Class recorded March 23, 2020.

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.

Mistakes happen in the course of a civil lawsuit. For example, a defendant may fail to respond to a lawsuit within the required time, resulting in a "default," which terminates the rights of the defendant to dispute the allegations. Or, a plaintiff may fail to respond to a defense motion, resulting in dismissal of the lawsuit. In this class, learn how to get back on track by asking a judge to "set aside" (or undo) defaults and other mistakes in California state courts.

Class covers:

• California Code of Civil Procedure § 473: what it is, and why you need it
• When and how a party may seek relief from his or her mistakes
• What constitutes "default" and "dismissal," and what may be "set aside"
• Preparing a motion to vacate default

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: 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.

Monday, Oct. 22, 2018 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

In California, many families struggle to care for adults who are not able to care for themselves. A conservatorship is a proceeding where a judge appoints a responsible person or organization to assist an adult with a disability with personal care or finances. This session provides general information about the court process and help in preparing and filing documents to be appointed as a probate conservator.

Class covers:

• Screening for appropriateness of probate conservatorships or available alternatives
• Obtaining referrals for other types of assistance
• Overview of conservatorship law
• Rights of the conservatee and responsibilities of the conservator
• The court forms needed to file for a conservatorship
• The petitioning process—what to expect before and after the hearing
• The post-hearing process

Walk-ins welcome. First come, first served.

Presented by:
Kathy Chew, Self-Help Conservatorship Program Director, Bet Tzedek Legal Services

Registration Fee: FREE

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 Law Library is pleased to offer our patrons the opportunity to obtain assistance from third party legal service providers at this and other events within the Library. However, the Library does not control and is not responsible for the content or scope of any assistance given by those providers.

Monday, Oct. 22, 2018  12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Panelists working in different medical-legal community partnership (MLCP) models will explore the ethical considerations faced in providing effective client legal service that ensures confidentiality, loyalty and protection of client interests and maintenance of attorney client privilege, while meeting partner demands and project deliverables. The discussion will include ethical challenges raised by innovative new MLP strategies that are evolving in partnership with countywide health agencies.

Earn 1.0 hour Legal Ethics credit

Presented by:

Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc. (MHAS)
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA)
Bet Tzedek Legal Services

Monday, Oct. 22, 2018  1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

In California, a landlord can evict a tenant for not paying rent on time or violating the lease or rental agreement. This training will go over the rules and procedures in the California evictions and collection process. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, you are welcome to attend and learn what the law requires.

Class covers:

• Valid reasons for terminating a tenancy
• Termination notices
• The eviction process
• Problems with security deposit refund
• Collecting past due rent

Presented by:
Chris Evans, Managing Partner, Kimball, Tirey & St. John LLP

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.