Our latest featured speaker is Andrew Owen of Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP!

Andrew is speaking at our upcoming Master the Depositions 101: The Nuts and Bolts (CA) program. Designed for newer litigators, this program will teach attorneys what they need to know to succeed at taking and defending depositions. This comprehensive deposition training program will provide you with both a comprehensive understanding of the process, as well as strategies to take and defend depositions successfully.

Our attendees loved Andrew when he spoke at our 2022 18th Annual Federal Court Boot Camp. You can find our 2024 version of that program here.

Andrew Owen focuses his practice on litigating and trying catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases involving trucks, commercial vehicles, pedestrians, industrial or construction accidents, as well as dangerous conditions of public and private property.  Mr. Owen also devotes a portion of his practice to consumer class actions against businesses that engage in unfair and illegal business practices.

Prior to joining Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, Mr. Owen worked as a paralegal, law clerk and attorney at O’Donnell & Associates, a boutique civil litigation and trial firm that specialized in complex, multi-million dollar state and federal lawsuits involving antitrust, entertainment, intellectual property, energy, securities, products liability, toxic tort, real estate, constitutional law, finance, and business disputes.

Some of Mr. Owen’s prior work included: In re Katrina Canal Breaches Consolidated Litigation:  twin suits against United States and a private contractor alleging their negligence caused plaintiffs’ flood damage during Hurricane Katrina. State of California ex rel. Hindin v. Hewlett Packard Company and Agilent Technologies Inc.: qui tam suit for violation of California False Claims Act. The State of Nevada v. Watanabe:  white-collar criminal defense of gambler involving a gaming debt of over a million. In re Natural Gas Anti-trust Cases I, II, III, IV:  consumer class action antitrust case concerning natural gas price fixing during 2000-01 energy crisis.

Mr. Owen has been named among the Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, recognized as a Southern California Rising Star by the Super Lawyers publication, and is a member of the State Bar of California, the United States District Court for the Central District of California, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.  He is also an active member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles.

While working as a law clerk, Mr. Owen attended the night program at Southwestern Law School where he graduated cum laude.  He earned Highest Honors in Legal Research & Writing, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and California Pretrial Practice.  Mr. Owen was also an active member of Moot Court and competed in the 2008 National Telecommunications Competition at Catholic University, where his team won First Place and he won Best Oralist.

We are so glad to have you back Andrew!

Our latest featured speaker is Mythily Sivarajah of Peck-Law, Employment & Civil Rights! 

Mythily is speaking at our upcoming Master the Depositions 101: The Nuts and Bolts (CA) program. Designed for newer litigators, this program will teach attorneys what they need to know to succeed at taking and defending depositions. This comprehensive deposition training program will provide you with both a comprehensive understanding of the process, as well as strategies to take and defend better depositions.

Mythily will also be speaking at our upcoming 19th Annual Superior Court Boot Camp: The Nuts and Bolts (CA) program, which you can purchase to watch live or recorded. This dynamic and information-packed program will teach you all about litigating in California State Court. It will also teach you what you need to know to be a successful litigator in any court. The program covers your case in state court from start until right before trial (we now have a separate Trial Training program in the works).  The speakers teach everything from developing your case themes, to CMCs, complex case scheduling, discovery, depos, and motions moving on through to your pre-trial tasks. Our 2023 version of this program had outstanding reviews and you can purchase the recording here. 

Mythily Sivarajah (“MY-THE-LEE SIVA-RAJA”) has more than a decade of experience solely representing plaintiffs/ employees and she has committed her entire legal career to advocating for workers’ rights and social justice issues. Mythily has broad experience in handling employment and civil rights matters of diverse complexities through all stages of litigation, as demonstrated by her positive results on behalf of numerous plaintiffs against a range of employers and businesses, including public entities. Prior to joining PECK-LAW, Employment & Civil Rights, Mythily practiced at other litigation firms advocating for plaintiffs and workers, where she successfully represented plaintiffs in various employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, sexual assault, wage theft and defamation cases.

Mythily pursued her passion for learning about workplace issues by focusing her undergraduate degree at Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. While at Cornell, along with conducting extensive research on workers’ rights, she also became involved with unions and other employment organizations, which further bolstered her interest and resolve in making a difference in the lives of aggrieved and injured employees. In 2000, Mythily graduated in three years with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University as a Cornell National Scholar.

