Class recorded February 9, 2023

For updated information on e-filing and filing court documents in-person during COVID-19, please click here. If your case is being heard in California state superior court, please be sure to visit your court’s website for the most recent updates. L.A. Superior Court’s website is here.

A civil lawsuit starts with the filing and service of a written complaint; the defendant must then file an answer or other response. These 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 court.

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

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.

Video Recordings: But we recognize that not everyone can attend in person, 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.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018  10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Unfortunately, many caregivers do not know how to obtain the legal guardianship necessary to adequately provide for children in their care so they can make decisions about their education, medical needs and living arrangements.

If a legal guardianship is not established, these children are at significant risk of becoming part of the foster care system because there may be no other way to ensure that their basic needs are met.

Would you like to be part of the solution? This class will teach you how to help establish probate guardianships for minors whose parents can’t or won’t care for them and how to participate as a volunteer in a pro bono clinic helping complete the necessary court forms.

Earn 1.0 hour general MCLE credit

Presented by: Public Counsel

Registration fee: FREE

Wednesday, August 15, 2018  12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Are you prepared for the new and amended Rules of Professional Conduct? The long-awaited, substantially revised Rules of Professional Conduct have now been approved by the California Supreme Court. Come learn what has changed, and what you need to worry about. This practical course is essential for attorneys of all levels of experience.

Class covers:

• The revised conflict of interest rules
• Rules governing charging and collecting attorney fees
• The modifications to advertising and solicitation rules and standards
• Practical guidance on avoiding State Bar discipline

Earn 1.0 hour Legal Ethics MCLE credit

Presented by Ellen A. Panksy and Art Barsegyan:

Ellen A. Pansky is the founding partner of Pansky Markle and a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Legal Malpractice Law. She received the Kettlewell Legal Ethics Advisor Award in 2016, is an inaugural member and past President of the national Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers, a member of the LACBA Professional Responsibility and Ethics Committee (Chair 1996-97), and previously served as a member of the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

Art Barsegyan is an associate attorney at Pansky Markle with a practice focusing on legal ethics compliance, California State Bar disciplinary defense and attorney admissions, and legal malpractice defense. He earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School, during which time he assisted in the investigation and prosecution of attorneys as a law clerk in the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar of California. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Discipline Defense Counsel.

Registration fee: $35 for the­ class
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot
Reduced-rate parking options available during registration

Wednesday, September 12, 2018  12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

As more women share their experiences and join the movement against sexual misconduct, attitudes around workplace harassment are rapidly changing, and litigators, courts, and mediators must adapt. How do workplace sexual harassment lawsuits proceed in the "#metoo" era? A distinguished panel will discuss what has changed, and what remains the same.

Class covers:

• Types of conduct that can constitute sexual harassment
• Most effective ways for victims to report harassing conduct
• Use of "me too" evidence
• Employer obligations and preventing liability
• The judicial perspective on dealing with high-profile sexual harassment suits

Earn 1 hour general MCLE credit

Presented by: Courtney Abrams, Kathleen Erskine, and Hon. Margaret Nagle (ret.)

Registration fee: $20 for the­ class (50% discount for law students with code LAWSTU)
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot
Reduced-rate parking options available during registration