. When not on the reference desk, Ryan coordinates the educational programming at the law library, the law student internship program, and the Members Program. He also teaches legal research at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

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.