Recognized by her peers as a “Super Lawyer” in 2020 and a “Rising Star” with Super Lawyers’ Magazine for 2017-2018, Mythily is also actively involved with the California Employment Lawyers Association (“CELA”) as co-chair of the Mentorship Committee, and she is committed to advancing knowledge of workplace issues, diversity and mentorship amongst her peers, mentees, and other bar associations in the Bay Area. She is a former co-chair of the pro-bono committee for the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California and former co-chair of the bay area chapter of the South Asian Women Attorneys Network.

Mythily enjoys baking and cooking different cuisines, and traveling. Oftentimes, you will find her hiking in the Bay Area’s outdoors with her husband and two kids.

We are so glad to have you again Mythily!

Our latest featured speaker is Evangeline A.Z. Burbidge of Lewis & Llewellyn LLP!

Evangeline (Evan) is speaking at our upcoming Master the Depositions 101: The Nuts and Bolts (CA) program. Designed for newer litigators, this program will teach attorneys what they need to know to succeed at taking and defending depositions. This comprehensive deposition training program will provide you with both a comprehensive understanding of the process, as well as strategies to take and defend better depositions.

Attendees loved Evan when she taught at this program in 2021, which you can purchase here.

Evan was also very popular when she spoke at our 2022 17th Annual Superior Court Boot Camp.  The 2023 version of that program is available now and you can find more information here. Our 2024 version of that program will take place on September 24th and 26th and you can register to attend live here. This program has received phenomenal reviews and comes highly recommended as an essential litigation program for newer attorneys and those new to litigation.

It is always fabulous to have you speak at our programs Evan!

Our latest featured speaker is Jessica Rankin Corpuz of Weintraub | Tobin!

Jessica is speaking at our upcoming Mastering the Deposition 101: The Nuts and Bolts program.  Designed for newer litigators, this program will teach attorneys what they need to know to succeed at taking and defending depositions. This comprehensive deposition training program will provide you with both a comprehensive understanding of the process, as well as strategies to take and defend better depositions.

Jessica was very popular when she spoke at our 2023 19th Annual Federal Court Boot Camp.  The 2024 version of that program is available now and you can get more information about it here. Jessica also spoke at our The Art of Jury Selection in California: The Nuts and Bolts program in 2022 to rave reviews.

As a shareholder in the Litigation department, Jessica Corpuz handles complex commercial disputes, emphasizing entertainment and intellectual property litigation.

She has successfully represented clients in trial, mediation, arbitration, and appeal, including millions of dollars in jury verdicts as well as published reversals of adverse trial court rulings on appeal.

Over the course of her career, Jessica has litigated cases in the fields of entertainment, international law, private equity and corporate transactions, breach of contract, and fraud, among others.  She handles cases on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants and has appeared before federal and state courts across the country.

She has been selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list from 2014-2020.  She is also an active member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Los Angeles Conservancy.

Jessica earned her B.A. in History from the University of California, Santa Barbara and received her J.D. from Loyola Law School, where she was the President of the International Law Society and participated in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.

We are so glad to have you join us again Jessica!

Our latest speaker is Rex S. Heinke from Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP!

Rex is speaking at our upcoming program Appellate and Writs Practice 101: The Nuts and Bolts program on July 30 & August 1, 2024. At this program attorneys will learn all about filing, briefing and arguing a civil appeal, including how to look at whether you should file it or not. Attendees will get detailed explanations about the steps and tasks involved in an appeal, the rules and timelines, and appellate court customs in California, as well as the complicated area of civil writs.

Rex has previously spoken at our 9th Annual Advanced Appellate Practice Program in February 2024 and was so popular with attendees that we invited him back.

Rex Heinke is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished and experienced appellate practitioners in California, and among the best in the nation. He has argued more than 150 appeals in federal and state courts across the country. Between 2001 and 2020, Rex was co-head of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld’s nationally renowned Supreme Court and Appellate practice.

He is regularly called on to defend major corporations and high-profile individuals in some of their most hotly contested appellate matters. Rex has extensive experience before the California Supreme Court, the California Court of Appeal, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as other federal and state appellate courts. Rex’s victories have led to reversals of individual judgments worth more than billion and dramatic changes in law to the benefit of his clients.

Rex is also a respected leader in First Amendment, intellectual property, entertainment, media, and Internet-related appellate litigation. He has frequently represented newspapers, magazines, television networks, motion picture studios, websites, and entertainment production and distribution companies in their litigation and appellate work. He is the author of BNA’s treatise on Media Law. He has received many awards for his accomplishments.

