Litigation Newsletter

A monthly publication of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association. Read more

A monthly publication of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association. Read more

For more federal courts content, please see the Quarterly Federal Courts Committee Newsletter. This quarter’s newsletter includes an interview with United States Magistrate Judge Stephanie Christensen. We are looking for six new members to join our Federal Courts Committee. If you are interested, please apply at https://calawyers.org/section/litigation/standing-committees/committee-on-federal-courts/ or email Committee Chair Tom Stout for more information. Central District of California Changes to Local Rules: The Court has approved amendments to the local rules, which became effective on December 1, 2024:… Read more

1. You had a distinguished career in public service before joining the bench.  What made you decide to become a magistrate judge?    Loud encouragement. People that I trusted made me believe that it was a good fit, and their encouragement was louder than doubting questions in my mind.  Was I ready to give up advocacy?  Was it financially irresponsible to commit to the salary when the opportunity cost was so high? Would I enjoy the job?  Those persistent mentors got… Read more

On March 19, 2023, I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Allison Hertog about her Los Angeles-based work as a lawyer specializing in disability services in public school education.  California’s public schools are composed primarily of students of color, sixty percent of which qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The pandemic, and its aftermath, has forced Americans to take a closer look at education system and to contend with the disproportionate impacts that the remote learning environment had on students’ mental health, and social learning and technological needs. Read more

A monthly publication of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association. Senior Editor, Eileen C. Moore, Associate Justice, California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division Three Managing Editor, Julia C. Shear Kushner Editors, Dean Bochner, Colin P. Cronin, Austin Evans, Jenn French, Jennifer Hansen, Ryan Wu Interlocutory Appeal Dismissed for Lack of Jurisdiction. Under Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics (1971) 403 U.S. 388, a plaintiff has a right to file a civil action… Read more

For more federal courts content, please see the Quarterly Federal Courts Committee Newsletter. This quarter’s newsletter includes an interview with United States Magistrate Judge Michelle M. Pettit We are looking for six new members to join our Federal Courts Committee. If you are interested, please apply here or email Committee Chair Tom Stout for more information. Southern District of California 2024 Hon. David H. Bartick Award: The Southern District is pleased to announce the selection of Michael J. Dowd as the 2024 recipient… Read more

A monthly publication of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association. Read more

A monthly publication of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association. Read more

The Southern District of California appointed Judge Pettit in July 2023. Before joining the bench, she worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for more than 15 years, prosecuting several areas of crime including national security and cybercrime, fraud, drug-trafficking, and child exploitation. Judge Pettit received a Bachelor of Science with distinction from the United States Naval Academy and graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2001. Read more