We Like the Practising Law Institute for MCLE

Knock Off Your Requirements Without Leaving Your Home or Office

There are thousands of MCLE providers in California. If you are diligent and do your research you can find many pro bono offerings of MCLE programs. As we near the end of 2009, many of us are searching for the last hour or few hours of required legal education. PLI offers MCLE at cost, but also offers a variety of pro bono courses in many subjects, including ethics. Maintaining your MCLE credits is mandatory for paralegals in California. Don't lose your paralegal standing by falling short. Register at PLI and take advantage of its offerings.

Practising Law Institute is a non-profit continuing legal education organization chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York.

Founded in 1933, PLI is dedicated to providing the legal community and allied professionals with the most up-to-date, relevant information and techniques which are critical to the development of a professional, competitive edge. We achieve these goals through the highest quality Seminars held annually in locations across the United States, annually supplemented Treatises, Audio CDs and DVDs, MP3s, Live Webcasts, Course Handbooks, CLE Now web programs, Private Label Solutions and PLI XChange, all with the guidance of practice specific Advisory Committees.

San Diego Begins Negoiations for New Superior Court

New Courthouses Are In the Works for the State of California

County officials want to give the State of California a city block so the state can replace the old county courthouse originally built in 1961 with a 17-story Superior Court complex that would consolidate services in a new downtown San Diego high-rise courthouse building. The building would include 71 courtrooms — of which there is a great need. If the deal is approved the $550 million construction project could be completed by 2015.

The newer Hall of Justice, just west of the old courthouse, would be unaffected.
The site for the new courthouse is known as the “Stahlman Block” which is bounded by Union, West B, State and West C streets. The county has been buying parcels there since supervisors realized they eventually would need more space. The block was appraised last year at about $36 million.

The high-rise would be built using a portion of the $5 billion in state bond money approved for new courthouses. The money would be repaid through parking and court fee increases.

The San Diego project is considered critical by state officials, and the county is getting a larger share of the state bond money than usual as a result. In exchange for giving the state the Stahlman Block, the county would regain ownership of two nearby buildings that supervisors gave to the state last year.

The two facilities that would return to county ownership are the Madge Bradley Building on Fourth Avenue and the Family Court Building on Sixth Avenue. The state would keep using them until the new courthouse is opened.

Many other counties are looking at upgrading court facilities. The courthouses are outdated and crowded. New facilities are needed throughout the state.

Sacramento County Public Law Library Offers MCLE and Writing Course

Legal Writing from Basics to Blogging

November 4, 2009 (Wednesday)
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Instructor: Jonathan G. Stein & Christine McKenzie, Attorneys at Law

This seminar will encompass the essentials of legal writing, including a survey of grammar, citations, titles, word usage and formatting specific to the legal arena. The program will also cover the issues involved with writing a legal blog, website or other Web 2.0 application. What works for court does not necessarily work for the Internet! The program will cover the basics of who, what, where, when, why and how, as well as whether you should be on the Internet (yes) and under what circumstances.

2 hours MCLE credit
Register at www.SacLaw.org: $55.00


Parking validation available for the City of Sacramento two-story parking structure, entrance G Street & 7th. Bring your parking receipt and obtain validation.

Sacramento County Public Law Library, 813 Sixth Street, 1st Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.874.854

Sacramento County Public Law Library Offers MCLE

Consumer Fraud & Debt Relief

October 30, 2009 Friday
2:30pm to 4:00pm
Speaker: Stuart Talley, Partner, Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff, LLP

Listen to a legal expert on consumer fraud and debt relief discuss how to deal with illegal debt consolidation and mortgage loan modification scams. You will learn how to identify firms that break the law with a focus on the Check Sellers, Bill Payers, and Proraters Law, B & P Code 17200, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and more.

1.5 MCLE credits Fee: $50.00

Use your MasterCard® or VISA® to register online at www.saclaw.org to view the complete Schedule of Fall '09 Classes Available Now.

Parking validation available for the City of Sacramento two-story parking structure, entrance G Street & 7th. Bring your parking receipt and we will validate for time spent in this class.

Reminder: California State Courts Closed Wednesday, October 21

All California state courts will close Wednesday, October 21, 2009, as a cost-saving measure to help courts cope with unprecedented budget reductions in the judicial branch of government.

Authorized by Government Code section 68106, which was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, the Judicial Council approved the court closures on the third Wednesday of the month starting in September 2009 and continuing through June 2010.

“The mission of the Judicial Council is to improve access to justice, so it was extremely difficult for us to make any decision that results in closing our courts,” stated Chief Justice Ronald M. George, chair of the Judicial Council, the 27-member policymaking body for the state courts.

In the face of severe budget reductions, however, the Chief Justice stated that the council approved the closures as a way to partially offset the budget cutbacks while seeking to protect court employees and critical court programs that provide services to the public.

Court Closure Days

All state courts will be closed on October 21, 2009: the Supreme Court of California, the Courts of Appeal, and the superior courts in each of California’s 58 counties. The Administrative Office of the Courts will be closed on the same day as the courts.

This is the second day that state courts have closed. The remaining court closure days are November 18, 2009; December 16, 2009; January 20, 2010; February 17, 2010; March 17, 2010; April 21, 2010; May 19, 2010; and June 16, 2010.

Closing state courts one day a month may result in savings of about $94.3 million statewide. In addition to court closures, the Judicial Council took other actions to reduce the impact of the judicial branch’s $414 million budget reduction.

The council reallocated $165 million in special funds to offset cuts to the trial court operations budget. The special funds address a portion of the court funding cuts and unfunded growth costs for court security, dependency counsel for children in neglect and abuse cases, court interpreters for those who speak little or no English, and employee retirement costs. The council also allocated $46.7 million in projected new fee revenues to the trial courts.

Court closure days are to be counted as holidays for the purpose of computing time for statutory deadlines. See the full report approved by the Judicial Council at this link: www.courtinfo.ca.gov/jc/documents/age072909.pdf.

National Freedom of Speech Week 10/29-10/25

Celebrate National Freedom of Speech Week With ALDAP

October 19-25, 2009

The American Bar Association Division for Public Education provides national leadership in educating the public about the law, legal issues, and legal institutions. It works in partnership with bar associations, courts, educational institutions, civic organizations, and others to reach diverse public audiences. Its programs, publications, and resources are designed to educate and inform youth, undergraduate students, and adults.

This week the ABA asks all Americans to participate in National Freedom of Speech Week. The 1st amendment of the US Constitution allows all Americans freedom of speech and reads as follows:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
- First Amendment, US Constitution

Join ALDAP in celebrating National Freedom of Speech Week by taking a moment to reflect upon the military service people who defend our rights daily on foreign soil, far from home and hearth.

Sac Law Library Offers MCLE and Legal Writing Course

Persuasive Writing for the Legal Professional: Demand Letters and Motions

October 28, 2009 (Wednesday)
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Instructor: Christine McKenzie, Attorney at Law

Want to enhance your legal writing skills? This seminar will emphasize persuasive, descriptive and succinct writing, and the organization and execution of an effective demand letter and motions in particular.

2-hours MCLE credit

Register HERE: $55.00

Parking validation available for the City of Sacramento two-story parking structure, entrance G Street & 7th. Bring your parking receipt and Sac Law will validate for time spent in this class.

Sacramento County Public Law Library813 Sixth Street, 1st Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.874.8541
http://www.saclaw.org/