Chambers USA has named Rex one of America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the “Litigation: Appellate” section every year since 2012. He has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America guide for nearly 30 years, and in 2018 was named to both the Daily Journal‘s list of the Top 100 Lawyers in California and the National Law Journal‘s Appellate Hot List. The Legal 500 business litigation guide has included him as one of the nation’s top appellate lawyers for state and federal Supreme Courts since 2019. And he was twice named California Lawyer of the Year by California Lawyer Magazine. In 2019, the Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library awarded Rex with the prestigious Beacon of Justice Award, in honor of his “vision, advocacy and passion for justice.” In 2020, Public Counsel Law Center awarded him its Pro Bono Award for “providing outstanding and impactful service to those in need.”

Rex is a past president of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and member of the California Judicial Council and State Bar Board of Governors.He serves on the boards of directors of the Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, and the Topsy Foundation, a children’s charitable organization in South Africa.

Rex received his law degree from Columbia Law School.

He clerked after law school for the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Frederick Heebe. His undergraduate degree is from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where he was the student body president and an anti-apartheid activist.

We are so glad to have him join us again!

Calling all appellate practitioners!  Need a quick review on initiating a civil appeal in federal court?

Listen to our experts from our 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Boot Camp: The Nuts and Bolts, which attendees praised as a “grand slam”!

“Really excellent speakers and content, a great intro for newer attorneys or refresher for experienced ones.”

This remarkable program assembled wonderful judges and seasoned litigators to present a comprehensive review of the 9th circuit structure, appellate motion practice, mediation program, appellate brief writing, oral argument, and post-decision practice.

To give you a glimpse of the program, this post shines a light on the first step in Initiating the Appeal in Civil Cases, and is excerpted from a discussion prepared by John F. Querio of Horvitz & Levy and Janet Schroer of Hart Wagner.

And the first step in an appeal is …. Should you appeal? 

1. Factors to consider include:
   • Likelihood of success
   • Cost considerations (including whether to retain appellate counsel)
   • Timing considerations
   • Appeal as settlement leverage
2. Do you have an appeal as a matter of right?
   • See the Final Judgment Rule, 28 U.S.C. § 1291
   • Review the Merger Doctrine/Reviewability of Interlocutory orders, Dupree v. Younger
3. Think about other types of appeals as a matter of right (e.g., orders denying motions to compel arbitration under Federal Arbitration Act.
4. What about Post-Judgment appeals (e.g., appeals from orders awarding attorney fees/costs, especially in employment and civil rights cases
5. If there is no appeal as a matter of right, what are options for interlocutory review?
   • Petitions for permission to appeal (FRAP 5)i) Interlocutory appeals by permission (28 U.S.C. § 1292(b))
   • Entry of separate judgment as to fewer than all parties/claims (FRCP 54(b))
   • Writs (28 U.S.C. § 1651)

This is just the first step of many in initiating your appeal in the 9th Circuit.  To learn more, order our 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Boot Camp: The Nuts and Bolts. Since you read this post, you can take $25.00 the precorded package by using this coupon at checkout: 9thBlog25.

In our previous blog post, Avoiding Procedural Traps on Appeal: Part 1, we featured the first 10 tips recommended by Judge Rebecca Glasgow of the Washington State Court of Appeals and Ian Cairns of Smith Goodfriend to ensure you avoid procedural traps when filing an appeal. In this week’s post, complete your knowledge by reading the remaining essential tips! You can download the full presentation of our 7th Annual Advanced Appellate Program (Washington) here.

11. Failure to provide a sufficient record

1. “An insufficient record on appeal precludes review of the alleged errors.” Bulzomi v. Dep’t of Labor & Indus., 72 Wn. App. 522, 525, 864 P.2d 996 (1994).
2. Make an adequate record below, e.g., filing proposed instructions, making sure colloquies and rulings are recorded, and making offers of proof.
3. Designate that record in the appellate court. See generally Title 9 of the RAPs.

12. Inviting Error

1. “The doctrine of invited error ‘prohibits a party from setting up an error at trial and then complaining of it on appeal.’” State v. Wakefield, 130 Wn.2d 464, 475, 925 P.2d 183 (1996) (quoting State v. Pam, 101 Wn.2d 507, 511, 680 P.2d 762 (1984)).
2. Don’t raise arguments subject to an invited error rebuttal where possible.
3. Be prepared to explain how the alleged error was not actually “invited,” i.e., “an affirmative, knowing, and voluntary act,” State v. Mercado, 181 Wn. App. 624, 630, 326 P.3d 154 (2014), or to argue potential exceptions to the rule.
   

