Litigation Newsletter

Whereas, the California Civility Task Force is a joint project of the California Judges Association (CJA) and the California Lawyers Association (CLA); and Whereas, the CJA Executive Board has reviewed the task force's initial report entitled Beyond the Oath: Recommendations for Improving Civility Read more

Judge Allison H. Goddard is a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. She joined the court on August 1, 2019. Read more

Last September, the California Civility Taskforce, a joint project of the California Lawyers Association (CLA) and the California Judges Association (CJA), issued a report decrying increased incivility in the legal profession and setting forth four proposals for improving civility among California lawyers and judges. Read more

Newly formed in 2021, the International ADR Subcommittee of the Litigation Section’s ADR Committee is focused on international arbitration, international mediation, and other international ADR initiatives. Notably, the Subcommittee’s current focus is the launch of the first California International Arbitration Week, scheduled for March 14 – 18, 2022. The Subcommittee is also working on other international ADR projects including considering legislative revision proposals to California International Arbitration and Conciliation Act (CIACA) and other event programming. Read more

COVID-19 Update: The District Court adopted a policy regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, effective October 1, 2021. (Policy.) On October 4, 2021, the Court extended its authority pursuant to provisions of the CARES Act through January 14, 2022. Accordingly, court hearings by video or telephonic conference may continue to be held in certain criminal matters. (Notice.) Read more

COVID-19 Update: The District Court adopted a policy regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, effective October 1, 2021. (Policy.) On October 4, 2021, the Court extended its authority pursuant to provisions of the CARES Act through January 14, 2022. Accordingly, court hearings by video or telephonic conference may continue to be held in certain criminal matters. Read more

For more federal court specific content, please see the Federal Court Committee’s Quarterly Newsletter here. The Federal Court Committee’s full Fourth Quarter 2021 Newsletter includes an interview with Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Donahue (C.D. Cal.); a summary of the Committee’s recent comments on proposed rule changes; and a summary of the recent four-District webinar featuring: U.S. District Court Judges Anthony J. Battaglia (S.D. Cal.), Beth L. Freeman (N.D. Cal.), Philip S. Gutierrez (C.D. Cal.), and Kimberly J. Mueller (E.D. Cal). Read more

Since 1987, the Litigation Section’s premiere publication has been “California Litigation: The Journal of the Litigation Section,” which publishes three issues a year (Spring, Summer, and Fall), containing roughly a dozen articles of interest to California litigators. Read more

As we look to the coming year, the Litigation Section is hopeful that we can gather again in-person for some of our signature programs, such as A Week in Legal London in March 2022, while continuing to offer a wide range of online programs. Read more

For over 30 years, the Litigation Section has conducted a biennial educational program, A Week in Legal London. This program is unique in that it provides the participants with an unparalleled behind-the-scenes experience of the British legal system that is simply not available to general public. From our welcome by the Lord Chief Justice in the Royal Courts of Justice and meeting with the President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, we are afforded access to the very highest levels of the British legal system. Read more