WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION

Los Angeles Fire Department

Resources, up-to-date information and alerts via LAFD.org/alerts.

Watch Duty

Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time.

Alert LA County

Phone, email and text alerts by registering here:  ready.lacounty.go/emergency-notifications

National Weather Service

View active weather alerts from the National Weather Service by registering here: alerts.weather.gov

ANIMAL EVACUATION SHELTERS

Due to the ongoing Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County, the following shelters are available for animals affected by the evacuation orders. Please note capacity details and staffing information:

Large Animals

• Lancaster Animal Care Center 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536
• Antelope Valley Fair 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536
• Industry Hills Expo 16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry, CA 91744
• Capacity for 200 horses; not staffed by DACC
• Pomona Fairplex 1101 W Mckinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
• Receiving horses and dogs (temporary kennels)

Small Animals

• Baldwin Park Animal Care Center 4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park, CA 91706
• Carson Animal Care Center 216 W Victoria St, Gardena, CA 90248
• Castaic Animal Care Center 31044 North Charlie Canyon Road, Castaic, CA 91384
• Downey Animal Care Center 11258 Garfield Ave, Downey, CA 90242
• Lancaster Animal Care Center 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536
• Palmdale Animal Care Center 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550
• Agoura Animal Care Center 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura, CA 91301
• Pasadena Humane 361 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105 (Only accepts small animals within its jurisdiction)

HOW TO VOLUNTEER

Canine Rescue Club

Support for displaced pets and animals. Volunteer here: www.caninerescue.club/foster

MySafe:LA

Partners with the LA Fire Department to enhance community resilience. Volunteer here:  www.mysafela.org/volunteer

Volunteer County of Los Angeles

Engages in various community support activities, including disaster response and recovery efforts.  Volunteer here:  volunteer.lacounty.gov

American Red Cross Los Angeles Region

Urgent need for disaster shelter volunteers to support those displaced by the wildfires. 

Volunteer here:  www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles/volunteer.html

HOW TO DONATE

Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund

Supports intermediate and long-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires, as well as preparedness efforts.  Website:  www.calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund

California Fire Foundation

Provides immediate assistance to victims through programs like supplying disaster relief cash cards to those affected by wildfires. Website:  www.cafirefoundation.org

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Assists in rebuilding homes for those affected by wildfires.  Website:  www.habitatla.org/support-us 

LAFD Foundation

Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit for help and support the LAFD. Website:  www.supportlafd.org

World Central Kitchen

Nonprofit that immediately prepares and serves meals to communities impacted by natural disasters and during humanitarian crises. Website:  www.wck.org/news/first-alert-ca-fires-jan25

This year, we have 56 student competitors. As you may remember from your own law school experience, the Moot Court competition will provide these students with an opportunity for immense growth in numerous areas that are critical to the practice of law at the highest level. You will play a direct role in developing the students’ oral advocacy skills and help them navigate what can be a nerve-wracking and highly impactful experience. Your expertise will give these students a dynamically challenging and constructive experience they will never forget.

The 2024-2025 Moot Court Competition is based on a fictional case, Timothy Grey v. Baltimore Police Department. The question presented involves an intriguing constitutional issue: does a parent have a substantive right under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause to companionship with their adult child? 

When, where, and for how long?

The oral argument schedule is (tentatively) as follows:

●       Preliminary Round I: February 3-February 10

●       Preliminary Round II: February 11-25

●       Top 16 Elimination Round: March 11- March 15

●       Quarterfinal Round: March 17-20

●       Semifinals: March 24-27

The competition begins with virtual oral arguments via Zoom for Preliminary Round I. Starting with Preliminary Round II, the competition will take place in-person, on the UCI Law School campus. We deeply appreciate participation and support from local attorneys, especially for the in-person rounds of the competition.

Hearings will take place Monday through Saturday. On weekdays, we will hold two sessions of concurrent rounds beginning at 6:00 pm and ending at 9:30 pm. On Saturdays, we will hold arguments from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. For Saturday arguments, we ask judges to commit to either a morning session (9:30 am - 12:30 pm), an afternoon session (12:30 pm - 3:30 pm), or both. Meals and parking will be provided for those judging an in-person round. 

Prior to oral arguments, your clerks on the Moot Court Board will provide you with a bench memorandum summarizing the relevant law and containing suggested questions for competitors.

To reserve your seat on the bench for one or more of the oral argument sessions, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/y1UqaXQLXPusY8My7. Please include your email address and phone number, and also indicate your preference for the dates and times that you are available to judge the competition.

We rely on the generosity of our local legal community to provide this unique and vital opportunity for the next generation of legal professionals.