13. Judicial Estoppel

1. Sometimes arises for the first time on appeal if arguing a party is taking a position contrary to one taken below.
2. Preclusion of inconsistent positions regarding factual assertions.
3. Precludes a party from taking one position below and then later trying to gain a tactical advantage by taking an opposite position.
4. Does not prevent alternative arguments.

14. Raising new arguments on appeal

1. “As a general rule, appellate courts will not consider issues raised for the first time on appeal.” State v. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 332-33, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995) (citing RAP 2.5(a)).
2. If the time for doing so has not expired, consider filing a motion for reconsideration to more squarely preserve and frame appellate arguments.
3. Under limited circumstances a party may raise new arguments on appeal. See RAP 2.5(a). Chapter 11 of the WSBA Appellate Practice Deskbook has comprehensive lists of issues that can and cannot be raised for the first time on appeal.
4. There are also a number of case law exceptions to the general rule that new issues may not be heard on appeal. See § 11.4 of the WSBA Appellate Practice Deskbook.

15. Raising evidentiary issues on appeal

1. If a trial court overrules an objection, then appellant cannot raise alternative ground for excluding evidence on appeal. The appellant must stick with the argument raised below. State v. Mak, 105 Wn.2d 692, 719, 718 P.2d 407 (1986). See also § 11.7(1)(a)(ii) of the WSBA Appellate Practice Deskbook.

16. Law of the Case doctrine

1. On appeal. governed by RAP 2.5(c).

17. Raising new issues in a reply brief

1. “An issue raised and argued for the first time in a reply brief is too late to warrant consideration.” Cowiche Canyon Conservancy v. Bosley, 118 Wn.2d 801, 809, 828 P.2d 549 (1992).
2. Plan ahead! Make sure to include all assignments of error (and supporting arguments) necessary for the court to grant you the relief you are requesting, e.g., if asking for the reversal of a jury’s general verdict, challenge all claims that might support the verdict.
3. While parties cannot raise new issues in a reply brief, “parties can clearly cite additional authority on appeal in support of issues they have already raised.” Brutsche v. City of Kent, 164 Wn.2d 664, 671 n.3, 193 P.3d 110 (2008).

18. Incorporating arguments by reference

1. “We do not permit litigants to use incorporation by reference as a means to argue on appeal or to escape the [length] limits for briefs.” Diversified Wood Recycling, Inc. v. Johnson, 161 Wn. App. 859, 890, 251 P.3d 293 (2011).
2. Make space in your brief for important arguments. If you absolutely must, file a motion for an overlength brief rather than incorporate an argument by reference. See RAP 10.4(b).

19. Placing arguments in a footnote

1. After completing a draft of your brief, review footnotes to consider 1) whether they are necessary, and, if so, 2) whether they should be moved into the body of the brief.

20. Respondent’s failure to argue harmless error 

1. Respondent: be sure to consider harmless error
2. See, e.g., State v. Charlton, No. 55544-1-II, 515 P.3d 537, 547 (2022).

The spotlight today is on Michael Asimow!  Michael will be presenting at our upcoming Administrative Law Hearings: A Beginner’s Guide on January 23 and January 25, 2024. This two-part webinar will provide the fundamentals of California administrative adjudication, everything from the Administrative Adjudication Bill of Rights to discovery and the prehearing process.

Praised by audiences for his excellent knowledge and memorable presentation, Michael frequently speaks at our administrative law programs, including Writs of Administrative Mandamus 101: The Nuts and Bolts in 2022 and Administrative Law Hearings: A Beginner’s Guide (California) in 2021.

Michael teaches at Santa Clara University School of Law. He was previously a long-term visiting professor at Stanford Law School and is a professor of law emeritus at UCLA.

In the area of administrative law, he is a co-author of the California Practice Guide–Administrative Law, published by the Rutter Group. He also co-authored a law school course book, State and Federal Administrative Law (5th ed., 2020). Michael has written numerous articles on state and federal administrative law as well as comparative administrative law. He is also a consultant to the Administrative Conference of the United States.

Looking forward to your discussion on administrative law, Michael!

Seeking a comprehensive review of proper appellate procedure in Washington state court? Hear from the experts!

