Tuesday, September 20, 2016
6:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.

From film’s beginnings as a nickelodeon amusement to its emergence as a multi-million dollar business, court decisions and laws have influenced what movies could be made – and what state censors and regional regulators had the power to suppress. Dirty Words reveals how changing interpretations of the First Amendment affect the media industry, both historically and today.

Class covers:

• Historical perspective of censorship in America
• Development of First Amendment regulations and changing definitions of obscenity
• Current international issues in state censorship
• Update on content regulation in the U.S. today

The presenter’s book Dirty Words & Filthy Pictures: Film and the First Amendment (The University of Texas Press) will be available for sale at a special discounted price.

Earn 1 hour general MCLE credit

Presented by Jeremy Geltzer:
Jeremy Geltzer is an author and attorney who has worked for Paramount, Warner Bros., ABC/Disney, and Lions Gate. Prior to his legal career, he was a writer and producer at Turner Classic Movies where he worked with classic stars including Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell, Charlton Heston, and Anthony Quinn. He has taught Film History at Georgia State University and is teaching an upcoming course on Media and Censorship at UCLA.

Registration fees: $35
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot.

No 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.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016
12:15 p.m. — 1:15 p.m.

This class will cover effective written advocacy, including rhetorical tips and tricks, and provide practical guidance for persuading courts. Many motions and virtually all appeals are decided on the papers. Find out how to make yours more compelling.

Class covers:

• The importance of the introduction
• Briefing do’s and don’ts
• How the little things – structure and composition – can make a big difference
• What lawyers can learn about rhetoric from non-legal writers
• How reading recreationally improves writing

Earn 1 hour general MCLE credit

Presented by Cindy E. Tobisman and David E. Hackett:
Cindy Tobisman is a partner at Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP (GMSR). She’s been repeatedly named a Rising Star and SuperLawyer in appellate law. Over the last eighteen years, she’s written appeals and dispositive motions in every sort of civil matter under the sun. She currently co-chairs the Beverly Hills Bar Association’s amicus briefs committee. She’s also the author of a legal thriller, DOUBT, which will be published by Thomas & Mercer in August 2016.

David Hackett, a GMSR associate, has briefed numerous appeals, writ petitions, and post-trial motions in a variety of substantive areas, including agency and partnership, civil procedure, constitutional law, personal injury, probate, real estate, and tax matters. Before joining the firm, he served as a law clerk to Judge Alfred Goodwin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and Judge Gary Feess of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Registration fees: $35
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot.

No 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.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016
12:15 p.m. — 1:15 p.m.

Learn what you must do to protect your client by making a clear and complete record in the trial court for any future appeal. While the focus is on state court practice, presenters will note where federal practice differs in a significant way.

Class covers:

• Making a record and avoiding waiver – general considerations
• Transcripts and exhibits
• Objections and offers of proof
• Jury instructions, special verdict forms and statements of decision

Earn 1 hour general MCLE credit

Presented by Marc J. Poster and Alison M. Turner:
Marc J. Poster is a partner at the appellate firm Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland, LLP (GMSR), a Los Angeles and San Francisco firm that specializes in civil appeals and writs in state and federal courts, including an extensive practice in the United States Supreme Court. He has over four decades of appellate expertise and has handled hundreds of appeals and writs that encompass a multitude of subject areas.

Alison M. Turner, a partner at GMSR, has devoted twenty five years to a civil appellate practice, briefing and arguing matters in state and federal appellate courts and the California Supreme Court. As appellate counsel she frequently assists trial counsel in doing what needs to be done—before trial, during trial, and post-trial—to make and preserve the record for appeal.

Registration fees: $35
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot.

No 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.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017
12:15 p.m. — 1:15 p.m.

Learn from appellate practitioners how to prepare post-judgment motions that have the best chance of success, and that will best protect your client in the event of an appeal—motions for new trial, to vacate a judgment and for judgment notwithstanding the verdict.

Class covers:

• Issues that must be raised to preserve arguments for an appeal
• Practical tips for achieving success and for curing record gaps
• Jurisdictional motion deadlines
• Motion procedures and potential pitfalls
• Differences between federal and state motions

Earn 1 hour general MCLE credit

Presented by Ted L. Xanders and Gary J. Wax:
Ted Xanders is a partner at the appellate firm Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland, LLP (GMSR), a Los Angeles law firm that specializes in civil appeals and writs in state and federal courts, including an extensive practice in the United States Supreme Court. He has over two decades of appellate expertise and has handled over a hundred appeals and writs that encompass over twenty-five different subject areas.

Gary Wax is an appellate attorney with GMSR, representing a wide range of clients in civil appeals and in writ proceedings, including insurers, property owners, employers, public entities, bankruptcy creditors, and trademark-holders. Gary also regularly advises trial counsel on drafting jury instructions and making and opposing post-trial motions.

Registration fees: $35
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot.

No 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.