Course Offerings

Are you considering filing a civil complaint in Sacramento County? This course will introduce you to the basic structure of the civil court system, how you file a lawsuit, and how to track your case through the court system.

Finesse your presentation skills with specific tips on how best to present your administrative case.

Judge Michael G. Virga will discuss Sacramento Superior Court's Alternative Dispute Resolution programs.

Create visual pizzazz in your courtroom demonstrations with more advanced Microsoft® PowerPoint 2007 tools!  In this hands-on computer class, you will learn how to setup images, color, and text as part of a Slide Master and how to merge other slides into your Slide Master.  You will learn how to insert tables, charts and graphs; import sound and video clips; add built-in buttons to navigate slides, play sound, or run a program. 

You will also learn how to link and imbed actual Word documents or Excel worksheets; how to encrypt your slide show for distribution, restrict viewing privileges, and check for unwanted metadata using the Document Inspector feature.

Steven A. Block, Mediation & Arbitration and Allen J. Owen, Timmons, Owen & Owen, Inc.  will demonstrate how to assemble and use a Trial Notebook the most important tool used by experienced trial attorneys including when to start preparation, contents, sections,  forms, styles, etc.

This seminar teaches you how to best attack three of the toughest- to-attack answers from an adverse witness under cross-examination.

Topics will include: Deposition logic & Whack!; Crucial to get to “yes,” “no,” or “maybe;” Several meanings of “I don’t know;” Lines of attack against “I don’t remember;” Axiom re: “I do remember;” famous cross-examinations analyzed; and, much more!

This four-hour MCLE event will provide refreshments and a catered lunch.

If you're just getting started in Microsoft Word 2007, then this class is for you! We'll go through the basic functions of Word and cover techniques from setting up your document to cutting and pasting text from one page to another. Also, we’ll take a look at how to apply those techniques to some of the many resources that you can find on the Sacramento County Public Law Libraries online databases. Join us here at the Sacramento Public Law Library for a fun and informative time!

*Basic computer skills are a must for this class.

Don Vilfer, President of Califorensics, will address legal and practice aspects of preserving digital evidence.

This one-hour presentation will provide insights on eliminating bias in the legal profession.

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 made sweeping changes to the American bankruptcy laws, affecting both consumer and business bankruptcies.

BAPCPA requires an attorney investigate before filing any bankruptcy chapter.  This course will provide expertise on the changes and requirements.

Listen to a Family Law attorney and an attorney with the Sacramento County Department of Child Support Services discuss the interface between DCSS and private attorneys in the process of child support enforcement.

Roll up your sleeves and dig in, this two-hour presentation will discuss best practices for legal calendaring and the use of e-discovery in civil litigation cases. Federal updates involve the Northern District's new motion timelines and expedited trial program. State topics include judicial arbitration and Sacramento Superior Court updates.  Electronic discovery in general also will be covered.

This is the first class in a two-part hands-on computer training on the use of LexisNexis Concordance v10 software for document production.

Concordance® discovery management software delivers an effective way to manage and review a high volume of documents, scanned paper, e-mail, and other electronic records generated during litigation.

In this hands-on computer class, you will learn how to identify, organize and analyze case-critical information using Concordance®. You will learn how to search, review, produce, and share documents across your firm and beyond.

Listen to Judge Brian R. Van Camp deliver his insights on the art of presenting an effective closing argument.

This course will delineate the governing authorities and the laws pertaining to juvenile dependency cases. Topics to be discussed will include identifying service providers, available resources, and issues overlapping with other practice areas.

Building on the foundation established in Dependency 101 (available in video format at http://www.saclaw.org/videoDetails.aspx?vid=13). This course will delineate governing authorities, jurisdictional matters, disposition issues, and the laws pertaining to juvenile dependency cases. Topics will incorporate case law and other issues relevant to immigrant juvenile status and permanency for youth.

Expert business consultants with the Great Sacramento Business Development Center will guide you with tips and techniques on how to create a strong business plan for your law practice.

This course will focus on the cutting-edge legal and technical aspects of the new Federal Rules on e-discovery.

Topics to be covered will include the legal methods of accessing an opposing party's computer; how computer forensics works; and the capabilities of dealing with large volumes of electronic discovery.

This presentation will summarize a recent case of elder abuse in a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly [RCFE] that included allegations against an Administrator/Registered Nurse. Evidence of record tampering and document fraud, established through the expert testimony of a Legal Nurse Consultant/RCFE Expert and later confirmed by a Document Examiner Expert, was presented during the ensuing trial.

You will listen to the Legal Nurse Consultant/RCFE Expert discuss the methodology used to establish the preponderance of evidence; how to identify variations between an RCFE and a Skilled Nursing Facilities [SNFs]; and how to recognize potential abuse in elder care facilities.

You will learn important estate tax considerations you should address when setting up an IRA or other retirement accounts.

In a complex case, lawyers and mediators often deal with highly charged litigants who may appear emotionally disturbed but are actually high-functioning personalities who under the care of a mental health professional can perform activities of daily living.

This presentation will explore the archetypes in a proceeding, the ethical and practical challenges in mediating a case with an emotionally disturbed litigant, and how to extract an agreement without overreaching, undue-influence, and the potential failure to discharge the duty of informed consent.

This seminar will discuss the practical and ethical ramifications of the Federal e-Discovery Rules and the recent revisions to California's Code of Civil Procedure (AB 926).

This class will instruct you on how to create a strategy utilizing expert witnesses, get your expert's testimony admitted, and prepare your expert for deposition and cross-examination. Learn how to extract medical records information while maintaining patient privilege and how to link your evidence to impact a jury.

