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Court Alerts
Litigation Section Newsletter
Editors:
Brian Hershman
Oliver Rocos
Maxine Thomas
Litigation Executive Committee:
Officers:
Eric Y. Kizirian, Chair
Brian T. Glennon, Chair Elect
Shehnaz M. Bhujwala, Vice Chair
Mike Madokoro, Secretary
Douglas N. Silverstein, Immediate Past Chair |
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Litigation 2022 Bench Meets the Bar Luncheon
May 17, 2022, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Please join us for the 2022 Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation Section's Bench Meets Bar Luncheon where prominent judges and lawyers from the Los Angeles legal community will gather in a unique and collegial atmosphere to meet and discuss the state of the local Federal, State and Appellate Courts.
For more information and to register, visit here.
Nuts and Bolts of Unlawful Detainer
May 19, 2022, 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Please join us for an informative discussion with Unlawful Detainer judges regarding various topics impacting practice in UD Courts. Topics cover include Filing Lawsuits, Remote Hearings, Ex Partes, Discovery Disputes, Law & Motion, Trial Setting, Mandatory Settlement Conferences, Final Status Conferences, and Status of various eviction moratoria.
For more information and to register, visit here.
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Thank You to Our Annual Sponsors
Thank you to our annual litigation section sponsors for their generous support of the LACBA Litigation Section.
- ADR Services, Inc.
- Cornerstone Research
- Freeman & Mills
- JAMS
- JUDICATE WEST
- Signature Resolution
- Click here to view the sponsors page - |
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT UPDATES
Ending Of Face Mask Mandate
- Presiding Judge Taylor announced on March 25 that the mask mandate for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County will be lifted effective Monday April 4, 2022. Notwithstanding the lifting of the mandate, all individuals attending the court are strongly recommended to continue to wear well-fitting masks or respirators inside all courthouses. This guidance aligns with the current Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Order. News Release
- Until the mandate is lifted, all persons – regardless of vaccination status – are still required to wear face masks over their nose and mouth while in a courthouse. Children under the age of two (2) are exempt. Court employees and judicial officers must wear masks inside courthouses. Persons whose disabilities preclude them from wearing face masks compliant with the guidance are urged to seek an accommodation under Rule 1.100 of the California Rules of Court in advance of their court appearance or appointment.
- Litigants are strongly encouraged to continue to take advantage of the Court’s remote courtroom appearance technology.
Extension of Certain Juvenile Deadlines
- The time periods provided in section 313 of the Welfare and Institutions Code within which a minor taken into custody pending Dependency proceedings must be released from custody is extended to not more than seven (7) days, applicable only to minors for whom the statutory deadline would otherwise expire from March 26, 2022, to April 22, 2022, inclusive; and
- The time periods provided in section 315 of the Welfare and Institutions Code within which a minor taken into custody pending Dependency proceedings must be given a detention hearing is extended to not more than seven (7) days, applicable only to minors for whom the statutory deadline would otherwise expire from March 26, 2022, to April 22, 2022, inclusive. News Release
New and Enhanced Features Coming to LACourtConnect:
- The Superior Court of Los Angeles County will soon begin a phased transition of new and enhanced features in LACourtConnect (LACC) that will, among other changes, allow parties and attorneys to chat and talk privately, screen share and view the courtroom proceedings before their case is called in a secure, virtual gallery environment. News Release
- The phased rollout of LACC will begin in Probate, then Civil, followed by Family Law and Traffic courtrooms. Juvenile Dependency courtrooms will then move from Webex to LACC for remote courtroom appearances tentatively scheduled for April/May.
- To prepare for the transition, LACC has temporarily reduced scheduling for hearings to seven (7) days before the hearing instead of 30 days. After the transition is done, registration will be restored to 30 days in advance of a hearing.
Probate Division Changes at Stanley Mosk:
- Effective March 7, 2022: Judge Ana Maria Luna will be assigned to Department 3 at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles. All matters previously assigned to Department 3 will be assigned to Judge Luna for all purposes. News Release
Resumption of Criminal and Civil Jury Trials
- Civil jury trials and Criminal trials and preliminary hearings resumed as of February 14. Judge Taylor expressed that the Court was “working with its justice partners and members of the Civil bar to resume full trial operations” though it will continue to prioritize safe access to justice as COVID trends continue. News Release
Judicial Retirements
- Judge Holly E. Kendig of Dept. 003 at Spring Street is retiring at the end of April 2022. Her matters will be taken over by Judge Richard J. Burdge, currently of Dept. 037 at Stanley Mosk. Judge Gail Killefer of Dept. 097 at Stanley Mosk will take over Dept. 037 at Stanley Mosk from Judge Burdge.
