Lawyers trade on brainpower for a living. The brain is a beautiful and only partially-understood organ; far more complex than most man-made machines. Machines, when they are free of defects and are properly serviced and maintained, are reliable in their efficiency and execution.

The civil disentitlement doctrine is a drastic measure that strips away the right to pursue an appeal. Although it’s reserved for the most egregious of misbehavior, respondents are invoking the doctrine more than ever. But are courts taking the bait?

How do arbitrators think? How can you make then think better of you and your case? Hear two experienced domestic and international arbitrators explain their thought processes, their expectations of counsel and the impressions they form about the case.

There are many changes taking place at the Orange County Superior Court. During the State of Court address, Presiding Judge Kirk Nakamura will discuss changes that have occurred, are taking place, and are planned for the future, including technological, personnel, and budget changes, which may impact your representation of clients before the Orange County Superior Court.

What you need to know about why, when, and how to file a writ petition; tips on how to avoid writ traps (including how to manage those incredibly short time limits); what the various court of appeal orders mean; and the insights of a practitioner who handled thousands of petitions in her nearly-40 years as a writs attorney in the Second District.

This webinar will consist of an overview of offers of compromise (and their associated cost-shifting provisions) available under the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 68 and California Code of Civil Procedure section 998. The discussion will include a review of the basic components of each type of offer, the key differences between them, avoidance of potential pitfalls, the importance of timing, and other strategic considerations when making these offers.

Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile was appointed to the Los Angeles County Superior Court by Gov. Gray Davis in 2002. In September 2018, he was elected as Presiding Judge, effective January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2020. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Presiding Judge Brazile was a Division Chief of Los Angeles County Counsel and served as an in-house legal advisor to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Jail and Custody Division. While serving in the County Counsel’s Office, Presiding Judge Brazile successfully argued Conn vs. Gabbert before the United States Supreme Court. Presiding Judge Brazile earned his Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Assistant Presiding Judge Eric Taylor was appointed to the Los Angeles County Superior Court in 1998 by Governor Pete Wilson. He was elected Assistant Presiding Judge in September 2018, effective January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2020. Assistant Presiding Judge Taylor held numerous statewide leadership positions such as the President of the California Judges Association and as advisory member to the California Judicial Council. Assistant Presiding Judge Taylor earned a Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

One of the critical intersections between trial and appellate court practice occurs when litigants who want to appeal need to stay enforcement of the judgment or order being appealed.