Below are the first 10 tips recommended by The Honorable Rebecca Glasgow and Ian Cairns of Smith Goodfriend during our 7th Annual Advanced Appellate Program (Washington), which is available for download here.

1. Failure to timely a notice of appeal
   1. Generally, the notice of appeal is due within 30 days of entry of the appealed order. See RAP 5.2(a).
   2. Exceptions to the 30-day rule:
      1. Certain posttrial motions extend the time for filing (e.g., a CR 59 motion for new trial or reconsideration, etc.). See RAP 5.2(e); RAP 2.4(c).
      2. Statutory deadlines. A list of applicable statutes is available in the drafters’ comments to RAP 5.2 and in Tegland’s Appellate Practice Deskbook.
      3. An order does not have to be labeled a “final judgment” to be one.
2. Appeal as a matter of right
   1. See RAP 2.2(a) for a list of appealable orders.
      1. If an order is not on this list, it is not appealable and a party must instead seek discretionary review under RAP 2.3.
   2. For review of decisions of courts of limited jurisdiction, see RAP 2.2(c).
3. Failure to timely file a notice of discretionary review
   1. A notice of discretionary review is due 30 days from any non-appealable act by the trial court. See RAP 2.3. An “act” does not have to be memorialized by an order to start the clock.
4. Respondent’s failure to timely cross-appeal
   1. The “appellate court will grant a respondent affirmative relief by modifying the decision which is the subject matter of the review only (1) if the respondent also seeks review of the decision by the timely filing of a notice of appeal or a notice of discretionary review, or (2) if demanded by the necessities of the case.” See RAP 2.4(a).
   2. A respondent presenting an alternative basis for affirmance, as opposed to seeking affirmative relief, need not cross-appeal. See McGowan v. State, 148 Wn.2d 278, 287-88, 60 P.3d 67 (2002).
5. Failure to designate orders in a notice of appeal.
   1. The appellate court will review orders (or portions of orders) that have been designated in the notice of appeal or notice of discretionary review. See RAP 2.4(a).
   2. If a trial court order or ruling is not designated in the notice, the appellate court will review if the order “prejudicially affects the decision designated in the notice.” See RAP 2.4(b).
6. Jurisdiction
   1. Minimum dollar amount ($200) limits jurisdiction in Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. RCW 2.06.030; RCW 2.04.010. “Original amount in controversy”
   2. Subject matter jurisdiction can be raised at any time
7. Aggrieved party and standing
   1. Only an aggrieved party may seek appellate review. See RAP 3.1.
   2. An aggrieved party is one whose proprietary, pecuniary, or personal rights are substantially affected. Randy Reynolds & Assocs., Inc. v. Harmon, 193 Wn.2d 143, 150, 437 P.3d 677 (2019).
8. Mootness/Ripeness
   1. “A case is moot if a court can no longer provide effective relief.” State v. Gentry, 125 Wn.2d 570, 616, 888 P.2d 1105 (1995).
   2. For relevant mootness rules, see RAP 8.3; 18.12,
   3. Parties seeking dismissal should bring a motion if a case becomes moot mid-appeal.
   4. Ripeness generally arises in criminal cases where there is a vagueness challenge, in cases involving the Administrative Procedures Act, and in cases involving the constitutionality of statutes.
9. Failure to assign error
   1.  Briefs should include concise assignments of error. See RAP 10.3(a)(4).
   2. Provide separate assignments of error for each jury instruction improperly proposed, given, or refused. See RAP 10.3(g).
   3. Unchallenged findings of fact are verities on appeal.
   4. The appellate court does have discretion to review unassigned errors “if the issues are reasonably clear from the arguments in the brief, the opposing party has not been prejudiced, and the court has not been overly inconvenienced.” State v. Croy, 3 Wn. App. 2d 1067, 2018 WL 2437316, at *3 (2018) (citing State v. Olson, 126 Wn.2d 315, 323, 893 P.2d 629 (1995)).
   5. However, to be safe, make sure to include assignments of error and err on the side of being overinclusive in assignments. Include assignments of error that are specific without including argument.
10. Failure to support assignments of error
    1. “A party that offers no argument in its opening brief on a claimed assignment of error waives the assignment.” Brown v. Vail, 169 Wn.2d 318, 336 n. 11, 237 P.3d 263 (2010).
    2.  After finishing a draft of the opening brief, compare the assignments of error to the arguments to confirm each assignment is supported.
    3. Include references in the assignments of error to the brief sections with the corresponding argument and vice versa.

See the final 10 tips in our next blog!