Saturday, August 17, 2019  10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Learn how to find forms and templates for different types of legal matters. Learn about form resources available in and out of the Library — from the Library's practice guides and form books to the many online sources, both in the Library and available elsewhere.

Class covers:

• Finding forms on court and agency websites
• Accessing California Judicial Council court forms
• Finding form books in the Library
• Locating form books in Library databases
• Creating pleadings using Library's pleading paper templates

Registration fees: $20 for the class
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot

No legal advice:
LA Law Library provides access to legal resources and assistance with legal research. LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

Class recorded May 4, 2023.

Learn how to find forms and templates for different types of legal matters. Learn about form resources available in and out of the Library — from the Library’s practice guides and form books to the many online sources, both in the Library and available elsewhere.

Class covers:

• Finding civil, family, probate, and other litigation (court) forms on court and agency websites
• Accessing California Judicial Council forms for different types of court matters
• Finding and using print form books in the Library for civil court matters, contracts, real estate transactions, wills and trusts, family law, and more
• Locating and using form books in Library databases for different types of legal matters
• Creating court pleadings using the Library’s pleading paper templates

Registration fees: 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).

Presented by: Ryan Metheny, Managing Librarian, Legal Education

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.

Saturday, February 17, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Learn how to find forms and templates for different types of legal matters. Learn about form resources available in and out of the Library — from the Library’s practice guides and form books to the many online sources, both in the Library and available elsewhere.

Class covers:

• Finding forms on court and agency websites
• Accessing California Judicial Council court forms
• Finding form books in the Library
• Locating form books in Library databases
• Creating pleadings using Library’s pleading paper templates

No legal advice:
LA Law Library provides access to legal resources and assistance with legal research. LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

Registration fees: $20 for the class
Nonrefundable payment reserves spot

Friday, February 9, 2018: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The heart of an appeal is a well-written brief. This workshop provides one-on-one assistance with writing, rewriting and formatting a brief and provides tips to avoid common mistakes in legal writing. Library resources for brief-writing will also be covered.

What to bring to the workshop: This class involves one-on-one instruction and review of drafts. If you are working on a draft, bring two copies – one for you and one for the volunteer attorney. Please bring a pen or pencil and your reading glasses (if you need them).

IMPORTANT NOTE: This workshop is exclusively for self-represented litigants who have reached the stage of an appeal where they are ready to draft a brief; only those who have been pre-screened by the Appellate Self-Help Clinic at the Court of Appeal may participate. To be admitted to the workshop attendees must present a written referral form from the Clinic.

The Appellate Self-Help Clinic is located on the Second Floor of the North Tower of the Ronald Reagan State Building, across from the Clerk’s Office at 300 South Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. The Clinic's hours of operation are:

• Most Wednesdays - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The last Wednesday of each month - 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ONLY.

If you cannot visit the clinic, you may obtain a referral by emailing the staff attorney. The staff attorney's email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please include "Requesting referral to 2/9 Individualized Help Writing an Appellate Brief" in the subject line.

Registration fees: FREE

No legal advice:
LA Law Library provides access to legal resources and assistance with legal research. LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.