Tuesday, March 19, 2019  4:45 – 5:45 p.m.

This class will explore your right to government information in California, and the processes and procedures for obtaining public records from state and local agencies. Topics include what constitutes a public record, deadlines and timeframes, exemptions for confidential and other materials and how to formulate an effective request.

Class covers:

• Importance of the Public Records Act, and why we need it
• What constitutes a public record
• Deadlines and timeframes
• Exemptions for confidential and other materials
• How to formulate an effective request

Presented by Sandra Levin:
Sandra Levin is the Executive Director of LA Law Library, responsible for the conduct and oversight of its operations, including direction and implementation of programs, activities and policies. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Ms. Levin was a civil litigator for more than 25 years, practicing in administrative, state and federal courts. Ms. Levin was a founding principal of Colantuono & Levin, a law firm specializing in the representation of local government agencies. While at the firm, she served as the City Attorney of several local municipalities and as special and general counsel to other public agencies, including the Law Library. Earlier in her career, Ms. Levin also served as Mayor, Councilmember and Planning Commission Chair for the City of Culver City. Ms. Levin received her J.D. from the University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law in 1987 where she was a member of the California Law Review.

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 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, March 19, 2019  6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Open government laws ensure that citizens can access records created by the governments that serve them, preventing secrecy and corruption. However, many important exemptions exist under these laws to protect individual privacy, national security, law enforcement, and the ability of executive officials to deliberate and make informed decisions, among many other concerns.

How do state and federal laws balance interests like these against the public's right to know? And how might these laws be improved to better accomplish the promise of open government, while avoiding its perils?

Class covers:

• The importance of government transparency, and the goals it is meant to accomplish
• Personnel files of police and other government officials accused of misconduct – secret or not?
• When a president may claim "executive privilege" to keep records secret
• Can records of criminal investigations be disclosed? What if they involve a major government official?
• Practical tips on litigating cases under the California Public Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act

Presented by: Kelly Aviles, Prof. Aaron Caplan, L.A. County Inspector General Max Huntsman, and Dan Laidman

Earn 1.5 hours general MCLE credit

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 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.

Until further notice, this workshop has been suspended until its safe to resume in the law library. For assistance, please see information below.

For assistance from the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) by phone, please call 1-800-399-4529 for access to services. Regular call center hours are 9am – 12 pm, Mon-Fri. If you are unable to call during that time, you may temporarily apply for help between 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m. by dialing extension 8099. Click here for more information. You can also apply for LAFLA services online.

You can also get legal advice on many common questions by requesting a telephonic consultation with a lawyer in LA Law Library’s Lawyers in the Library. To schedule a free consultation with a lawyer, click here.

Wednesday, May 2 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Housing / Landlord-Tenant
Wednesday, May 9 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Family Law proceedings relating to victims of domestic violence
Wednesday, May 16 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Housing / Landlord-Tenant
Wednesday, May 23 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Family Law proceedings relating to victims of domestic violence
Wednesday, May 30 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Housing / Landlord-Tenant

The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) now offers a teleconferencing center right here at the Main branch of LA Law Library, where you can speak to a lawyer live, send them documents and get answers to important questions. They offer legal advice and guidance to eligible individuals housing / landlord- tenant matters and victims of domestic violence who are going through a family law proceeding. They can also provide referrals to private attorneys, other legal services, and other resources as needed.

Descriptions of family law and housing / landlord tenant matters covered provided below.

Schedule and topics covered:

Family law and housing/landlord-tenant are covered every other week based on the following schedule:

• 1st Wednesday: Housing / Landlord-Tenant
• 2nd Wednesday: Family Law proceedings relating to victims of domestic violence
• 3rd Wednesday: Housing / Landlord-Tenant
• 4th Wednesday: Family Law proceedings relating to victims of domestic violence
• 5th Wednesday: Housing / Landlord-Tenant

Appointment required. Please call: 213-785-2516 or ask at the Circulation Desk of LA Law Library for assistance.

Registration fees: FREE

Classes fill up fast, register today to reserve your seat! All registrants must check-in 10 minutes prior to class time to ensure your seat is not reassigned to waiting-list and walk-in attendees when classes are full.

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.