Google® enables an Internet user to search the Web, Usenet, and images. Google users will learn how to conducting sophisticated legal searches and apply other online Google resources.

This course will cover recent conflicts cases and the ethical implications in the practice of law. What happens in the event of inadvertent disclosure of client confidential information - duties, risks and risk management.

The California courts take judicial notice of legislative history records. You will learn how to use legislative history to present potent legal arguments and how to recognize potential misuse of legislative history records by opposing counsel.

If you engage in products liability, consumer protection, toxic tort, securities, civil rights, and/or employment law cases and are challenged by representing multiple clients in a class action lawsuit, this presentation is for you. Topics to be covered will include how to establish a class certification, how to deal with reluctant or disillusioned clients in a long protracted case, how to use mediation to your advantage, and how to enhance the outcome of a settlement or verdict.

Intellectual property is a property right protected under federal and state law. IP includes copyrightable works, ideas, discoveries, and inventions related to intangible property such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Jim H. Salter, expert witness and litigation support counsel, will address legal issues surrounding the rights of ownership of patents, trade secrets, trade dress, service marks or trademarks, and the legal or illegal use of this property.

Listen to Judge Jaime R. Roman describe how the bench determines the credible testimony of an expert witness.

A pleading is the beginning stage of a lawsuit. It provides a notice to a defendant that a legal claim has been made concerning a specific controversy. Often cases are thrown out of court for technical flaws in a pleading or other court-required forms.

This hands-on computer course will cover preparation of a pleading and other legal forms, and will demonstrate how you can locate these resources in the Sacramento County Public Law Library.

A pleading is the beginning stage of a lawsuit. It provides a notice to a defendant that a legal claim has been made concerning a specific controversy. Often cases are thrown out of court for technical flaws in a pleading or other court-required forms.

This hands-on computer course will cover preparation of a pleading and other legal forms, and will demonstrate how you can locate these resources in the Sacramento County Public Law Library.

This comprehensive three-hour course will cover California sources for case law, statutes, regulations, and more!

In this course you will learn about the latest tools and resources on Westlaw to help you become more efficient, productive and confident in your legal research AND earn 1 MCLE credit.

In this demonstration lecture, you will learn how to access Shepard’s® citations, documents, web results, news, and your law firm's files without ever having to leave Microsoft Word or Outlook.  Using the new Microsoft® Office (2007 or 2010), you can obtain legal research information with a click of a button allowing you entrée to LexisNexis content while you are reading an e-mail or preparing a brief.
 

 

In this hands-on computer class you will learn how to develop a search request, find cases and other documents by topic, by citation, or by party names using the LexisNexis services. In addition, you will learn how to use the SHEPARD'S Citation Service.

Building on the techniques learned in the LEXIS I class, this hands-on computer class will emphasize time efficient and cost-effective searching tips. Skills include how to bypass menu screens using short cuts, narrow searching with segments, focus on a specific word(s) within an original search, and refine searches with advanced connectors.

This class will focus on how a Mechanics' Lien secures payment to contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers of materials for constructing or repairing a building.

This 2.5-hour course will cover how to create a spreadsheet to track data and perform calculations useful in a law firm practice. You will learn how to navigate the new "Ribbon" and gallery commands in Excel 2007 and how to perform basic calculations, create charts that are clear and compelling, manage data lists, format cells, insert and delete rows and columns, create simple formulas, and use  headers and footers. 

Expanding on the concepts in the Sacramento County Public Law Library's beginning Word 2007 class: Unraveling the "Ribbon" in Microsoft ® Word 2007 for Legal Professionals, instructor Cheri Boyer will cover the more advanced functionalities associated with Word 2007.

This in-depth course will cover how to prepare your client for trial.

In this presentation you will learn tips and techniques from a Greater Sacramento Small Business Development Center consultant on how to reevaluate your business during a downturn economy. Topics will include current business conditions; understanding why quantifying and qualifying a business is important; technology trends; and the necessity of getting out of your comfort zone to survive. 

This sixty-minute interactive session on how to conduct lawful reductions in force during an economic recession is designed for business professionals and attorneys.

Learn from an expert what it takes to file a Small Claims Court case, and when to seek legal advice. Topics to be discussed include jurisdictional issues, improper or no proof of service, subpoena of bank or personal records vs. privacy rights, countersuits, getting a judgment, appealing a judgment, collecting on a judgment, exemption claims, release of statisfaction on a judgment, and more.

This seminar will educate lawyers on substance abuse warning signs, abuse triggers, and treatment options.

Congress and the IRS recently imposed tough new standards for providers of tax advice who become subject to liability and increased penalties. The new standards can readily seize business attorneys working on a deal or estate and trust planners advising clients on their estates. This class will cover the new standards from an expert in taxation.

You will listen to a Sacramento Superior Court Judge, Court Reporter, Court Attendant/Bailiff and Court Clerk describe the inner workings of the courtroom, and its personnel.

Listen to a law and motion judge explain the required time lines for filing and service of a motion; the ins-and-outs of local practice; how to write an effective motion; and the tentative ruling system.

Learn about searching for cases, statutes, and the many other resources available on Westlaw. This class will take you beyond basic searching and teach you specialized techniques to get better search results in less time

Learn from a legal writing expert how to elicit the action you want, and avoid the risk of losing your reader with the impact of your demand letter.

The best mindset for preparing a motion is organization. Prepare your procedural device in law with tips and techniques from a legal writing expert.