Thank you for your kind consideration of this invitation. We sincerely hope that you join us. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Comments Sought:

10 new proposals have been posted to the California Courts website, at 

http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

Judicial Branch Technology

 

W25-01

 

Judicial Branch Technology: Rules for Adoption of Technology and Data Security Guidelines

Summary: The Court Executives Advisory Committee (CEAC) and the Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) propose amending one rule and adopting one rule to create a process for adopting and revising technology and data security guidelines for the courts and the Judicial Council. This proposal originated with the Joint Information Security Governance Subcommittee, which reviews and recommends security-related guidelines, policies, and other proposals for action by ITAC and CEAC.

 

Appellate and Civil and Small Claims

 

W25-02

 

CEQA Actions: New Projects and Fees for Expedited Review

Summary: The Appellate Advisory Committee and the Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee recommend amending California Rules of Court for the expedited resolution of actions and proceedings brought under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As mandated by the Legislature, the Judicial Council previously adopted rules and established procedures to implement a statutory scheme for the expedited resolution of actions and proceedings brought under CEQA challenging certain projects that qualified for such streamlined procedures. This proposal amends several rules to implement recent legislation requiring inclusion of specified additional projects and removal of certain other projects for streamlined review. The committees also recommend the amendment of two rules to implement statutory provisions requiring that, for the new category of projects, the council, by rule of court, establish fees to be paid by project applicants to the courts for the additional costs of streamlined CEQA review.

 

Civil and Small Claims

 

W25-03

 

Civil Practice and Procedure: Termination of Complex Coordination Proceedings and Actions

Summary: The Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee proposes amending California Rules of Court, rule 3.545 and adopting rule 3.546 to modify the procedures courts must follow when terminating coordinated actions and to specify procedures for terminating coordination proceedings. This proposal aims to address procedural concerns first raised by a superior court judge who has managed numerous coordination proceedings.

 

Criminal Law

 

W25-04

 

Criminal Law: Felony Plea Form

Summary: The Criminal Law Advisory Committee proposes adding two new advisements to the felony plea form in light of recent case law and Proposition 36 (“The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act”) approved by voters in the General Election on November 5, 2024. The committee also recommends clarifying language about the factual basis for the plea.

 

W25-05

 

Criminal Law: New Postconviction Retail Crime Restraining Order

Summary: The Criminal Law Advisory Committee proposes a new retail crime restraining order to implement Assembly Bill 3209 (Stats. 2024, ch. 169). The order would prohibit defendants convicted of specified offenses from entering the premises of a protected retail establishment for up to two years.

 

Family and Juvenile Law

 

W25-06

 

Juvenile Law: Restitution Orders

Summary: Assembly Bill 1186 (Bonta; Stats. 2024, ch. 805) amended provisions of the Penal Code and the Welfare and Institutions Code regarding restitution liability in criminal and juvenile court, including eliminating joint and several liability for co-offending children in juvenile delinquency cases. The Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee proposes revising the restitution order and instructions forms to delete joint and several liability for juvenile co-offenders, address restitution apportionment in juvenile court orders, and clarify the liability of others who may be ordered to pay restitution in criminal and juvenile proceedings. In addition, the committee proposes revisions to allow for use of the order when a child under informal supervision has stipulated to restitution.

 

Protective Orders

 

W25-07

 

Protective Orders: New Civil Retail Crime Restraining Order

Summary: The Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee proposes amending three California Rules of Court, adopting six Judicial Council forms for mandatory use, and approving two information sheets in a new forms series to implement recent legislation creating a new civil retail crime restraining order.

 

Probate and Mental Health

 

W25-08

 

Rules and Forms: Additional CARE Act Legislation

Summary: The Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee proposes amending three rules of court, adopting one form, approving two forms, revising three forms, adopting one standard of judicial administration, and renaming a title in the standards of judicial administration to implement recently enacted Senate Bills 42 (Stats. 2024, ch. 640), 1323 (Stats. 2024, ch. 646), and 1400 (Stats. 2024, ch. 647). The legislation amended both substantive and procedural aspects of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act. In addition, the committee also proposes revisions to certain forms in response to feedback from members of the public regarding the forms’ readability and ease of use.

 

W25-09

 

Probate Conservatorship and Guardianship: Notice of Change of Residence and Notice of Death

Summary: The Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee proposes amending two rules of court andrevising six forms in response to recent legislation. Senate Bill 1106 (Stats. 2024, ch. 455)expands the duty of a conservator or guardian of the person to give notice before the change ofresidence of a conservatee or ward and requires a conservator to give notice, electronically ifpossible, of any arrangements they have made for a deceased conservatee’s funeral or similar memorial service. The proposed changes would also update the rules and forms to conform to other amendments to the law, including the statutory authorization of electronic delivery of notices and other papers in specified circumstances, as well as make technical, clarifying, and conforming changes.