- Judge Stephen M. Moloney of Dept. 004 at Spring Street also is retiring at the end of April 2022. His matters will be taken over by Judge Mary Ann Murphy, currently of Dept. Q at Van Nuys—East. Judge Jessica A. Uzscategui of Dept. H in Van Nuys will take over Dept. Q in Van Nuys from Judge Mary Ann Murphy.
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COURT OF APPEAL UPDATES
Resumption of In-Person Arguments
- The Second District Court of Appeal is set to resume in-person arguments, effective May 2022, consistent with state and local public health guidance. Those fully vaccinated may remove their masks only while presenting oral argument. Division Two will conduct the first in-person oral argument on May 19. Each division will make adjustments in accordance with its special needs and circumstances. News Release
- Counsel appearing in-person must provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result for COVID-19 within 48 hours of a scheduled appearance. The Clerk’s Office will provide more information regarding procedures for conducting oral arguments.
Rescission of Temporary Emergency Measures
- On March 3, 2022, Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye announced that several provisions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be rescinded effective April 30. The order rescinds:
- Authorization to adopt any proposed local rule or local rule amendment intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, without advance circulation for 45 days of public comment.
- Authorization for courts to issue implementation orders to extend time periods relating to the Penal Code.
- Authorization for courts to issue implementation orders to extend time periods in sections 583.310 and 583.320 of the Code of Civil Procedure to bring an action to trial by no more than 60 days from the last date on which the statutory deadline otherwise would have expired.
- Suspension of any rule in the California Rules of Court to the extent such rule would prevent a court from using technology to conduct judicial proceedings and court operations remotely.
- Extensions of time authorized in an emergency order(s) issued to an individual court pursuant to Government Code section 68115 is not affected.
- For a more detailed explanation of rescinded provisions, see the News Release.
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U.S.D.C. CENTRAL DISTRICT COURT UPDATES
Applications for Merit Selection Panel Members
- The United States District Court, Central District of California, is accepting applications from qualified attorneys interested in serving on the Central District’s Merit Selection Panel. News Release
- Successful applicants will fill the seats of seven Panel members whose terms are expiring at the end of this year. Successful applicants will serve a three-year term, effective January 1, 2023, renewable for one additional term.
- The Panel evaluates and recommends to District Judges the best applicants for appointment to United States Magistrate Judge, as well as whether an incumbent Magistrate Judge facing an expiring term should be reappointed.
- The application can be found here and completed applications should be emailed to MSP_cacd@cacd.uscourts.gov no later than April 30, 2022.
Extension of CARES Act:
- The United States District Court for the Central District of California has extended its authority pursuant to the provisions of the CARES Act through May 28, 2022. Therefore, the Court announces the following regarding its operations. News Release
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- Court Hearings: Hearings by video or telephonic conference may continue to be held in certain criminal matters as set forth in Order of the Chief Judge No. 20-043 and Order of the Chief Judge 22-045, unless the findings and authorizations in the Orders are subsequently terminated.
- Criminal Duty: In the Western Division, criminal duty matters will be held in Courtroom 880 at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and Courthouse through May 28, 2022. The Southern and Eastern division criminal duty matters will be held in the duty magistrate’s courtroom.
Senate Confirms Superior Court Judge Fred Slaughter as United States District Judge for the Central District of California:
- On March 17, 2022 the United States Senate confirmed President Joe Biden’s nomination of Orange County Superior Court Judge Fred W. Slaughter to serve as a federal district judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Judge Slaughter will preside over matters in Santa Ana in the Court’s Southern Division. News Release
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About Court Alerts
The Litigation Section of LACBA is proud to provide "Court Alerts," an e-mail publication aimed at informing LACBA Litigation Section members of recent news related to the Los Angeles Superior Court and the U.S. Central District of California, including re-assignments of judges, changes in court structure, and other information important to litigators.
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Readers are advised that changes in the law may affect the accuracy of this publication or the functionality of links after the publication date. The foregoing practice tips were prepared for information purposes only. Such practice tips do not constitute tax, legal or other advice and no responsibility is assumed for any reliance upon them or with respect to assessing or advising the reader as to tax, legal, or other consequences arising from a particular situation. The accuracy of the information provided should be independently verified by the reader and should not be treated as authoritative.
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