Litigation Newsletter

Through October 15, 2021, video and telephonic hearings may continue to be held in certain criminal matters. In the Western Division (Los Angeles), criminal duty matters will be held in Courtroom 880 of the Roybal Courthouse through October 15, 2021. In the Southern and Eastern divisions, criminal duty matters will be held in the duty magistrate’s courtroom. A redline containing the proposed revisions can be found in this electronic Notice. Read more

The Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association is pleased to announce that Wendy Cole Lascher is the 2021 Appellate Lawyer Hall of Fame awardee. Six percent of the University of Michigan Law School’s class of 1973 were women. One was Wendy Cole Lascher, now one of California's best-known appellate lawyers. Wendy’s professional career began at a three-lawyer appellate firm, where she had an opportunity to handle a wide range of appeals and writs, including multimillion dollar punitive damages cases,… Read more

Proposed Rules Amendments Published for Public Comment. The Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure (Standing Committee) has published proposed amendments to the following rules: Appellate Rules 2 and 4;Bankruptcy Restyled Rules for the 3000 to 6000 Series; Rules 3002.1, 3011, and 8003; and new Rule 9038;Official Bankruptcy Forms 101, 309E1, 309E2, and 417A; and new Official Forms 410C13-1N, 410C13-1R, 410C13-10C, 410C13-10NC, and 410C13-10R;Civil Rules 15, 72, and new Rule 87;New Criminal Rule 62; andEvidence Rules 106, 615,… Read more

Litigation Update is a monthly publication of the CLA Litigation Section, providing members with timely case summaries of important recent state and federal appellate opinions. Read more

Central District of California Covid-19 Update: All divisions of the Central District of California resumed normal operations on June 15, 2021. Hearings by video or telephonic conference may continue to be held in civil matters at the discretion of the assigned judge. Persons entering the courthouses must follow the CDC’s most recent guidance regarding face coverings or masks, though individual district judges have discretion to require the wearing of masks in their courtrooms. (See Gen. Order 21-08.) Southern District of California… Read more

The Committee on Access to Justice and Civic Engagement seeks to broaden access to the courts and justice system and help provide civic programs to educate the legal community about how to get involved. Read more

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court held that the existence of a statutory claim (with statutory damages) combined with a risk of future harm, is not enough to confer standing to sue for damages in federal court. Citing Spokeo v. Robbins, 578 U. S. 330, the Court held that “[t]o have Article III standing to sue in federal court, plaintiffs must demonstrate, among other things, that they suffered a concrete harm.” Read more

Judge Dana Makoto Sabraw was appointed to the Southern District of California by President George W. Bush in 2003 and became Chief Judge in January of 2021. Read more

Pedro V. Castillo was appointed a Magistrate Judge by the United States District Court for the Central District of California in January 2021 Read more

June 2021 Central District of California Covid-19 Update: The court is currently in Phase 3 of its Plan for Phased Resumption of Operations (“Reopening Plan”). All courthouses in the Central District are open to persons with court business and subject to all posted restrictions. In-court hearings will be permitted in all matters at the discretion of the assigned judge. Some hearings may continue to be held by video or telephonic conference. Jury trials are permitted in civil and criminal cases.… Read more