 

W25-10

 

Decedents’ Estates: Succession to Real Property of Small Value

Summary: The Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee proposes revising two forms in response to recent legislation that changed the statutory procedure for claiming succession to real property by raising the maximum value of the property claimed to $750,000 and limiting the application of the procedure to succession to a decedent’s primary residence in California. The proposed form revisions would conform to these changes and make technical and formatting corrections.

 

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Tuesday, January 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

You can sign up to judge by clicking HERE.

NEW - MCLE Credit Hours: The State Bar of California has recently approved a new measure to allow attorneys to get up to two (2) hours of participatory MCLE credit for serving as a volunteer judge at a mock trial competition. Each of our trials last up to three hours, so judging even one trial can both help our students AND help you earn two participatory credit hours. 

The trials: The trials are approximately three hours long and require no preparation. There will be two days of trials, both consisting of a morning round from ~9:00 to 12:00 PM and then an afternoon round from ~2:00 to 5:00 PM. Depending on your availability, you can judge as many or as few as you would like.

The case: This year’s case is a civil matter about the death of millionaire Avery Bancroft while aboard a train in Australia. Mr. Bancroft's adult child, Taylor Hopson, who was also onboard the train at the time, was set to inherit Bancroft's estate ($400+ million). Now, Shannon Shahid, who is Mr. Bancroft's only other child, has brought a Slayer Statute proceeding, alleging that Hospson caused their father's death and therefore cannot inherit. The evidence, charges and witnesses available vary across the rounds, which makes each trial unique and interesting to watch.

Judge orientation: Before each round, we will hold a 30-minute judge orientation session. In that session, we will explain how to judge the trials, how to score the trial ballot, and other logistics. No other preparation is needed to judge (i.e., you don’t need to read any part of the case ahead of time).

Judge check-in will open 30 minutes before the orientation session, making morning check-in at 8:00 AM and afternoon check-in at 1:00 PM each day. During both days of the trials, we will be providing bagels, coffee and lunch.

Here's the link to sign up for our tournaments this year: https://forms.gle/wHJb8vSWpH9din4o8

Attached please find newly adopted and amended rule(s) with the effective date of January 1, 2025. These rules were adopted by the Judicial Council at its September 20, 2024, business meeting. 

2024-09-20-rules-effective-01-01-2025.pdf

Judicial Branch Administration

SP24-12

Title: Judicial Branch Administration: Tactical Plan for Technology 2025–2026

Summary: California Rules of Court, rule 10.53(b)(8) (Link A) requires that the Information Technology Advisory Committee develop and recommend a tactical technology plan with input from the individual appellate and trial courts. The Information Technology Advisory Committee designated its Tactical Plan Workstream to develop the 2025–2026 tactical plan to outline the technology initiatives and projects that provide a road map for achieving the technology goals for the branch.

The Tactical Plan Workstream now seeks input on the draft Tactical Plan for Technology 2025–2026 (Attachment A) by December 9, 2024. Incorporating feedback from across the branch, our judicial partners, and the public is essential for the success of this plan.

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Monday, December 09, 2024, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

We are thrilled to announce the 2025 Officers & Directors of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association!

https://conta.cc/3CdBnvr

The installation ceremony will be held during the OCWLA Holiday Reception & Installation Dinner on December 5, 2024. Join us in celebrating the dedication and leadership of our new board members.

The Central District of California is pleased to announce it will launch an Opt-Out Civil Consent to Magistrate Judges Program on December 1, 2024. Designed to relieve court congestion and utilize the breadth of the Central District’s Magistrate Judges’ expertise, this Program will assign a portion of the Court’s civil cases upon filing directly to a Magistrate Judge.

Please see the attached press release and notice from the clerk for additional information. They are also available on the Court’s website under News Announcements.

2024-11-01 Notice - New Opt Out Consent to MJ Program.pdf

2024-11-01 Press Release - Opt Out Consent to MJ Program.pdf

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce that will be soon be hiring for the position of Deputy District Attorney (DDA) I. The salary range for a DDA I is $6,384.64 - $8,603.36 Monthly, or $76,615.68 - $103,240.32 Annually.  The filing period for the DDA I Exam will begin at 8:00 a.m. PST on Monday, November 4, 2024 and will remain open until the needs of the Department are met.  Please note that this exam is subject to closure without notice.

Please send an email to any recent law school graduates or current Bar Association members who have successfully passed the California Bar Examination of this opportunity.  The examination bulletin will be posted soon and can be accessed on governmentjobs.com. The bulletin and job application will also be accessible at da.lacounty.gov. Go to the Contact tab (far right) and select “Employment.” The listing can be viewed under “Current Job Opportunities” which is the second section of the page. 

Veterans win back the West LA VA Campus

The court's ruling aims to significantly reduce veteran homelessness and improve access to medical care, though implementation faces bureaucratic challenges.

Read More: https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/381503-veterans-win-back-the-west-la-va-campus